Village brass band shows its mettle

Music enriches lives of residents in former coal-mining region

　　Meng Hui began learning to play the trumpet at 21, not for fun, but to earn money after he lost his job at a coal mine in Mazhuang village, Jiangsu province.

　　Some 15 years ago, the village brass band offered him a job with a stable salary. He has continued to play the instrument ever since, and worked his way up to become the leader of the band.