Amateur orchestra strikes high notes under overpass

Against the backdrop of bustling traffic and intermittent honking horns, a group of elderly individuals, each clutching their respective instruments, mesmerized the audience with their passionate melodies.

Amid pleasantly cool temperatures and delightful acoustics beneath an overpass, the amateur orchestra has transformed an area the size of half a basketball court into a "concert hall" in the city of Harbin in northeast China.

Established in 2009, the band has grown from merely three members to more than 40, with the age of the band members ranging from 50 to over 80.

According to Wang Hui, the band's conductor, a majority of the members are retirees who have joined the band with a rudimentary knowledge of music that they acquired through self-learning.

"The audience yearns for this type of spiritual and cultural experience, while the performers themselves derive spiritual enjoyment from delivering it," she said.

During the performance, the hostess Liu Lihua often thanks the enthusiastic audience for their gifts. Some people even come from more than 10 km away to watch their performances.

"Many people provide us with water and other supplies, and they support us immensely," said Liu. "Over the years, we feel a responsibility towards the audience."

The band performs three times a week from May to October every year and does rehearsals in winter.

Amateurs as they are, there is no sign of carelessness in terms of music arrangement, instruments, or costumes.

To improve the quality of the performance, the band has not only installed lighting under the overpass but also prepared multiple sets of clothing. During important festivals, they would dress uniformly for themed performances.

"We are not paid. What we are doing is simply out of our hobby," said Liu Jun, head of the orchestra.

Being the capital of China's border province of Heilongjiang, Harbin had early access to European classical music. It is also home to one of China's oldest symphony orchestras, the Harbin Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1908. In 2010, the United Nations recognized Harbin as a "Music City."

With the arrival of summer, the enchanting melodies of beautiful music can frequently be heard echoing through the streets and alleys of Harbin.

As night fell, the orchestra played its final piece, the "Radetzky March." The audience clapped in the rhythm of the music, while the hostess walked around and shook hands with the audience to express gratitude.

"The audience is our driving force, and enjoying such a cultural life after retirement makes me feel very happy," said Wang Fuxin, 82, who used to work in the construction industry, and is now the band's tuba player.