OVC's Fireflies Chorus wins world champion title

The Fireflies Chorus from the Elementary School attached to Huazhong University of Science and Technology located in the Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC), has clinched the gold award in the Young Children's Choir category at the 13th World Choir Games held recently in New Zealand.

The Fireflies Chorus wins the gold award. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

This World Choir Games, established in 2000 and organized by the INTERKULTUR foundation in Germany, is the world's largest choral competition and is considered the "Olympics" of choral singing. Held biennially, this year's event in Auckland, New Zealand, attracted over 11,000 singers from more than 40 countries and regions.

Led by conductor Tian Chongyao and artistic director Yan Zhu, the 46 members of the Fireflies Chorus presented a repertoire of four works, including Dance! and Call of the Angels.

The children of the Fireflies Chorus sing a song. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Their performance, showcasing a rich variety of choral techniques and vibrant rhythm, impressed both the judges and the audience, who responded with thunderous applause and cheers.

"Through the universal language of music, our children shared messages of humanity, planting the seeds of sincerity, kindness and beauty," said Li Xiaoyan, principal of the affiliated elementary school and head of the chorus.

Established in the early 1980s and officially named "Fireflies" in 2009, the chorus's victory marks its second triumph at the World Choir Games, following its victory at the 7th edition of the event held in Cincinnati, USA in 2012.