During the chilly months of winter, one of Pao School’s most anticipated events is the Winter Concert. The students' musical talents are put on display through a rich variety of performances across different musical genres.
This winter, our three campuses hosted a total of four concerts, each with a different theme. In total, more than five hundred and thirty students and parents gathered together to perform seventy different songs.
Primary School
From Year 1, Pao students are immersed in both Chinese and western music. From the blues to samba, learning music is a way to discover some of the most important elements of different cultures. Ahead of graduation from the primary school, all students will create their own original musical pieces using Logic pro software and perform their compositions at their graduation ceremony.
This year's performance was resplendent, featuring more than two hundred performers - among which there were one hundred and sixty students and twenty-eight parents. The event got off to a rousing start with "My Motherland and I" and "Dance of the Golden Snake" performed by the folk ensemble. Next was a violin performance of Bach's "Minuet," followed by the parent’s choir who sang "California Dreaming" and "Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill." Then the primary choir sang "Love Poems" and "Fernando" and the string orchestra performed songs such as "Salute to Mancini" and "Allegretto from Symphony No.7".
Dominic, the Primary School's head music teacher, commented:
"The purpose of the concert is to set a challenging goal for the students. To accomplish it, they must overcome setbacks, and continuously improve their playing skills. The concert also provides them with the opportunity to showcase their talents and, after the performance is over, they take time to reflect on what they have learned and prepare for the next performance. Nearly 75% of primary students are able to play at least one musical instrument."
*Lin Yazhen, Primary Tutor; Ni Guyin, Honorary Headmistress; Tan Fuyun, Deputy Chairman
At the Primary winter concert was a special guests — Ni Guyin. Ms. Ni, retired Deputy Chairman of the Chinese Primary School Management Organisation and Director of Shanghai Delight Education Research Institute, is Pao school's founding principal and honorary headmistress. As it happened, the winter concert is also the day of Ms. Ni's birthday. Parents, students and teachers together wished Ms. Ni. a happy birthday.
Principal Ni tells the audience that even though she is retired now, Pao School has always been in her thoughts. She hopes the philosophy of “joyful education” would not only be adopted in the school, but also at home. Through close collaboration between the school and the parents, Pao School would promote happy childhood for the students, and eventually produce outstanding talents for the future.
Middle School
Building on the Primary School's music curriculum, the Middle School's music courses aim to further develop students' musical skills and improve their music literacy. The curriculum includes a more in-depth study of musical theory, exploration of musical history, appreciation of the world’s best music, regular exercises to help students' refine their musical creativity and the development of the students’ performance skills.
Compared to previous years, this year the Middle School concert was different, as there were five smaller concerts instead of two-large scale performances. These five different concerts, orchestral and choral, provided the opportunity for over two-hundred and fifty Year 6 and 7 students to showcase their musical talents.
December’s concert featured as many as fifteen musical instruments, including: guqin, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, alto saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone and percussion. Pao School teachers carefully selected pieces for the performance, such as the renowned John Strauss composition "Radetzky March" and Tchaikovsky’s "Dance of the Little Swans." The concert also included ten selections from the popular music canon, such as "Blue Sea Laughter," the theme song of the Lion King "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", and the popular anime theme song "The Theme of the Little Ballerina Fairy." The students skillfully switched among different musical styles and genres throughout the concert series, making the performances both fun and challenging.
Jody, the Middle School's head music teacher, commented:
“There were brilliant moments in the Orchestra and Guqin winter concert today. The hard work of the musicians and their teachers was evident in their performances. This year we are excited to have smaller concerts to allow for more time for each group and to allow more parents to attend each concert. Last month we held the Band and Choir concerts. The students gave a very professional performance and engaged the audience in their high energy songs in both bands and choir. We love to share our hard work with the parents and can’t wait to see you all again at the Band & Choir Concert on March 2.”
High School
YK Pao High School students kicked off the winter concert with the "Game of Thrones" theme "Winter Is Coming," followed by a majestic drum performance.
Nearly eighty students from Years 8-12 played more than thirty famous Chinese and foreign pieces for the audience, including "Pear Blossom Song" performed by the folk orchestra, Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro", Shostakovich's "Jazz Suite No. 2," Vivaldi’s “Winter" violin and piano duet, and trio performances featuring piano, violin and vocals. Finally, high school seniors and their parents capped off the splendid show with elegant poem readings in Chinese, English, French, and German. All the parents and teachers present were proud of the children's exceptional performance.
At YK Pao School, music has played a vital role in helping achieve the school’s goal of whole-person education. Music helps cultivate better team spirit in children and makes them better disciplined. It also teaches children how to listen and helps them become more cultured. After years of steady practice, honing their musical skills, and learning to persevere in the face of adversity, the children's self-confidence blooms naturally on the stage.
