Music is an integral part of whole-person education at Pao School. In order for students to
have the opportunity to perform and develop their skills, concerts have always been a tradition
on all of the school’s campuses. Now, as the heat of Shanghai’s summer rises, so do the
students’ anticipation and excitement for the school’s end-of year-summer performances.
High School Campus
This was a year in which students really began to branch out in exciting and unexpected directions. The amount of initiative and direction coming directly from students was inspiring. We’ve never had such a wide variety of musical styles onstage – one concert began with Chinese percussion, included an 8-hand piano piece, and ended with heavy metal.
——Steffen Incze
High School Head of Music
After the cancellation of many performances last year due to the pandemic, this semester the High School has bounced back at full strength – with several concerts and performances taking place. As the jewel in the school’s musical crown, the Winter and Spring Concerts delighted audiences and included performances from Songjiang’s choir, orchestra, chamber musicians, pianists, Chinese ensemble and Chinese percussion ensemble.
More than 40 students participated in the Spring concert. In contrast with the past, teachers from the High School Music Department divided the concert into two special performances to highlight the distinct character of the music and the performers’ varied skills. The first performance focused on electric and acoustic pop music as well as jazz and electronic dance music, and featured performances from new student-led co-curricular activities such as the Electronic Music Club and student-led rock band Ultra7.
The second part of the show focused on classical soundtracks. One of the highlights was a performance by the Chinese Folk Orchestra, who performed two pieces at the concert. The first piece was a beautiful Jiangsu folk song entitled "Scenic Taihu"; the second an adaption of Mozart's "Turkish March". The piece was adapted by Leef Liu, Chinese music teacher at Songjiang, to create an innovative fusion of Chinese folk instrumentation and western percussion.
Seeking Companies Amongst Illuminated Blossoms:
A special concert by the Chinese Folk Orchestra
Another highlight of this year’s High School Spring Concert was the school’s first full-length showcase of traditional Chinese music, entitled “Seeking Companies Amongst Illuminated Blossoms.” The student musicians used a variety of traditional Chinese folk instruments – including pipa, Chinese drums, and Chinese flutes – to celebrate their cultural heritage and embrace the beauty of music.
The Chinese Folk Orchestra, which includes 11 students, played a wide variety of Chinese and international music. Angel (Y10), who learned pipa from an early age, played alongside Kevin (Y12) and Tiger (Y10), who each played African drums and Chinese drums respectively. In addition, Jerry, Carlos and Wen Gu (all Y10) and Henry (Y12) played the flute, hulusi (cucurbit flute) and xiao (Chinese vertical end-blown flute) in an impressive rendition of the Chinese song "Plum Blossom Three.”
In addition to the traditional Winter and Spring concerts and the Chinese Folk Orchestra performances, the High School has hosted a number of innovative musical events. These include lunchtime pop-up concerts around campus, drama and poetry picnics, the Year 12 IB concert in the Black Box Theatre, and the Year 10 IGCSE solo and ensemble concerts in the auditorium. While the performances were varied, one thing was consistent: the students' passion for music flowed through every note. To ensure campus safety, parents could only enjoy these performances through live streaming. Nevertheless, Pao School’s young musicians cherished the opportunity to perform live for an audience after such a long gap.
Isn't She Lovely.mp3
Performed by Y12 Arthur, Y11 Joey, Mr. Steffen Incze
Drama and poetry picnics
Middle School Campus
There are four types of music courses at the Middle School: string music, wind music, chorus and world music. Through this variety of choice, students may choose one of these musical paths based on their personal interests. The courses strive to stimulate students’ musical creativity and in the process, increase their musical knowledge and enjoyment of music. Musical performances are an integral part of this process, allowing students to learn and grow.
In addition to the rich music curriculum, the Middle School has been upgrading its music facilities. During the past school year, two brand-new music classrooms were added, while the stage, lighting and sound of the auditorium have also been upgraded to professional standards, creating a better musical experience for both students and teachers. Further, in the process of preparing for the Summer Concert, the students participated in the process of selecting musical pieces to perform and designing posters to promote the event.
Lele, who just entered the Middle School last year, was one of the first violinists in the Year 6 string orchestra. Charmed by the beautiful sound of the violin as a child, Lele began learning the instrument in Year 1 with the support and encouragement of his parents. Although he studies music both on and off campus, Lele finds that the two settings are quite different when it comes to music education. In his string course at Pao School, the teacher not only teaches intonation, rhythm and bowing methods, but also skills required in an ensemble. Lele thinks that his biggest gain from his string music course is learning how to listen to other musicians and cooperate with them when playing together.
“If the off-campus music practice is an individual study, then the school’s music class is a group study. I think the two are complementary. While improving my skills, I can also learn and grow together with the students in the school orchestra. I really enjoy this process because it allows me to feel the happiness that music brings us." He says.
Middle School Concerts
Superheroes R Us.mp3
Performed by Y8 Band
Year 8 students performed their last concert in middle school this year. Listening to the beautiful melodies and watching the students’ passionate performances, we cannot help but recall the past three years: their childishness when they first entered middle school has given way to their mature self-confidence today. At the same time, the changes in the Hongqiao campus in the past few years are also clear - all of which are inseparable from the support from the leadership for all teachers and students, and the hard work and dedication of all the teachers in the music group!
——Yunzhi Chen
Middle School Head of Performing Arts
Primary School Campus
The Music Department focuses on facilitating students' study of both Chinese and Western music from many different eras. The curriculum is based on the most effective elements of the Chinese and international curriculums, focusing on musical concepts. Through fun and creative lessons, students are exposed to, and explore different styles and ideas through listening, improvising, composing and performing.
Moreover, through the school’s String and Chinese Instrumental Programmes, the Saturday Morning Music Programme, lunchtime activities and the Extensions Programme, students are offered the chance to learn a wide variety of vocal styles and musical instruments – both Chinese and Western. The school’s instrumental ensembles include Chinese Ensemble, Beginner Chinese Ensemble, Orchestra, Primary Choir, Rainbow Chorus, Community Choir, as well as smaller groups in Violin, Cello, Pipa, Guzheng, Dizi, Erhu and Zhongruan.
At the recent Primary School Summer Concert, students performed many songs in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. The songs helped students better understand party history and show their appreciation for Chinese culture. The songs performed included "Red Stars Follow Me Into Battle,” "We Are Communism’s Successors,” "Azalea,” "Red Star Song,” "Atop Beijing’s Jin Mountain,” "My Motherland,” "Dan Mountain Peonies Bloom Red and Brilliant" and "Let the World Praise You.”
Summer Concerts
Let The World Praise You.mp3
Performed by Primary Choir
“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 to prepare for the next performance. Over 85% of primary students learn to play at least one musical instrument.”
—— Dominic Murtagh
Head of Primary Music
* Many thanks to the contributors of this article: Steffen Incze, High School Head of Music; Yunzhi Chen, Middle School Head of Performing Arts; and Dominic Murtagh, Primary School Head of Music.
