On the south bank of the Tamsui river in Taipei is an old brick building with an arch and balcony in European style. A bronze tablet fastened on the door indicates that this is the home of the Jung Hsin Chorus, one of the oldest and most illustrious children's choirs in the Republic of China.

The chorus was founded by Koo Wei-fu, a leading businessman in Taiwan, after he was inspired by a record of a young girls' chorus in Germany. Famous musical professor Lu Chuan-sheng was invited to head the group, and after only five years it had become so celebrated that it had been invited to perform in the United States by the Lincoln Center. Though the choir could not take up the invitation for financial reasons, its reputation was established.

The lounge on the second floor of the building, decorated with medals and pictures of the choir, is the main place for rehearsals. As the sun sets over the Tamsui river, the children start to arrive. Silence reigns as they listen carefully to their instructor's first note on the piano to ascertain its pitch.

To recruit its members, the Jung Hsin Chorus holds auditions in February each year for all children in the first and second grade of primary schools. After singing the musical scales, and a practice song entitled "Little Sister Carrying a Doll," some 50 to 60 children are chosen from among hundreds of contestants. It is only two years later, however, that they complete their preparatory lessons and become formal members of the group.

At first, more stress is laid on physical health and good grades at school than on vocal training. After the second audition, those who are deemed below standard are eliminated. Lu pointed out that by using this method, it is possible to ascertain which children have been forced to enter the competition by their parents rather than of their own free will. During this period, Lu also encourages children to perform solo so as to bolster their confidence. He pointed out that the most important thing at this stage is to train children in a precise knowledge of musical scales and chords.

Lu explained: "All chorus groups pride themselves on their acappella (unaccompanied) singing. After years of training, I am not afraid to compare the 'angels' of Jung Hsin with the best in the world." Typically, teachers are appointed to instruct the children in Latin, Italian, and German as well as English, and explain the meaning of each song. Success at Jung Hsin is not a casual thing.

After three or four years of singing, the boys and girls reach the point where their voices change, and it is time for them to leave this musical family. Jung Hsin holds commencement ceremonies at which diplomas are presented to the children who have reached the second grade in junior high school.

For the past 24 years, the Jung Hsin Chorus has held regular concerts twice a year and organized tours around the island. Invitations to perform overseas have come from Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, and the group has made Five records.

The pillar of the chorus is undoubtedly Lu Chuan-sheng. Born in 1916 in Taichung County in central Taiwan, Lu studied piano in Tokyo before switching to vocal music. After his graduation, he was for a time a renowned professional vocalist at several Japanese theaters. After the Sino-Japanese War, Lu decided to defend national musical traditions and make use of his deep knowledge of children's songs by returning to his fatherland. While collecting and arranging folk songs from all over the country, he also wrote songs for children to bring more music into their lives. Since he founded Jung Hsin, he has followed only one ideal, to bring its standards up to those of the best in the world.

Though it is not intended to be a training school for professionals, Jung Hsin has turned out many young people who later made their careers in music-either by teaching or doing research abroad.

Apart from the children's choir, Jung Hsin also has groups for students and housewives. The former is made up of graduates from the school who return for the sake of old times or to develop their musical talents further. The women's choir was organized in 1962 by mothers of members of the children's choir, thus spreading the benefit of music throughout the family. At one time, tuition at the school was free, but a shortage of funds has forced the imposition of a small fee more recently. Prof. Lu is considering efforts to solicit more funds from outside so that Jung Hsin can pass down its benefits from generation to generation, and include talented children whatever their financial backgrounds.

[Picture Caption]

Left: Silver-haired Lu Chuan-sheng, head of the Jung Hsin Choir, has dedicated 20 years of his life to musical education. Right: As the sun sets over the Tamsui River, the children start to arrive for rehearsals. As usual, Lu is waiting for them upstairs.

Lessons start with singing the scales (right), and opposite, children sit comfortably while they concentrate on Lu's directions.

Graduates of the Jung Hsin Choir who return for the sake of old times or to develop their musical talents further, have organized their own choir with a conductor and accompanist. (2) Lu points out the importance of shaping the mouth during practices.

The lounge for rehearsals is decorated with medals and pictures of the choir, and opposite, students must change into slippers before entering the rehearsal room so as to maintain silence.

Lessons start with singing the scales （right）, and opposite, children sit comfortably while they concentrate on Lu's directions.

Lessons start with singing the scales （right）, and opposite, children sit comfortably while they concentrate on Lu's directions.

Graduates of the Jung Hsin Choir who return for the sake of old times or to develop their musical talents further, have organized their own choir with a conductor and accompanist.

Lu points out the importance of shaping the mouth during practices.

The lounge for rehearsals is decorated with medals and pictures of the choir, and opposite, students must change into slippers before entering the rehearsal room so as to maintain silence.

The lounge for rehearsals is decorated with medals and pictures of the choir, and opposite, students must change into slippers before entering the rehearsal room so as to maintain silence.

The lounge for rehearsals is decorated with medals and pictures of the choir, and opposite, students must change into slippers before entering the rehearsal room so as to maintain silence.