Nanyin is also a common hobby and an important component of life for many local people. The music is often performed in public and at festivals and informal gatherings.

The heritage is widely spread among the Minnan people of southern Fujian. Its has also migrated to neighboring areas including Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Many Southeast Asian countries, such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia, also enjoy Nanyin.

The Quanzhou authorities are very supportive toward the art. The local government built the Nanyin Art Center to provide a professional place for players and performers and is planning to build a Nanyin art museum next year.

Nanyin became part of middle and primary school curriculums in Quanzhou and Xiamen in 1990. Quanzhou Normal University and Quanzhou Art School also had Nanyin programs, with many graduates now professional Nanyin musicians.

Although the music is old fashioned, Wu and his colleagues constantly try to bring fresh innovation to the art. They have recently been composing music for some poems of the Tang and Song (960-1279) dynasties.

"We want to make some classical works of our own age," Wu explained. The Han-Tang Yuefu Music Ensemble (HTYF), founded by Chen Mei-o in Taipei in 1983, also takes a more modern-day approach to the genre and has gained an international reputation for its interpretations. HTYF creates Nanyin musical drama by combining ancient. Nanyin with Liyuan dance. Since 1996, HTYF has created several shows including "Yangexing" ("Sumptuous Feasting Song"), "The Feast of Han Xizai and Luo Shen Fu" ("The Tale of the Luo River Goddess").

In 2007, HTYF performed "The Feast of Han Xizai" in the Forbidden City. It was the fi rst time that an art troupe had been allowed to perform in the Forbidden City's inner hall in 500 years. The group came to Beijing in September to celebrate the 60 anniversary of New China.

"I like the elegant dance and fl uent music of the program," said Wang Feiyu, a student who saw HTYF perform.

"I think I will make the opportunity to appreciate Nanyin in future," she added. In Quanzhou, Wu Shaochuan's schedule it also full, with his ensemble frequently booked well in advance. With the new identity of Nanyin, he is confident about its future.

"I hope Nanyin will become Quanzhou's culture brand and accepted by more people around the world," he said.