On November 25 and 26, at the Helmut Sohmen Auditorium, YK Pao School Secondary Division held its first piano concert featuring high standard performances – ‘Around the World in 80 Minutes.’
As the evening began, audiences began to gather at the auditorium for the much-anticipated concert that would showcase the talents of over 40 gifted Pao School musicians. ‘Around the World in 80 Minutes’ was hosted by four student MC’s who spoke confidently and fluently in both English and Chinese. Executive Principal Dr Paul Wood also attended and gave an opening speech on behalf of the school leadership team. Pao School parents, along with Resident Artist and Guest Conductor Barnaby Palmer and Head of Performing Arts Department Jo-Anne Richardson, were also on hand to lend their support.
The rich, meticulously-planned programme contained 24 of the most renowned classical piano pieces from China, UK, US, Germany, France, Norway, the Czech Republic, Russia, Austria and more, a diverse repertoire that was the perfect complement to Pao School’s unique multicultural environment. The evening’s student performers ranged from Years 6 to 11 and hailed from countries including China, UK, Germany, Malaysia, US, Canada, and Japan.
Student MC’s Alan Zhang, Jasmine Yu, Kathy Xu and Elton Zhou promptly introduced the first selection: the dignified, nationalistic Chinese number, ‘The Little Sisters on the Prairie.’ Performers Amy Luo and Hannah Kotler led audiences through the many moods of the piece, fluidly alternating between innocence, liveliness, happiness, sadness and anticipation.
With the ‘Little Sisters’’ horsehead fiddle fading in the distance, Huiwen Lim took to the vibraphone, while Huilin Lim and Kate Chaipatamanont took their places at the piano to perform a vibrant, refreshing rendition of ‘A Town with an Ocean View’ from the Japanese animated classic ‘Kiki's Delivery Service.’
Next, Christina Lin and music teacher Dongfang Song brought audiences on a journey to the heart of Russia with the much-celebrated ‘Trepak’ from Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker Suite.’ Peter Pan and Oliver Ye then dazzled with their improvisational skills on the UK-flavoured ‘Little Blue Cha-Cha.’
Vivian Shi and Yvonne Cheng followed with the lively ‘Slavonic Dance in C Major’ by Antonín Dvořák, while Kevin Sang and William Wang brought American ragtime to Shanghai with Scott Joplin’s ‘Maple Leaf Rag.’ Afterwards, Michael Chen and Derek Ye recalled the best moments of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ with ‘The Medallion Calls.’
Melody Shi and Anna Deng, donned in traditional Norwegian clothing, fittingly performed the ‘Norwegian Dances,’ while for ‘The Blue Danube,’ Grace Hu and Fenny Zhang dressed in elegant European tutu costume. Then, it was time for Kitty Gao and Jenny Chen to perform the enthusiastic and glorious overture to French composer Georges Bizet’s signature work, ‘Carmen.’
Audiences were taken back to the US for Dudy Dong and Ms Song’s technically-demanding performance of ‘Bumble Boogie’ by Jack Fina. The enthusiasm in the auditorium began to build, and Jessica Li and Cici Han rose to the occasion with the spirited can-can tune by Jacques Offenbach. Audiences then listened intently as Matthew Huang, Sarah Wen, Jacqueline Yang, Sunshine Chen and Tiger Xie marked the start of the Christmas season with a Christmas medley featuring selections from Poland, France and US.
The music continued with Benzo Zhou and David Liang’s rhythmic ‘Yellow Rock,’ followed by a striking performance of ‘Military March’ with Noah Yin and Johnson Du on the piano and Laurent Liu on the marimba.
Next came a selection of four famous ‘Hungarian Dances’ performed by Rose Huang, Sally Duan, Peter Li, Jacky Chiba, Eva Lu, Fiona Shen, with Felix Wu joining on the marimba for the ‘Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F-Sharp Minor,’ offer a fresh interpretation of the popular piece. As the spectacular duets came to an end, Demi Fu and Julia Feng performed a version of Johann Strauss’ ‘Radetzky March’ to great applause and enthusiasm.
The finale, ‘Galop Marche,’ a ground-breaking piece for eight hands, brought this grand voyage around the world to a triumphant close. To express her gratitude to everyone for their support, Concert and Piano Studies Director Song Dongfang performed a pure and soulful piece by Chopin. The audience erupted in wave after wave of applause, unwilling to let the evening end – the concert had clearly exceeded everyone’s expectations. Seeing their children perform so confidently and genuinely on stage, some parents were moved to tears several times throughout the evening, with some even exclaiming: ‘This was the best Thanksgiving Day present, ever!’ Parents have also expressed their enjoyment from start to finish, that they were very happy to be able to truly feel their children’s enthusiasm and passion for music as well as the encouragement and care that Pao School has shown to them. More importantly, they feel their children are one step closer to achieving their dreams for postsecondary studies.
Pao School’s first piano concert was crucial in helping to broaden students’ perspectives on music around the world. In studying the various types of piano pieces – solo, for four hands, eight hands, as well as with percussion instruments, students learn the importance of teamwork. In expressing themselves through music, students strengthen their thinking skills and imagination. Throughout this process, they discovered the cultural backdrop of their pieces; learned musical terminology in Italian, French, and German; carefully crafted each phrase; controlled tone, understood chords and progressions; listened to every detail, noticed subtle changes, searched for works that have achieved longevity, and marvelled at the wonders of music. Their performances may not be flawless, but they deserve to be commended for taking on the challenge and using every opportunity to practice. Pao School emphasises cooperation, respect for the music, the courage to be creative; as well as the expression of the most beautiful and heartfelt music to the audience, and that only through hard work could success ever be possible.
A piano education not only trains the eyes, ears and hands – it is also an education of the mind and the soul. Learning the techniques gives students the ability to play classical music, to give life to each note on the page. Performing a range of diverse compositions from all over the world allows students to expand their aesthetic viewpoint. The art of music requires the motivation for excellence as well as self-discipline, attributes that will help them become leaders in their respective fields. Real music is drawn from life, and all performers love life as much like they love music. They are talented, have great character, and have demonstrated excellence not only in their performances but in all other areas of their school lives. Some students also use their spare time to assist children in poverty-stricken communities with their studies, giving them the chance to get exposure to a rich and fulfilling educational experience. At Pao School, each students develops as a whole person.
Music is a comprehensive art, combining the audial with the visual. Concerts are also becoming more and more varied in response to audience demand. A great concert requires the perfect backdrop, authentic costumes to accentuate the diversity of the music from around the world, as well as appropriate lighting to heighten the emotional atmosphere. We are very fortunate to have had the support of our outstanding students and enthusiastic parents: Pao School’s student-led design team WeeStudios designed the promotional posters and backdrop, while parents have assisted in preparing appropriate and original costumes. Special mention goes to Year 10’s Peter Huang for volunteering his time to lead in stage lighting and lending his creativity to accentuate all the concert’s wonderful moments.
The ‘Around the World in 80 Minutes’ was an outstanding showcase of extraordinary student talent, and truly the start of a new movement at Pao School, one that is set to bring the entire Pao School community together in the pursuit of musical excellence.
Song Dongfang, Concert and Piano Studies Director
