SZ concert strikes a chord for Ear Care Day

Video by Liu Xudong

Rehearsals were under way at the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra on March 5 for a charity concert marking the 27th National Ear Care Day, when two unusual guests took their seats in the hall — Huang Yuehong, a visually impaired woman, and her guide dog, An An.

As pianist Ruan Yangyang and conductor Lin Daye led the orchestra through final preparations for the following day’s performance, Huang sat attentively in the auditorium, occasionally lifting her phone to capture audio footage by using sound to orient herself. An An remained quiet by her side, sometimes sitting, sometimes lying down, occasionally swaying his tail in rhythm with the music.

Huang Yuehong, who is visually impaired, listens attentively as the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra rehearses for a charity concert marking the 27th National Ear Care Day on March 5. Photos by Liu Xudong unless otherwise stated

Huang’s guide dog An An waits quietly during the rehearsal. 

Huang, who has a deep love for symphonic music, described how she uses sound to “see” the emotions of performers. “We visually impaired people mainly rely on hearing to obtain information. When I was listening to the symphony just now, I could clearly distinguish the piano, violin and cello coming from three different dimensions, eventually merging into a magnificent symphony,” she said.

“I think music brings a wonderful experience for both visually and hearing-impaired people. Many of my friends with hearing difficulties use hearing aids and can still capture the beauty of music through faint sounds,” she said. 

Huang and An An were invited as special guests to attend the formal concert at the Shenzhen Grand Theater.

This year’s National Ear Care Day, themed “Scientific Ear Care for All, Jointly Protecting Hearing Health,” featured the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra under conductor Lin Daye’s baton, performing with several soloists. The repertoire ranged from the agility of Haydn’s “Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major” to the power of the “Yellow River Piano Concerto,” and the classic melody of the orchestral version of “Spring Story.”

Speaking about the combination of Ear Care Day and music, Lin said: “Holding a concert on Ear Care Day has special significance — it’s about using sound to heal sound. It elevates music from a pure art form to a healing tool and a bridge for communication.”

“Music and public welfare create a synergy greater than the sum of their parts. Public welfare gives music practical application, while music gives public welfare emotional warmth, transforming it into tangible social value,” he added.

Conductor Lin Daye during the rehearsal. 

Pianist Ruan Yangyang at the rehearsal. 

Young pianist Ruan, who has received support from multiple philanthropists throughout his musical journey, shared his reflections on the combination of music and charity.

“Public welfare adds an extra dimension to this concert,” he said. “Everyone here shares a common wish — to use our actions to inspire more people. Many may know that I was able to pursue music because several important philanthropists supported me along the way.”

“What I want to do now is use music to move people and help them believe that a little kindness can change someone’s life. Music is like magic to me, and when it can make people fall in love with classical music and also develop a heart for charity, that's when the magic becomes truly great,” he added. 

The most moving moment of the concert came when three young people with autism took the stage. Chen Rongtian and Wang Haoran, students from Shenzhen Yuanping Special Education School, performed a guzheng and piano dialogue interpretation of Yun Shang Su (Rainbow Robe), their fingers conveying rich inner worlds and resilient spirits. 

Another young autistic musician, Xiao Dai, joined Ruan for a collaborative performance of Ru Yuan (As You Wish), with xiao flute and piano intertwining, transcending barriers through musical notes and expressing heartfelt emotions through melody.

Young autistic musician Xiao Dai (back) and pianist Ruan perform at the concert. Photo courtesy of the event organizers

The event was guided by the Guangdong Disabled Persons’ Federation, organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Disabled Persons’ Federation, hosted by the Shenzhen Comprehensive Service Center for Disabled Persons, and co-organized by the Shenzhen Literary and Art Volunteers Association.

Huang Xiaoshu, head of the Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, highlighted the natural connection between symphonic music and hearing protection. “What’s most moving about symphonic music is its ultimate pursuit of listening,” Huang said. “The core of Ear Care Day is protecting hearing and cherishing the ability to listen, while the essence of symphonic music is listening with heart and experiencing beauty. The two are naturally connected and highly compatible.”

“It’s based on this philosophy that three years ago, we began collaborating with the Shenzhen Municipal Disabled Persons’ Federation, turning high-level symphony concerts into a platform for promoting ear care awareness. What we hope to convey is not just reminders about protecting hearing, but a deeper understanding — that listening involves not just ears, but the heart. Music doesn't just belong on the stage, it belongs to everyone.”