Why you are never too old to pick up a musical instrument

HONG KONG — Perched on a high stool with a double bass dwarfing her, Ms Fung Lai-ling, 73, smoothly glides her bow back and forth across the massive instrument, the tune of the classic Christmas song Feliz Navidad floating from her strings.

She misses a note or two occasionally but does not stumble, stealing quick glances at fellow players who exchange smiles with her.

This was the scene at the revitalised Haw Par Mansion in Tai Hang, Hong Kong just before Christmas last year, with Ms Fung being among a group of some 30 amateur musicians, aged five to 73.

Ms Fung, the eldest in the group, only picked up the instrument at 60. She can now play the violin, cello and double bass – no small feat for someone who was hearing-impaired for more than 30 years before getting a hearing aid.

Her hearing loss was a side effect from treatment for lung disease 50 years ago, but after installing the aid, a Mother’s Day present of a violin from her daughter has made music an indispensable part of her life, helping her reconnect with society.

“Music is my life. It keeps pushing me forward,” she says. “It has always been my friend, and communicates with me.”

To engage both the elderly and youth in communities through music, Haw Par Music – a non-profit organisation formed in 2013 to enrich music education – has launched a cross-generational initiative called Chamber Scramble at Haw Par Mansion.

The grade one historic building, built by entrepreneur Aw Boon Haw in 1936, was reopened in April after a three-year renovation. It now serves as a venue for Western and Chinese music teaching and performances.

Many of the participants are like Ms Fung, senior citizens who are music lovers.

They did not have opportunities to play, or gave up doing so for various reasons previously, but have eventually regained their lost interest.

Playing musical instruments, among other leisure activities such as group dancing and gardening, provides opportunities for the elderly to connect with people and maintain physical and mental health, according to the Elderly Health Service, a service platform set up by the government.

Ms Eva Yu Yee-wah, 60, had not played the cello – an instrument she was introduced to in secondary school – for 30 years before picking it up again.

She has returned to one of her earliest loves only recently after taking a break, as the tight schedule of being a primary school teacher left her with no time for music.

Despite her now rigid hands from lack of practise and blurred vision, Ms Yu says music has always been soothing to her. “I feel happy to regain this lost interest, which now offers me relief from work and makes me feel relaxed.”

Ms Yu played the cello at Haw Par Music’s Christmas event on Dec 21, featuring chamber music – a classical genre performed by a small group, compared to orchestral music.

She says making music with others brings more joy. “It is much more joyful to share happiness than to enjoy it alone.”

Her view is echoed by Ms Grace Li Mei-oi, in her 60s, another budding cellist at the event.

Ms Li, also a piano player, only picked up the cello six years ago. She remembers sneaking into her school’s music room on Saturdays and playing the organ the school used in music classes.

For Ms Charlotte Lam Tsui-wah, in her 50s, music connects her with society.

“Music has made me know more people. It is interesting and meaningful to play music with people of similar ages,” she says.

Ms Lam, who plays the piano and violin, says music at her age is more than just skill-based performances and technique. “Music is more about a player’s sincerity and involvement.”

Mr Johnny Sun Yu, 36, a violist with the string faculty of Haw Par Music, conducted the Christmas music performance. He says the amateur players surpassed his expectations, and he was touched by their support and encouragement for each other.

“There were no boundaries among them,” he says. “This was not only music, but a connection of hearts.”

Ms Sheryl Lee Ming-chi, executive director of programming at Haw Par Music, says chamber music provides a perfect platform for people, both the young and elderly, to engage in communities.

“Music is a universal language,” she adds. “Chamber music provides collaboration for music education, through which people work together to learn and perform.” SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST