This was a Chinese Music event, celebrating Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse, and provided a wonderful cultural experience for Oratory pupils. 

Spring Syddall, Director of Recruitment Asia, says "On Tuesday, The Oratory Orchestra and Consort took part in a special performance in London. We were honoured to be the only school invited to participate, and we are incredibly proud of our pupils.

Our sincere thanks go to the Association of Education and Technology for inviting us to witness and contribute to such a wonderful event.

During the evening, four programmes presented by Oratory pupils and staff captivated the audience. Two instrumental pieces demonstrated strong technical skill and refined artistry, reflecting the outstanding musical training at The Oratory. An independent choral performance was harmonious and emotionally resonant, while the joint rendition of Jasmine Flower, performed alongside Chinese students, became one of the most touching moments of the exchange — a beautiful harmony transcending both language and culture.

From confident stage presence to artistic excellence, the professionalism and youthful energy of our students earned heartfelt admiration from over one hundred Chinese educators and students in attendance.

We were especially proud of the commitment shown by Second Master Mr Matt Syddall, Director of Music Mr Stephen Burrows, and Music Teacher Mr Nick Jones, who not only accompanied the students throughout but also performed alongside them on stage. Their dedication and thoughtful preparation in support of UK–China youth cultural exchange was truly inspiring.

Throughout the event, Oratory pupils responded to their Chinese peers with genuine applause and gracious courtesy, embodying mutual respect and cultural appreciation. Their warmth left a lasting impression on all who attended.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to build bridges through music and connect hearts through shared performance. Although the event was brief, the friendships and cultural understanding fostered will endure."

Following the performance, the event organisers shared these generous words:

“We extend our sincerest gratitude to The Oratory students and staff for the ‘UK–China Youth Cultural Exchange Performance’. This meaningful cross-cultural event was made truly complete and deeply moving thanks to the generous participation of The Oratory School."

An Oratory parent says, "I enjoyed the show. I never had a chance to experience such an exchange in my school years, so it was an eye-opener for me. I was touched by the Chinese host's words. She made the Chinese language sound so beautiful. Growing up in Singapore, I never appreciated Chinese, and learning it was always a challenge."

We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership and writing the next chapter of UK–China youth cultural exchange together.