White Clouds Drifting Home

On Sunday, I was able to attend a stunning performance at the Kennedy Center by an a cappella group from Inner Mongolia called White Clouds Drifting Home. They sang a total of fifteen songs, each of which was completely unique. As a frequent listener of Inner Mongolian music, I expected to hear some familiar tunes, but I have never heard anything quite like this group before.

Some of my favorite moments included the female solo in the fourth song, called "Lonely Camel Kids," which sent chills up my spine, and the instrumental piece entitled "Gallop of Horse Crowd," which featured two very unique instruments (one like a guitar and another similar to a violin) and their players, who sang along the very traditional Mongolian chant. Another highlight was the eighth song, "Joyous Nadamu," which was sung only by the men in the group, who left the stage and returned dressed in warrior costumes. Their bare bellies sure got a cheer from the audience, but their song, which reminded me of the theme song from Rango, deserved applause regardless of the funny personas of the performers.

The amazing talent of the group aside, I picked up on several interesting performing techniques. The first was the precision with which they followed their conductor. Although she had her back to the audience, you could tell that whatever she did held the performers together. Not only the volume and musical cues, but the energy of every song was determined by this one woman. It really demonstrated to me the importance of leadership in any kind of theatre. Just as the disposition of the president determines the attitude of his citizens, the director determines the mood of his cast and is essential to keeping it working smoothly.

Another technique I noticed, that was specific to White Clouds Drifting Home, was how their voices moved together but their movements were unique. Although each member wore the identical costume as the person next to them, each personality shined through. Without specific choreography, some stood still while others swayed. Some smiled and others intently watch the conductor, depending on their interpretation of the song. As a member of the audience, I found this helpful because I watched the performer who I could relate to. This is an interesting way to include everyone in the performance as each person watching is sure to be able to identify with at least one of the singers, making the show much more personal, despite the difference in language.

~Julie