NCPA discounts for students

Ten students from Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University and Central Conservatory of Music attended the concert by the China Philharmonic Orchestra at National Center for the Performing Arts on June 6 as the first beneficiaries sponsored by International Data Group. IDG announced a two-year project “IDG World Celebrity Series” to donate 2 million yuan ($326,000) to the NCPA to provide cheap tickets for students. In 2013 and 2014, the NCPA will choose 200 shows where 100 tickets will be sold to students at onetenth of the original price. Hugo Shong, Asia president of IDG, says he often bought such tickets from patrons when he was a student at Boston, which gave him the opportunity to enjoy art. IDG has sponsored multiple arts programs and such artists as Tan Dun, Chen Yi and the China Philharmonic Orchestra since the orchestra was founded in 2000.