October 1st of this year is to celebrate the 73rd National Day of China, which is a grand festival for the country. On the evening of September 29, the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao National Day Concert was held in the Menuhin Hall. A strong group of performers included 14 professional teachers: Cai Lei, Chang TzuTi, Chen Xueqing, Dai Zhonghui, He Shucong, Keith Lipson, Patrick Lechner, Shi He, Tymur Melnyk, Vicki Hsu, Wang Boyang, Wang Yuwen, Wang Ziyue, Yu Mingqing and student representatives. 

The YMSQ Teachers and students collaborated together and presented a high-level and meaningful National Day Concert to give blessings to the motherland.   

Blending Chinese and Western Cultures to Pay Tribute to China with Music 

In this concert, teachers and students played 10 pieces from different genres, which include: Chinese traditional pieces such as "My Homeland", "I love you China" and "Night Song of the Fisherman", and also classical music pieces such as "Aram Khachaturian Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano", "Paganini Caprice No. 24".

Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for Two Cellos in g minor, RV 531

I. Allegro

My Homeland 

Yu Mingqing, Sophie Chen, cello solos

Song Dongxia, Zhang Dongjun, Ding Zuo, Kuang Yihao, Li Bingqi, Bai Yiping, Li Zichang, Han Maoxuan, cello ensemble

I love you, China! (Arranged by Wen Ziyang)  

The YMSQ Teachers Chamber Orchestra

Night Song of the Fisherman Traditional melody arranged by Yang Baozhi

He Shucong, violin   

Leslie Wang, piano

Aram Khachaturian Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano

III. Moderato Presto  

Keith Lipson, clarinet

Daniel Chang, violin

Shi He, piano

Paganini Caprice No. 24 

Tymur Melnyk, violin   

Patrick Lechner, piano

The performers led audiences to immerse themselves in the charm and festive atmosphere of the concert with an audio-visual effect.

Jean-Marie Leclair Sonata for Two Violins Op. 3, No. 5

I. Allegro ma poco

II. Gavotta Gratioso - Andante

III. Presto

Wang Boyang and Vicki Hsu, violins

Bohuslav Martinu Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola, H. 313

I. Poco allegro

He Shucong, violin  

Cai Lei, viola

Collaboration and Inheritance between Teachers and Students 

The YMSQ National Day of China Concert is not only for celebrating the birthday of the motherland, but also presents an open class to the audience. By showing exquisite performance techniques and profound understanding and interpretation of the works and inviting students to perform together, the teachers set a good example for encouraging students to make progress on their musical journey. 

The way teachers and students perform together is also the best embodiment of the spirit of inheritance as the core emphasis of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao. Many of the pieces in this concert are performed by a teacher and a student. This not only conveys the importance of collaboration but also establishes a highly qualified one-to-one teaching by YMSQ's professors and teachers.

Paul Rougnon Polonaises de Concert for Two Trumpets and Piano

Dai Zhonghui, Liu Yinglu, trumpets 

Shi He, piano

Professional and Warm, with the Stage to Connect the future 

The National Day Concert highlights the "professionalism, warmth and social value" of the YMSQ spirit. The School's professional concert hall provides a stage for students to perform, and for the faculty with excellent social reputation and performance skills to provide guidance for students to give them the opportunity and space to enhance and progress in their music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581  

I.Allegretto

Keith Lipson, clarinet 

Daniel Chang, Wang Yuwen, violins 

Cai Lei, viola 

Sophie Chen, cello

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes   

He Shucong, violin

Keith Lipson, clarinet

Leslie Wang, piano

The National Day concert is a new beginning. In the future, the students at YMSQ will enjoy and play countless of classical works, perform on the small stage here and eventually perform on the world’s biggest stage. They will continue to learn and immerse themselves in the world of classical music, and eventually become internationally renowned musical talents of their own. 

The National Day concert expresses not only YMSQ's warm and professional study atmosphere, but also the patriotism in the context of international education. As an international music school, YMSQ hopes our students will gain excellent performance skills, think profoundly, build good character and have a strong sense of social responsibility. We are looking forward to see our students perform on the world stage, and make contributions to the development of classical music.

Highlights from the YMSQ National Day Concert

Watch the Video Trivia of the YMSQ National Day Concert