While on a concert tour, and cultural exchange program, across France, Germany and Austria, this summer, Remin University Chorus gave a performance at a home for the elderly in Frankfurt. They played and sang traditional Chinese folk music for the inhabitants of the home. One of the chorus, Zhang Liwei, noticed the effect this had on the old people.

“Because local volunteers often made various trips, and provided services there, they seemed indifferent to us at first. And we were somewhat disconcerted by this. Unexpectedly, when we began our performance, the old people’s eyes became brighter. And when we sang, Jasmine, an old Chinese folk song, they were completely absorbed, several of them even beating time with the music. As we had arranged to give a performance on each floor, and many of the old fans wanted to hear us again, they followed us. Some of them sat in wheelchairs. It was wonderful.”

Zhang Liwei commented that in the course of the performance, the old people asked many questions.

“These songs are so beautiful. Are they really Chinese? Are all Chinese songs as beautiful as these? Where can we find the CDs?”

Before they left, an enthusiastic crowd of fans gathered to ask them to collect Chinese songs and music for them.

“We want to hear these beautiful songs everyday.” they said.

So for Yin Jun and Zhang Liwei this became something of a challenge. They decided to collect as much Chinese music and folk songs as they could in a month and send it back to their very special fans. Yin Jun said that they had read many books on traditional Chinese folk music in their college library. Even now, when they have time at the weekends, they are still searching in Beijing for more examples. It is certain that their elderly fans will be very glad of their efforts.

(china.org.cn by Chen Lin, September 23, 2002)