This June, the band participated in the National Chinese Traditional Musical Instruments Serial Concerts in Langfang, Hebei province, where they displayed the family's music legacy and told their family stories. Gong Yuhong received an award for his contribution to preserving the band.

Now teaching at the Lyuliang Art School, he has about 200 students, one of them his son, Gong Qihan, who is also learning to play the suona.

An old suona from his grandfather's generation was passed down and sits on a bookshelf in Gong Yuhong's home. He says it is a "family treasure", and is said to have been used during performances for the imperial family.

"Unlike the instrument we use today, which has eight holes, the old suona has seven holes. I often take it out from the case and hold it for a while," he says. "I also considered quitting the band like other family members. But for us, the band is more than just a band. It's about family and history, which runs in our blood."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn