The finals of the 7th CCOM Music Festival for Kids & Teens was held in Beijing at the Central Conservatory of Music between July 24 and Aug 15.

Some 20,000 participants from around the country took part, performing on stage, taking masterclasses, and attending lectures.

Winners who received the Zhi Zhen Award (Elite Award) were also given the opportunity to perform at the CCOM Opera Concert Hall in Beijing.

The festival was launched by the conservatory in 2017, and has attracted a large number of teenagers from around China ever since.

Participants demonstrated their ability in five categories: keyboard instruments, traditional Chinese musical instruments, wind and string Instruments, percussion and Pop music, and vocals. Winners were given the change to attend additional activities at the conservatory.

The mother of one of the finalists, 7-year-old Cai Yiyao, said that her daughter had started learning to play the violin about two years ago.

“When she told me that she wanted to play the violin, I was surprised. I didn’t know how she knew about the instrument until I found out that she had watched short videos of people playing it,” she said.

Another winner was 12-year-old Zheng Wanxin, who fell in love with the flute after her mother took her to a concert when she was 7. “I took masterclasses in Beijing, which were very rewarding. I usually practice alone at home but I made friends with many children who were also learning to play instruments during the festival,” she said.

According to Fang Hengjian, head of the Modern Distance Music Education College at the Central Conservatory of Music, the festival can plant the seed of music in children and positively influence their lives.

“Music education is an essential part of a child’s development. It is a creative and fun way for them to learn and grow,”said Fang, adding that this year, the festival attracted more participants than ever.