If you feel the subtropical afternoon in Shenzhen is too hot for the outdoors, the Shenzhen Concert Hall might be your go-to place for a cool weekend afternoon surrounded by music.

This month, the Shenzhen Concert Hall continues to present a diverse array of free or affordable concerts. The lineup includes symphonic classics led by young conductor Cui Linhan with the Shenzhen Arts School Symphony Orchestra, romantic masterpieces performed by pianist Jin Yu and cellist Zhou Yang, as well as Chinese art songs, string chamber works, and choral pieces — appealing to both refined and popular tastes.

Beautiful Sunday concerts

Conductor Cui Linhan. Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Concert Hall

On June 7, the Shenzhen Arts School Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of young conductor Cui Linhan, will present a concert featuring the works of Mozart. Founded in November 2006, the orchestra has remained active on the stage.

Conductor Cui, who leads this concert, was the runner-up at the Malko International Conductors Competition and a third prize winner at the Korea Symphony Orchestra (KSO) International Conducting Competition. A rising star in the music world, she was appointed principal conductor of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in 2024 and has collaborated with numerous orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, China NCPA Orchestra, and Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

Shenzhen Arts School Symphony Orchestra.

The program will include the first movement of Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 19 in F Major," the first movement of Mozart's "Bassoon Concerto in B-flat Major," the first movement of Mozart's "Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major," and Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." Soloists Li Yuxin, Zhu Yiping, and Fang Junhao will perform the solo parts in these concertos.

Time: 3 p.m., June 7

Tickets: 10–30 yuan

On June 21, which is this year’s Father’s Day, pianist Jin Yu and cellist Zhou Yang will perform beloved classics by Tchaikovsky, Kreisler, Elgar, Liszt, Mozart, Brahms, and other masters.

Pianist Jin Yu (L) and cellist Zhou Yang.

Jin, who holds a doctorate in piano performance from Boston University and a master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, has taught at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the School of Music of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. He won first prize at the 2015 Aspen Music Festival Piano Concerto Competition.

Cellist Zhou, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music who now teaches at Shandong University of Arts, has won numerous international and domestic competitions. She has served as principal cellist of the China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and released a solo album in 2019.

Time: 3 p.m., June 21

Tickets: 10–30 yuan

Afternoon Music Time

The performers of the concert on June 6.

On June 6, young pianist Cui Yu, pianist Zhang Jun'er, and cellist Luo Zhuowen will join vocalists Xu Jiayao, Shu Songjing, Xiong Xiong, Xu Yuhan-yun, and Liao Jie to perform Chinese art songs such as "Jin Se," "As We First Met," "Phoenix Hairpin," "Autumn Wind Ballad," and "By the Waterside," featuring elegant lyrics from Chinese poetry.

Cellist Ma Jiaze (Top L), violinist Huang Xiangyuan (Top R) and the Shenzhen University String Chamber Orchestra.

On June 20, during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, young violinist Huang Xiangyuan will lead the Shenzhen University String Chamber Orchestra, which she founded, in a chamber music concert. The program will include classics by Vivaldi, Offenbach, Saint-Sa?ns, Handel, Tchaikovsky, and others. They will also perform Chinese folk pieces like "Boatmen's Song" and "Dance of the Yao People." The concert will also feature cellist Ma Jiaze.

Guo Liying.

On June 27, the Shenzhen Phoenix Nirvana Art Troupe will perform a variety show. Composed of cancer survivors and led by Guo Liying, the troupe will present piano solos, guzheng solos, poetry recitations with music, duets, and choral pieces.

Members of the Shenzhen Phoenix Nirvana Art Troupe.

Admission for this series is free. Follow the Shenzhen Concert Hall WeChat account (ID: szyinyuet) to reserve tickets.

Time: 3 p.m., June 6, 20, 27

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音樂廳)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宮站), Exit D