Violin Temple · Violin Temple Treasure Hall The First Step to Dismantling the Sound Valve Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra’s First Rehearsal Successfully Held June 20, 2026, Tongzhou, Beijing · Yueqingshan Bookstore On June 20, 2026, on the second floor of Yueqingshan Bookstore in Tongzhou, Beijing, a group of children sat in an arc holding violins and cellos, with sheet music for "Auld Lang Syne" on their music stands. Many of them had no prior orchestral experience, no experience in independent sight-reading, and had never played in an ensemble. An hour later, when the piece was played in full, the parents and teachers present knew—the Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra had truly begun. ### Why a Charity Orchestra? Before the rehearsal began, Tian Lifu, director of the Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra, gave an opening speech. Without pleasantries, he posed a direct question: Why has learning music become so expensive in China? A single lesson costs thousands of yuan, a violin can cost hundreds of thousands, exams require fees, competitions require fees, and even performances require out-of-pocket expenses. He called this the "sound valve"—a monopolistic structure that turns music education into a lucrative business through information asymmetry and barriers. The Idyllic Symphony Orchestra’s mission is simple: tear down this wall. "Rehearsals are free, performances are free, and competitions are free. This isn’t a gimmick, nor a 'free first, then charge later' scheme—it’s genuinely three free commitments. Because it’s free, it must be cherished. What you receive without spending money, others may not obtain even by paying. So treat it with greater seriousness than if you had paid. — Tian Lifu, Director of the Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra" In his speech, Tian Lifu shared the orchestra’s origins. His father, Professor Tian Yuan, benefited from free lessons at the Changchun Film Orchestra in his youth—learning the violin without spending a cent. He later joined the orchestra, entered university, and became a conductor, composer, and university professor. Now, Tian Lifu is passing on the same opportunity his father once received to more children. ### 3 Rehearsals · Performances · Competitions – All Free ### 4+ Annual charity performances ### 6.6 Official announcement of the three free commitments (June 6) ### First Half: Each Child Performs The first half of the rehearsal didn’t start with picking up instruments. Instead, each child in the orchestra stepped forward in turn to perform a solo piece. Afterward, the instructor arranged seating based on each player’s actual skill level—who sits as concertmaster, who sits in the back row—determined not by age or seniority, but by the level demonstrated that day. This wasn’t a one-time arrangement. Tian Lifu announced that every new member joining the orchestra in the future must complete the same solo performance in front of the entire group. Having each child play before everyone else is both a test of their own ability and a sign of respect for their fellow orchestra members. Parents were not present during the rehearsal. No parents helped put away instruments, apply rosin, or organize music stands—the children handled their own instruments, helped the teacher move chairs, and collected music stands themselves. Even first-graders managed with competence. This independence wasn’t taught; it was fostered by letting go. ### Second Half: Ensemble Performance of "Auld Lang Syne" The first rehearsal was led by Professor Tian Yuan himself. As Tian Lifu’s father, Tian Yuan serves as the conductor and artistic director of the Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra, with decades of experience in orchestral performance and teaching. Facing a group of children with vastly different skill levels—some had studied for years, while others couldn’t even read sheet music—he remained patient, guiding each section note by note. The rehearsal piece was "Auld Lang Syne." Though the melody is simple, the challenge of ensemble playing lies not in individual technique but in collaboration: string sections must listen to each other, watch the conductor, and synchronize entrances and exits. For children who had never experienced ensemble playing, this was a completely new challenge. By the end of the rehearsal, most of these children—who had little to no orchestral experience or music-reading ability—had largely completed the ensemble performance of "Auld Lang Syne." From sitting down with blank expressions to raising their bows in unison and blending their sounds—this process embodies the power of ensemble education. ### Ensemble Teaches More Than Just Playing In his speech, Tian Lifu shared a point that may be the most important takeaway for parents: In an orchestra, children learn more than just playing an instrument. They must listen to other sections, blend with others, and synchronize under the conductor’s gestures—this is ensemble playing. Ensemble training cultivates listening, collaboration, discipline, and focus—skills far more valuable than being able to play a few pieces. Another crucial element is stage presence. When a child stands on stage with hundreds of real audience members, lights shining on their face, and raises their bow—that feeling cannot be simulated in any classroom. Stage presence is built through repeated performances, not bought with money. The Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra commits to at least four charity performances annually, plus commercial performances sponsored by partners—all real stages. Ensemble trains listening and collaboration. Stage presence cultivates real performance experience. National-level instructors. ### Orchestra Rules: Set Rules First, Then Begin Charity does not mean laxity, and free does not mean a lack of seriousness. At the end of his speech, Tian Lifu announced the orchestra’s five core rules, emphasizing: Because it’s free, treat it with greater seriousness than if you had paid. **Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra · Five Rules** 1. **Punctuality** – Rehearsals start at 2:00 PM; arrive 10 minutes early to tune and warm up. Being late means the entire section waits for you. 2. **No Absences Without Reason** – Do not request leave without a compelling reason. Last-minute cancellations or post-hoc explanations are not acceptable. 3. **Parents Wait Downstairs** – Rehearsals are between the children and the conductor; leave the space to the children. 4. **Music Folders and Scores** – Bring your own music folder. Scores are distributed uniformly; take them home to practice after rehearsal and bring them back next time. 5. **Respect the Conductor and Fellow Members** – When the conductor speaks, everyone stops and listens. When others are playing, do not chat or cause disruptions. ### From Today, We Walk Together The first rehearsal concluded on the second floor of Yueqingshan Bookstore. As the children lowered their bows, the air in the bookstore still carried the scent of rosin. Parents waited downstairs, asking their children how it went. The children replied, "It was good. I’ll come again next time." The Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra is currently supported by the Idyllic Symphony teachers and Yueqingshan Bookstore for operational costs. In his speech, Tian Lifu said, "We don’t have sponsors yet, but we’ll start first and find sponsors along the way. We can’t wait for funding to begin." On June 6, the orchestra officially announced its commitment to free rehearsals, free performances, and free competitions. On June 20, the rehearsal day, the children filled the rehearsal hall. **2024** – National Youth Music Literacy Competition: Beijing First Prize, National Second Prize. The Idyllic Symphony Children’s Orchestra fought hard in the competition. **June 6, 2026** – Official announcement of free rehearsals, free performances, and free competitions. The Idyllic Symphony Orchestra formally commits to "three frees." **June 20, 2026** – First rehearsal held at Yueqingshan Bookstore. Professor Tian Yuan guides the children in completing the ensemble performance of "Auld Lang Syne." Let more families afford music education. Let more children experience the feeling of standing on stage. Let music education return to what it should be—not a privilege for the few, but a light accessible to all. From today, we walk together. Violin Temple · Violin Temple Treasure Hall violintemple.com · Idyllic Symphony Youth Charity Orchestra