On a cold and cloudy afternoon, music drifted across the lawn outside NYU Shanghai’s academic buildings.

Students passing by slowed their steps as the sound of singing carried through the open space. Some stopped to watch. Others gathered in small groups near the stage. For a moment, the usual rhythm of campus life paused as voices and melodies filled the air.

The performance marked the preliminary round of the Sing-Off, NYU Shanghai’s annual student singing competition. Organized by the Youth League Committee, the event invites students from across the university to share music on stage, often in different languages and styles. This year’s theme is “Voice of Star.”

Throughout the afternoon, performers brought a wide range of songs to the stage. Some contestants sang solo with only a microphone or guitar, while others performed as duos, carefully blending their voices together. The selections ranged from Chinese pop ballads to well-known English songs, such as Luoyeguigeng (落叶归根) and Forever Young, reflecting the diverse musical backgrounds of the student body.

For many participants, the competition offers more than the chance to win.

“This competition means a lot to me,” said participant Evander Hu. “It gave me the opportunity to perform on stage and also to hear many other talented singers. Winning is exciting, but meeting people who share the same passion for music is just as meaningful.”

Another contestant, Max Xu, described the nerves that often come before stepping into the spotlight.

“Even though this is only the preliminary round, the competition is already very strong,” he said. “Before performing I felt quite nervous because I didn’t want to disappoint my teammate. But once the music started, the pressure slowly faded.”

For Shae, joining Sing-Off was also about overcoming personal hesitation.

“I’ve always wanted to sing on a bigger stage,” Shae Liu said. “But in the past I often stepped back because I was too nervous. My high school organized many music festivals, and I thought about joining several times but never actually signed up. This time I decided to challenge myself.”

Beyond the performances themselves, the competition also opens doors for student musicians to pursue opportunities beyond campus. Finalists will have the chance to participate in activities associated with the Dongfang Fengyunbang (东方风云榜), allowing their music to reach audiences beyond campus.

As the final performance ended, the crowd slowly began to disperse. Students returned to their afternoon routines, conversations resumed, and the lawn gradually grew quiet again.

But for a brief time that day, the space between the academic buildings became something else — a small stage where students shared their voices and their love of music with the campus community.