Midu, a county in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunan province, impresses visitors with its beautiful scenery and a diverse culture and folklore contributed by different ethnic groups of people living there, including Peng Feng, a professor of Peking University.

Three years ago, Peng and his team came to Midu to assist with poverty elimination and urban rejuvenation by means of culture and arts. They set up a working station of public education and founded a children's choir — inspired by a long-lasting love and tradition of group singing there.

In the past three years, the choir has won prizes at national competitions. Peng said singing brings those village children out of home, and to a much bigger stage, and it surely has happened to many youngsters in remote, destitute places.

The experiences with Midu, meanwhile, motivated Peng to produce a children's musical, Singing Changes Life, focusing on the roles of music, and art education, could better the minds and hearts of the younger generation and also, the adults, a vision that was proposed and promoted by Cai Yuanpei, the prominent educator and reformer of modern China.

The musical will begin a tour of the country after the premiere at Peking University.

Peng said: "I've seen how music and singing have helped children visit distant places, gain knowledge and understanding of the world, and hence, to foster new life expectations.

"Music changes their lives as well as others'."

In October, another children's musical, Painting Changes Life, produced by Yu Ding, a professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts, will be staged at Peking University.

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