Young musicians in Fujian learn folk music
Students from Jieban Primary School had to take the bus, which was arranged by their principal, Chen Zhongsheng, while orchestra teachers from different areas of Fuzhou drove to the school.
The public-benefit orchestra also made great efforts to solve certain difficulties, such as the allocation of musical instruments. The Fuzhou Group Art Museum donated 16 musical instruments, including the high-pitched sheng (a Chinese reed wind instrument made of bamboo pipes) and a double bass.
"Most families in mountain areas have no ability to purchase such musical instruments, which may cost as much as 10,000 yuan ($1,450)," said Yang Xiumei, the person in charge of the orchestra. "Therefore, after finishing their courses, they can continue to practice at school or take the instruments home."
"During the process, some students and teachers quit due to different reasons," said Nie. He said that "there are also some teachers who gave up their own training courses and high incomes and chose to join us".
"We have the confidence to go even further," he said. "I hope to attract more participation from across the whole society to provide rural teenagers more opportunities to obtain the nourishment of art."
