The 2026 Nantong New Year Concert is delivered at the Nantong Grand Theatre on Dec 26. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The 2026 Nantong New Year Concert, co-hosted by the Nantong Musicians Association and the School of Liberal Arts of Nantong University, was held at the Nantong Grand Theatre on Dec 26.

The concert was headlined by the Jiangsu New Space Chinese Orchestra, in collaboration with the Nantong University Chinese Orchestra and the Nantong New Space Suxian Youth Chinese Orchestra. They presented a feast of folk music to the citizens with 12 classic and original pieces.

During the performance, classic pieces such as Jasmine Flower were played. The orchestra's original piece, New Space Rhapsody, conveyed the passion of its members, while Beautiful Longyou River expressed Rugao people's love for their hometown. The concert concluded with the majestic My Motherland. The performance skillfully combined folk music with singing and recitation, offering the audience an unforgettable experience.

Since its founding in 2008, the Jiangsu New Space Chinese Orchestra has held "New Space Spring" concert series for fourteen consecutive years and what makes this orchestra unique is that all its members are amateur folk musicians, with ages ranging from as young as 6 to 83.

The concert not only showcased the artistic achievements of an amateur orchestra but also served as a vivid demonstration of Nantong's efforts to promote cultural benefits and preserve the essence of folk music.