A drummer sounds three beats on his drum, and then the conductor sings out the command for the first rendition of "Perfect harmony" to be played and sung. The banner-holders raise their banners, the Zhu sounding-box (for all musical instruments, see illustrations) is sounded three times, and the Tao drum is spun round three times. The entire orchestra then plays in harmony as the choir sings in unison. The rhythm is maintained in 4/4 time and the Po bell is sounded at the beginning of each phrase.
The Bo Fu drum is sounded once on each beat, the Bian bells and the wooden clappers are sounded on each first beat, and the sonorous stones are sounded on each third beat.
The end of each phrase is marked by three soundings on the Te Ch'ing (a large sonorous stone), the Po bell and the Jin drum, and by two beats on the Ying drum. This format is repeated for each phrase until the entire song has been sung.
After the music commences, two processions proceed from the east and the west, led by deacons. At the head of the procession, two deacons carry a pair of lanterns. And a further two carry a pair of censers. At the rear, two deacons carry Fu halberds, two carry Yueh Halberds, and the last pair carries a fan and a parasol. After passing through the side Yi Gates and Ling Xing Gates, the processions converge to greet Confucius. They then reform their lines before re-entering the Da Cheng Hall via the central Ling Xing Gates and Yi Gates. As the deacons passing through the Yi Gates on their way to welcome the spirit, the Master of Ceremonies sings out an order that all should stand in respectful attention facing the Da Cheng Gate (also known as the Yi Gate). This is to reverentially welcome the descent of Confucius' spirit.
Shortly after welcoming Confucius' spirit in the Da Cheng Hall, the music ceases on a command sung by the conductor. The keeper of the Yu (wooden tiger) thereupon rasps the 27 teeth on the tiger's back three times with a slat down. This denotes the cessation of the music, at this point the banner-bearers lower their banners. (Note: It is not really believed that the spirit actually descends during the ceremony. The ceremony is regarded as a means by which the living can fulfill their desire to express reverence for the deceased.)

When the Spirit Welcoming Procession returns to the center of the Heavenly Well (also known as the Main Courtyard) in front of the Da Cheng Hall, the Master of Ceremony sings out the calls for "first bow", "second bow" and "third bow". All participants bow out of reverence for Confucius.