Shenyang Schools & Universities - Shenyang Conservatory of Music

The Shenyang Conservatory of Music (SYCM) is situated in the South Lake Science & Technology Development Zone, in the Peace District, Shenyang P. R. China. It covers an area of 120 mu. Its building area is 104,000 square meters. SYCM is affiliated with the Liaoning Provincial Education Ministry. It is the only music institution of higher learning in northeast China and possesses a long and glorious history and tradition.

The Shenyang Conservatory of Music began as the Lu Xun Art Academy. In the spring of 1938, during the difficult days of the World War II in China, the school was established with the goal of training musicians and composers to provide patriotic music to help assist and inspire the soldiers in their war effort against the invading Japanese. The school was also intended to train aspiring art leaders who could meet the needs of establishing the new China. Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and others initiated eventually established the Lu Xun Art Academy in Yanan.

During the time of its existence, the SYCM has experienced four great developmental stages: the Lu Xun Art Academy in Yanan (1938-1945), the Northeast Lu Xun Art Academy (1945-1953), the Northeast Music College (1953-1958), and the Shenyang Conservatory of Music (1958- present). Li Jiefu, Ding Ming, and Qin Yongcheng were former presidents of the SYCM. The current president is Pan Zhaohe.

Over the years the SYCM has continuously developed, and currently has established a complete music and dance teaching system. This system includes programs for middle school students (7-12 grade), and both postgraduate and undergraduate college students. In 1999, the SYCM earned the Educational Base of Cultural Quality for National College Students award. In 2000, the SYCM was awarded " Excellent Educational Unit for National School Art Education" by Chinese Ministry of Education.

Currently there are 12 academic departments in the SYCM: Composition and Theory, Musicology, Western and Chinese Vocal Music, Western Wind and String Instruments, and Keyboard Instruments including Electone and Piano, Chinese Traditional Instruments, Instrument Building and Repairing, Popular Music, Music Education, and Dance. The SYCM offers over 100 major courses and Elective courses. The SYCM also has administrates several other auxiliary institutes such as the Common Courses Teaching Office, the Social and Science Departments, the Academic Periodical Edition Department, the Music Research Institute, and the Adult Educational College (Social Educational Center). The SYCM also operates a Music Middle School, Attached Dance School, and a satellite Music and Dance School in Dalian.

During its over sixty years, SYCM has attracted a strong teaching faculty and highly efficient administrative staff. Many of the Shenyang Conservatory's graduates have emerged as experts and scholars in the area of academic research. They have composed many important compositions, published many teaching materials, and written and translated hundreds of books. Many of these works have been awarded national prizes. Students and faculty of SYCM have been awarded over 200 prizes in prestigious international & national music and dance competitions. In addition to hosting the prestigious 27th Liszt International Festival in 1991, SYCM has successfully held five Shenyang International Music Festivals between 1992 and 2002.
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Among the thousands of talented music and dance alumni of SYCM, many have become senior leaders and are key members of orchestras, conservatories, art academies, research institutions throughout the country and overseas. Some of them have become very famous musicians and dancers at home and abroad. SYCM has 5000 students (including Art College, Adult education and Professional training). Among them are 50 postgraduates, 2320 undergraduates, 230 college students, 1098 music secondary students, 931 dance secondary students, and 10 overseas students. There are about 800 employees in SYCM, including 404 faculty members, including 74 preceptors, 45 professors, 111 assistant professors and 167 lecturers, and several Visiting and Guest Faculty

For years, international music cultural exchanges have been an important part of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music's mission. Professors, experts, scholars, performers, and foreign friends from the countries such as Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, Norway, USA, Japan, Australia, Russia, North and South Korea, Germany, Brazil, England, Canada, Austria, Belgium, France, Ukraine, Spain, Singapore, Italy, and Taiwan have visited the SYCM for the purpose of teaching, presenting master classes, concerts, and visits. On the basis of these friendly exchanges, the SYCM has established relations with over 30 art institutes and schools abroad. Among them, the SYCM has established sister school exchange cooperative relationships with the School of Music of North Texas State University and Indiana State University, USA, State Glinka Conservatoire of Nizhny Russia, Novgorod Moscow Ganisin Music Institute Russia, Stuttgart State Conservatory of Music Germany, Australia Conservatory of Music, and the Novofibirsk State Dance School. The SYCM has sent excellent teachers and students to study, perform, and give lectures in these sister schools and others at home and abroad. By the end of 2002, more than 200 teachers and students have studied in Holland, England, Belgium, Germany, USA, Korea, Japan, France, Russia, Canada, Australia, Austria, Ukraine and Hungary.

During the present historic "reforming and opening" period in China, the SYCM will preserve the glorious tradition of the Lu Xun Art Academy, and keep in mind Chairman Mao Zedong's original school precept: "Intension, Seriousness, Diligence, Modesty." We will abide by Jiang Zemin's inscription for the 60th anniversary of SYCM: "Grand is the Spirit of Lu Xun Art Academy, Training Teams of High Quality Musicians." We will strive to speed up the reform of the educational system and promote the quality and benefits of our school. According to the requirements of standardization, systematization, and science, the SYCM is determined to strengthen its management, such out new prospects, and is determined to make even greater contributions to the cause of Chinese art, and music, and dance education.