When composer Jin Chengzhi first gathered a handful of students in 2010, he probably didn’t imagine the Rainbow Chamber Singers would grow into a 100-strong ensemble, performing over 150 concerts around the Chinese mainland and beyond. Yet, today, this choir stands at the forefront of a new wave in choral music—mixing heartfelt ballads, viral humor and real-life stories that resonate with a global youth audience.
“Every Beijing performance felt like an exam,” Jin tells us after their sixth show in the capital. “We’d be nervous, thinking we weren’t ready. But when the audience cheers, you realize you have the courage to keep going.” That raw feedback has become a driving force behind their creative evolution.
At its core, the identity of Rainbow has always been simple: sing what moves you. While the choir has introduced original works, Jin emphasizes that it’s not about pushing new compositions every time—it's about finding songs that reflect who they are in that moment. “At 25, I saw the world differently than I do at 35,” he explains. “Our music captures that journey.”
Balancing fun and depth, modern vibes and classical roots, takes more than vocal technique. It demands honesty. “In our 20s, we thought we had to sing high or sound happy,” says Jin with a laugh. “Now I care about digging into what I really feel.” This approach keeps younger audiences hooked, as they see their own emotions mirrored on stage.
Despite the choir’s non-professional status, Rainbow singers treat rehearsals like a full-time gig. With a strict “homework” system, members dedicate hours each week to perfecting pieces and sharing feedback. “They trust me, and I trust them,” says Jin. “That bond creates an energy you can’t fake.”
Looking ahead, Jin is juggling three major projects: the Living in Love! concert series, festival appearances and large-scale choral theater productions. He’s excited by the cycle of inspiration—audience members who return as singers and singers who bring fresh ideas back to the stage. “That energy never runs dry,” he says. “I feel incredibly lucky to be part of it.”
Reference(s):
In conversation: Jin Chengzhi on music, life, and Rainbow's journey
cgtn.com
