In listening to rehearsals of the Long March Chorus, students of Beijing JiaoTong University said they cherished their youthful memories of performing the work.

The Long March Chorus is a large-scale song cycle combining a chorus and Chinese and Western orchestras that describes ten stories of the Chinese Communist Party’s battle against Kuo Min Tang (KMT) during 1934 and 1935. It has been presented at the university for 14 years.

The students interpret scenes of the Long March on stage [Photo provided by Beijing Jiao Tong University]

Zhangce, a member of the chorus, said he was really moved by the interplay of the choral and instrumental music. “When I heard the violin vividly describing the endless white snow mountain, I felt as if I were there. The effects of the violin and Chinese instrument pipa together made me feel the coldness of the plateau.”

The performance combines a chorus and Chinese and Western orchestras. [Photo provided by Beijing JiaoTong University]

The chorus’ lead teacher said “We spontaneously formed a spirit of heritage to transmit the music to our junior fellow students. For example, senior students conscientiously teach junior students to sing the chorus word by word. They say they must teach every word in the right way because they know these junior students will pass on the song to their junior peers.”

“When we chorus members gather again after graduation, what we talk about most is the Long March Chorus. We really want to be on stage to recall the past feeling and spirit,” said Yang Kai.