By Jin Lu

On the evening of May 9, gentle music flowed from a former carpentry studio in Tiantong Village, Dongwu Town, in Ningbo's Yinzhou District. Inside, a group of senior musicians, known locally as the "Octogenarian Orchestra", was rehearsing for a concert.

Under the direction of Li Yifan, a visiting instructor from the Central Conservatory of Music, the rich resonance of the cello intertwined with the delicate melodies of the erhu, creating an unexpectedly fresh and compelling harmony.

"We're performing in tomorrow's village concert, Sounds of the Seasons in Tiantong, so we're putting in some extra practice," said 82-year-old Shi Dongchu, eyes bright with enthusiasm as he played the yangqin, a Chinese hammered dulcimer.

It may come as a surprise that this ensemble only began six years ago, formed not by trained professionals but by local retirees with a passion for music. Led by Shi, more than 40 elderly residents, most with little or no formal training, came together to form the grassroots orchestra.

"Some of us had experience in local theater or opera groups when we were younger, but many were complete beginners," Shi said. "That changed in 2019, when we officially named ourselves the 'Octogenarian Orchestra' and began receiving instruction from music educators of the Central Conservatory of Music."

Among the orchestra's ranks is Yu Haigen, now in his seventies, who started without any musical background but is now proficient in multiple instruments. Another member, 73-year-old Wang Yinsu, began learning the erhu with no prior experience and has since become committed to regular practice, even branching out to instruments like the zhongruan (a Chinese plucked string instrument) and electric keyboard.

Since last year, Li Yifan has provided regular instruction, covering everything from music theory to instrumental technique, significantly improving the group's musical abilities. She is one of more than 30 students and graduates from the Central Conservatory of Music who have visited Dongwu since 2019 as part of China's rural revitalization through the arts initiative.

In 2021, the country's first rural music classroom was established in Tiantong, offering structured lessons and performance opportunities tailored for senior citizens.

Reflecting on their journey, Shi remarked, "We started out as a few old friends chasing a dream. We never imagined we'd come this far. As long as we can play, we'll keep playing. We want the world to hear the sound of the Octogenarian Orchestra."