Riverside, Calif. (July 21, 2014) -- About 50 students from China competed July 18-19 at California Baptist University in the inaugural Hope-CBU International Music Festival.

The students, ranging in age from 7 to 30, sang and played instruments, such as piano, double bass, cello and oboe. Judges consisted of a Chinese piano teacher and several faculty members from CBU's School of Music.

Dr. Steve Betts, professor of music, was one of the judges for the piano category.

"Every person brings his or her own experience to the performance of music," he said. "The events of each individual's life and the depth of his or her insight concerning the piece he or she is performing bring a unique perspective to each performance."

Winners received 1^st and 2^nd place awards. The other participants received honorable mention certificates.

The festival was a great way to showcase CBU and the quality of its music program, said Dr. Larry Linamen, vice president of global initiatives.

"We want our music program to be known across China."

This summer more than 400 international students walked across CBU's campus for language camps. All the camps included an English language and American cultural component. Groups included Colegio Batista Mineiro from Brazil, Ningbo City College of Vocational Technology from China and Affiliated Middle School to Jilin University from China.