Musical ties bring Shanghai and Hamburg closer

Musical ties bring the world closer as two schools from China and Germany – the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SCM) and the Hamburg School of Music and Theater (HfMT) – agreed to jointly cultivate advanced performers on June 23.

This was a significant advancement for SCM to establish an integrated system, attracting young performers to pursue their studies from bachelor's and master's degrees to professional advanced performer certificates, which, issued by the German government, is the highest honor for performers, as well as a firm recognition of their professional skills.

Elmar Lampson, president of HfMT, expressed his confidence in this cooperative program. He said the two schools have enjoyed solid connections over the decade, and have carried out various exchange and training programs from the initial string music program to piano, composition, and orchestral music.

He was also comforted by the frequent exchanges between faculty members, learning from each other in jazz, instrumental, and vocal music, and staging multiple performances.

Founded in 1950, HfMT is home to several internationally renowned artists and features a work-oriented educational approach, which by connecting with orchestras and theaters, offers students various opportunities to gain practical experience at a professional level.