On November 15, the inaugural “Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao Youth Original Composition Competition” wrapped up with an award ceremony and winners’ concert. The competition, which was open to young composers across Qingdao, saw enthusiastic participation from students in schools throughout the city.
Composition demands a strong musical foundation and a wealth of artistic experience, making it a challenging task for secondary school students. However, for the talented students of “Island of Music,” this challenge proved to be an exciting opportunity. Since the competition was announced, schools across Qingdao have embraced it, organizing registration and training sessions to encourage students to get involved in this rare and valuable event.
The panel of judges for the competition was led by internationally renowned violinist and the president of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, Lu Siqing. The panel also included Professor Zhang Shuai from the Central Conservatory of Music, Dr. Liu Li from Sichuan Conservatory of Music, Dr. Wang Amiao from Xinghai Conservatory of Music, and faculty members from The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao. With nearly a hundred submissions, the judges awarded several prizes, including Gold Awards, Top Ten Works, Special Jury Awards, and Excellence in Organization.
This competition not only gave young musicians in Qingdao a chance to showcase their creativity but also aimed to enhance the overall musical literacy of the city’s youth and ignite a passion for music. Beyond the composition and judging, the event included masterclasses, professional lectures, and composition guidance for students throughout the city. Notably, Professor Zhang Shuai, a prominent composer and professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, held a masterclass and lecture titled “Painting a Dream,” where he shared insights into modern music trends and creative concepts, helping local students improve their compositional skills.
On the evening of November 15, the winners’ concert captivated over 200 teachers and students from various schools in Qingdao. Three Gold Award-winning compositions—Tian Puzhi’s Piano Trio in D Major, Li Junjie’s Dreams Flying, and Sun Haochen’s Piano Quartet from Qingdao No. 2 Middle School—were performed with exceptional flair. Tian Puzhi’s work displayed a well-rounded structure, with pure, imaginative development that conveyed elegance and liveliness, reminiscent of a young Mozart. Li Junjie’s piece began with a lyrical narrative and gradually blossomed into a grand and dramatic cadenza. Its rich harmonic language explored the full range of the piano, from delicate whispers to powerful crescendos, incorporating elements of Chinese music. Sun Haochen’s composition stood out for its intellectual depth, exhibiting remarkable technical skill and emotional insight. His challenging quartet demonstrated a perfect balance between compositional technique and emotional expression.
In addition, faculty and students of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao performed two of Professor Zhang Shuai’s signature works: the piano solo Three Preludes and the violin-piano duet Xun. These performances not only showcased the students’ compositional prowess but also allowed the audience to appreciate the unique allure of Chinese contemporary music.
The concert reached its thrilling climax with a powerful performance by The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao Choir, who performed Zhang Shuai’s Painting a Dream as well as his celebrated piece Snowflakes, the theme song of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
