creSCendo is the only Chinese music club at the University of Southern California and has attracted wide attention with its unique diverse musical styles. The club’s initial purpose was to provide a place of gathering for Chinese students who love music. Since its establishment, the club has grown rapidly, with the number of members exceeding 80. Their main activity is putting on band performances.
On Sunday, creSCendo performed 19 songs at Tommy’s Place. The performance covered a variety of styles from traditional Chinese music and hip-hop, to popular English songs and Japanese songs, reflecting the diverse musicality of the USC students.
Spotlighting Club Members
creSCendo, fosters a vibrant community of musicians from various academic backgrounds, each bringing unique musical influences and aspirations to the group. Club members speak on the organization’s inclusive and diverse approach to music, which includes traditional Chinese instruments, J-Pop, and beyond.
David Zhong, a spring admit to the Master of Studies in Law program at USC, enjoys singing and playing piano in his leisure time. Despite his recent joining, Zhong appreciates the club’s welcoming atmosphere.
“I’m not the most technically skilled, but I love it,” he said.
Inspired by “乐队的夏天 (The Big Band),” a popular Chinese show, he was motivated to learn guitar and share his music passion.
Zhong advises new members, “Just do whatever you want; it’s about trying things out and finding what fits you best in music.”
And some definitely have. At creSCendo, you can explore a variety of song styles and languages, including Japanese Pop (J-Pop) songs.
Eleven Ma, also pursuing a Master of Studies in Law, has carved out a niche in creSCendo’s specialized J-Pop team. She joined last year and quickly adapted, bringing her passion for anime and Japanese dramas into her performances.
“The energy and enthusiasm of the undergraduates are particularly invigorating,” Ma noted. Her recent performance of “夏霞 (Summer Haze),” a lesser-known J-Pop track, highlighted themes of love and nostalgia, resonating deeply with her.
Some members of the club even have their own unique approach to music.
Summer Qin, a first-year architecture student, brings her expertise on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, to creSCendo. Having played since she was four, Qin views her involvement as a chance to introduce more people to the guzheng. She integrates her instrument into the band’s repertoire, which ranges from traditional Chinese music to hip hop and rap.
“It’s fun to explore different musical cultures through my instrument,” Qin said.
creSCendo also provides the opportunity for students to learn more about their musical selves.
Celine Wen, a junior and vocal lead, has already performed six songs with creSCendo, including “我用什么把你留住” (“What Can I Use to Keep You”). She values the club’s democratic approach to song selection, which fosters a strong community feeling.
“Last year, I had more chances to shine solo, which is different from this year where each vocalist could only perform one song due to time constraints,” Wen recalled. She aims to enhance her stage presence and audience engagement in future performances.
Meanwhile, other students have found their place behind the scenes.
Liping Huang, part of the operations team, originally joined creSCendo to gain music event management experience but soon found the club becoming a central part of her life.
“We have about 30 people in the operations team, and we meet to discuss upcoming activities and divide responsibilities,” Huang explained. She is focused on broadening the club’s audience to include not just Chinese students but also local ones, utilizing social media platforms like Instagram.
Engaging Diverse Audiences
At a recent creSCendo performance at USC, a diverse audience gathered to enjoy a mix of Chinese, English, and Japanese songs, creating an atmosphere that attendees compared to a “little Coachella.”
Rita Zhang, a junior studying communication at Annenberg and an American-born Chinese, attended to support her roommate, Wen, who was performing.
“I thought I’d be a good roommate and come support her,” Zhang said. She found herself pleasantly surprised by a rap segment, a new experience for her.
“I really have never heard anything like that before, but I did enjoy it,” she explained.
Zhang, who is not fluent in Mandarin, has always appreciated the Chinese songs her parents loved. The performance sparked her interest in newer Chinese songs and hip-hop, prompting her to consider expanding her musical repertoire. She believes such events could bridge cultural gaps among different student groups.
“I would definitely recommend more of us to come to these shows, and I also recommend more events where we can get to know each other and find commonality,” Zhang proposed.
Stephanie Haber and Rachel McNamara, both affiliated with Sony and former USC students, were invited by their colleague and performer, Joey Liu. The event left a significant impression on them, particularly due to its high production value and the diversity of the music lineup.
“I didn’t really have any expectations coming in, but it’s been great,” Haber remarked.
The duo praised the production quality repeatedly, noting it as a standout aspect of the evening. McNamara commented, “One of the things we’ve been saying on loop is that the production value is incredible.”
They were especially impressed by Joey Liu’s performance, notably her bass performance in “Meet in Monterey.” Inspired, they shared the performance with colleagues at work, who provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Words from creSCendo’s Co-Presidents
Kevin Gong and Leo Yang, co-presidents of creSCendo at the University of Southern California, are steering the club towards broader musical horizons and greater inclusivity in campus cultural life.
“I joined creSCendo in 2021 during my sophomore year. A friend’s girlfriend, who was part of the management, invited us because we were already involved in writing and producing rap music,” Gong said.
As co-president, Gong has focused on enhancing the efficiency of the club’s management and fostering a collaborative environment. Under his leadership, creSCendo has expanded its musical repertoire from standard pop covers to more intricate band performances, a reflection of the members’ growing technical skills.
One of his personal highlights was a 2022 performance at Tommy’s Space, where he performed “海阔天空” (“Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies”), resonating deeply as he is a native Cantonese speaker.
Gong noted the event’s exceptional balance of sound and lighting, marking his first live guitar solo performance. “My main role during performances is to act as a coordinator and leader, ensuring everything runs smoothly and assisting with any technical issues that arise,” Gong said.
Looking forward, he aims to evolve creSCendo into a band-oriented club that embraces complex musical arrangements and original works.
“I’d like our performances to reach more local students and introduce them to our music, which includes a mix of Western and Chinese songs,” Gong said. “Understanding the local music market better would help us in tailoring our outreach.”
Leo Yang, a sophomore studying Business Administration and International Relations, joined creSCendo in his first semester at USC. Quickly becoming involved in both the executive board and the performance team, Yang has taken an active role in the club’s operations.
During a recent performance, he participated as a bassist and backup vocalist for “Can’t Stand the Rain” by The Rescues and as the lead guitarist for “Edge of Midnight 17.”
He described the challenges in preparation for the show, “It’s been pretty stressful with a lineup of 20 songs tonight, the most we’ve ever had. Managing tech, sound, and production complexities requires great coordination,” Yang said.
However, Yang also highlighted the uniqueness of creSCendo, “creSCendo is the only music club on campus centered around bands and Chinese performers. We provide a platform for non-major music students to express their talents and perform,” Yang said.
The club provides a vital performance platform for non-music majors, allowing them to showcase their talents. Yang is looking forward to expanding the club’s offerings.
“We’re planning a lot of cool things for the future, focusing on giving our members more performance opportunities and exploring professional development in the music industry,” Yang said.
Both presidents are committed to the growth of creSCendo, seeing it as a dynamic community where students can explore diverse musical genres and experience personal growth within a supportive environment.
With a focus on professional growth and collaboration, creSCendo is poised for a promising future as a leading platform for aspiring musicians at USC.