On October 25th, the inaugural "Menuhin Violin Classical Sonata Competition" concluded successfully. Students from our school's violin program competed with masterpieces by Mozart and Beethoven, showcasing the results of their in-depth study of classical music's foundational repertoire. Following the competition, Professor Wang Hong, Head of the Violin Teaching and Research Office, joined several award-winning students in sharing their reflections and gains. 

Returning to the Foundation: Building Artistic Mastery through Sonatas

Professor Wang Hong clearly articulated the competition's purpose in her concluding remarks: "It was designed to guide students back to the classical sonata—the cornerstone of violin literature. Systematic study of this genre plays an irreplaceable role in cultivating students' pure intonation, rigorous structural thinking, and refined stylistic sensibilities."

Furthermore, the competition served as a vital catalyst for mutual growth in teaching and learning. "We were pleased to observe that through preparation and stage performance, the students' technical precision and musical expressiveness improved significantly. It also inspired our young faculty team to continually deepen their pedagogical research and refine their skills collectively. This truly achieved the core goal of using competition to enhance both teaching and learning."

Professional Adjudication: Focusing on Intonation, Tone, and Stylistic Authenticity

Professor Wang Hong outlined the rigorous adjudication criteria: "Our judging standards systematically encompass core technical aspects such as intonation, rhythm, and tone production, with particular emphasis on an authentic interpretation of the Classical period's musical style." This comprehensive consideration of both the music itself and its historical context ensured the authority and educational value of the results.

A Moment of Honor: Celebrating the Milestone Achievements of Menuhin Students

After careful deliberation by the judging panel, winners from each category were selected. During the award ceremony, all teachers and students gathered to celebrate these honors earned through diligence and talent.

Winners of the Inaugural Menuhin Violin Classical Sonata Competition

Primary School Division

First Prize: Wang Yiwen

Second Prize: Wang Xize

Merit Award: Xu Shengjia

Middle School Division

First Prize: Wang Qi

Second Prize (Tie): Liu Zuohan, Xu Jiashuo

Third Prize: Wang Yifei

Merit Awards: Wang Hanru, Wang Yaxi, Xie Yicheng (Listed in no particular order)

High School Division

First Prize: Ma Yicheng

Warmest congratulations to all winners! The courage and focus demonstrated by every performer on stage were equally precious rewards gained from this experience.

Student Voices: Growth Through Stage Experience

The rewards of the competition extended beyond the awards themselves. Ma Yicheng, First Prize winner in the High School Division, expressed a sentiment shared by many participants: "This competition, organized specifically for us by the school, was not just a contest but a valuable learning opportunity. Preparing for it drove us to delve deeper into the style of classical sonatas, and performing on stage helped us develop our mental fortitude. I believe this experience will empower us to continually surpass ourselves in future studies and performances."

Looking Ahead: Establishing a Regularized and Series-Based Competition

Professor Wang Hong shared her vision for the future: "While the inaugural competition focused on the Classical period, we plan to gradually build a more systematic and diverse competition framework. This includes introducing sonata literature from the Romantic period and other significant subsequent composers, as well as expanding into specialized areas such as unaccompanied works." This signifies that The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao is committed to fostering continuous pedagogical advancement through the systematic development of internal competitions across all its disciplines.