Under the baton of conductor Zheng Jian, the all-male Beijing Master Choir performed patriotic and folk songs during a performance at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on March 7. This kicked off a series of concerts celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

The repertoire included classics such as, Sing a Folk Song to the Party, which was first released in 1963 and written by Zhu Jian'er and Jiao Ping; Song of the Red Star, which was featured in the 1974's Chinese movie Sparkling Red Star, directed by Li Ang and Li Jun; and Nanniwan, which was released in 1943 and written by He Jingzhi and Ma Ke.

"These songs are timeless and well-known among Chinese music lovers. We've rearranged them for the choir, whose performance gives them a fresh new sound," says Zheng.

The newly founded choir, of more than 60 young classically trained singers, made its debut at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing on Sept 29, 2020.

It will tour Beijing, Tianjin and cities in Hebei province with 10 concerts during the first half of 2021.

According to Zheng, who is the co-founder and artistic director of the choir, more Chinese folk songs will be included, such as those written by the late musician Wang Luobin (1913-96), which are inspired by the folk music of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.