On April 13, the Conducting Division of the School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen successfully hold a one-day Women in Music seminar. The seminar comprised a thematic lecture, an interactive panel discussion, and a conducting masterclass. Diverging from previous lectures and masterclasses, each segment of this seminar aimed to foster communication and discussion, allowing both the guests and the audience to delve into the exceptional brilliance demonstrated by female musicians throughout history and within the music industry.

From left to right: Dr. Helen Sohyun Park, Professor Sharon Choa, Professor Ni FAN, Professor Wenhui Xie

On the morning of the event, Professor Ni FAN, a distinguished guest from the Conducting Department at the Chinese Conservatory of Music, delivered a specialized lecture. She primarily focused on highlighting professional female conductors who have garnered significant attention both in China and worldwide, while guiding the audience in analyzing the factors that set them apart in the music industry. She made specific mention of historical criticisms from male conductors and the media, reflecting the prevalent biases that female conductors often encounter in their pursuit of a conducting career. Furthermore, she introduced notable female composers and shared her journey, illustrating the inherent power and value of music that transcends gender. Professor FAN began her narrative from childhood, when she commenced music studies at the urging of her parents, and continued through her transformative decision to pursue advanced studies in Berlin, transitioning from a seasoned percussionist to studying conducting. She emphasized that she made most of the significant decisions almost instantaneously. This profound musical awakening deeply resonated with the audience, evoking admiration for the revolutionary success achieved by women on the professional music stage, an appreciation for their exceptional resilience, and the unique captivating power of music as understood through the lens of women.

Professor Ni FAN on the Women in Music Lecture

After the keynote lecture, besides Prof. FAN, a panel discussion was held featuring special guests Professor Sharon Choa, Head of Conducting and Cultural Leadership at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Professor Wenhui Xie, a composer from the China Conservatory of Music, and Dr. Helen Sohyun Park, an opera director from the School's Opera and Voice Division. Assistant Professor (Teaching) Zhuorui Deng from the Conducting Division served as the moderator.

During the panel discussion, the guests shared their unique growth paths and emphasized their profound connection with music, which is an unyielding force in their lives. Professor FAN, for instance, highlighted her groundbreaking role as the first female conductor of the 60th-anniversary performance of the ballet "The Red Detachment of Women," where she brought a fresh artistic experience to the orchestra, dancers, and audience. The live audience raised interesting topics such as "the guests' attire and habits during rehearsals," "the approach to studying scores," "daily schedules," and "the challenges of balancing family and career," etc. The discussion concluded with heartfelt encouragement from the guests, offering aspiring conductors in the audience the hope that their personal experiences and musical insights would contribute to their growth.

Professor Sharon Choa (right) and Dr. Helen Sohyun Park (left)

During the afternoon's conducting masterclass, Professor FAN gave special guidance to our four postgraduate female conducting students, Hongjun ZHANG, Siyi YAN, Zhibing LIN, and Yin ZHENG, as they interpreted Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony," Prokofiev's "Symphony No. 5," and Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture". Audiences could keenly appreciate the harmonic nuances, balletic musical imagery, and dramatic scenes portrayed by Professor. It's noteworthy that all four collaborative pianists: Jie SONG, Xiaoyu XU, Mo HAN, and Yihuan CHEN, who are faculties in the Conducting Division, are also female musicians.

Professor Ni FAN gave special guidance to the postgraduate female conducting student

The successful launch of the first "Women in Music" seminar was a delightful surprise for the guests, who universally found the discussion on this specialized topic to be particularly unique. It even delved into how gender characteristics may inspire different perspectives in music that they might not have previously considered. The Conducting Division of the School hopes that this symposium will draw the society at large to recognize the value of women musicians, rekindle everyone's inner connection to music, and lead a pursuit of artistic beauty.

Professor Ni FAN

（Photo：Li Yi, Class of 2024, PG, Conducting Division）