Symphony concert helps raise awareness for ear care

Video by Liu Xudong

With the beautiful voices of a children’s chorus, a unique symphony concert commenced at Sky Concert Hall in Nanshan District, taking the audience on a wonderful musical journey.

The concert, hosted by the Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation, was held yesterday on China’s 24th National Ear Care Day, with a focus on promoting awareness for ear care under the theme of “implementing scientifically-proven ear care practices and proactively seeking ways to improve hearing health.”

Musicians from Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra perform at the concert on Friday evening. Photos by courtesy of the event organizer

Music connects the ‘soundless world’

Dong Xiu, Party chief and chairman of the federation, addressed the event. She introduced the federation’s work and future plan on promoting ear health and highlighted the significance of the concert in promoting ear care awareness.

She mentioned that the concert has become an iconic activity of Shenzhen’s Ear Care Day campaigns and this year’s event was the seventh edition since its inception in 2011. “The aim of the concert was to use music to connect to the 'soundless world' and increase public awareness about ear care and hearing loss prevention,” she said.

Dong Xiu, Party chief and chairman of Shenzhen Disabled Persons Federation, delivers a speech at yesterday's event.

Ma Weihua, chairman of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, emphasized that organizing a symphony concert to raise awareness about ear care is a crucial aspect of the foundation’s charitable endeavors.

Ma Weihua, chairman of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, delivers a speech at yesterday's event.

Lin Daye, music director and principal conductor of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, expressed that celebrating National Ear Care Day through symphony will enrich humanity’s audio entertainment experience.

According to Lin, “The symphonic form is a valuable artistic treasure and represents the highest level of auditory art from the past few centuries. While humans are adept at appreciating visual art, there is still room for us to learn how to appreciate auditory art. Ear care, to me, means having the ability to hear beautiful sounds. If we immerse ourselves in the beauty of sound, we can lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.”

Well-designed program to highlight the charitable spirit

The concert commenced with choruses by the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra Children’s Choir and students from Shenzhen Yuanping Special Education School. Lin remarked that the voices of children are pure and can deeply move people. “Ear Care Day reflects the philanthropic spirit. Through the children’s choir, we hope to convey love and compassion to all of humanity."

Children from the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra Children's Choir and Shenzhen Yuanping Special Education School perform at yesterday's event.

At the concert, Shu Haifeng, a young pianist with autism, delivered a stunning performance. Lin believes that music can bring together people with disabilities who have exceptional talent, and provide them with the love and care they deserve from society. “Our aim is to spread love to every corner of the world through charity,” said Lin.

Young pianist Shu Haifeng performs at the concert.

In the latter part of the concert, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra captivated the audience with a breathtaking performance of several timeless symphonic pieces, all masterfully conducted by Liu Ming.

Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra performs under the baton of Liu Ming.

Lin expressed that these musical compositions are the collective heritage of humankind. “Music has the power to unite diverse individuals, inspiring them to embrace the symphonic art form and raise awareness about ear health and protection. By listening, they can gather positive energy and contribute to the creation of healthier, more melodious voices, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. This is our objective.”

Livestreaming helps to reach more audience

The World Health Organization’s World Report on Hearing, released in March 2021, reveals that one-fifth of the global population, or over 1.5 billion people, have experienced hearing loss. The report forecasts that by 2025, nearly a quarter of the world’s population, approximately 2.5 billion people, will suffer from hearing loss, with 700 million individuals requiring rehabilitation services.

In an effort to reach a wider audience and raise awareness about the importance of ear protection, the concert was livestreamed. This allowed more people to enjoy the stunning performances by the musicians, and to learn more about the impact of hearing loss on individuals and communities. By leveraging the power of technology and digital media, the concert organizers were able to spread their message of love and philanthropy to a larger audience, creating a more inclusive and accessible event for all.

Digital artworks unveiled

The concert also featured the unveiling of a collection of digital artworks, which explore the relationship between digital assets and charity work.

Chairtable efforts highlighted

Furthermore, a ceremony was organized during the event to honor organizations and individuals who had made contributions to the event and the charitable efforts of the city. Certificates of honor were presented to the recipients.