A two-day event organised by the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) named “Exhibition of Macau School Bands” concluded yesterday, involving 1,300 students from 27 local schools who showcased their musical talents.
The event, which took place in the heart-shaped Tree Square in front of Macau Science Centre (MSC) was held in conjunction with the Macau Band Directors Association (MBDA).
The performances encompassed a variety of musical forms, including wind, string, Chinese traditional, and pop music, which aimed to offer residents and tourists a rich artistic experience, according to a DSEDJ statement.
The concert band of Sacred Heart Canossian College was led by teacher Yetta Cheng Ka U. She told the Post yesterday that due to their heavy academic workload, students find relief through music and enhance their teamwork and adaptability by collaborating across different grades. In the face of unexpected factors such as outdoor weather conditions, the students learn to make real-time adjustments, strengthening their resilience, Cheng said, who thanked her school for its ongoing support, which has enabled the music ensemble to thrive.
A student surnamed Lei, who heads the concert band, MC’d the outdoor event for the first time, while its deputy head, a fellow student surnamed Cheong, participated in a clarinet quartet. Both pointed out that, in the runup to the event, both needed to balance administrative duties with their performances. They underlined that the event was prepared in a week.
Fang Teng, the instructor of the Chinese orchestra at Hou Kong Middle School (Primary Section), told the Post that the orchestra was established just over three years ago, evolving from various instrumental classes. He pointed out that the orchestra allows students to experience the joy of collaboration beyond monotonous practice, boosting their confidence and adaptability.
The students have transformed from being nervous about performing to eagerly anticipating the chance to showcase their progress, which contributes to their personal development, Fang said.
A student surnamed U, who plays the yangqin*, and a student who plays the erhu** surnamed Si, said that, after three months of practice, they moved from initial anxiety to a sense of accomplishment and thanked their instructor for the encouragement.
*The yangqin (扬琴; “raised strings”) is a traditional Chinese musical instrument, classified as a hammered dulcimer (a kind of zither). It features a rectangular wooden body and is played by striking strings stretched over the surface with small mallets. – Poe
**The erhu (二胡; “two-stringed foreign instrument”) is a traditional Chinese musical instrument belonging to the category of bowed string instruments. It typically has two strings and a long neck, with no fingerboard. The body is usually made of wood and can have a resonator made from snake skin. – Poe
Sacred Heart Canossian College students performing in the heart-shaped Tree Square in front of Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape yesterday.
Hou Kong Middle School (Primary Section) students performing in the Tree Square outside Macau Science Centre (MSC) yesterday. – Photos: Armindo Neves
