On June 28, the air in the Menuhin Hall of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao was filled with the resonance of strings and deep affection. At 4:00 PM, the graduation concert of cello major Kuang Yihao began as scheduled, marking a brilliant conclusion to his years of study at Menuhin. Immediately following, the Cello Marathon Concert, meticulously organized by the Cello Teaching and Research Office, took the stage in an energetic performance. All cello students took turns performing, composing together a summer movement dedicated to the cello. The hall was filled to capacity, with faculty, students from the Cello Teaching and Research Office, and many parents witnessing an afternoon brimming with musical power and warmth.
I. Kuang Yihao: Gratitude and a New Beginning
As one of the first students of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, Kuang Yihao presented a heartfelt tribute to his alma mater and teachers through a high-caliber solo concert. During the performance, he passionately interpreted Beethoven’s Sonata for Piano and Cello No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 and Elgar’s profound and moving Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85, showcasing his solid technical skills and deep understanding of music. Piano art instructor Xiao Xiyuan provided excellent accompaniment, adding brilliance to the concert.
1. The Most Touching “Encore” at the End of the Concert
As an encore, Kuang Yihao performed Brahms’ "My Thoughts Are Like a Song," dedicating this deeply emotional melody to his beloved mentor, Professor Yu Mingqing. Following this, he joined his fellow students in performing the lively "Joyful Saliha," creating a warm and enthusiastic
2. The Moving Friendship Behind the Scenes
Graduating student Wang Weikuan, who has been admitted to the Juilliard School in the United States for dual majors in violin and viola, also attended the concert. As a volunteer, he assisted Kuang Yihao with details such as adjusting the music stand. This quiet support and precious friendship between classmates added a unique warmth to the graduation celebration.
3. Professor Yu Mingqing, Director of the Cello Teaching and Research Office, Delivers a Speech
After the concert, Professor Yu Mingqing took the stage to deliver a speech. He highly praised Kuang Yihao’s remarkable growth and transformation over his three years at the school, commending him for “continuously refining his professional skills, actively engaging in stage performances, and consistently bringing honor to the school with his outstanding achievements.” He also encouraged the younger students to follow Kuang Yihao’s example and “pursue excellence on their musical journey.” Kuang Yihao, in turn, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the school, Professor Yu, all his teachers for their careful guidance, and his classmates for their unwavering support.
4. Every Student Receives Respect and Attention
Kuang Yihao, who is about to further his studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media in Germany, once shared his reflections on his time at Menuhin: “Having joined this family since the school’s founding, my deepest feeling is that every student here receives full respect and attention. This atmosphere has greatly contributed to my intellectual growth and progress. I am filled with anticipation and confidence as I prepare to embark on my future academic journey.” This concert marked the beginning of his journey to a broader stage, carrying with him the nurturing spirit of Menuhin and the camaraderie of his classmates.
II. Cello Marathon: A Collective Movement of Passing the Torch
1.As the echoes of Kuang Yihao’s graduation concert faded, the curtain quickly rose on the Cello Marathon Concert in Menuhin Hall! Meticulously planned by the Cello Teaching and Research Office, this concert served as a grand stage for all cello students to showcase their semester’s achievements.
2.The highlight of the concert was its unique “marathon” format—students took the stage in order of age, from the youngest to the oldest. From the earnest and diligent younger students to the increasingly skilled older ones, each confidently displayed their talents. The diverse repertoire reflected the breadth and depth of the teaching and research office’s instruction, taking the audience on a journey of cello learning and growth.
3. The climax of the concert arrived in the final movement—under the direction of Professor Yu Mingqing, all cello students performed "Beloved You." As their bows moved in unison, the warm melody converged into a powerful emotional torrent, brimming with love for music, camaraderie among classmates, and gratitude for their teachers. In this moment, the sweat shed in practice rooms, the focus during rehearsals, and the brilliance on stage all came together in this moving ensemble, concluding the day’s concerts on a perfect and heartfelt note.
III. The Music Plays On, the Future Awaits
This afternoon, filled with the melodies of the cello, was not only a splendid farewell for a graduating student but also a vivid presentation of the learning achievements of current students. It showcased technical skill, conveyed deep affection, and passed on a spirit of excellence. It reflected The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao’s pursuit of professional refinement, its emphasis on stage practice, and its educational warmth in respecting individuality, fostering growth, and uniting as a community. From Kuang Yihao’s solo performance to Wang Weikuan’s backstage support and the marathon ensemble of all students, the strings resonated with skill, hard work, friendship, and the power of dreams and legacy.
As Professor Yu Mingqing expressed in his hopes, may every Menuhin student take root in the fertile soil of music and the atmosphere of friendship, grow upward, and play their own brilliant movements! Congratulations to Kuang Yihao on his graduation and best wishes for a bright future! Congratulations also on the resounding success of the Cello Marathon Concert! The music plays on, and the future awaits!
