Peking University Student Choir (PKUSC) was founded in September 1990. Its members are non-music students from over 20 schools and departments of Peking University. Today, led by conductor and choirmaster Ms. Hou Xijin, the Choir has become internationally recognized with numerous concerts and a broad repertoire of Chinese folk songs, classical pieces, and contemporary music in Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and other languages. The Choir gives concerts and performances, some in collaboration with professional orchestras and choral groups. The Choir often appears on China’s major televisions and its debut CD was released in April 1998.
The choir has taken part in many music festivals and competitions in China, and has been given many awards. In 1997, as the only representative from Asia, the choir participated in the 43rd International Contest of Habanera and Polyphony in Torrevieja, Spain, and won the gold award for polyphony, which makes the Choir the first ever among Chinese university choirs to won an international award. In 1998, its MTV “Farewell” received a national silver award from China Central Television (CCTV). In 2005, the choir won two first places in China University Students Concert Song Contest. In 2005, the choir held their 15th anniversary concert, which again won wide recognition.