"Generals and soldiers, listen to the party's command..." On the afternoon of July 29, the viewing hall of the Shanghai Film Studio on Yongfu Road was pierced by this sonorous and powerful song. The singer was from Xuhui District Veterans Affairs The "Military Songs Loud" chorus formed by the Bureau's Veterans Service Center specifically for retired soldiers performed on stage for the first time at the Hunan Road Street Street in Xuhui District and the local troops stationed in Shanghai to jointly sign a contract and celebrate the 97th Army Day. Military song chorus.
Caption: All members of the "Military Songs are Loud and Liang" chorus are retired soldiers. Photo provided by the "Military Songs are Loud and Liang" choir (the same below)
According to reports, the choir was formed in July 2023, and they all live in Xuhui District. The average age of retired veterans is 70 years old, with the oldest being nearly 80 years old.
officially received the performance assignment a week ago, and the 24 veterans who participated in the performance only had four and a half days of rehearsal time. Some people were worried, can it be done in such a short time? However, the staff of Shanghai Xuhui District Camouflage Phalanx Veterans Service Promotion Center (hereinafter referred to as "Camouflage Phalanx"), who are usually responsible for managing the choir, are very confident. On every choir study day, the staff will prepare mineral water for each veteran, copy the songs, and deliver them to the veterans. Then they will listen silently. During this period, any problems will be solved in a timely manner. The Veterans Service Center also carefully selected two artist-level artists, Han Enfu and Wang Yibing, as tutors. Although the performance plan has not been determined, the staff of the camouflage phalanx quietly "brought in" with teacher Han Enfu as early as a month ago, singing four military songs "Strong Army Battle Hymn", "Green Flowers in the Army", "Return from Target Shooting" and " Practice in the chorus "The Motherland Will Not Forget".
Picture caption: Everyone was rehearsing
While rehearsing, the veterans of the chorus also fully carried forward the military style of working in unison and working together. Squad leader Zhang (Zhang Weihong), who has some stage experience, proposed that the first "Strengthening Army Battle Hymn" should be sung with the momentum of a soldier based on the characteristics of veterans, and it is best to sing in a chorus; deputy squad leader Jin Zheyong is responsible for the assembly and team preparation of the team every time. In less than half a day, the veterans were appointed as the "Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission" of the choir; during the rehearsal, there was a shortage of male and female lead singers, so Ni Zhengming and Song Guofang took the initiative to take on important tasks; Wang Muquan, who had just participated in a singing competition Shouting "We want to sing to the Spring Festival Gala stage"; 75-year-old Zhi Chenghua took the time to perform an impromptu dance for everyone. Her light dance posture and soft figure not only made all the veterans present relax for a moment, but also made her feel like she was back in the military camp of her youth. ...
Rehearsal is of course inseparable from tutor and conductor Han Enfu. Teacher Han, who has thirty years of management and teaching experience, is like a soldier about to go on an expedition, with his bow string fully strung. Whenever the song reaches a high level of passion, he can't help but jump up while conducting. The veterans also understand and respond generously with more full and passionate singing. In fact, the singing skills of this one-year-old choir are uneven, but Teacher Han uses motivational methods, encourages more and asks questions at the right time, allowing all veterans to increase their self-confidence and make rapid progress; in terms of performance form, he constantly explores the chorus The potential of each member of the troupe was eclectic, adding forms such as recitation, leading singing, and accompanying dancing. Finally, in order to increase the accompaniment effect, Teacher Han played the accordion and piano to accompany Teacher Yuan's music, allowing the loud military songs to resound throughout the performance hall.
Caption: Everyone rehearses carefully
"We hope that the Xuhui District Veterans Service Center will serve the veterans of Xuhui well, so that the veterans who love singing and life can show their full feelings for the military camp, the people, and the motherland through singing! I also hope that our old squad leaders’ life will be as red as the lotus flowers reflecting the sun!” said Li Xianlan, director of the Xuhui District Veterans Service Center on the day of the performance.
Bao Xianghong
