The classical-meets-pop group Twelve Girls Band, which uses traditional Chinese instruments to perform classical, pop, jazz and folk songs, gave an outdoor performance on the plaza of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower yesterday.

The 90-minute show was videotaped and will air next March in the United States on PBS, the country's largest public broadcasting network.

"The band established in 2001 is very Chinese and at the same time very international," said Gustavo Sagastume, vice president of programming for PBS. "There is no better means than music, which traverses cultural barriers and goes straight to the heart of people."

This show marks the first collaboration between PBS and Shanghai Media Group.

The band performed several of its own songs yesterday, including Miracle, Loulan Girl and Carnival, and also collaborated with American singer Lila Downs on Carmen, Summer Time and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

"Next year the video of this television special will have international distribution," said Teng Junjie, an official with SMG. "The program co-produced by PBS and us will also vie for awards at famous television festivals around the world."

The show was produced by veterans of the two broadcasters, including Emmy Award winning producer George Veras and Grammy Awards winner Bob Belden.

(Shanghai Daily  November 10, 2006)