The Beijing Midi School of MusicRegistered with the Education Committee
of Beijing's Haidian District, the Beijing Midi School of Music is the
first school in China devoted to modern music. Upon the school's establishment
in 1993, its mission was decided: To promote an artistic and humanistic
theory of modern music while offering students classes is advanced
musical techniques. The definition of modern music covers the genres
that have developed since the beginning of last century - blues, jazz,
rock, pop, Latin, country, funk, fusion and the various styles that
derived from them. Since its birth, modern music has been absorbing
a great deal from European classical music and the traditional music
of all of the nations in the world. However, as "new" music,
it has already achieved independence and maturity. As a result, the
study of modern music must encompass an analysis of its styles and characteristics,
and students must obey its rules of study and practice. Because of the
school's innovative approach, we guarantee that we are China's best
professional school of modern music. An Intensive, Proven Teaching
System Before joining Midi's two-year (1200-hour) program, students
participate in a year-long prepatory course. During this year, the students
of all departments acquire basic skills in and knowledge of modern and
traditional music as well as English language learning. Through comprehensive
and strict training, the two-year program at Midi aims at promoting
the professional levels of students in music theory, ear training and
sight reading, style and technique, rhythm, improvisation, arrangement,
ensemble playing and production (including sound engineering and computer
courses). In the first semester of the first year, students of all departments
are required to study traditional music theory and basic harmony,
as well as a host of other basic skills. Courses include a history of
jazz and blues, which provides the students with an understanding of
the birth and development of modern music; Latin music and Latin dance
(a compulsory course throughout the two-year program), which reinforces
the students' sense of rhythm and adds a layer of sensibility to students'
approaches to music. There is also a compulsory English
language course
taught by foreign teachers. The second semester of the first year sees
an expansion of the study and research of technique, singing and music
theory across genres. In this phase the students focus on the blues
in order to develop their improvisation skills. Simple ensemble playing
also begins during this period. An additional course - basic jazz theory
- is set for students majoring in guitar and bass, preparing them for
an indepth study of harmony in the second year. In the first semester
of the second year, students decide upon their area of concentration
by studying a wide range of music styles. The courses in ensemble work
are conducted at this time, and students are required to form their
own groups, entering the most "fascinating" phase of their
study. Ensemble work is intensified in the following semester with
courses in arrangement and jazz improvisation in order to upgrade
students' practical skills. Compulsory courses in sound engineering
and computerised music are also conducted to promote the students'
understanding and abilities in the control of production equipment.
Music publishers, producers, agents, recording engineers, editors, promoters
and distributors visit
the classroom, giving students the chance
to learn first-hand from professionals in the music industry. Beginning
in September of 2003, the Midi School established a partnership with
the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT), which has the largest
and professional contemporary music and jazz department in Australia.
We will use 30 per cent of their courses and invite their teachers to
visit, allowing second-year students to benefit from their approach
to modern music teaching. In accordance with NMIT's course outline,
our revised program consists of both lectures and practical classes.
Year 1 - Full-time PA740 Addressing Copyright Issues PA741 Music Industry
Overview PA742 Music Industry Application PA743 Simple Musical Accompaniment
PA744 Onstage Skills PA745 Improvisation PA746 Performance Evaluation
PA747 Ensemble Work PA748 Critical Listening PA749 Computerised Music
PA750 Sound Mixing PA751 Performance Rehearsal PA752 Simple Composition
PA753 Ensemble and Soloing PA754 Computerised Performance PA755 Music
Theory PA756 New Technology Year 2 - Full-time PA762 Composition PA776
Arrangement PA764 Performance Technique and Repertoire Expansion
PA765 Performance Rehearsal PA766 Artistic Development PA767 Applying
Musical Knowledge and Artistic Judgement PA768 Harmony Analysis PA769
Musical Analysis PA770 Electronic Composition for the Screen PA771
Performance Improvisation PA772 Creating a Performance Program PA773
Leading a Rehearsal PA774 Sound Recording Production PA775 Promotion
Upon successful completion of the two-year course of study, students
of guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, piano, vocals sound production and
MIDI composition will be awarded an Advanced Diploma of Music from
NMIT, a degree recognised throughout Australia as part of the Australian
Qualifications Framework. High Quality Teachers and Texts After nine
years of exploration and practice, Midi has established a strong team
of teachers which include some of Beijing's most famous rock, blues
and jazz musicians of both Chinese and foreign origins. Their solid
theoretic basis and rich music experience provide a reliable guarantee
of the school's education quality. The current principal teaching staff
are: Yang Feng (heavy metal guitar), Zhao Wei (rock guitar), Long Long
(ensemble playing and arrangement), Li Jie (blues guitar), Lawrence
Ku (jazz guitar), Huang Yong (bass), Yuan Bo (bass), Lu Xun (drums),
Lu Tingquan (saxophone), Xia Jia (jazz piano), Tara Shingle (jazz theory,
modern piano), Yasmina (Latin dance and music), Zhao Su (piano), Wang
Hua (vocal), Zuo Jia (harmony, rhythm), Zhao Sitong (music theory, SOLFEGGIO??),
Xin Hongmei (computer composition), Wang Mengyun (sound engineering
and recording production). In addition to the musicians in our faculty,
Midi invites world-renowned musicians from at home and abroad to guest-lecture,
providing students the chance to gain a multifaceted understanding
of different musical styles. In 1997, the State Administration for
Foreign Experts Affairs, the Office for Foreign Affairs of the Beijing
Municipal Government, the Office for Foreign Affairs of the Beijing
Municipal Committee of Education and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of
Public Security authorized Midi to employ these foreign experts. Systematic
and high-quality textbooks are very important in any teaching system.
Throughout its history, Midi has always been introducing, translating
and renewing its textbooks. Midi has translated over ten books, including
Richard Daniels's Blues Guitar Inside and Out, Troy Stetina's Heavy
Metal Lead Guitar, John Scofield's Jazz-Funk Guitar, Jamey Aebersold's
Jazz Rhythm Section, Thom David Mason's Ear Training for Improvisers
and more. According to the development of the courses and demands of
the teachers, the school also provides the students assistant teaching
materials of various music styles. A Total Learning Environment Since
Midi moved to its current campus in 2001 the school has experienced
a major upgrade in teaching facilities, student accommodations and
sustainable development potential. The new campus covers an area of
almost 5 acres with space for an office and teaching building, a dormitory
building, a recording studio and over 3 acres teaching and rehearsal
space, a large performance hall and fully equipped professional classrooms.
To ensure that all students have the opportunity to practise what they
learn in class, students have 24-hour access to over 100 rehearsal rooms.
The new campus is located next to Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills) park and
the Beijing Arboretum, and is surrounded by almost 100 acres of orchards
and fields. Outside the school gate is the West Fifth Ring Road, where
public transportation provides access to the city centre. Midi also
takes part in international music exchanges, providing each student
with opportunities to experience music from around the world. We
have established long-term partnerships with the cultural sections of
foreign embassies and each year at least 10 prestigious musicians or
groups come to Midi to teach, perform and exchange with the help of
their respective embassies. Meanwhile, through various other channels,
Midi also invites outstanding foreign musicians to come as short-term
resident tutors. As the result of Midi's continual educational efforts,
Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company (publisher of Guitar magazine and
others) has set up a yearly scholarship for the school's best students.
Additionally, Beijing Blue Thrash Musical Instrument Company provides
a "Blue Thrash Scholarship", and Beijing Liao Shi Guitar Company
awards the best students with high-quality hand-made guitars and basses.
The teaching and promotion of modern music is still a new undertaking
in China. And while youth implies a lack of experience, it also represents
the ability to gain pure pleasure from studying, exploring and progressing.
The Midi Modern School of Music, along with our students, takes great
pleasure with every new challenge and success on the road to a modern
musical education.
