"I was wearing headphones, listening to the piece we had played the night before, and suddenly I teared up on the bus. I felt like I had finally done something--like I had fulfilled something within myself."60-year-old Leo shared his feelings after performing with the band earlier this year, his voice still choked with emotion. It was a sense of grounded happiness, like finding a missing piece of life's puzzle. "It felt just like when my daughter was born decades ago."
Leo is a member of the Men of Winds, a local non-profit community wind band in Hong Kong primarily composed of men aged 50 and above. The band has two sections: a beginner group for those new to instruments, and an advanced group for experienced players. Leo is part of the beginner group.
Leo initially saw a recruitment notice for the band on Facebook and decided to join--a group of people coming together, then going for yum cha afterward. "It turned out even better than I expected."
Chun, the founder of the band, explained that in the field of elderly services, the 50- to 60-year-old demographic is often referred to as the "young old" and tends to receive less attention. Within this group, men are especially overlooked, as they are generally less willing to go to elderly centers.
Chun noted that music is both the means and the end. "We hope to encourage seniors who aren't yet very old to step out and find their second life."
Leo mentioned that at their performance earlier this year, his wife, children, and other relatives attended. When he later asked his wife for her thoughts, she said, "It was great. It's been a long time since you've been this serious about something outside of work."
Currently, the band holds one or two public concerts each year and organizes weekly rehearsals every Wednesday. This has become a platform for members to showcase and prove themselves. The band has also attracted outside attention since its establishment.
Chun hopes that members can "find joy and a routine—something to come to every Wednesday, giving life an added purpose."
Leung, a member of the advanced group with over 40 years of playing experience, deeply agrees. "I feel that coming here to practice every week has become a source of emotional support. It makes life better."
Amid the applause, life gains possibilities; between the notes, new beginnings take shape.
(Reporter: Tracy; Cameraman, video editor: Julianne; Editor: Ashley; English Editor: Darius)
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