The Film Gala held in Qingdao for the first time, with a prestigious music school adding its luster

The China Film Huabiao Awards, a national-level film accolade jointly hosted by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the National Radio and Television Administration, represents the pinnacle of honor in China's film industry. In 2025, for the first time, the Huabiao Awards venture beyond Beijing and takes root in the Qingdao West Coast New Area. This move aims to deeply integrate the art of cinematography with the city's culture, showcasing the flourishing of arts in the new era.

To echo the intimate bond between music and film, and to display the enchanting allure of Qingdao as both a "City of Music" and a "City of Film", The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao has orchestrated three music-themed events that transcend geographical boundaries and fuse Eastern and Western musical traditions, adding a dazzling luster to this year's Huabiao Awards ceremony. From the majestic strains of music accompanying the sunrise over the Shilaoren Beach to the tender melodies of strings echoing under the setting sun at the TAG Museum; from timeless film scores passed down through generations to symphonies jointly performed by teachers and pupils, the two-day Huabiao Awards-themed activities serve not only as a cross-disciplinary dialogue between music and film but also as a resonant testament to "art education empowering the spirit of the times".

First Movement: Sunrise by the Seashore, Resounding Classics
In the faint dawn light of April 25th, the faculty and pupils of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao took the golden sands of Shilaoren Beach as their stage and the convergence of mountains and sea as their backdrop. Accompanied by the newborn sun, they performed classic film scores that once echoed on the silver screen, paying homage to the glorious moments of the Huabiao Film Award.

"Song of the Fishermen" × Harmony with Nature
The violin, viola, cello, and horn sections collaborated seamlessly to interpret the melodious and meandering strains of Song of the Fishermen. This musical dialogue with nature was also a vital lesson in "sensory cultivation" at the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao.

"The Sun Rises" × Portrait of Youth
Under the meticulous guidance of our teacher, Sun Ke, the string, woodwind, and brass sections collaborated. From the precise bowing of the first violinists to the exquisite breath control of the horn players, the power of each note seemed to bring the iconic scenes of the film to life above the sea.

"Ocean, My Hometown" × Qingdao's Musical Heritage
Led by Wang You, Associate Professor of Classical Guitar at our School, several students showcased an interplay of rhythms between classical guitar and ukulele, honoring Qingdao's century-long musical history. From the introduction of classical music during the German occupation to the birth of China's first violin here, Qingdao's identity as the "City of Music" deeply resonated with the Huabiao Film Award's emphasis on "local narratives" at this moment.

Second Movement: Symphony of Light and Shadow, Cross-Disciplinary Resonance
In the evening of April 25th, the School's concert hall hosted an extraordinary event—the "Luminous Huabiao" Film Concert. Twelve young teachers from our School, boasting rich experience in teaching, performance, and competitions, along with four outstanding pupils, presented heartfelt harmonies for the Huabiao Awards. Breaking through the boundaries of instruments, the concert featured not only solo performances on the electone and piano but also unique ensemble formations—such as the electone ensemble comprised of YMSQ teachers, collaborating with artists playing the violin, clarinet, oboe, and more. This film-themed concert not only served as a powerful testament to Qingdao's status as the "City of Music" but also decoded the original soundtracks of classic films, offering a tribute to Chinese cinematic art.

Third Movement: Sunset at the Art Museum, Accompanied by Master

On the evening of April 26th, at the TAG Museum adjacent to YMSQ, President Siqing Lu, along with four music-loving youths from our School, presented a special performance titled "Sunset Strings". Amidst the gentle bowing of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the sunset, waves, and architectural lines converged to create a multi-dimensional aesthetic space. The cello section resonated with the frequency of the tides, while the viola spontaneously echoed the cries of seabirds. Music ceased to be a one-way output; instead, it became a tripartite interaction among the environment, architecture, and the performers. Through this "symphony of mountains and seas" at sunset, they heralded the grand opening of the Huabiao Awards nearby!

Paying tribute to the era through music and shaping the future through education, The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, through these three musical events, not only extended sincere blessings to the Huabiao Awards but also demonstrated the profound value of its "holistic education" philosophy through remarkable educational achievements. The School continues to nurture a new generation of talents with both musical proficiency and a global perspective, injecting vitality into China's musical and artistic education.