Move over Yo-Yo: Ningbo promotes mellow cello

Music has enriched the lives of residents young and old in Xianxiang town in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

The town in the city's Yinzhou district, the ancestral home of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, has been building its brand in recent years.

In 2014, a youth cello club was established to offer cello lessons to local children. To make the instrument accessible to all families, the local government bought 20 cellos, which it lends to children free of charge.

Over the past eight years, the club has trained 75 children, many of whom are currently pursuing careers in music.

In 2019, an adult cello club was launched. Residents from all walks of life — farmers, workers, teachers, doctors — joined the club. Since then, cello teachers have been invited to hold public classes in the town periodically.

After three years of training, the 13 club members, most of whom had never received music education and had difficulty reading music notation, are playing in more than 20 ensembles and have performed in numerous concerts.

The Second National Youth Cello Music Festival kicked off on Aug 22 in Ningbo, where a series of music activities are being held.