Heroes in Harm’s Way
The Chorus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen released an original A Cappella song "Heroes in Harm's Way", which was written by a chorus member Mary Wang and arranged by composer Ryan Zhang. This song pays tribute to the heroes in harm's way who are represented by medical workers during the sudden outbreak of COVID-19. They were fearless of hardships and dangers, working at the frontline against the virus and sacrificing themselves to build a strong defensive line for the people of the country.
Miette He, the leader of the Chorus and a staff of the University Arts Centre, said: “I felt so excited and moved when I received the lyrics and demo of the song from Mary. I came to realize how inspiring it would be if the song could be rearranged for the Chorus. I'd like to thank UAC for supporting my ideas. As we started working towards this, I was very encouraged by the dedication of the chorus members while they took efforts to learn and record the song. They spent several hours recording one track of music that lasted for only 3 minutes. To ensure the quality, I listened to every sound track and coordinated with the audio and video producers regarding the details of the production. I hope the song could convey our warmest regards to all the heroes fighting at the frontline, and I wish they will all return safe and triumphant.”
Besides, Bean Fu, a Bass section member of the Chorus as well as a citizen of Wuhan City, expressed his feelings about the song. “I feel really emotional to participate in the recording of the song. I appreciate those heroes who beared the risks and came to Wuhan. Hope they are safe and sound. After this outbreak, I would like to welcome them back here, yet as tourists, to see the beautiful sceneries that they might not be able to notice nowadays. This city will not forget them, for their heroic contributions.”
When asking Mary Wang, the songwriter of this song, about the background of the song's creation, she said: “At the end of January and early February, when the epidemic was acute, the growing numbers and the map of the growing epidemic gripped my heart. At a time of anxiety, the firm figures of those heroes in harm's way in the news gave me hope. Thanks to the heroes who have broken through and guarded the battlefield, we can be safely reunited at home. Medical personnel, military, public security personnel, party cadres and volunteers are the heroes, sticking to their great mission in dangerous and arduous work. Faced with great pressure and difficulties, they overcame them with their expertise, faith and perseverance.” Wang said emotionally, "Even at home, there's a lot we can do. As an ordinary college student, I hope to express my respect and praise to every struggling hero through this song, and also to bring warmth and confidence to the people at home.”
Every student is concerned about the people at the frontline fighting against the epidemic and this original song expresses students' admiration and blessing to them. After the choral adaptation was completed in mid-February, 85 students from the Chorus actively participated in this song recording activity. Although they were scattered all over the country and could not attend rehearsals, they all put their heart and soul into it. They completed the recording of the song audio and MV respectively at home and tried to send their best wishes to these heroes.
The location of the 85 chorus members who participated in the production of the "Heroes in Harm's Way" recording, including 15 provinces/municipalities.
Just like what the song concludes with, “The cold winter is gone, and the warm spring is yet to come. Heroes head for battles, while we wait for their triumphs.” Thanks to those heroes in the harm's way, we are more confident to win the battles. Let's salute to those heroes and wait together for the day when we can say: “We came, we saw, and we conquered”.
