Arts and Culture
Oakland’s Mayor Libby Schaaf and the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra in Shanghai, China
Mayor Libby Schaaf attended a concert performed by the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center Concert Hall Shanghai, China, Sunday, July 14.
Mayor Schaaf toured with a 22-member delegation.
The Youth Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Omid Zoufonoun, has 65 talented music students aged 12-22 years from the Bay Area.
Schaaf joined the conductor on stage at the end of the concert with Dr. Zhou Long, composer of The Rhyme of Taigu.
Schaaf said “I am so proud of the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra. These gifted young men and women represent the outstanding musical talent that we have in Oakland, California.”
The youth orchestra’s performance was a “gift of art” that Oakland shared with Shanghai.
“It was a great way for our mayor to start her trade mission and an excellent way to promote peace, friendship, and economic stability.
‘Art is the capital of diplomacy,’ “ said Conway Jones, long-time supporter of the youth orchestra.
