To showcase the achievements of collaborative education under Sias's dual academy education model, enhance students' artistic appreciation and aesthetic sensibilities, and enrich campus cultural life, Sias "East Meets West · Harmonious Melodies Resonate" Comparative Art Masterclass on Chinese and Western Instrumental Performances was held at Instruction Opera House Theater on May 14. The event was organized by the Student Affairs Office (Party Committee Student Work Department), the Administration Office of Sias Residential Colleges, and Sias Youth League Committee, and co-hosted by Mingli Residential College, Zhishan Residential College, Qixian Residential College, the School of Music and Drama, the School of Literature and Law, and the School of Foreign Languages.
The masterclass featured renowned artists and educators, including Zhang Fuzhong, Deputy Secretary of the Second Troupe and Deputy Head of the Henan Yu Opera Theater, celebrated Quhu player, and first-grade musician, Guo Fubin, Chief Musician of the First Troupe and first-grade performer of the Henan Yu Opera Theater, Wang Jian, President of the Henan Guzheng Professional Committee and first-grade musician, Zhu Yongjun, suona performer and Chief first-grade musician of Liyuanchun Program, Zhang Jianhong，dizi performer and second-grade composer-performer of the Henan Qu Opera Traditional Center, and Liu Jingyu, third-grade performer of the Third Troupe of the Henan Yu Opera Theater. Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias University, Ma Jiansheng, Secretary of CPC Sias Committee, Yuan Guanglin, Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Professor Lucy Lu, Provost and Vice President of Sias University, along with representatives of administration departments, professional schools, and residential colleges, joined over a thousand teachers and students in this artistic feast.
In her opening remarks, Professor Lucy Lu emphasized that since its founding, Sias has adhered to the motto of "East meets West, integrating knowledge with practice," striving to cultivate high-caliber applied talents with global vision, humanistic spirit, social responsibility, and innovative thinking. The collision and fusion of Chinese and Western music at this masterclass epitomized the "East meets West," while incorporating musical arts into educational practices exemplified the "integrating knowledge with practice."
The masterclass was meticulously structured into three chapters based on instrument types, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese and Western woodwinds (dizi, suona, clarinet, trumpet, etc.), the profound expressions of Chinese and Western strings (erhu, violin, cello, etc.), and the vibrant styles of Chinese and Western plucked instruments (pipa, guitar, etc.). During the event, musicians from the Henan Yu Opera Theater collaborated with teachers from our School of Music and Drama to co-teach, innovating aesthetic education by integrating artistic appreciation with theoretical studies on humanistic literacy. Interactive Q&A sessions further ignited enthusiastic participation from the audience.
The climax arrived when Chinese and Western instruments jointly performed a special rendition of our university anthem, “My Sias,” pushing the fusion and resonance of Chinese and Western musical cultures to new heights and embodying Sias's educational ethos and cultural heritage. This masterclass not only deepened students' understanding of the differences and commonalities between Chinese and Western musical cultures but also elevated their musical appreciation and refined their artistic tastes. It underscored Sias's remarkable achievements in aesthetic education, cultural inheritance, and innovative practices, further enhancing its cultural influence and social reputation.
"East Meets West · Harmonious Melodies Resonate" Comparative Art Masterclass
Group Photo
