Yale University Proof of the Pudding A Cappella Group and Peking University A Cappella Groups Joint Performance
On the evening of March 19, 2017, Yale University’s Proof of the Pudding A Cappella Group and PKU's A Cappella Groups held a joint concert at the PKU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center.
Proof of the Pudding, established in 1975, is Yale’s second-oldest all-female undergraduate a cappella group. Proof has its roots in jazz and swing, but has more recently expanded their repertoire to include a variety of music. Since its beginning, Proof has been known for its vibrant sound, enthusiastic performance style, and energetic repertoire. Proof is dedicated to both musical excellence and the bonds of sisterhood and friendship it creates, and they are keen on communication with a cappella groups all around the world. The trip to China is a new experience for the girls. Before their performance at PKU, they had just finished concerts in Shanghai. “China is probably the furthest country Proof has been to”, laughed the Proof girls when introducing themselves to the audience.
The concert was comprised of three sessions, with Proof performing during the first and last sessions, and PKU A Cappella groups performing in the middle. During the first and last sessions, Proof presented 20 songs of various styles, including western pop songs such as “Rolling in the Deep” and “Fever”, movie music such as “All That Jazz”, and a classic Chinese love song “The Moon Represents My Heart”. Their euphonic voice and joyful style touched the heart of every audience.
Paca group was established in 2010. Paca has won second Place in PKU Top Ten Singers Competition, received The National Best A Cappella Composer award, and won the Fengchao “Record of the Year” award.
The six songs presented by the PKU A Cappella Groups were just as amazing. Each of their songs, “Confess” and “Growth Ring Says” by Paca; “River Lea” by SEAbling; “Night Blossom”, “Happiness with You”, and “Super Mario” by iScream won warm applause from the audience, who swayed their bodies to the rhythm of the music.
SEAbling Group was established in 2012. It is known for its diverse musical style, from Britpop to American folk, to Chinese folk music and original campus songs.
“Proof of the Pudding had a wonderful time performing at Peking University” commented Valerie from Proof after the concert, “Most of our songs were in English, and most of the PKU groups' songs were in Chinese. But the universal nature of music allowed us to cross linguistic, geographic, and cultural barriers alike. Our forum after the concert was equally powerful. PKU and Yale students came to realize there are just as many similarities as there are differences regarding our daily lives, our future aspirations, and our experiences with a cappella and music more generally. Proof is so grateful to have had the opportunity to share songs and stories at PKU; we hope you can visit us in New Haven soon!”
iScream Group, established in 2013, has a great passion for jazz. The group’s musical works include “Super Mario”, and “Every Breath You Take”, to name two.
Wu Zhangxinan from PKU A Cappella said that she really enjoyed the concert, “It's really an amazing night; a night about voices, about the vibe, the tempo, and the harmony that voices create. Proof of the Pudding impressed us with their wonderful stage and musical arrangement. Their music style is a brand that already stands out on its own. We all enjoyed the concert and the forum after with Proof. We hope that this musical bridge between us will bring us together someday in the future!”
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Author: Ou Kun
Videographers: Ding Yifan, Li Jinsha, and PKUTV
Photographers: Zhong Xue and the PKU Youth Amateur's Society of Photography
Designer & Editor: EAS
