On March 1, 2025, the Raindrop Chorus held their annual concert themed “Wings of Song” in Palo Alto, attracting over four hundred audience members. The atmosphere was lively, with prolonged applause, making it a music extravaganza that transcended language, generations, and cultures.
As a significant milestone of the Raindrop Foundation’s “Raindrop 2.0” project, the concert had been prepared for over a year, bringing together Bay Area music enthusiasts in a choral form to showcase the limitless possibilities of music in connecting hearts. The foundation recruited members from different levels of choirs and provided thorough training, all working towards a common goal of joy, mutual support, and success, culminating in a splendid performance.
The concert featured meticulously selected 21 songs, encompassing various languages such as English, Hakka, Taiwanese, Bunun, and Mandarin. From romantic classics to Taiwanese folk songs, the diverse musical styles were enchanting. The opening song “Wings of Song” from Mendelssohn’s classic piece set an elegant melody and harmony, instantly transporting the audience into the world of music. The Hakka song “Under the Flower Tree” portrayed a heartwarming scene of a Hakka teacher sewing a blue shirt for a young girl, evoking a strong sense of rural nostalgia.
One of the highlights was the composition “Let Me Soar” by Eric Liu, where children sang with clear voices, exuding the courage to chase their dreams. Another award-winning piece, “Spread My Wings”, was sung in three-part harmony, depicting the resilience in pursuing dreams, touching the heartstrings. Songs like “Autumn Leaves” interpreted longing with a cheerful rhythm and clear distinctions between male and female voices. “Where’s the Rain Falling Today” was a collaborative performance between adults and children, incorporating vocal effects and paper rain sounds, vividly recreating the innocent joy of childhood memories after the rain, resonating with the audience.
The second half of the performance featured colorful additions, as female members wore rainbow scarves and male members sported various colored ties, resembling a spring flower sea, injecting vitality onto the stage. Bunun tribal songs showcased the unique beauty of indigenous culture through pure vocal tones, while “Children of the Sky” with accompanying drums brought forth the energetic performances of children, climaxing the show.
The collaboration across generations was a major highlight, with over seventy members including dozens of children and adult singers in perfect harmony, showcasing the ageless charm of music. The host noted that the concert was the core event of the “Raindrop 2.0” project, aiming to encourage young students to showcase their talents and promote intergenerational communication within the community through music as a bridge for hearts.
Founder of the Raindrop Foundation, Patrick Hsu, expressed emotional gratitude to the full house of audience members, emphasizing the dedication of over twenty volunteers and over seventy choir members for the event. He specially thanked music educator, Teacher Pan, who, at a hundred years old, had dedicated her life to Taiwanese music education. The legacy of the teacher and her daughter, an outstanding soprano, deeply moved the audience, embodying the essence of two generations.
Music director and piano accompanist, Shufen Zhuang, mentioned despite the challenging preparation process, seeing the smiles of the audience and children made all the efforts worthwhile. The children, though nervous, performed with heartfelt emotion, each note filled with passion, infecting everyone with their dedication.
President and coordinator, Jinren Huang, added that despite the many events at the Overseas Chinese Education Center that day, the venue was full to capacity, expressing gratitude for all the supporters who helped present the best choral experience.
Conductor Eric Liu expressed his deep emotions, considering the performance a precious memory in his musical career. Gesturing towards the composed pieces by Qingru Shi, Liu stated that although conducting her work added pressure, it was also a valuable growth opportunity. Tears flowed as he conducted the numerous pieces on stage, emphasizing the harmonious blend of adults and children, thanking the foundation for providing this opportunity.
Throughout the performance, three Taiwanese songs composed by Qingru Shi were interspersed. Shi mentioned that these pieces, commissioned by the Taiwan Formosa Choir, aimed to introduce Taiwanese language and culture to the public. Despite the language being unfamiliar to some, music transcends borders, with Taiwanese integrated into artistic creation since 2006, showcasing its classical beauty over nearly twenty years, evoking a sense of serene joy.
Audience member, David Zhang, a photomask engineer, lauded the concert for its rich content spanning multiple languages. He praised the performers’ exceptional talent, expressing satisfaction with the high-quality musical feast brought by the foundation.
Lasting two hours, the concert concluded with the upbeat Disney song “In Summer,” prompting the audience to present flowers in appreciation, creating a warm and touching moment. “Wings of Song” was not merely an auditory feast but also a journey of music connecting hearts, adding warmth and emotions to the spring of Palo Alto.