On June 28, the String Chamber Orchestra Concert of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao will be performed in the Menuhin Hall. The concert will be conducted by Professor He Rong and presented by the Menuhin String Orchestra.
All three works on the programme were composed at remarkably young ages. Mendelssohn began composing his string symphonies at the age of 12, with his No. 2 in D major written in 1821. Mozart completed his Divertimento in B‑flat major, K. 137, at 16, in Salzburg, early in 1772. Britten, at the age of 20, assembled melodies he had written between the ages of 9 and 12 into his Simple Symphony. Though from different eras and different composers, the three works share a common thread: they are all youthful masterpieces. From Mendelssohn’s bright and spirited contrapuntal textures, to Mozart’s elegant and balanced classical refinement, to Britten’s playful and lively all‑pizzicato passages – these notes, penned by teenagers centuries ago, will now be passionately performed by the equally young members of the Menuhin String Orchestra. For these students, performing works written by composers of their own age from a hundred years ago is not only a professional exercise but also a dialogue across time and space.
Chamber music and orchestra training are indispensable components of professional music education. Solo lessons cultivate individual expression, while orchestra training teaches students to listen and collaborate – to balance parts, refine intonation, and achieve unity through breathing and eye contact. These skills cannot be acquired in solo classes, yet they are essential qualities for becoming a complete musician. The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao has integrated chamber music and orchestra training into its systematic teaching curriculum, rooted in a profound understanding of this professional principle.
This string orchestra, composed of students across K‑12 grade levels, often holds its rehearsals in the evenings. Professor He Rong is meticulous in his musical demands, yet the atmosphere in the rehearsal room is never tense; the students have found a rare balance between rigour and vitality. Through the accumulation of numerous concert performances, they have grown increasingly adept in stage experience and ensemble rapport. Once again, they will step onto the Menuhin Hall stage to engage with the classics through their strings.
The conductor of this concert, Professor He Rong, currently serves as Orchestra Conductor and Professor of Viola at The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao. He was formerly a Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, Head of the Viola Department, and Librarian at the Central Conservatory of Music. With decades of dedication to music education, Professor He Rong founded the China Youth Chamber Orchestra and served as its Artistic Director and Conductor, and has long been invited to perform and teach both domestically and internationally. He also serves as Vice President of the String Society of the Chinese Musicians’ Association, playing a pivotal role in advancing youth string education in China.
On June 28, we cordially invite you to the Menuhin Hall to listen to the flow of strings and to witness the growth of our young musicians.
