The orchestra, from Huanxi town of Fuzhou, Fujian province, performs at Jiuritai Concert Hall in Fuzhou on March 5. [Photo by Zhang Xuyang/For chinadaily.com.cn]

On March 5, a folk concert held at Jiuritai Concert Hall in Fuzhou, Fujian province, presented a musical feast to audiences, winning warm applause.

The orchestra performed 10 pieces of Chinese folk music under the baton of Nie Zhiyong, a well-known young conductor in Fujian.

Three years ago, the members of the orchestra — 34 students from the Central Primary School and Jieban Primary School in Huanxi town knew little about folk music.

During a visit to Xianghu village in Huanxi in early summer 2019, a group of musicians including Nie and Erhu (two-stringed bowed instrument) player Zhan Wenyi immersed themselves in the wonderful natural scenery.

Then they got an idea of setting up a folk orchestra in Huanxi, hoping to well combine the beautiful music and local natural landscapes.

In July 2019, 64 candidates from the two schools took an exam to seek the rare opportunity to learn folk music, following locally famous musicians.

From then on, orchestra members spent every Friday afternoon taking training courses at Central Primary School.

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."

The orchestra performs at Jiuritai Concert Hall in Fuzhou on March 5. [Photo by Zhang Xuyang/For chinadaily.com.cn]