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Helping students sing their life song
By Danny Davis |
June 26, 2013, Wednesday
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SUCCESSFUL professional musical careers are rare. Whether it's classical music, pop or musical theater; conducting or composing, the odds are against "making it." Yet secondary music students can learn how to thrive in the pursuit of their passion in the world outside of school, regardless of whether they become professional musicians.
A very special music program at the Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS) helps students find their own "song," and sing it throughout university and beyond.
YCIS musicians attend top musical institutions around the world, yet the music program is extremely open and accessible, inspired by the Yew Chung philosophy of nurturing well-rounded students.
Secondary music education begins early, in Key Stage 3, and goes through to the IB program, balancing composition, performance and auditory skills.
"The arts are an important aspect of being well-rounded, and our program is structured to give all students access to the subject and performing groups. We don't audition and we include everyone," says Sally Davis, head of Performing Arts. "Students who do not take music as a subject enjoy using the facilities and making music together - something they will hopefully carry with them regardless of what else they go on to do."
Misha Ulmet, YCIS Class of 2012, now a student at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, agrees.
"One of the greatest impacts YCIS had on me was access to music - being able to get involved in music so easily. Without it, I'm not sure I would have picked up an instrument on my own," he says. Ulmet plans to major in recording arts or arts administration. He says many of his university classmates don't play an instrument because it was difficult for them to get involved at their schools.
For alumni planning a musical career, the YCIS program offers a wide range of experience.
"Before coming to YCIS, I wasn't exposed to opportunities such as being in choirs, orchestras and bands," says alumna Joy Ngiaw (2012), now on the dean's list at the Berklee College of Music. "It strengthened my musical abilities and collaboration with my peers. YCIS taught me a lot musically and helped me grow as a person."
For students like Ngiaw, who are serious about music careers, the program is designed to support opportunities. "It is how it is delivered that makes it unique," says Davis. "No two musicians are the same, so we must provide a flexible framework that allows us to explore those differences, and to bring out the best in each musician and person."
That may mean playing in the orchestra and learning how to sight-read well for a guitarist, or becoming comfortable performing in front of large crowds for a pianist.
The impact of the YCIS education on music students stretches well beyond the music rooms. "When I arrived at my college, I found that I was much more well-rounded than my peers, not only academically and in my understanding of and appreciation for music, but also in terms of having had more exposure to different cultures, languages and aspects of people and life," says Nicole Kung (2011). Kung is studying musical theater at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts.
Mona Hamaguchi (2012), now studying piano performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, had a similar realization: "Knowing people from a variety of different countries and understanding their cultures was a huge advantage in this international setting, and one that a lot of my classmates didn't have," she says.
Hamaguchi and Ngiaw both cite the IB program at YCIS as having given them an academic edge. Says Ngiaw, "IB helped me become more organized, disciplined and adaptable - I'm more capable of managing my studies and balancing my social life!"
"YCIS students attend some of the top musical institutions in the world, with majors that range from solo performance to film scoring, traditional composition to recording studio engineering and music theater," notes Davis. "But more than that, we have students who have become successful business people, doctors and lawyers, and more - all with a profound love of music, theater, and art that enriches their life."
(Danny Davis is YCIS Shanghaimusic teacher.)
A very special music program at the Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS) helps students find their own "song," and sing it throughout university and beyond.
YCIS musicians attend top musical institutions around the world, yet the music program is extremely open and accessible, inspired by the Yew Chung philosophy of nurturing well-rounded students.
Secondary music education begins early, in Key Stage 3, and goes through to the IB program, balancing composition, performance and auditory skills.
"The arts are an important aspect of being well-rounded, and our program is structured to give all students access to the subject and performing groups. We don't audition and we include everyone," says Sally Davis, head of Performing Arts. "Students who do not take music as a subject enjoy using the facilities and making music together - something they will hopefully carry with them regardless of what else they go on to do."
Misha Ulmet, YCIS Class of 2012, now a student at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, agrees.
"One of the greatest impacts YCIS had on me was access to music - being able to get involved in music so easily. Without it, I'm not sure I would have picked up an instrument on my own," he says. Ulmet plans to major in recording arts or arts administration. He says many of his university classmates don't play an instrument because it was difficult for them to get involved at their schools.
For alumni planning a musical career, the YCIS program offers a wide range of experience.
"Before coming to YCIS, I wasn't exposed to opportunities such as being in choirs, orchestras and bands," says alumna Joy Ngiaw (2012), now on the dean's list at the Berklee College of Music. "It strengthened my musical abilities and collaboration with my peers. YCIS taught me a lot musically and helped me grow as a person."
For students like Ngiaw, who are serious about music careers, the program is designed to support opportunities. "It is how it is delivered that makes it unique," says Davis. "No two musicians are the same, so we must provide a flexible framework that allows us to explore those differences, and to bring out the best in each musician and person."
That may mean playing in the orchestra and learning how to sight-read well for a guitarist, or becoming comfortable performing in front of large crowds for a pianist.
The impact of the YCIS education on music students stretches well beyond the music rooms. "When I arrived at my college, I found that I was much more well-rounded than my peers, not only academically and in my understanding of and appreciation for music, but also in terms of having had more exposure to different cultures, languages and aspects of people and life," says Nicole Kung (2011). Kung is studying musical theater at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts.
Mona Hamaguchi (2012), now studying piano performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, had a similar realization: "Knowing people from a variety of different countries and understanding their cultures was a huge advantage in this international setting, and one that a lot of my classmates didn't have," she says.
Hamaguchi and Ngiaw both cite the IB program at YCIS as having given them an academic edge. Says Ngiaw, "IB helped me become more organized, disciplined and adaptable - I'm more capable of managing my studies and balancing my social life!"
"YCIS students attend some of the top musical institutions in the world, with majors that range from solo performance to film scoring, traditional composition to recording studio engineering and music theater," notes Davis. "But more than that, we have students who have become successful business people, doctors and lawyers, and more - all with a profound love of music, theater, and art that enriches their life."
(Danny Davis is YCIS Shanghaimusic teacher.)
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