But a Dunedin duo hope to change that for a small part of the Chinese population, when they perform with the National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand at the 2012 Tianjin Children's Culture and Art Festival near Beijing in July.
Dunedin conductor Peter Adams was appointed as musical director of the ensemble, and Mosgiel Brass euphonium player Harry Smith was one of 20 musicians from throughout the country selected for the under-18 band following a gruelling audition process.
For King's High School year 10 pupil Harry, it will be the trip of a lifetime.
"I was shocked when I first found out I had been selected, but after that came excitement.
"I've never been in a New Zealand Youth Band before, I've never been to China, and I've never played in a band of this calibre before."
Mr Adams said it was a very unusual opportunity.
"The festival celebrates young people's participation in the arts.
"There will be a lot of dance, visual arts, Chinese folk groups and international visitors representing 40 countries.
"The National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand will be the only brass band at the festival."
Mr Adams said the ensemble was invited to attend the biannual event after organisers heard the band play at a similar festival in Japan two years ago.
"It made such an impact, the Chinese invited us."
He said the theme for the festival was Peace, Friendship and Future, and the band was preparing a repertoire by New Zealand composers, to give the theme a distinctly Kiwi flavour.
The duo will meet other selected members of the band for three days to rehearse, before heading for Tianjin.
