In 1772, the sixteen‑year‑old Mozart composed his Divertimento for Strings, K. 137; in 1825, the sixteen‑year‑old Mendelssohn completed his Octet in E‑flat major. More than two centuries later, these youthful compositions by prodigies of their time will be brought to life once again in Menuhin Hall by performers of a similar age.
On May 22 at 7:00 p.m., the concert "Melodies over the Sea" – a joint presentation by Ocean University of China and Qingdao Yehudi Menuhin School – will take place. This event marks a significant chapter in the ongoing artistic exchange between the two institutions. As an international music school with a distinctive character, we have joined hands with Ocean University of China, a national "Double First‑Class" university, to explore new possibilities for aesthetic education collaboration through resource sharing and co‑creation by faculty and students, collectively infusing youthful and international vitality into Qingdao's identity as the "City of Music."
Three Dimensions of Collaboration, All Celebrating Youth
NO.1 Young Performers, Young Compositions – A Dialogue Across Time
The concert encompasses four classic chamber music configurations. Not only will the young musicians from Ocean University of China present Dvořák's masterpieces with solid technique, but the most touching moments come when the works of sixteen‑year‑old masters are interpreted by the "young performing artists" of Qingdao Menuhin – Grade 6 students tackling the virtuosic passages of Mendelssohn's trio, and students from Grades 8 to 10 taking on Haydn's quartets, often regarded as the "touchstone" of chamber music. Students of different age groups each showcase their own strengths.
NO.2 Cross‑Institutional Ensemble – True Artistic Co‑creation
Faculty and students from both schools work together in depth. For the grand finale – Mendelssohn's Octet in E‑flat major – university students from Ocean University of China will be mixed with our primary and secondary school‑aged players, collectively covering the eight independent parts. This is not only a display of individual virtuosity but also a test of mutual listening and close coordination among students from both institutions, truly embodying the spirit of "joint" in every note.
NO.3 International Faculty Mentorship – Extending the Classroom to the Stage
The performance will be guided throughout by senior faculty from both schools. The Ocean University of China participants will be led by Associate Professor Yu Xiaoqing, a violinist, music educator, and tenured associate professor at Lee University in the United States. The opening piece will be conducted by Professor He Rong, conductor of the Qingdao Menuhin Orchestra; the Chamber Music and Orchestra Department Director, Professor Yang Gefang, will lead the coaching, while cello Professor Guo Yongsheng, together with young faculty members, will guide each section. Together, they will extend the professional standards of daily teaching to the joint performance stage.
