We aspire for Pao School students to derive rich rewards from their musical pursuits. Our belief is that the study of music should extend beyond mere instrument practice. It is essential for students to delve into the profound significance underlying these instruments. By immersing themselves in the extensive and intricate history of craftsmanship, they will gain a comprehensive understanding of not only the instruments themselves but also the cultural and historical contexts of music. This is the core ethos of whole-person education.
——Philip Sohmen, Executive Deputy Chairman
At Pao School, music education is an integral part of whole-person education. Alongside the music curriculum, each campus offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities and music clubs such as Choir, Jazz Band, Piano Masterclass, Guitar Band, Rock Band, Chamber Music, Orchestra, Guqin Club, Electronic Music Club, and Chinese Percussion Ensemble. Music teachers across all campuses provide students with consistent and inspiring professional guidance to nurture their musical talents.
As an integral component of its music education framework, the Chinese Music Program was launched in 2013. This initiative is dedicated to the school's mission of passing on traditions of Chinese culture. Initially introduced at the Primary School through group lessons in Chinese music, Erhu, and Pipa, it eventually led to the formation of the Chinese Ensemble club.
Over more than a decade of development, the programme has been expanded across all three campuses, and now offers a diverse range of Chinese music courses. Currently, nearly 180 students are engaged in mastering traditional Chinese musical instruments, such as the Erhu, Pipa, Zhongruan, Flute, Hulusi, and Guqin.
A significant milestone was reached in 2016 with the formal establishment of the Zhoushan Gongs club at the Songjiang Campus, driven by the visionary leadership of Professor Anna Sohmen Pao. The Zhoushan gongs and drums, representing a priceless intangible cultural heritage from Professor Pao's hometown, have become a striking presence at all major celebrations within and beyond the school community.
As the Chinese Music teacher at Pao School, Leef Liu has brought a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Ms. Liu has been studying music since childhood, showcasing her talent by playing the erhu in shows in China and overseas. She blends her expertise in Chinese and foreign music education to enhance the teaching of Chinese music at Pao School.
The Music Department emphasizes the importance of offering students professional guidance from the outset. To achieve this, it has engaged professional instrumental teachers for Chinese music group lessons during lunch breaks, extracurricular activities, and Saturdays. When curating pieces for the annual concert, the Music Department teachers select a repertoire tailored to the unique characteristics of students across the various campuses, ensuring that the music resonates with their interests and challenges, fostering a rewarding musical journey for all.
In the Primary School, the focus is on honing children's playing skills. The Music Department adapts pieces to be suitable to the students’ varying levels of capability and preferred instruments, and when necessary even creates new pieces itself. Middle School students are already more confident in their musical knowledge and personal preferences, with the ability to take the initiative and suggest a desired repertoire to teachers, who then select and adjust pieces based on this expressed interest.
The High School Chinese Ensemble exhibits a daring and creative approach to the selection of its repertoire, based on the students’ broader musical perspectives. From classics such as ‘Seeking Companies Amongst Illuminated Blossoms’ to recent performances of ‘Musical Scales’ and the Chinese concert ‘Memories of Spring’, the ensemble explores a rich array of music genres. Each concert features a mix of traditional pieces, film and theater scores, as well as unique creative compositions, including Western music played on Chinese instruments. Noteworthy student compositions have included ‘Spring in Jiangnan’, Western classics such as ‘Radetzky's March’, and English songs such as ‘Golden Hour’, among others, adding vibrancy and depth to the ensemble's repertoire.
The High School Chinese Ensemble serves as a magnet for the many students and teachers who share a deep affection for Chinese music. Among these is Ms. Nancy Mao, the High School IB English teacher, who relocated to Canada with her parents at the age of 13. Ms. Mao's involvement with the guzheng began at the age of 5, when she was captivated by its melodious tones. Her passion for Chinese music and the cultural narratives it carries spurred her decision to return to China and impart her knowledge to others. Upon joining Pao School, she became an integral part of the Chinese Ensemble, where she witnessed the students' versatility beyond the classroom. Engaging in performances and collaborative compositions with the students has been a source of joy for her.
Through the club's performances, Ms. Mao aspires to offer students a respite from academic pressures, allowing them to revel in the splendor of Chinese music. Having experienced various educational institutions worldwide, she perceives Pao School as a truly distinctive community. Its exceptional quality, she thinks, lies in the students' profound immersion in two distinct cultures. This immersion extends beyond language acquisition, seeping into every facet of the school environment. Students not only delve into Chinese culture through music but also explore Western musical traditions, contributing to the school's vibrant tapestry.
Four students, who have been immersed in Chinese music since childhood and took part in the 'Memories of Spring' Chinese Concert, shared their experiences. Susie Sun from Year 12, Ethan Bai from Year 11, and Bobo Ma from Year 9 have been active members of the Chinese Ensemble since Primary School. Susie, a proficient hulusi player, extends her passion beyond school hours, volunteering to teach hulusi techniques to community members. Ethan, a multifaceted leader, conductor, and erhu virtuoso, not only spearheads the club but also pursues IG and IB music studies. His exploration of Chinese music both enriches his academic pursuits and aids in his composition of music in authentic Chinese styles. Bobo Ma, with a musical odyssey that commenced at the age of four, has mastered the Xiaoruan and Liuqin, and taught himself the Zhongruan in recent years, driven by an unwavering love for Chinese melodies. The cornerstone of success in a band lies in the collaboration of all students. Emma Bai, a Year 11 student, contributes to the orchestra as a guzheng player, relishing rehearsals and instrument exchanges within the group. Collectively, these students aspire to attract more Chinese music enthusiasts to join the orchestra, ensuring its preservation and transmission at Pao School.
Pao School 10th Anniversary Concert in 2017
Leef takes immense pride in the fact that numerous former students of the Chinese Ensemble have pursued their experiments within Chinese music onto the international stage. These dedicated individuals have striven to establish Chinese ensembles abroad, and have explored the fusion of Chinese music with Western orchestral instruments. They have maintained the connection with their teachers at Pao School, seeking guidance, sharing exceptional repertoire, and continuously enriching the legacy of the club.
In the alumni community, Leef witnesses the profound continuation of Chinese culture. "Music transcends boundaries, and music that truly resonates globally must retain its cultural roots,” she says. “The alumni of Pao School are instrumental in carrying Chinese music beyond national borders, effectively disseminating the seeds of Chinese culture to every corner of the globe.”
