Ｎｕｒｔｕｒｉｎｇ ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｄｓ ｏｆ Ｍｕｓｉｃａｌ Ｔａｌｅｎｔ

ＸＩＮＧ　ＷＥＮ

ALTHOUGH auditions kick off at 9am and dont finish until 6:30 in the evening, students from the Middle School affiliated with Beijings Central Conservatory of Music maintain their enthusiasm and energy all day. Bright-eyed and fashionable, they look much the same as other youngsters their age. But when you hear the emotion that pours out as they play, you begin to understand these are talented people. Paul Dornian, director of Canadas Mount Royal Conservatory and the initiator of the Morningside Music Bridge (MMB) scheme, attends the auditions as a judge, but acts more like a kindly father. He eases the students anxiety and coaxes the very best out of them.

Paul has come to China every year to select the most talented students for the MMB program since it was launched in 1996. Dreamed up by Andy Chan, a member of the Morningside Group investment company in China, MMB is designed to help young classical musicians expand their artistic and cultural horizons. It comprises a summer course in Canada which sees students attend a month-long round of private lessons, master classes and chamber music recitals. Perhaps most importantly, participants also meet equally talented peers from around the globe. The program has attracted students not only from China but also from Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Canada and the United States.

During their stay in Canada, MMB participants work under wonderful teachers from North America, who can help the prodigies develop their careers as well as their playing. As Paul says, “We dont focus on how students are playing now, but look 10 years into the future and speculate where they could be and how we can help them get there.” Teachers advise the students on universities and provide help with scholarships and references. Several young Chinese musicians have used the MMB program as a stepping-stone to great success. Paul talks proudly about Wang Yujia, Ning Feng, Li Teng and other young artists who have passed through the MMB scheme and are now establishing international reputations. As the pride of the Conservatory, they set an example for the ambitious young musicians following in their wake, and are often invited to give lessons for current MMB students.

Though auditioning young hopefuls is tough work, Paul always gets excited when he discovers a really gifted student. Having heard countless recitals over the years, he believes theres no clear definition of an exceptional musician. “Apart from baseline attributes such as being disciplined, hard working, and playing with good tone, I believe the most important quality a gifted student needs is creativity,” he says. “In other words, he/she should have a special quality that makes him/her sound different to everybody else. It is this quality that allows a musician to truly communicate with audiences.”

Paul is concerned that young peoples appreciation of classical music often suffers under the onslaught of ubiquitous pop music. By definition pop music is easy to understand and relate to, whereas Paul believes classical music, like Shakespearean writing, needs training to really appreciate. “Children need the chance to hear and understand classical music,” he explains. But with the right guidance, “Classical music is open to everybody.”

As well as being an excellent musician and successful music educator, Paul also holds an MBA in international business, and has an in-depth knowledge of the international performance market. He has not only noticed an upsurge in classical music education in China, but also a thriving local performance market. “Im shocked by the number of beautiful concert halls that have been constructed in the last five years,” says Paul admiringly. “It is not an overstatement to say that the classical music performance market in China is the only one in the world that is still on the rise.” Paul compares the situation in contemporary China to Japan 25 years ago, when that country was the biggest performance market in the world. Chinas economy is growing rapidly, and locals are increasingly willing and able to spend money on refined recreational activities. The audiences interest is matched by that of musicians; Paul says playing in China is a wonderful experience for most foreign performers, many of whom are fascinated by the burgeoning market in this ancient country.

However, despite the enthusiasm of audiences and the increasing number of grand concert halls in China, Paul points out that management abilities remain an issue. “Organizationally they dont do things well, for theyre often doing them for the first time. Theyre still learning how to put on concerts really well.” Paul believes the MMB program helps in this regard, as it provides musicians with experience of the more mature overseas market. Paul and his colleagues have made a great contribution to the promotion of Sino-foreign musical cooperation generally, organizing and participating in many recitals and concerts in both China and Canada. These events allow organizers and musicians to develop friendships and learn from each other.

Although hes devoted 30 years of his life to music, Paul never tires of his work. Music is his way into the world, bringing him close friends and outstanding students, and constantly firing his passion for life. Seeing him intoxicated by his students playing is truly moving. “Music is an international language, and classical music seems to be able to cross all boundaries. It is absolutely the most valuable thing in life,” he says with a smile.