Lang Lang Foundation scholar Julian Zhu premieres composition with Kenyan village choir

UK-based Lang Lang International Music Foundation scholar Julian Zhu released a performance video of his original composition sung with the ACK St James Choir from Gede, a village near Mombasa, Kenya. The project was supported by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and developed through remote rehearsals and creative exchange.

UK-based composer and Lang Lang International Music Foundation scholar Julian Zhu has premiered an original composition in collaboration with the ACK St James Choir, an ensemble from Gede, a village a few hours north of Mombasa, Kenya. The collaboration was released as a newly launched performance video and was supported by the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. The project was developed through remote rehearsals and creative exchange between Zhu and the choir, and the video documents the process from initial concept to final performance. The Foundation, founded in 2008 by pianist Lang Lang, supports music education and young musicians globally and framed the project as part of its mission to expand access to music and emotional development through the arts. Project details: - The piece was composed by Julian Zhu, who performed on piano, with vocal collaboration from the choir director Cosmus Fundi (also reported as Cosmos Fundi). - The ACK St James Choir is a community ensemble from Gede, representing local choral tradition and participating in the recorded performance. - The collaboration used remote rehearsals and creative exchange and is presented in a performance video that documents the recording process and final performance. - The Lang Lang International Music Foundation supported the project and described it as aligned with its goals of empowering young musicians and promoting music education. - The Foundation's programs include Keys of Inspiration and the Young Scholars Programme, and it reports having reached over 200,000 students and donated over $2 million in musical instruments and educational resources since its founding. Summary: The project brought together a young UK composer and a Kenyan village choir to create and record an original cross-cultural composition, with the process and performance shared in a new video. The Lang Lang International Music Foundation presented the collaboration as an example of music fostering connection and opportunity within its broader education work. Undetermined at this time.