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.

Wang Xiaoxi, a music teacher in Midu, became one of the founding members and has been instrumental in the choir's development.

"The early days were incredibly tough," Wang said. "Local families had no idea what a choir was, so many were hesitant to let their kids join. Some children would come one week and disappear the next. We spent countless hours visiting homes, explaining our mission, and reassuring parents."

A significant hurdle was the children's lack of musical foundation. "None of them could read sheet music, not even simple notation. We started from scratch, teaching them basic music theory and staff notation," said Wang. Despite the painstaking process, her resolve never wavered.

Support from PKU played a crucial role, particularly from Jin Zixuan, a postdoctoral researcher at PKU's Department of Philosophy who is also a conductor.

Jin's connection to the choir began in October 2021 when he initiated a traditional aesthetic education program in Midu, leveraging the county's folk song resources. Inspired by his mentor, Yang Hongnian, a late professor at the Central Conservatory of Music and a respected figure in children's choir education, Jin aimed to provide quality music education to all children, regardless of background.

When he decided to take on the project, Jin said he wanted it to be a long-term one. Music lessons for several months would not make a difference for the children and, in fact, would be detrimental, he said.

Jin has traveled from Beijing to Midu at least once a month for the past three years. "I never feel like this work is a burden," he said. "When you love what you do, and you have a clear plan for where you want to take the team, the hard parts feel meaningful."

His most rewarding moments come after performances. "When the kids take their bows, and the audience bursts into applause, that's the moment that makes everything worth it," he said.

"I firmly believe that artistic gift is fair to all children," Jin said. "The kids in Midu are no less talented; they just lack the proper guidance and opportunities to unlock their potential."

Jin's rigorous training methods were pivotal.

Wang said, "He was extremely strict, but that strictness pushed me to grow fast."

During summer camps, Wang would write rehearsal plans nightly after her baby fell asleep, and Jin would revise them meticulously. He also taught conducting and rehearsal techniques, offering on-the-spot guidance.

This dedication paid off in 2023 when the choir won two gold awards at the China Children's Choir Festival in Yuxi, Yunnan province — a remarkable feat for a group only a year old. Since then, they have earned top honors at the 17th China International Chorus Festival in Beijing in 2024 and the World Choir Festival in Hong Kong in July.

Beyond awards, the choir has transformed children's lives. "Many of them were once uninterested in school, even on the verge of dropping out," Wang said. "But through the choir, they've seen the world outside Midu — they've performed in Beijing, Hong Kong and Sichuan province. This exposure has inspired them to study harder; some who once struggled to get into high school have now been admitted to arts high schools."

Zhao Jie, a 15-year-old middle school student in Midu, said her school held a choir recruitment event, and since she loved music, she joined. Later, county-level recruiters came to select members, and she was lucky enough to be picked.

What started as a casual interest soon turned into a long-term commitment that has stayed with her since the choir's founding.

Today, the choir has 40 to 50 members, ranging from 9-year-old primary school students to senior high schoolers, she said.

The choir's routine is a highlight of her week: every Saturday from 2 to 5 pm, she heads to the dedicated rehearsal space to practice with her fellow carolers.

"The choir feels like a second family," Jie said. "I love the fun atmosphere, and I've made close friends here, including classmates and students from other schools." Beyond friendship, she values the professional guidance from the teachers.

Jie said she felt "excited more than nervous" to perform at China's top university. "PKU has supported our choir for a long time," she said. "Performing here, I wanted to do our best to repay that support. The campus is amazing, and it made me think: maybe one day I could study here."

Another member, Cha Jianxiong, a 14-year-old middle school student, said singing is a source of joy and stress relief. "I can't really explain why I love it, but singing helps me relax and makes me happier," he said.

Balancing choir practice with schoolwork hasn't been a burden for him, instead, his academic performance has improved notably. "Before joining the choir, my grades were above average in class. Now, I'm among the top 10," Jianxiong said proudly, attributing this to the spillover effect of his musical dedication.

Despite a 30-minute minivan ride to weekly rehearsals, his passion keeps him committed. "The distance doesn't bother me. I just love singing too much to give it up," he said.

Over time, Jianxiong has evolved from being a nervous performer to a confident one. "I just stood there stiffly, only daring to follow the teacher's instructions and stare at them without blinking," he laughed, recalling his first stage experience in fifth grade. Now, he performs effortlessly even for large audiences.

Through his teaching, Jin has witnessed firsthand how choir participation transforms the children. "Music fills the gaps in their hearts, making them more confident and proactive," he said.

"Many of these kids come from rural areas, and music gives them a way to express themselves, making them more confident and proactive in daily life," Jin added.

The choir also creates a unique, pure social environment, he said. "In the choir, there's no utilitarianism — just kids coming together because they love singing. This helps them ease inner tensions and build genuine friendships."

Most importantly, Jin said, choral singing teaches them to listen. "To sing in a choir, you can't just focus on your own voice; you have to listen to your teammates, adjust, and work together. This builds their sense of teamwork and collective responsibility — skills that will serve them for life."

Wang Junren, a PKU official stationed in a village in Midu, highlighted the choir's role in rural vitalization.

Midu, once impoverished, faced a shortage of music teachers, with many reassigned to core subjects. Many of the students are left-behind children who often turn to short-video platforms for entertainment, as their parents work in cities away from home.

"We wanted to give these children an alternative — something that only requires their voices and brings them together," Wang Junren said.

Importantly, it has opened educational pathways; at least five members have gained admission to top high schools in Dali through music specialty programs, Wang Junren said. The choir also boosts local development by attracting teachers from neighboring counties, stimulating the economy through accommodation and catering, he said.

For Wang Junren, the experience has been mutually transformative. "Before coming to Midu, I knew little about poverty alleviation and rural vitalization beyond what I'd heard. Now, I've witnessed how policies are implemented on the ground and how small efforts can make a big difference."

Jin said he plans to continue to work with the choir. He also hopes to compile his teaching experiences into resources that can be shared with more music educators, especially those working in rural areas. "If my experiences can help other teachers support more rural kids, that would be a huge success for me," he said.