Since its establishment, The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, which has been continuously expanding its influence in the fields of education and music, has been attracting like-minded individuals from all over the world. On April 21, the Hong Kong Asia Chamber Orchestra paid a special visit for exchanges and, together with representatives of teachers and pupils from The Yehudi Menuhin School, presented the Music Unites Qingdao and Hongkong, Melody Touches the Soul concert. This cross-regional interaction not only showcased the extraordinary capabilities of the Hong Kong Asia Chamber Orchestra as a top-tier orchestra in Asia but also used musical notes as a bond to connect Qingdao and Hong Kong in in-depth cooperation and resonance across cultural, educational, and economic and trade fields.

The Hong Kong Asia Chamber Orchestra was co-founded by conductor CHAN Man Tat and a group of like-minded Hong Kong musicians. As a non-profit charitable organization, the Orchestra has always adhered to the mission of "Bringing Joy to Hong Kong". It has a Youth Ensemble and a Children's Ensemble, covering middle school and kindergarten-aged children. Over the past 18 years, the Orchestra has held more than five large-scale symphony concerts annually, with performances held at iconic venues such as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Sha Tin Town Hall, attracting over 1,500 audience members per show. In 2023, for the fourth consecutive year, the Orchestra was invited by the French Consulate to participate in the Le French May Arts Festival, becoming the third symphony orchestra from Hong Kong to grace this international stage.

Thomas Rosenkranz, Director of Music at The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, emphasized in his speech, "Music is a cultural code that transcends language. The cooperation between Qingdao and Hong Kong is not just about skill exchanges but also a profound dialogue on educational philosophies and humanistic values." Ms. Li Yu, President of the Hong Kong Asia Chamber Orchestra, expressed in her speech with deep emotion, "This cooperation with The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao is not only an honor for the Orchestra but also an inspiring journey. We sincerely hope to bring a different musical experience to the audience in Qingdao today and let the seeds of music and friendship take root and sprout in the hearts of young people in both Qingdao and Hong Kong". Ms. Zhang Hui, Vice President of the Qingdao Overseas Friendship Association, stated in her welcome speech, "As an open and inclusive international city, Qingdao has deepened the resonance between the two places in the humanities field through this musical collaboration. We look forward to the two places continuing to work hand in hand in the future, empowering youth growth through educational cooperation and injecting more vitality into cultural integration under the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework."

"Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano" by Shostakovich was jointly performed by ninth-grade students Zheng Hanzhi and Lu Yuzan on violins and Zheng Yijun on piano. Under the guidance of teacher Guo Siyan, they conveyed the tranquility of the prelude, the agility of the gavotte, and the profundity of the elegy with exquisite techniques. The first movement of Beethoven's "Piano Trio No. 1" was passionately presented by seventh-grade students Wang Qi on violin, Sun Jiazheng on cello, and Song Jiayi as the staff pianist. The young performers interpreted the majestic vitality of the classical piece with precise coordination, demonstrating an artistic comprehension beyond their years under the meticulous guidance of their teachers, Cai Lei and He Shucong. The Hong Kong Asia Chamber Orchestra blended modern rhythms with symphonic music in pieces like "Chibi Maruko-chan" and "That’s Nezha", paying homage to tradition while breathing new life into it.

When the finale piece "Below the Lion Rock" was played, the "striving spirit" of Hong Kong and the "open and inclusive" character of Qingdao merged and sublimated in the music. The concert hall was packed, and the audience applauded enthusiastically. The guests were amazed by the students' professionalism and the Orchestra's artistic expression. As the concert drew to a close, the entire audience sang "Singing for the Motherland" in unison, pushing the atmosphere to a climax. After the event, many audience members lingered to chat, saying that "music has brought Hong Kong and Qingdao so close". This visit and joint performance were not only a dialogue of art but also a vivid footnote of cultural integration between Qingdao and Hong Kong. In the future, The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao will continue to collaborate with top-tier global art institutions to build an international exchange platform, allowing more students to grow through the dialogue between music and the world and writing a new chapter in cross-regional cultural integration.