For the first time, eight choirs from a church in Guangzhou, Guangdong, collaborated to perform a complete symphonic sacred music piece titled "Praise to Life."
Chinese composer An-lun Huang wrote the piece in 1985 specifically for Chinese church choirs, which Zion Church performed on January 27, according to the church. It is a work centered around life and faith, with the initial purpose of igniting a spiritual revival, promoting church vitality, and spreading the gospel. Through three movements, the choir sang the hymn of Jesus Christ, who, out of love, underwent death, burial, and resurrection for humanity. They led the congregation to experience the journey from darkness to light together.
Nearly a hundred choir members with different backgrounds, from age to skill level, spent half a year practicing twice a week to collectively perform this piece.
The church was established in 1936 with the name "Zion," meaning "House of God." It reopened on September 21, 1980, covering a construction area of 1,930.91 square meters (0.477 acres) and a floor area of 1,865.95 square meters (0.46 acres). It is capable of accommodating around 800 people for gatherings, with 5,000 registered believers. It holds three services every Sunday—morning, afternoon, and evening—and was designated as a historical and cultural heritage protection unit in Yuexiu District in 2012.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
