Four Years of Music, Friendship and Collaboration
From 3-6 November, we welcomed students and staff from the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in Beijing for the Fourth Sino-British Youth Music Week and Composition Showcase.
Under the theme Sound Confluence: Where Musical Languages Meet, young musicians from both institutions spent four days rehearsing, performing, learning and creating together. The visit celebrated not only a week of music-making, but four years of a partnership that has connected students across cultures through a shared passion for music.
Since establishing the Chinese Music Classroom in 2020, Chetham’s and CCOM have developed an ongoing programme of collaboration spanning language learning, Chinese music and international exchange. Youth Music Week has now been hosted in both China and the UK, providing students with opportunities to experience different musical traditions and build lasting international friendships.
Composing Across Musical Traditions
One of the most exciting elements of this year’s programme was the Composition Showcase, which challenged students to write for instruments outside their own musical traditions.
Students from CCOM incorporated Irish harp and bodhrán into their compositions, while Chetham’s composers explored the sounds and techniques of traditional Chinese instruments including the pipa and dizi.
The result was six original works that brought together different musical languages, traditions and perspectives. Developed through collaborative rehearsals and premiered by students from both schools, the compositions reflected the creativity, curiosity and openness that lie at the heart of the partnership.
Learning Beyond the Concert Hall
Alongside rehearsals and performances, students took part in a range of educational and cultural activities, including a guqin workshop, classroom exchanges and a joint lunchtime concert.
The visiting delegation also toured Chetham’s campus and historic library, gaining an insight into the School’s unique musical environment and heritage.
For many students, the week offered something equally valuable alongside musical development: the opportunity to work closely with peers from another country, exchange ideas and discover new perspectives.
Looking Ahead
The week culminated in a closing concert featuring the world premieres of all six student compositions, celebrating what can happen when young musicians are encouraged to collaborate across cultures.
As the Chinese Music Classroom continues to develop language teaching, cultural workshops and musical exchanges, the partnership between Chetham’s and CCOM goes from strength to strength.
Four years on from the first Youth Music Week, the programme continues to demonstrate how music can connect people across borders, creating opportunities to listen, learn and create together.
