Research in Action: Public - University of Calgary

For the love of art:
Reintroducing classical music
education in China.
It is said that music is the soul of society. Yet, a whole generation of musicians was lost due to China’s
Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and ’70s when music teachers were imprisoned and all instruments and
classical sheet music were destroyed.
For the past 10 years, University of Calgary professor Edmond Agopian has been instrumental in restoring
the soul of the world’s largest and most populous country by reintroducing classical music education to China’s
most talented young musicians. An increasing economic and cultural openness has allowed the Chinese
government to recognize music as enriching.
When Agopian lifted his baton as guest conductor with the pre-eminent Shanghai Opera Orchestra in the
summer of 2006, he led young musicians in their twenties and early thirties. No mature Chinese virtuosos
exist in the city of 17 million people.
With Agopian’s help, the future for Chinese instrumentalists looks positive. “It is immensely rewarding to help
expand the knowledge, understanding and skill of these talented young musicians who then return to perform
and teach in China,” says Agopian. “Some students return to assist as translators in our program and many
choose to continue their studies in North America. One such student recently graduated from U of C with
a master in violin performance.”
Bridging the musical gap
For a month each summer, selected and sponsored students aged 12 to 18 come to Canada to study at the
Mount Royal College Conservatory. They participate in private lessons, master classes and performance
through the Morningside Music Bridge program initiated by the Conservatory with the support of the Hong
Kong-based Morningside Group, in collaboration with the music conservatories of Beijing, Shanghai and
Chengdu. Agopian participates as violinist, violin and chamber music instructor and conductor.
While in Canada, the Chinese students often perform music by Chinese composers based on Chinese folk
idioms, providing an enriching cultural exchange for both students and faculty.
“Since the violin is a Western instrument, I wanted to study the instrument
abroad and learn how to play more musically. In my studies with professor
Agopian at U of C, I learned how to think about a musical work in terms
of style, historical context and form. He has taught me not only how to
play a piece but also how to teach it. It helps me resolve students’ skill
problems as well as teach them how to study music and think musically
rather than just copy.”
Yan Tao — past student in the Morningside Music Bridge program,
U of C graduate, now violin and chamber music instructor,
Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China.
University of Calgary Research in Action 4