On July 1st, a summer night in Qingdao filled with music and starlight witnessed the enchanting melodies from the banks of the Danube River flowing through the campus of The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao. Marton Ilyes, President of the Wind Music Association of Burgenland, Austria, arrived at our school with over 30 talented young musicians, jointly composing an unforgettable chapter of musical exchange. This was not only a high-profile artistic visit but also a profound dialogue about music education, cultural integration, and the dreams of youth.

Part 1 First Encounter with Menuhin: Admiration and Expectations

Upon entering the iconic "City of Stars" atrium on our campus, the Austrian musicians' eyes sparkled with admiration. They carefully observed the acoustically designed practice rooms and the professional Menuhin Hall, highly praising the abundant opportunities for stage practice, top-tier hardware facilities, and immersive artistic environment provided by the school for its students. "I truly love the music building here. With so many practice rooms, everyone has the chance to perform under top-tier acoustic conditions. We also saw high-quality grand pianos there, and the music classrooms are equipped with the most advanced technology. The scale of this school is something we've never experienced in Austria!" exclaimed Marton Ilyes, President of the Wind Music Association of Burgenland, Austria.

During the subsequent roundtable forum, educators from both sides engaged in inspiring discussions on topics such as the core of music talent cultivation and the importance of cross-cultural understanding, and delved into potential future collaborations.

Part 2 Stage Showcase: A Symphony of Diverse Melodies

The evening commenced elegantly with a violin, cello, and flute trio performed by students from the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao. The light and lively melody, fresh and pleasing to the ears, instantly captivated the audience, perfectly setting a joyful and sophisticated tone for the entire concert.

passionate and precise rendition of the classic work "The Poet and the Peasant." The resonant and multi-layered brass sounds injected vitality and energy into the concert, further igniting the atmosphere and showcasing the solid professional skills of Menuhin students.

The Future at YMSQ

The children from the Yarun Symphony Orchestra of Qingdao Fuyuan Road Primary School were also invited to perform, presenting the innocent and lively piece "Sword Dance". Their focused performance earned warm applause from the entire audience. More delightfully, after witnessing the outstanding performances of our school's students and experiencing the artistic atmosphere on campus, these young musicians' eyes sparkled with longing, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to become part of the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao family in the future and embark on a more professional music learning journey here.

It is worth mentioning that there was a special "musical companion" that evening—Chen Yijun, a piano student from our school. His musical friendship with the Youth Wind Orchestra of Burgenland, Austria, began in primary school. Seeking more professional musical training, he chose to come to Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, a fertile ground for musical growth. Here, he received systematic and professional training along with international resources, rapidly enhancing his musical literacy. During this reunion, having grown into a young musician, he gladly took on the role of percussionist in some pieces by the orchestra as an old friend, showcasing his versatile musical talents. This collaborative journey of growth was not only a heartwarming reunion but also a vivid testament to the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao's commitment to fully nurturing students' artistic potential and facilitating their professional and international development.

The Diverse Charms of Austrian Sounds

Subsequently, the Youth Wind Orchestra of Burgenland demonstrated its strength and charm as the "Ambassador of Austrian Youth Wind Music." Their carefully curated repertoire was truly impressive:

· From the majestic "Imperial Overture," depicting Austrian melodic styles, to the fantastical modern symphonic poem "The Call of the Last Unicorn"

· From the delicately lyrical Austrian light music piece "My Dream" to the rhythmically vibrant "Balkan Dance" full of Balkan flavors

· From the pure and sacred harmonic work "Light and Meeting" to the dynamic medley "Tribute to Michael Jackson" honoring the pop king

 · To the melodious new folk song "Forever and Ever" and the "Nostalgic Polka" blending tradition and vitality

This diverse combination of pieces spanning classical, modern, ethnic, and pop genres not only showcased the orchestra's exquisite techniques and profound musical literacy but also embodied the inclusivity of music beyond boundaries, deeply touching the audience.

Part 3 Music Builds a Bridge of Friendship

The atmosphere of the concert reached its peak with Johann Strauss Sr.'s timeless "Radetzky March". Our school's brass students took the stage once again, collaborating shoulder-to-shoulder with the Austrian musicians to perform this joyful piece. The conductor enthusiastically invited the seated audience to join in, cleverly guiding them to clap along to the rhythm, resulting in enthusiastic interaction throughout the venue. The familiar melody instantly united everyone, with tacit understanding between the young musicians from both countries on stage and the audience below earning prolonged applause.

Just as everyone thought the performance was about to conclude perfectly, a heartwarming surprise unfolded. A beautiful and familiar Chinese melody—"Jasmine Flower"—gently flowed out. The Austrian orchestra and our school's brass students jointly interpreted this Oriental melody. In that moment, warmth and emotion transcending national boundaries filled the concert hall, as music truly surpassed language and culture, becoming the most touching bridge connecting hearts. The audience was deeply moved, responding with the warmest cheers.

Part 4 Lingering Melody: Shared Memories of a Wonderful Night

On this star-studded night, in the name of music, we witnessed young artists from different cultural backgrounds learning from and sincerely collaborating with each other, creating moments of heartfelt resonance. As the last note faded into silence, prolonged applause served as the most sincere tribute to this musical feast.

The Austrian Youth Wind Orchestra not only brought top-tier performances but also conveyed the essence of Austrian music education and their enthusiasm for cultural exchange. The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, with its open platform and the outstanding performances of its students, showcased the vibrant vitality of Eastern music education. By continuously expanding its global "circle of friends," the school allows the finest international artistic resources to nourish local students while also enabling the talents of young Chinese musicians to shine brightly on the world stage.