Starry Sky Lightens the Hearts of Music Lovers

The author begins with his own experiences as an amateur trumpeter during his school years, and explains the current situation of an amateur orchestra in China, especially in Beijing, and then tells about the formation and events of the Starry Sky Orchestra that include their classical music concerts and educational lectures. Starry Sky formed from the Three Highs Orchestra that was begun by the Vice Premier of China, Lanqi Li, in 2012. The new orchestra Starry Sky now comprises amateurs, or “lovers of music,” from the governmental, medical, engineering, academic and other professions, open to all who wish to join. The Starry Sky collaborated with the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2017. The amateur orchestra can promote the love for music of the public, and also improve the quality education of schools, which can also help the comprehensive development of students. Author Ben Gu, Ph.D. is a librarian, translator, and a trumpeter in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. He was a member of the Starry Sky Orchestra.