Overview
Biography
Professor of the Conducting Department at the Central Conservatory of Music, well-known Chinese conductor, Vice Chairman of the ISCCPA. He conducts with zeal and precision. He has a profound interpretation of works and possesses a vast repertoire. His unique performance in choral training and his feats in extensive cultivation are highly praised and unanimously admired by Chinese and foreign experts in the music world.
Professor Yang is praised as "a maestro who masters the mystery of choral art perfectly." In recognition of his outstanding artistic achievements, conductors from various countries elected Professor Yang Hongnian Vice Chairman of the International Society of Children's Choral and Performing Arts. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan awarded Professor Yang's chorus the Highest Certificate of Appreciation. The Newark Municipal Government made him an honorary citizen of the city of Newark. The Osaka municipality and Hyougo prefecture separately presented him a Gold Key in honor of his contributions to cultural exchanges between Japan and China.
Professor Yang is now the resident conductor and artistic director of the China Children's Choir of the China National Symphony Orchestra, conductor of the Youth Chorus of the Central Conservatory of Music, the artistic director of the Kunming Symphony Orchestra, and the guest conductor of the Osaka Youth Orchestra Japan. He is often invited to conduct in symphony, chamber and choral concerts and has become a very influential choral conductor in the world. He frequently takes the China Children's Choir on tours abroad and has let the choir leave its footsteps in many countries and regions such as: the United States of America, Japan, Singapore, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Russia, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. In August 1996, under his leadership the choir won four titles in one shot at the 44th "Guido d'Arezzo" International Polyphonic Choral Contest, breaking the competition record. In 1997, Professor Yang held the position of the principle conductor of the Festival Chorus at the 5th International Children's Choir Festival in the USA. In May 1999, the same China Children's Choir participated in the "International Art Festival of the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Pushkin" in Russia. The choir received a special award commending their outstanding performances, which was the only award given to a particular group in the festival. In July 1999, he directed the Youth Chorus of Xingjiang Normal University to participate in the "38th Concorso Internazionale Di Canto Corale C.A.Seghizzi" international competition and won 3 gold awards. His continuous efforts in promoting Chinese choral music have been rewarded, as he is now the Chinese conductor who has won the most awards in international choral competitions.
