BEIJING, July 26 -- The Metropolitan Youth Symphony of Portland, Oregon in the United States gave a concert last weekend in the He Luting Concert Hall in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

The orchestra was founded in 1974 and is a non-profit youth group made up of 10 different performing groups totaling approximately 500 young college musicians.

Altogether 120 young musicians with an average age of 15 took part in last weekend's performance.

They have already visited Beijing, Xi'an and Hangzhou, and Shanghai is the last stop of their first China tour.

Over the years, the MYS has visited many cities in America and Europe.

The Founding Music Director Jajos Balogh, a white-haired elder born in Hungary, is also the conductor of the Portland Festival Symphony.

He also for many years was principal second violin with the Oregon Symphony.

Balogh founded the MYS because he believes the study of music can be an integral part of a child becoming a well-rounded adult.

Not only can music promote intellectual and aesthetic knowledge, but it also builds many leadership skills such as responsibility, discipline, communication, acceptance and pride. So, he is particularly enthusiastic about being the conductor-teacher.

Joining the Youth Symphony in 1994, Balogh's partner Dr John K. Richards was director of the Portland Symphonic Band for 29 years and a member of the Oregon Symphony for 52 years.

Although the thin, tall gentleman is now 89 years old, he retains his passion and the adroitness of a young man when conducting the orchestra.

The two senior musicians and educators have been friends for more than 40 years and say they enjoy their life in music.

"Music is something inside yourself," Dr Richards said. "It is something you have to do." And Balogh says he believes that music is the only international language. It can be understood across nations and so it bears also a vital meaning for world peace.

He regards the China trip as an important chance for the students to open their minds and deepen their understanding of the outside world because most American people do not care or know much about other countries.

And the students say they are really enjoying their stay in China, although they have had to come at their own expense.

Janieve Schnabel, a trumpet player, says she has found China quite different from what she had imagined before she came: "There should be farmlands and litter on the streets but actually it's clean! Everyone here is nice and willing to help. It's amazing!"

Of all the cities in China that they have visited, the students think Hangzhou was the greenest.

They also miss the clean water and clean air of home, but they would not like to leave before taking enough pictures of the various buildings and architecture of Shanghai with which they are extremely fascinated.

"We are surprised that all the buildings look so different here. It's just refreshing, since we don't have this variety in our city. And the lights - especially the lights in the trees are so beautiful!"

To their great pleasure, their concerts in China have attracted large audiences.

They were mainly students who were very attentive which quite delighted the director. He said it shows there is a growing interest in Western classical music in China.

The orchestra performed pieces from classical composers like Haydn, Bach and Mozart. The special student conductor of the overture to "The Marriage of Figaro," Stephen Pine, wore a traditional Chinese costume which drew friendly applause.

The young musicians might not be professional yet but their performances were good enough to provide a pleasant night for audiences in a harmonious atmosphere

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