Pure as the driven snow

The Snowflake was written by Zhang Shuai, who, now 42, was born in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning province, and graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. In 2008, Zhang obtained his doctorate in composition from the conservatory and has been teaching there ever since.

The auditions started in April. Over 30 Chinese composers were commissioned to write songs for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The requirement was "beautiful and romantic", linking images such as snowflakes and doves of peace.

"Children represent the future and their voices are pure and innocent, which is just like the snowflake, crystal clear," says Zhao Lin, musical director of the opening ceremony. Because of that, it was decided that the song should be performed in the form of children's choir.

With 12 lines-six in Chinese and six in English, the song, The Snowflake, stood out. Since the song was revised for over 10 versions, the choir also had to memorize new lyrics and melodies at the same time.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are taking place from Feb 4-20, which coincided with the weeklong Spring Festival, China's most important annual holiday. The children were accompanied by their parents living in the same hotel to prepare for the performance during the opening ceremony. They spent the Lunar New Year Eve on Jan 31 together.

"The children sang spontaneously together on the eve of Lunar New Year, which was a memorable moment," recalls Yang Xuerui, father of Yang Lewei, a member of the choir, who performed during the opening ceremony.

"The children had a strong sense of team spirit and, of course, as their parents, we supported them," he adds.

"The stage was beautiful and the song was beautiful," says Lewei, a student of Tsinghua University Primary School. Before the final performance, the children underwent intensive training for about a week. "We sang the song for over 10 times a day. During the actual performance, I was not nervous at all," she says.

Founded in 1983 by Yang Hongnian, the choir has trained nearly 5,000 children in choral singing. It also has a long history with the Olympic Games, according to Yang Li. Back in 1993, when Beijing had its first bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics, 12 children from the choir traveled to Monte Carlo, Monaco, along with the Chinese delegation to participate in the 101st International Olympic Committee Session.

In 2001, when Beijing won the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, the choir was also there with the Chinese delegation to participate in the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, witnessing the exciting and historic moment.

On Oct 20, 43 children from the choir performed the opening song, Wish, during the welcoming ceremony of the Olympic flame ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, held in the lobby of the Olympic Tower in Beijing.

"From 1993 to 2022, China has changed and developed greatly. The changes are displayed in many aspects, such as sports and arts," says Yang Li. "I believe that children will benefit from the experience of learning, training and performing together."