Qingdao, dubbed as an 'Island of Music', is among the earliest cities in China to experience the influence of Western music. From the late 19th century, music from countries such as Germany, Japan, Russia, and the United States was introduced to Qingdao. This influx of people played a significant role in promoting the city's music education and its popularization, ultimately leading to the emergence of numerous musicians revered across China.Since the 1980s, Qingdao's music education has made significant strides, and its interactions with the global music community have been increasingly frequent in fostering a vibrant musical culture. Numerous concert halls, orchestras, and training institutions have flourished; and a host of musical talents such as Lu Siqing, Li Chuanyun, Liu Yang, Wang Liang, He Ziyu, and Zhou Tianlang, who have gained international fame in both China and overseas have surfaced. In China, musicians and professors from Qingdao can be found in almost all professional orchestras and music colleges. Yet, in comparison to the world's musically advanced cities, Qingdao still lacks high-caliber music educators and does not have its own dedicated music academy.
With China's escalating economic and cultural growth, the embrace of classical music among its youth has dramatically increased, leading to a global consensus that "the future of classical music lies in China". It is in this context that the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, the sole overseas branch of the Yehudi Menuhin School, was established.
July 2018
Kate Elizabeth Clanchy, who was then the Head of the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, and Oscar Colomina Bosch, the then Director of Music, undertook an extensive visit to Qingdao and the Qingdao Urban Construction Group. This led to a mutual agreement between both parties, culminating in the signing of a “Memorandum of Understanding”.
May 2019
Richard Morris, who was then serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yehudi Menuhin School, made a visit to Qingdao. Following an inspection of prospective locations for the school, he entered into a framework agreement with the Qingdao Urban Construction Group. This agreement officially confirmed in Qingdao and the exclusive rights to the Yehudi Menuhin School in the Chinese region for a century.
December 2019
David Buckley, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, embarked on a visit to Qingdao for a comprehensive dialogue concerning the school's construction, educational ethos, and operational and managerial strategies.
November 2020
In concurrence with the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, the globally acclaimed violinist Lu Siqing officially instituted as the President of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao.
In September 2022
In September 2022, it obtained the official license and commenced operations successfully.
September 2018
Delegates from the Qingdao Urban Construction Group embarked on a trip to the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK for discussions and a site tour. During this visit, they had the opportunity to meet with Zamira Menuhin Benthall, Yehudi Menuhin's daughter, who conveyed her excitement and eagerness for the establishment of the school in Qingdao, China.
August 2019
The Administrative Committee of Qingdao West Coast New Area and the Qingdao Urban Construction Group entered into a cooperation agreement for “the Yehudi Menuhin School Complex Project”. This agreement pledged to furnish supportive policies encompassing all facets of the project's construction, preparation, and subsequent operation.
August 27, 2019
Richard Morris, who was then serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yehudi Menuhin School, and Kong Shaowu, the Chairman of the Qingdao Urban Construction Group, officially conveyed the Cooperation Agreement for the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao at the Hilton Qingdao Golden Beach. This marked the formal establishment of the Yehudi Menuhin School in China. A grand ceremony to lay the foundation stone was held at the Tangdao Bay Coastal Park, the selected site for the school. This milestone was a notable highlight of the exhibition, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The inauguration of the school symbolizes the proposed dream of several generations in Qingdao, as the 'Island of Music' finally welcomed its own music school.
December 2020
The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao was granted an operation certificate by the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK.
In August 2022
In August 2022, the school was officially delivered and ready for use.
July 2018
Kate Elizabeth Clanchy, who was then the Head of the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, and Oscar Colomina Bosch, the then Director of Music, undertook an extensive visit to Qingdao and the Qingdao Urban Construction Group. This led to a mutual agreement between both parties, culminating in the signing of a “Memorandum of Understanding”.
September 2018
Delegates from the Qingdao Urban Construction Group embarked on a trip to the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK for discussions and a site tour. During this visit, they had the opportunity to meet with Zamira Menuhin Benthall, Yehudi Menuhin's daughter, who conveyed her excitement and eagerness for the establishment of the school in Qingdao, China.
May 2019
Richard Morris, who was then serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yehudi Menuhin School, made a visit to Qingdao. Following an inspection of prospective locations for the school, he entered into a framework agreement with the Qingdao Urban Construction Group. This agreement officially confirmed in Qingdao and the exclusive rights to the Yehudi Menuhin School in the Chinese region for a century.
August 2019
The Administrative Committee of Qingdao West Coast New Area and the Qingdao Urban Construction Group entered into a cooperation agreement for “the Yehudi Menuhin School Complex Project”. This agreement pledged to furnish supportive policies encompassing all facets of the project's construction, preparation, and subsequent operation.
December 2019
David Buckley, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, embarked on a visit to Qingdao for a comprehensive dialogue concerning the school's construction, educational ethos, and operational and managerial strategies.
August 27, 2019
Richard Morris, who was then serving as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yehudi Menuhin School, and Kong Shaowu, the Chairman of the Qingdao Urban Construction Group, officially conveyed the Cooperation Agreement for the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao at the Hilton Qingdao Golden Beach. This marked the formal establishment of the Yehudi Menuhin School in China. A grand ceremony to lay the foundation stone was held at the Tangdao Bay Coastal Park, the selected site for the school. This milestone was a notable highlight of the exhibition, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. The inauguration of the school symbolizes the proposed dream of several generations in Qingdao, as the 'Island of Music' finally welcomed its own music school.
November 2020
In concurrence with the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, the globally acclaimed violinist Lu Siqing officially instituted as the President of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao.
December 2020
The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao was granted an operation certificate by the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK.
In September 2022
In September 2022, it obtained the official license and commenced operations successfully.
In August 2022
In August 2022, the school was officially delivered and ready for use.
The entire preparation process coincided with the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing numerous challenges, including stringent design and construction standards, complex material processes, tight timelines, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the entire team of builders persevered throughout this entire process. Ultimately, they successfully completed the construction of the internationally acclaimed and exquisitely designed campus with the concept of “resonating through mountains and seas” in mind, for the sole purpose of the next generations of young musicians.
Since its inception, this school has assumed a significant and prestigious mission. YMSQ brings together top-tier international musicians, teachers, and management teams, fosters extensive and intimate ties with leading higher education institutions worldwide, and acquires the unwavering support from Chinese education authorities and sponsors. This school is set to become a distinguished musical institution with significant influence on the global stage, and a cradle in the East for future musicians.
