桐花合唱團  TungFa Chorus

桐花合唱團於二○○四年七月成立，合唱團取名「桐花」是因為油桐花與臺灣客家庄深厚的淵源。早年油桐樹曾是臺灣北部客家人的經濟來源，時至今日客家人不再依賴油桐花維生，但雪白的油桐花四、五月間依舊年年在客家庄山頭綻放！燦爛的笑顏不僅透露著時序的移轉，也流洩著她們對客家子民的溫柔守護與濃烈情感，滿山遍野的雪白桐花，是客庄先民奮鬥的見證，也是傳唱久遠的開拓故事。

桐花合唱團雖然成立時間不長，已在華府各大活動中演出，由於客家歌獨特的風格及多樣化曲調而深獲好評。二○○七年四月大華府地區客家同鄉會舉辦大華府客家桐花節，與臺灣客家桐花祭同步熱鬧登場，系列三的最後盛宴是大華府客家桐花合唱團音樂會，桐花合唱團在悠揚的旋律中將客家精神與傳承介紹給華府中外民眾，精彩的演出讓聽眾欲罷不能。

二○○八年五月，為慶祝亞太裔傳統月 (Asian Pacific Month)，海天及桐花合唱團舉辦了一場聯合音樂會，演唱來自亞洲太平洋彼岸的優美歌謠，包括日本、馬來、菲律賓、台灣、客家、及中國歌曲， 光臨盛會的聽眾有大華府亞太裔及主流社會人士。. 桐花合唱團每年並參與由華府僑界聯合舉辦演出的海華民謠藝術歌曲演唱會。

桐花合唱團是全美國唯一四聲部的客家合唱團，指揮陳慧如，美國馬里蘭大學聲樂演唱博士，教學認真風趣又有耐心。 合唱團現有團員四十餘人，大家快樂練唱笑聲不斷，歡迎愛好唱歌的朋友，來和我們同樂。合唱團每週六下午一時至三時在Virginia Chesterbrook Presbyterian 教堂練唱。

The Tung Fa Chorus was established in July 2004. The chorus derives its name from the Tung tree, which has long been regarded as the legendary guardian of Taiwan’s Hakka ethnic group. Until the middle of the last century, Tung trees were an important economic crop providing income for many Hakka villages. Although Tung trees are no longer crucial to the economies of Hakka communities in Taiwan, they still blossom on the plains and hillsides in springtime year after year in areas populated by the Hakka people.  The trees symbolize the cycle of the four seasons, and are a beautiful reminder of the history and culture of the Hakka people.

Since its inception, the chorus has performed at many events in the Washington, DC area. Of particular note, in April of 2007, the TungFu chorus performed the third and final act at the Tung Blossom Festival.  This festival was hosted by the Hakka Association of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area and held concurrently with the Hakka Tung Blossom Festival celebrated annually in Taiwan. Through its lively and adept presentation, the TungFa Chorus introduced the Hakka spirit and heritage to an audience that responded with enthusiastic applause. In celebration of Asian Pacific month of 2008, TungFa Chorus and HaiTien Chorus held a joint concert in May 2008.  The Joint group proudly presented songs from Japan, Malaysia, Philippine, Taiwan, Hakka and China. The audience included different Asian ethnic groups and mainstream Americans.

The TungFa Chorus is the only Hakka chorus in the United States that sings Hakka songs using four voice types – soprano, alto, tenor and bass.  Conductor Hui-Ju Chen, a Phd in vocal performance, leads this chorus with enthusiasm, humor and patience.  Every practice session is full of happiness and laughter. Please consider joining us if you enjoy singing. The chorus regularly practices on Saturdays from 1-3 PM at Chesterbrook Presbyterian Church in Falls Church, VA.

President -  MeiLin Tseng 301-983-6496

Vice President - Lynne Liu 301-765-0155

Public Relation - FenYing Tseng 301-765-5083