Legend of the Yellow Bell

In ancient China,

as many as 3,000 years ago,

a single tone of music was chosen

as the vibration of the entire nation.

This tone is called the huang chung or ‘yellow bell’.

Chinese music is based on the tone of the yellow bell.

It is believed that this tone brings peace

to all people, all nations, and even

the whole universe.

Harmony = Peace

People all over the world make music of different kinds.

Music is a way for us to learn to understand each other.

Click on the Yellow Bells to hear music from all over the world.

Map: www.clickandlearn.com

A Story From Our World . . .

Anyone Can Be A Peacemaker.


A child in the beginners class at the Montalban Academic Centre, Caracas. Photo: David Rochkind/Polaris

In Venezuela thousands of children live in poverty and violence. Conductor José Antonio Abreu knew that music could change their lives. Poverty is lonely. Music creates happiness and hope. So, with . . .

11 students,

Free instruments,

Free instruction,

Classes Every Day [!]

Love, Patience, Courage

. . . and students who become teachers,

today over 400,000 children have been rescued through music.

One day soon, it will be 1 million children.


Photo: David Rochkind - Boston Globe

Wilfrido Galarraga, 21, plays trumpet on the roof of his home in La Vega, a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Caracas in Venezuela. His nephew Onil Galarraga, 8, joins in on French horn.

Wilfrido began learning music when he was 10. He practices his music amid flapping laundry on the roof of his family's tiny home. Neighbors who once covered their ears now gather around to applaud him.

Way to Go, Wilfrido and Onil!