As a non-profit organization focused on sharing the beauty of heritage music from China proper in the United States, CMENY is the only large-scale adult Chinese orchestra in North America. Over the past 60 years, CMENY has been committing to delivering two annual large-scale concerts, several small and medium-sized concerts, lectures, and student presentations every year. At the same time, CMENY has consistently presented Chinese heritage music originating from many different areas of China and Asia. CMENY also collaborates with various operatic groups (Cantonese, Beijing, Classical Qun, etc.) and local operas, folk song and dance societies, etc. Through the invigorating resuscitation of ancient musical genres and the creative reanimation of multiple musical heritages, CMENY works hard to enable American audiences to truly understand the multiplicity of Chinese heritage music. Even during the pandemic, CMENY still insisted on holding online concerts so that such precious and attractive ancient world music could continue to enrich people’s lives. 

From a handful of Chinese classical music enthusiasts who started to gather on regular basis and rehearse music they brought from their hometown since 60 years ago, CMENY has developed into a renowned full-scale orchestra. Currently about ⅔ of CMENY members are professionally trained musicians who graduated from music conservatories, left their home countries, and aspired to start their new lives here in the U.S. The other ⅓ of CMENY players are diligent amateurs with other professional occupations (e.g., teachers, engineers, medical professionals, post office workers, limo drivers, day-care providers, restaurant owners, waiters/waitresses, investment bankers, medical doctors, professors, etc.) who are passionate about pursuing their musical journey alongside their professional jobs. Some of these members are native to the U.S., others have come from all parts of China as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Canada.

Together, these musicians have made CMENY possible; and they are the reason CMENY has thrived over the past 60 years.