Tsinghua International School (THIS) hosted on the evening of Wednesday, April 15, 2026, its first-ever formal Spring Concert, marking an exciting new chapter for the school’s Performing Arts Department and a milestone in the school's music education.
This concert brought together student musicians from Grade 6 to 12 for a full evening of performances that showcased the depth and variety of the school’s music program.
The Wake, performed by the Grade 6-7 choirs, opened the Spring Concert around 7:00 p.m. For the next hour or more, a continuous melody reverberated and lingered throughout the auditorium.
The concert was conducted by Adam Matejek, Head of the Performing Arts Department and Secondary Instrument Teacher.
A Rich and Varied Repertoire
The event featured a wide range of ensembles, including middle school and high school choirs, concert band, jazz band, a cappella groups, and several piano soloists.
The program highlighted diverse repertoire, from contemporary band works such as Pixels and Blue Ridge Reel to classical piano pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and George Gershwin, alongside choral selections like True Colours and Easy on Me.
Beyond a Concert: Expanding Opportunities
The evening also reflects a broader effort to expand performance opportunities, allowing students to experience a more formal concert setting and share their work with the school community.
After careful consideration, the Performing Arts Department decided to inaugurate the Spring Concert to showcase the progress that students have made throughout the school year, said Mr. Matejek.
With students learning more music than in previous years following teachers' lead, the Performing Arts Department felt it important to give them an additional platform to perform and celebrate their growth, said Secondary Vocal Teacher Dr. Tzu-Hsuan Ai, a virtuoso pianist, too.
They both expressed pride in the students’ hard work and musical growth, noting that this year’s achievements set a strong precedent for the future.
Dedication Behind the Scenes
Preparation for school concerts understandably always requires a strong commitment from student musicians. While rehearsals primarily took place during class time and club gatherings, many students also practiced independently outside of school.
In addition, for this Spring Concert, the ensembles frequently met during lunch periods to rehearse as full groups, demonstrating a high level of dedication and collaboration in the lead-up to the performance.
Students musicians' performances have also received great recognition from principals.
Scott Pare, Academic Principal of THIS:
"Art has a special place in the hearts of the THIS community. Tonight I was able to witness 16 performances by our middle school and high school musicians and singers. It warms the heart to see such talent and passion."
Principal Pare showed his appreciation to Mr. Matejek and Dr. Ai for the "stunning performances," adding that he is already "looking forward to the next school concert."
Toni Dong, Vice Princpal of Operations of THIS:
"The performance was fantastic! It's wonderful to see all their efforts pay off. With students working hard, teachers offering full support, and parents and friends coming to enjoy the show, tonight was a true symbol of community."
Foundation for the Future
As the first event of its kind, the Spring Concert represents the beginning of what the Performing Arts Department hopes will become an annual tradition.
Beyond the music itself, the process of preparing for this concert — from learning challenging repertoire to collaborating across grade levels — reflected meaningful student empowerment, as young musicians took ownership of their performance from rehearsal to stage.
Their musical growth throughout the school year was on full display, making the evening not just a premiere, but a celebration of how far they have come.
Looking ahead, there is a shared sense of excitement about continuing to build on this foundation and creating a performance that students, families, and the school community can anticipate each year.
