Chorus theme of ongoing Beijing art week

"Since 1987, Chinese schools have offered chorus lessons to students. It's a great way for students to start learning music," says Wu. "Besides enjoying music, young students can learn to work together and listen to each other in a choir."

Among the participating choirs is Balta, an all-female choir, which was founded in 1999 by Mara Marnauza, professor at the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Music Academy in Latvia. Marnauza is the choir's artistic director and conductor.

"This is the first time for us in China and we will perform nine songs, including Western classical songs and traditional Latvian folk songs," says Marnauza, who traveled to Beijing with 27 singers of the choir.