As the lingering notes of the closing ceremony concert faded away, the young musicians clutched their graduation certificates tightly in their hands and exchanged heartfelt hugs filled with reluctance to part. On July 12, the one-week 2025 YMSQ Summer School drew to a perfect close in an atmosphere brimming with a sense of accomplishment. This was not merely a summer school; it was a cross-border musical rite of passage and a global dialogue about passion, courage, and the future.

I. President Siqing Lu's Message: Growing and Taking Root in the "Menuhin Spirit"

At the closing ceremony, President Siqing Lu extended heartfelt blessings and ardent expectations to nearly 80 young music students who came from 25 cities across 16 provinces and municipalities in China, as well as 8 countries including the United States, Sweden, Germany, and Australia. He looked back on the journey of the three sessions of the summer school and highly praised the global demeanor of the participants as young musicians:

1、Pursuit of Excellence: Under the personalized guidance of top-tier international faculty (through one-on-one masterclasses), participants broke through technical bottlenecks and imbued their music with deeper emotional expression.

2、Courage on Stage: Many participants overcame their initial stage fright and bravely completed their professional stage debuts. This courage is truly invaluable.

3、Global Community: Music knows no borders. Students from diverse cultural backgrounds quickly bonded due to their shared passion and forged sincere cross-border friendships.

4、Dreams Taking Root: Since you love music and have chosen music, let's firmly embrace it. Whether in the rich musical atmosphere and professional environment of YMSQ or in different environments in the future, I hope you will stay committed to your dream.

President Siqing Lu encouraged all participants, "The conclusion of the summer school marks a new starting point on your musical journey. Please cherish this pure love for music, maintain an ever-curious spirit of exploration, value the fellowship you've shared on this journey, and persist in diligent and continuous improvement. YMSQ will always be a home and harbor for you on your artistic voyage."

II. Closing Concert: Shining Moments Witnessing Growth and Legacy

The closing concert that evening was far more than a mere display of technical prowess; it was a collection of shining moments imbued with courage, warmth, and the pure power of music.

1. Legacy in Music: The cello ensemble performance of Dear You under the baton of Teacher Liu Bojun touched every audience. Notably, the stage featured both summer school participants and current cello students from our school. Offstage, Professors Yu Mingqing and Guo Yongsheng personally mentored the young musicians, even adjusting music stands and seating arrangements for them...Under the meticulous guidance of the Menuhin faculty team, musicians at different stages of their journey collaborated on stage. The notes that flowed from their strings were not just musical sounds but also a relay of skill and a silent transmission of the musical spirit.

2. Echoes of Courage and Encouragement: The guitar quintet's rendition of Scarborough Fair marked the debut of several young musicians. Despite their initial nervousness leading to a few mistakes, their instructor, Wang You, offered steadfast encouragement on stage, while the audience responded with sincere applause. After taking a moment to regain their composure, the children delivered a flawless performance. In that moment, their mistakes became the most vivid testament to courage and trust.

3. Support Through Cross-Border Friendship: When He Zhichan from Australia prepared to challenge the first movement of Bruch's Violin Concerto in G minor, the backstage area was filled with concern. This award-winning student in Australia admitted to being extremely nervous, but with encouragement from her mentor, Huang Xiaonan, and her classmates, she ultimately delivered a brave and brilliant performance. Her love for the school was palpable, and she even expressed eager anticipation for a reunion at the winter camp.

4. Fertile Ground for Dual-Major Potential: Zhao Weiwei, a student from Taiwan, China, showcased his exquisite piano skills with a rendition of Haydn's Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, capturing its classical charm. As a dual-major student in violin and piano, his outstanding performance and keen interest perfectly aligned with our school's curriculum, which supports the diverse development of music students. His strong identification with the school's philosophy and atmosphere prompted him to submit an application for the entrance exam during the summer school, looking forward to pursuing his dual-major dreams here in the future.

5. Return of Passion and Perseverance: Vladimir from Russia, already a second-time participant in YMSQ Summer School, demonstrated that music knows no borders despite his young age and language barriers. His clarinet piece, Ancient French Song, was deeply moving, and his perseverance stemmed from a profound love for music and the atmosphere here.

6. Diverse Colors on Stage: The combination of classical music and ballet has always been a delightful pairing. Chen Yuhang, a classical guitar major, performed a ballet piece, The Bluebird, adding a touch of vibrant color and enriching the artistic expression of the entire concert, leaving the audience in awe.

7. Initial Glimmer of Collaboration: The students of the YMSQ Summer School String Orchestra, after intensive rehearsals in a limited time, collaborated to perform Leclair's Sonata for Two Violins and a Shostakovich miniature. Despite their brief period of rehearsal and coordination, their tacit understanding and collaborative spirit on stage earned them thunderous applause.

8. The Power of Innocence: One of the most touching moments of the evening belonged to all the children who participated in the summer school! They formed two choirs and, accompanied by piano from our student Wang Shenlin, sang Little Happiness and The Flying Song successively. Especially when the younger children performed The Flying Song, their unadorned innocence, wholehearted dedication, and even their adorably clueless expressions moved the entire audience. What everyone captured was not just a performance but also this precious childlike innocence and courage. While their techniques might have been immature, their pure love for music and the courage to express themselves possessed a power that resonated deeply with everyone's heart.

This is the charm of YMSQ summer school concert: it not only presents music but also reflects the authentic moments on the learning journey—nervous sweat, encouragement after mistakes, joy of success, cross-border friendships, diverse explorations, and that most touching, unreserved sincerity for music. Every student who took the stage left a unique, shining mark of growth on this international stage.

III. A Week of Immersion: An Exceptional Experience in the Global Music Community

Looking back on this fulfilling week, the gains extended far beyond the stage:

1. Intensive Musical Advancement

Three in-depth one-on-one masterclasses

Systematic core musicianship courses

Chamber music collaboration training

Performance classes and efficient practice sessions

The top-tier international faculty and an immersive environment facilitated remarkable professional growth among the students. Many parents shared their heartfelt emotions on social media: "Witnessing our child break through their limitations!" "The guidance from international mentors was truly eye-opening!"

2. Forging Global Connections

A Warm Farewell: The moment of parting was filled with warmth as students exchanged contact information and made plans to reunite in the future. Phrases like "Looking forward to seeing you at the winter camp!" and "Applying for admission—see you next semester!" reflected their deep attachment to the cross-border friendship and the Menuhin music community.

Cultivating Independence: For many participants, this was their first experience living independently. In the safe and supportive environment provided by YMSQ, they learned self-management, communication, and collaboration, gaining invaluable independent growth. Parent feedback included: "Letting go and witnessing our child become stronger!"

Inspiration for the Future: Within just a few days of experiencing the summer school, some participants were so captivated by its professional atmosphere, top-tier teaching, and caring environment that they applied for our school's admission assessment, hoping to join this global music community. This underscores the value of YMSQ Summer School as a "cradle for musicians".

IV. The Music Fades Away, but the Future Holds Endless Promise

As the children's voices in The Flying Song fade into the distance, as the graduation certificates bear witness to their achievements, and as farewell hugs convey blessings... the 2025 YMSQ Summer School has come to a triumphant close. This summer, we witnessed the blossoming potential of young musicians, saw how music connects the world, and observed how passion ignites the future. For YMSQ, the trust and recognition from global students and parents inspire us to continuously create a world-class music education experience and a cross-border growth community. Young artists, carry the strength, friendships, and unwavering dreams you've gained here as you continue your musical journey around the world!