In the season of refreshing autumn and fragrant osmanthus, the "South China Normal University and City University of Macau Celebration of the National Day of the People's Republic of China and the Return of Macau Exchange Concert and Guangdong Macau Musicology Doctoral Forum" featured a special event at South China Normal University, which was successfully held on October 15th and 16th, 2024. This music and cultural exchange event aims to jointly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau's return to the motherland. It is not only a musical feast, but also a cultural event of cultural integration and emotional resonance between higher music institutions in Guangdong and Macao.

This event was initiated by Professor Dai Dingcheng, a renowned musicologist and composition theorist from the School of Innovation and Design at the City University of Macau. Professor Kong Yilong, Dean of the School of Music at South China Normal University, was invited to serve as the academic advisor of the forum and the artistic director of the concert. Professor Huang Xiying has been appointed as the Chief Planner, and the management team is composed of relevant professionals from two universities. The series of activities includes: a special concert at South China Normal University, a doctoral forum on music research in Guangdong and Macau, as well as a special concert and academic lecture at City University of Macau. This event is led by our administrative supervisor Gu Jie and teaching supervisor Wei Ru, and jointly organized by teachers and students from City University of Macau and South China Normal University.The aim was to strengthen the exchange of music PhDs between the two regions and universities, expand music research, practice, and performance between Guangdong and Macau, and promote regional music and cultural exchanges. With the grand vision of a prosperous music and cultural ecology in Guangdong and Macau, we will continue to create new chapters.

The exchange concert on October 15th at 7:30 pm was truly spectacular. At the concert, teachers and students from South China Normal University and City University of Macau performed together, performing two original songs specially created for the "Double Celebration": "Building Dreams in Macau" and "Macau is a Good Place". Both of these works were composed by Professor Dai Dingcheng of City University of Macau and with lyrics created by Assistant Professor Chen Jiahao, showcasing the profound cultural heritage of music in Guangdong and Macau, and conveying the voices of artists from both regions towards the reunification of the motherland and their blessings for Macau; Li Lutailong, a young teacher at the School of Music of South China Normal University and a baritone singer, passionately sang "The Song of Macau" composed by Professor Wei Yang and written by Professor Yang Lingyun at the School of Music of South China Normal University, expressing people's blessings and praise for this beautiful city of Macau; The performance of "Cangge Yin" by young guzheng player Gao Yang and pianist Wang Haitao from the doctoral program at the City University of Macau, using a combination of Chinese and Western interpretation techniques, showcases the praise of youth and life from the perspective of Chinese culture; Professor Yang Weijie from South China Normal University and Professor Guo Jiahao from the Department of Music at the Chinese University of Hong Kong jointly performed the bamboo flute "Poetry Village", which is full of longing for loved ones and nostalgia for the homeland; PhD students from the City University of Macau, Steinway Young Artist Chen Qian, violinist Li Guantong, and cellist Kou Jia, presented the wonderful Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor to the audience, showcasing the magnificent and rich romantic feelings of the work; Zhang Xueliang, Vice Dean of the School of Music at South China Normal University and renowned tenor singer, presented the emotionally charged love song "Sing for You" to the audience. Professor Zeng Meiying sang the song "I Love You, China" to express the deep affection and praise of every artist for their motherland, pushing the entire concert to a climax. Finally, the concert came to an end with the mixed choir singing 'When the Sky Clears'. At the concert, artists from City University of Macau and South China Normal University also performed classic works such as piano piece "New Translation of Ancient Songs: Spring River Flower Moon Night", art song "Returning Starlight", trumpet and piano "After waking up from a dream", oboe "D major Rondo", and Chinese Ethnic Music Ensemble "Joyful Night". With their exquisite skills and heartfelt performances, every audience present felt the power of music and the charm of art.

The Guangdong Macao Musicology PhD Forum on October 16th provided a platform for music scholars and music PhD students from both regions to exchange ideas and share research results. The six speakers of this forum conducted in-depth and detailed discussions on their research topics, including "The Practical Path of Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Dance Education under the Perspective of Embodied Cognition", "Research on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance of Macao Nanyin Society from the Global Regional Civilization Perspective", "Classification and Application of Luo Zhongrong's Complementary Five tone and Twelve tone Collections", "The Origin of the Theme of 'Armed Man' in Mass during the Renaissance Period", "Text, Image and Music - The Cultural Connotation of Chaozhou Woodcarving in Ming and Qing Dynasties", and "The Positioning and Function of Saint Pius X Music Academy in Macao's Music Culture System". The wonderful comments of forum experts Professor Dai Dingcheng and Professor Kong Yilong have added new thinking and perspectives to the depth and breadth of music research in Guangdong and Macao. Through this event, music PhDs and music scholars from both regions can strengthen exchanges, jointly expand new fields and achievements in music research, and further promote the exchange and development of music culture in the Guangdong Macao region.

The successful celebration of the National Day of the People's Republic of China and the return of Macau by South China Normal University and City University of Macau, as well as the Guangdong Macau Musicology Doctoral Forum, has shown us the deep connection between Guangdong and Macau in music culture, and also made us feel the love of the people of both places for the motherland and the pride of Macau's return. This event is not only a musical feast, but also a spiritual exchange, like a melodious melody that tightly connects the hearts of music scholars from both places. The high-level art and academic exchange activities between Macau's higher education institutions and mainland universities will undoubtedly play a significant role in promoting cultural exchanges in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area and promoting the integrated development of art and culture in the Greater Bay Area. This event will also promote the academic achievements of higher education in Macau to go beyond Macau, join hands with domestic universities, and move towards a broader international stage!