Set within the natural amphitheater of the Tianshengqiao Bridge — a centuries-old limestone arch in Southwest China's Guizhou province — the resonant harmonies of traditional Dong ethnic songs intertwined with the crisp melodies of an American a cappella group, their unamplified voices blending beneath the stone.
The scene unfolded during a visit by the Whiffenpoofs a cappella choir of Yale University to Liping county in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture of Guizhou.
The Whiffenpoofs is one of the world's most renowned and historic collegiate a cappella group, spearheading and innovating a cappella music since 1909. The group has performed across the United States and around the world, captivating audiences with a diverse repertoire of a cappella music.
The recent performance was part of a cultural exchange tour organized by the Beijing Enlai Foundation.
Running from March 19 to April 3, the tour brought the Whiffenpoofs to universities and choirs across Chongqing, Chengdu, Sichuan province, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, Guizhou province, Tianjin and Beijing, using songs as a bridge to foster people-to-people ties between China and the US.
Music honoring history
The evening opened with Eternal Love for the World, a Dong Grand Song performed by a local Dong chorus. The Whiffenpoofs then took the stage, delivering renditions of traditional Czech folk songs that drew cheers from the audience.
Joint performances by the American choir and Guizhou village song troupes followed, featuring songs such as I'll Wait for You in Guizhou, Jasmine Flower, and Let the World Be Filled with Love, bringing the crowd to its feet.
Arriving in Zhaoxing Dong village on March 23, the choir members immersed themselves in local life. They toured the community, performed with village ensembles, and engaged directly with Dong Grand Song traditions.
Recognized by UNESCO in 2009, Dong Grand Song is known for its conductorless, instrument-free polyphony. Its layered structure — low chorus paired with high solo lines — and nature-inspired harmonies echo the principles of a cappella singing, creating a natural point of connection.
"I may not understand the words, but it's beautiful and heavenly music," says Gu Biao, a 73-year-old local Miao villager who joined the performance.
"It was the most incredible event," says Ben Jimenez, a 21-year-old member of the Whiffenpoofs from California. "The Whiffenpoofs has over 200 performances every year. So we have a lot of practice just by ourselves, but singing with different groups makes it special. I learned how music can honor history, culture and community."
Lucas Oland, 22, a member of the Whiffenpoofs visiting China for the first time, discovered a sense of cross-cultural musical resonance while learning to play the Dong ethnic pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) at a drum tower in the Dong village.
"It's cool that people from around the world in different cultures are so united by the music and these instruments that work in similar ways," Oland says.
"Through music, young Americans can experience China's long history and deep cultural roots," says Zhang Yixiao, the China tour manager. "Instead of only seeing modern, high-tech cities, they are able to explore ethnic villages and cultures with centuries of tradition. Having them experience a real, multifaceted China is especially meaningful."
