Chinese Orchestra
The Chinese Orchestra at PEGS was established in 1990, and is the first Chinese orchestra in the world formed by Western school students. The majority of the 23 members are of European background, and they range from Year 7 to Year 12. The conductor is Mr Shen Pangeng and the Director is the school's Head of Languages, Mr James Wu. The orchestra conducts auditions at the beginning of Term 1 and Term 3 to recruit new players.
The Chinese Orchestra has given over 80 performances in the last 16 years. Apart from playing in Melbourne at Hamer Hall, the Melbourne Town Hall and the Sydney Conservatory, they have also conducted three oversees performing tours. In August 2006 the orchestra won a special achievement award in the School Orchestra Division at the Orchestra Australia 'Orchestra of the Year' Awards.
The orchestra was invited to perform by the Taiwanese government in 1995. The orchestra performed in four full concerts in Taipei and Taichung during a ten-day tour in Taiwan, as well as appearing on the Taiwan Television Station.
In December 1997, as guests of the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Musicians' Association and Shanghai Datong High School, the orchestra performed in the Beijing Concert Hall, Nanjing Teacher University and the Shanghai Concert hall to mark the Silver Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. In March 2002 the orchestra conducted another successful overseas performing tour in Taiwan and Singapore.
The PEGS Chinese Orchestra brings new insight to the study of China. Orchestra members complement their language studies, not as spectators, but as participants in Chinese culture. The orchestra is a successful example of multi-culturalism in Australia.