The principals of the two schools at the ceremony establishing the sister-school relationship.

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Never too old for a song

Young musicians from South African and Chinese schools hit the right note together. Li Wenfang listens in.

They don't play from the same score or the same instruments, or speak the same language, but despite the differences, it looks like it will be a strong and fulfilling musical marriage.

The sister-school relationship between Durban Music School in South Africa and the Guangzhou Tieyi Middle School in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong province, has only just begun.

Their "engagement ceremony" in Guangzhou and a concert in Beijing this month featuring the Durban school's touring KwaZula-Natal Youth Wind Band marked the start of China's Year of South Africa.

"We have come to China to share music with the people of China and to show what our African music is like and experience what Chinese music is like," says trumpet player Graham Bishai, who is in the band with his brother Trevor on trombone. "It's a different kind of music you find here, but I found it very interesting and enjoyable."

The musical journey was something of a family affair for the Bishais, who moved to South Africa from the United States two- and-a-half years ago. Their mother Martha tagged along as chaperone on the tour.

She had visited China 30 years ago after finishing university. "I came to see this part of the world and learn Chinese and experience a different culture," she says. And now, just as her children are amazed by the musical and cultural differences, she is amazed by the changes in the country's development.

"I'm just so impressed with all the growth and the energy here," she says. "Everybody is thinking about the future and building things to make a better life for everyone. Everything seems very efficient. So many things are modern, but China has such a rich and deep culture that goes back thousands of years. You can feel both."