Musical love affair

Duan Zhengkai,6,who started learning the violin at 3,participates in an audition for the selection of 20 Chinese children to join the Manhattan Symphonie concerts in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

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"I don't plan to become a professional musician but I will make music my lifelong passion," says 9-year-old Ni.

Duan Zhengkai, 6, also impressed the judges with his violin performance. "He has only started learning violin three years ago but his skill is really beyond expectation ... not only in terms of his note accuracy but also his personal interpretation," says Zhao Xuyang, one of the judges from the Central Conservatory of Music.

Conductor Chen Hongjing, who is the director of Oriental Symphony Orchestra of China Oriental Performing Arts Group, says many young Chinese students have good instrument playing techniques thanks to their hard work but lack in a deeper understanding of the works.

"Collaborating with international musicians will further help them connect with classical music," says Chen.

"When I was young I wanted to play the violin but I didn't want to practice. My parents made me practice. But, you can't force a person to play beautifully when they grow up. It must come from the heart, not simply imitation," says orchestra founder Singer, who studied violin since childhood and graduated from Juilliard School of Music.

According to Yan Jun, the project director, though the collaboration is challenging, Singer, who initiated the idea of having Chinese students join in the performances, is very pleased to introduce young musicians to a wider audience. He says nearly 1,000 students participated in the audition.