The School Band celebrates an Anniversary

 Students at Zhaomen Jr. High have been practicing their cheers, their relays, and their salutes for the  51st Anniversary celebration of their school.  The 8th grade school band has also been busy preparing to play for the ceremony.  In my free period at the end of the day last week I sat in on their rehearsal and was amazed at their skill and coordination after only a year of practice together!  Their teacher is no doubt a marvelous coach, but the student showed real joy and commitment to their art.

This chamber orchestra has a mix of Chinese and Western instruments (see the cellos and bass in the back) but I was surprised to see the group fronted by a hammered dulcimer!

The music teacher tunes up a zhong ruan.  It's an alto/tenor range 4 stringed instrument played with a plectrum, sounds a bit like a mandola.

Momo is one of the top English students in our school, and loves her sheng (a harmonica like blown organ instrument with bamboo pipes).  Listen to her solo just before the cello in this next video.

9th graders practice their class cheer and choreography.  They compete for a school spirit award.  This class won!

For the 50th anniversary of the school last year they printed a photo book of highlights.  One of my colleagues pointed out that my picture, along with 2 other foreign teachers that taught there in the last decade, appeared on a page about their English program.  Although I wasn't able to attend the ceremony due to teaching at my other school, I felt proud to be a part of their history too.