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On January 2, 2024, the Beijing Haidian Kaiwen Academy (hereinafter referred to as “Haidian Kaiwen”) Demoiselle Crane Musical Theater Group’s annual production of “Les Choristes” concluded to resounding applause. Whether or not the audience had seen the original film, every melody, every scene, and every story of this play touched the hearts of everyone present, like life burgeoning from the soil. Headmaster Ever Li expressed his admiration and resonance with poetic metaphors, praising the performance deeply. The Haidian Kaiwen Demoiselle Crane Musical Theater Group made a remarkable debut, gaining recognition in the professional field of musical theater. They were also invited to participate in Beijing News Radio’s “Home of Good Youth” program, where they were interviewed as musical theater actors.
Now, the second charity performance is officially launched. On the evening of March 9 at 19:30, we look forward to welcoming you to the theater to witness the moment when the flowers of growth bloom freely on stage.
Education is not only about writing poetry in the clouds but also about sowing seeds in the soil; it requires patience and waiting. We hope to respect the inherent value of each individual, as the song in the play goes, “How many little souls hope to find a hand that can make tomorrow different.”
—— Headmaster Ever Li
Synopsis of "Les Choristes"
“Les Choristes” is a French film released in 2004, directed by Christophe Barratier. The story is set in 1949 in rural France, at a boarding school dedicated to educating troubled boys in a remote countryside area. The school’s strict teaching methods and rigid discipline leave the students feeling frustrated and constrained. Clement Mathieu, a new music teacher, is assigned to the school and endeavors to transform the students’ lives and their learning environment. Discovering the students’ innate musical talents, he decides to form a choir. Through his unique teaching methods and genuine care for the students, Mathieu gradually changes their attitudes and unlocks their musical potential. After its premiere in France in 2004, the film was adapted into a musical in 2017, adding new scenes and characters. The Chinese version of the musical premiered in 2019 and was revived in 2023. From June 2023 to January 2024, Haidian Kaiwen hosted the school’s premiere version of “Les Choristes,” successfully rehearsing and performing it.
What Makes Haidian Kaiwen’s Theater Education Unique?
Theater Education: A Touch to the Soul
In the foundational stages of education, children are like unshaped clay, brimming with potential. Theater education is about sowing seeds of dreams and hope in this fertile soil. Musicals do not require the high vocal standards of operas or the heavy burden of dialogue seen in plays. Instead, they use a musical style that runs throughout the performance and songs that highlight characters’ inner monologues, creating an emotionally resonant experience. The unique “co-presence” formed between the actors on stage and the audience extends linear time through intertwined sensory experiences, making it artistically rich.
“Les Choristes” is not just a musical; it is an exploration, a journey of self-discovery for young minds. Supported by a scientifically rigorous theater curriculum and a team of professional instructors, students analyze dramatic texts and immerse themselves in the characters’ inner worlds. The theater is like amber, capturing the varied and colorful experiences of life. Some children find a more distinct version of themselves in their roles, while others gain contrasting life experiences through their performances. In this process, they learn empathy and how to understand others and view the world from different perspectives—an education that no textbook can provide.
There is no right or wrong on stage, only expression and understanding. With each rehearsal and performance, children learn to express themselves more focusedly and purely and to showcase their uniqueness in front of an audience bravely. This form of education touches the soul, empowering children to grow with greater confidence and resilience.
Diverse Education: Colorful Blossoms in the Soil
The essence of education lies in the relationships nurtured between all lives involved—teachers, students, and parents—each life inspiring, interacting, and resonating with one another to form a harmonious symphony. In modern education systems, the transfer of knowledge is prominently emphasized. However, meaningful education does not neglect the cultivation of emotions and individuality. The integration of theater education aims to break this singular approach, bringing education back to its core: emotional resonance and the development of individual personalities.
“Les Choristes” showcases not only the charm of music and performance but also the implementation of the “holistic education” philosophy. Haidian Kaiwen emphasizes more than just the hour-long “stage moment” of success. We observe students embracing their roles with a sense of ownership and demonstrating collective spirit by never missing out or taking their responsibilities lightly. Every young student involved in the production and performance learns essential skills like cooperation, communication, and problem-solving, which are crucial for future societal success. Additionally, theater education sparks creativity and imagination, allowing students to flourish uniquely in the fertile ground of the school. In the realm of education, no leaf falls meaninglessly; each learning experience is an awakening of the soul.
Collective Effort in Education: Sowing Seeds Together
The birth of every child embarks a family on a heartfelt journey, making education a powerful force that unites families, society, and schools. Our carefully prepared second charity performance is not only to showcase the growth and changes of our students but also to spark a broader conversation about the importance of diverse educational approaches.
In the play, Mr. Mathieu says, “There are no absolutes in this world.” Many have traversed the path of uniform education, which is arduous and lengthy. Yet, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting and valuing diversity. “Life is a biological movement, not a mechanical one, making time an important variable.”
Haidian Kaiwen’s musical theater education, starting from kindergarten, is a crucial part of our music education program. We hope theater serves as a window for young children to observe the world; for those aged 7-12, it allows them to express curiosity and thirst for knowledge while instilling a sense of right and wrong and understanding rules through joyful stories; for adolescents aged 13-15, theater hones their comprehensive artistic abilities, teaching them to collaborate, leverage strengths, seek common ground, and embrace differences; and for students aged 16-18, theater becomes an outlet for freeing their minds and sowing seeds of humanistic values. We aim to see our students, filled with a sense of national pride and passion, pursue their chosen life paths. We believe that the school’s patient and meticulous support can serve as lifelong nourishment for every Kaiwen student.
At Haidian Kaiwen, time spent on campus is marked by mutual inspiration and growth between teachers and students. Each note in “Les Choristes” carries our passion and vision for education. We hope that more people will join this soul-stirring artistic feast—not just for its spectacular performance, but for the spirit it conveys: In the fertile ground of education, every ordinary day and every seemingly mundane class are like seeds sown in the fields of the soul. Although the harvest season is yet to come, the hopeful green shoots are already spreading across the land.