Scotland’s national conservatoire is to forge a dynamic new relationship with one of China’s leading conservatories, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and teaching.

With roots from 1932, the Xinghai Conservatory of Music is one of China’s leading performing arts higher education institutions. Based in Guangzhou City, Guangzhou Province, the institution delivers learning and teaching across a wide range of musical disciplines including composition, conducting, musicology, voice and opera, piano, orchestral instruments, traditional Chinese instruments and music theory, as well as dance.

The new relationship between the two organisations opens up opportunities for shared learning in teaching excellence as well as the potential for staff and student exchanges and creative collaboration.

A senior delegation from Xinghai Conservatory visited Scotland this week and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by both institutions.

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said:

“I am delighted to be partnering with the Xinghai Conservatory in Guangzhou. My colleagues and I visited their lovely campus and found their musicianship and thirst for knowledge echoed that of our students in Scotland. They have classical music, Chinese Traditional Music and Dance – and we are both interested in exploring the links between these art forms.

“Xinghai is one of the most important conservatories in China and the “Bay Area” in which they are located is one of the most important cultural centres in China and, in many ways, echoes our own location as a vibrant and innovative area for the performing arts and for education. We are optimistic about the benefits our partnership will bring each institution.”

Dr Cai Qiaozhong, Principal, Xinghai Conservatory of Music, said:

“The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the greatest conservatoires in the world. It has a richness in history and a renowned reputation as a connection to the modern arts world.

“It has a creativity and encourages exploration which we admire and we look forward to future collaboration for a fruitful partnership for the future.”