Miao Farmer's Choir takes international stage

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Working as an amateur choir leader has dominated Long Guangyuan’s life over the past three decades. From Handel’s Messiah to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Schumann’s Zigeunerleben… each night, the 48-year-old farmer and his fellow villagers animate their small tranquil village with four-part chorus after a day’s farm work.

Long Guanyuan conducts the choir during a routine practice in Xiaoshuijing Village, Yunnan. /CGTN Photo

The members of the choir are all from Xiaoshuijing, a remote village inhabited by Miao ethnic minority in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. The origin of the vocal ensemble dates back to 1937 when Christianity was introduced here.

Formally established in 2002, the choir now has about 60 members aged between 16 and 50. Their singing skills have been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.

Long Guangyuan feeds his cattle at home. Off the stage, the members of the choir are busy with their farm work every day. /CGTN Photo

“We have never received any professional training and don’t know the so-called scientific way of vocalizing. We just express our love for life and our hometown with the voice from our heart,” Long told CGTN. He said he learned how to conduct by himself.

People in Xiaoshuijing Village rely mainly on traditional farming, such as wheat, corn and potato, and cattle raising for a living. So, they can only get together at night for practice.

Members of the choir pose for selfie during their stay in New York for their debut overseas. /Courtesy of Zhang Xiaoming

“I have thought of quitting for several times, as I feel very tired after the farm work, and I have to prepare for the routine practices and rehearsals ahead of performances,” said Long, “but I have persisted all the way, because I don’t want to let down the passionate members.”

Over the past years, the choir has received increasing recognition across the country with their unique performances – neither bel canto nor traditional folk singing. They were even invited to perform in a movie screened months ago.

Some members of the choir do farm work together. They can only get together for practice at night after the whole day’s farm work. /CGTN Photo

During this Chinese New Year, they walked out of the mountains and performed at New York’s Lincoln Center, working with New York Philharmonic. The songs included world-known classics performed in foreign languages and their own Miao language, and Chinese folk songs.

This is their debut outside China, and next, they will bring classic Chinese folk songs and masterpieces of the world to British audiences.