West Des Moines Junior High Orchestra Students Host Delegation from China

Junior high orchestra students from the West Des Moines Community Schools will be hosting fellow musicians from the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, the district’s sister school in Shijiazhuang, China today through Monday (Feb. 8-11). 

The weekend will culminate as the students combine their talents in a concert February at 6 p.m. Monday at the Valley High School Auditorium. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who has cultivated a close relationship with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, has been invited to attend the concert as an honored guest.

After visiting Iowa last year, the Chinese leader invited the governor and a delegation to visit his country for a reunion – a trip that occurred last summer.

Joint concerts between the 70 WDMCS students and 56 Chinese students will also be performed Monday at 7:45 a.m. at Indian Hills, 9:30 a.m. at Stilwell and 12:15 p.m. at the State Capitol.

Students from both countries will perform traditional music representing their cultures.

Between rehearsals throughout the weekend to prepare for the concerts, WDMCS students will share with their new friends what life is like in America and attend classes at Stilwell and Indian Hills.

This visit will help mark the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between West Des Moines and Shijiazhuang and the 10th anniversary of the sister school relationship between the WDMCS and the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School.

Trip Itinerary
Saturday
10:30 a.m.: Rehearsal
Noon: Lunch
1:30 p.m.: Rehearsal

Sunday
1:30 p.m.: Rehearsal

Monday
7 a.m.: Rehearsal
7:45 a.m.: School Assembly/Performance at Indian Hills Junior High
9:30 a.m.: School Assembly/Performance at Stilwell Junior High
12:15 p.m.: Performance at Capitol Building
6 p.m.: Concert at Valley High School
7 p.m.: Celebration Dinner