From July 28 to August 2, the 2024 Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao Summer School wrapped up in spectacular fashion! Nearly a hundred young music enthusiasts from all corners of the world gathered at the school, bringing their excitement and passion for music with them, and returning home full of new knowledge and joyful experiences. The week-long immersive international music education programme concluded with great success, leaving the children enriched and eager for more. To all the little and big friends alike, we’ll see you next year!
On August 2, the closing ceremony of the 2024 Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao Summer School was held in the Menuhin Hall. The hard-earned certificates were not only a testament to the students’ efforts and dedication but also a symbol of the boundless potential they hold for the future. As President Lu Siqing said, this year’s summer school was the first full-scale summer programme at YMSQ, and you, the students, were the brightest stars of this summer on campus.
A Grand Adventure in Holistic Education—Growing Together!
At the YMSQ Summer School, students gained an abundance of knowledge and experiences in what was truly an adventure in holistic education. It was like levelling up in the world of music. The young musicians studied alongside both national and international music educators and performers, unlocking the "secrets" to mastering their craft. They also made many like-minded friends, chatting about music, laughing, and diving into the vast ocean of sound—becoming more skilled with every note they played!
Masterclasses—A Chance to Learn Directly from the Maestros!
Can you imagine it? The masters you usually see only on screen are now standing right beside you, guiding you through your instrument! President Lu Siqing, along with maestros such as Ning Feng, Ulf Wallin, and Joanna Sachryn, personally taught the students at the YMSQ Summer School, helping them to rapidly improve their skills.
Masterclass with President Lu Siqing
Masterclass with Ning Feng
Masterclass with Ulf Wallin
Masterclass with Joanna Sachryn
One-on-One Lessons—Tailored Growth Plans!
Each department at The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao thoughtfully planned a diverse curriculum for the summer school. In their one-on-one lessons, students got a real taste of what it’s like to be a YMSQ student. Any nerves they had were soon calmed by the patient and dedicated guidance of their teachers. Not only did they make great strides in their musical skills, but they also received personalised practice tips and growth strategies, specially tailored by their instructors. 
Violin Lessons
Viola Lessons
Cello Lessons
Piano Lessons
Wind Instrument Lessons
Chamber Music, Performances, and Double-Row Keyboards—Musical Challenges Galore!
There were many fun courses at the summer school, including chamber music classes where everyone learned the importance of teamwork. In performance classes, students bravely took to the stage, while wind chamber ensembles taught them how to blend into the group. The double-row keyboard class was especially impressive—one person could produce the sound of an entire orchestra!
Cello Ensemble Classes
Piano Performance Classes
Piano Ensemble Classes
Double-Row Keyboard Classes
Brass Chamber Music
Woodwind Chamber Music
Wind Performance Lecture
Chamber Music Ensembles—New Friends, New Music!
Many students experienced chamber music and orchestral courses for the first time. They were divided into small groups and even formed string orchestras. Although they were strangers at first, after three days of hard work, they learned how to listen to the different instruments and, together, produced beautiful music, completing the challenge.
Chamber Music Ensembles
String Orchestra
Theory Can Be Fun Too—Bilingual Classes Full of Joy!
The teachers in the general musicianship department also worked wonders by making music theory, sight-singing, and ear training incredibly fun. Bilingual instruction helped students not only improve their English but also better appreciate the beauty of music. They clapped rhythms, composed melodies, and even took part in an English vocabulary competition—it felt like an exciting musical adventure!
Core Musicianship Lectures
English Vocabulary Competition
Choir—Telling Stories Through Song!
In the choir, the children were grouped by age and used their voices to tell moving stories. The conductor’s hand gestures were like a magic wand, guiding everyone as they soared through the musical sky. For the performance, they cleverly incorporated percussion instruments, making the entire show even more lively and engaging!
Little Musicians, Full of Flair
In keeping with Yehudi Menuhin’s ethos of nurturing talent through performance, The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao places great emphasis on stage practice. Thus, the summer school included performances in the Menuhin Hall and the Grand Atrium. From the opening ceremony to the closing event, six consecutive nights of concerts linked the entire summer school experience together. Students showcased their talents through solos, chamber ensembles, orchestral performances, and choral singing. They treated the audience to a rich auditory feast, using their talent and hard work to craft a perfect finale to their YMSQ journey!
The first-ever full-scale summer school at YMSQ has now successfully ended. We are grateful for the power of music that brought us all together. Congratulations to all the students for growing into "little musicians" here! We look forward to reuniting next year at this time, to continue exploring the world of music together!
