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Tours and Travels

2025 China Residency, October 9–10: Qingdao

October 11, 2025

A group of 10 Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and a handful of staff members embarked on the 2025 China Residency on October 6, flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, Korea. After a brief layover, they caught a flight to Qingdao, China, arriving at 8:40 AM on October 8. Everyone had a free day on October 9, to catch a few sights and recover from the long journey. The Residency is part of the Orchestra’s yearlong 125th anniversary celebration and also marks over 50 years of people-to-people connection through music in China.

Oct. 9, Qingdao: Qingdao is a major seaport and naval base on the Yellow Sea, with a population of over six million people. It is perhaps best known internationally as the home of Tsingtao beer. Violinist Eliot Heaton feeds the seagulls at Zhanqiao Pier, with the octagonal Huilan Pavilion in the background.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 9, Qingdao: Violist Hsiang-Hsin Ching poses with the skyline behind her.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 9, Qingdao: Violist Che-Hung Chen takes a stroll through Old City Qingdao, the historic German colonial-era section of the city, with St. Michael’s Cathedral in the background. Qingdao was a German colony from 1897 until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 9, Qingdao: Members of the tour party gather for dinner and toast to a successful residency with Tsingtao beer: (l to r) Assistant Principal Cello Priscilla Lee, violist Marvin Moon, Assistant Concertmaster Marc Rovetti, Chief Communications Officer Ashley Berke, and Guido Frackers, president of TravTours, the Orchestra’s travel management.

Photo by Chris Lee

The residency activities officially began on October 10 with a rehearsal with the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra for a side-by-side concert on October 11. Later in the day, the musicians traveled to the Haitian View and Art for a pop-up performance in the clouds. Upon arrival back at the HaiTian Qingdao Hotel, members of the tour party participated in a promotional video for the hotel, enjoying a sumptuous 21-course meal at its Chinese restaurant and checking out some of the frozen food products they offer for sale.

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The tour party arrives at the Qingdao People’s Auditorium for rehearsal.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Violinist MuChen Hsieh gets to know her counterpart in the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Cellist Alex Veltman and his stand partner discuss something in the score prior to the beginning of rehearsal.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The rehearsal begins with Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony (“Pastoral”), led by the artistic director of the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra, Zhang Guoyong.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The entire ensemble rehearses at the People’s Auditorium.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Associate Concertmaster Christine Lim during the rehearsal of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony (“Pastoral”).

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Yang Tianwa (far left), who will be soloist in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in the side-by-side concert, and Zhang Guoyong pose following the rehearsal with gift tote bags from the Philadelphians.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Hsiang-Hsin holds up a gift from the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, on the bus to the pop-up concert.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: MuChen holds up another gift received at the rehearsal.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The musicians arrive at the Haitian View and Art prior to their pop-up performance. Marvin looks at a note with a drawing of a heart left for him in his instrument case by one of his daughters.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: All of the musicians pose at the Haitian View and Art. Located over 1,200 feet above ground, this high-altitude sightseeing platform offers a sweeping 360° panoramic view of the city and its most iconic landmarks.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: A spectacular view from the Haitian View and Art, which also includes art exhibitions.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The musicians warm up together.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Eliot gives an interview to the Qingdao Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He impressed the crew with his prowess in Chinese.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The pop-up concert opens with a movement from Dvořák’s Miniatures with Eliot and Hsiang, and violinist Daniel Han.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: MuChen, originally from Taiwan, acts as host, introducing each work to the crowd in Chinese.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The crowd applauds and takes photographs following the performance of the Dvořák.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Next up was the third movement from Schubert’s String Quintet in C major.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The quintet consisted of Assistant Concertmaster Marc Rovetti, Daniel, Priscilla, Alex, and Hsiang-Hsin.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Che-Hung, Hsiang-Hsin, and Marvin perform a selection from Chen and He’s "Butterfly Lovers" violin concerto, arranged for string trio.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The entire group closes the program with a traditional Chinese folk song, “Galloping Horse,” which followed a performance of the fourth movement from Mendelssohn’s String Octet.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: The tour party returns to the hotel.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Chief Artistic Production Officer Tanya Derksen receives flowers from Eddy Li, deputy general manager of the hotel.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Alex walks by cases of frozen food items offered for sale at the hotel.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Daniel is now all stocked up for the winter.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: A toast as the meal begins.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: A beautifully presented course of delicious mushroom pouches.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Conch served with liquid nitrogen for a very effective presentation.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Marvin, Alex, Hsiang-Hsin, Daniel and Ashley applaud the chef following the meal.

Photo by Chris Lee

Oct. 10, Qingdao: Alex, Hsiang-Hsin, and Marvin retire to the bar for a post-meal cocktail.

Photo by Chris Lee