If it weren't for the sudden arrival of the pandemic, our two choirs (Shanghai Singing Hearts Children's Choir and Shanghai Women Journalists' Choir) would once again appear on the stage of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall to hold the ninth "Special Love" charitable concert in a few days. However, just a few days ago, we had to cancel the performance venue reserved last year, and reluctantly canceled the concert originally scheduled for May 4th. There are so many reluctances and regrets—after all, since 2012, the "Special Love" we have jointly created and cherished dearly has been held for eight consecutive times without disruption every year!

The pandemic has indeed gravely affected the humanity. During this unprecedented period of fighting against the pandemic, the choir members can only greet each other with the now too common phrase: "Long time no see, I really miss you!" But what the Women Journalists' Choir and Singing Hearts are most concerned about is our "Special Love" charitable concert, because we have all been used to be devoted to completing this concert in the spring time; it's one of those things that without doing it, you would inevitable feel the void in your heart.

Let's recap

In 2012, the two choirs reached a common goal and began to put it into action. We hope that through our concerts, we can advocate the simple concept of "ordinary people can also commit to public welfare and participate in charitable works."

The first "Special Love" charitable concert was successfully held in the Shanghai Concert Hall. In that year, we donated all the ticket sales of the concert to the public welfare project of "Eating An Egg A Day" for children in impoverished areas of China. After eight years, "Special Love", as a public welfare concept, has exerted significant influence amongst Shanghai citizens. The female journalists and the children of Singing Hearts have also been actively participating in charitable activities committed to public welfare through which the best spiritual nourishment has been absorbed and beneficial growth has been gained.

2012-2014

To support the "One Egg project"

2015

To support the intangible cultural heritage inheritance project of Dong Zu Da Ge in Guizhou Xiaohuang Primary School

2016

To popularize health education knowledge for 2,000 students in mountainous areas of Guizhou Province

2017

To support endangered wildlife conservation project in Fanjing Mountain, Guizhou Province

2018-2019

Together with the Special Fund of Soong Ching Ling Foundation, we co-founded the "Special Love Music Seed Program" to gather micro strength and contribute to the sustainable development and inheritance of music education.

We believe that the epidemic will eventually pass, and we hope that in the near future, we will restart our "Special Love".