Commencing from August 24th, Mr. David Buckley, the Chairman of The Yehudi Menuhin School (YMS) Board in the UK, along with his wife and accomplished musician Yao Yi, embarked on a journey to Qingdao. Their purpose was to conduct a three-day working visit, offering guidance and valuable insights to The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao (YMSQ).
During this visit, Mr. Buckley meticulously explored the school's campus, its educational facilities, performance venues, student residences, dining halls, and sports complexes. Moreover, he eagerly absorbed a comprehensive briefing from YMSQ Head Ran Zheng, which encompassed the institution's educational guidelines, curriculum structure, faculty assembly, educational accomplishments, and future developmental strategies. In response, Mr. Buckley expressed his profound admiration for the collective endeavors that have transformed the initial blueprint into a remarkable reality. He underscored the school's achievement in establishing a comprehensive educational framework and exceeding expectations within just its inaugural year. This remarkable feat, he observed, has birthed new educational paradigms and instrumental specializations, expanding on the legacy of The Yehudi Menuhin School in England. In his eyes, both students and educators who are now part of this endeavor are immensely fortunate.
Reflecting on the establishment of The Yehudi Menuhin School's first overseas branch in China, Mr. Buckley conveyed his and YMS’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the inception, operations, pedagogy, and expansion of YMSQ. He noted with satisfaction the tangible realization of their shared vision.
Dedicating specific time to engage in profound dialogues, Mr. Buckley conversed extensively with the heads of various music and academic departments at YMSQ. Eagerly listening to their thoughts and recommendations pertaining to the past year's educational and pedagogical progress, he delved into concrete strategies and blueprints for the comprehensive expansion of educational and research initiatives between the two institutions. He encouraged a robust acceleration of teaching exchanges among educators from both schools.
Indeed, the strides made by YMSQ in its inaugural year are palpable. The roadmap for mutual development with its UK counterpart is a matter of paramount concern for both boards. This priority was central to Mr. Buckley's visit. In the course of his stay, discussions took place between David Buckley, Jonathan Willcocks—YMS board member—Benjamin David Gudgeon—Headmaster of YMS—and Lu Siqing—President of YMSQ. This collaborative meeting was pivotal in charting the course for the future, fostering a vibrant partnership focused on elevating pedagogical and teaching standards at YMSQ, drawing inspiration from the rich legacy of Yehudi Menuhin's holistic educational philosophy.
Throughout his stay, Mr. Buckley was honored by an audience with Wang Luming, Director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Qingdao.
A poignant moment arrived within the hallowed halls of the Menuhin Hall, where Mr. Buckley fondly recounted the journey of forging camaraderie between the two institutions. He acknowledged the shared challenges surmounted and the extraordinary collaborative achievements realized. His sentiments conveyed not only his confidence in the promising growth of YMSQ but also his anticipation for joint progress. Additionally, he conveyed the warm congratulations of Zamira Menuhin Benthall, Maestro Menuhin's daughter, to the School.
Highlighting the student segment, a performance ensued, where Qingdao-native student of YMS, Cui Zhengyuan, shared the stage with his peers majoring in violin and piano at YMSQ. This enthralling showcase not only demonstrated the fruits of education but also paved the way for a more profound exchange and collaborative teaching plan between the two institutions.
As the time of parting drew near, Mr. Buckley and his entourage once again expressed their wholehearted affirmation of the strides made by YMSQ in the realm of education and teaching. He extended a steadfast commitment to leverage the wealth of educational resources and operational expertise accrued by YMS. This support is destined to accelerate the flourishing advancement of YMSQ across diverse domains such as curriculum enhancement, faculty enrichment, student interaction, and academic progression. Across continents and cultures, their shared vision will illuminate a brilliant future for both schools.
