Choir gives rural kids pluck to pursue dreams

The Midu County "Little River Flows" Children's Chorus has not only preserved local musical heritage in what some dub the "hometown of folk songs", but also ignited dreams and personal growth among its members.

Supported by Peking University through its long-term paired assistance effort in Midu, Southwest China's Yunnan province, the choir's journey from being just a small initiative to an award-winning ensemble is a testament to dedication, collaboration and the power of music.

The choir's most recent milestone was a special concert held on the evening of Oct 19 at Peking University. It attracted over 1,000 PKU faculty members and students, along with officials from departments involved in the elite university's assistance work in Midu.

Due to bad weather, their flights were canceled on Oct 17, and so the children had to embark on a 15-hour journey, traveling from Midu to Kunming by high-speed rail, then by subway to the airport. They finally arrived at the university in Beijing late in the evening.

The choir's origins date back to March 2022. Back then, the goal for the PKU project was simple yet ambitious: to nurture musical talent among local children and preserve the region's rich folk music heritage.