Primary students at YCIS’s Hongqiao Campus touched the hearts of parents and staff in December by using their creative talents in Music and Art to help raise over RMB 38,000 yuan for charity.

The evening event, co-organised by Character Education Coordinator, Ms Jana van Zyl, and Music Education Coordinator, Ms Cherry Chen, was a celebration of both the music and art programmes in Primary, as well as the Character Education Programme at YCIS.

The evening featured a wide range of student paintings created in various mediums, including watercolour, wax resist, acrylics, and mixed media collages. There was also a very special category of art designed by students in the After-School Activities Programme (ASAP), who produced three beautifully painted violins as part of the fundraising initiative.

In addition to the student creations, staff, parent, and professional artists’ art contributions were sold through a silent auction, all to benefit the Yew Chung International School charity, “Seeds of Hope”, as well as a local charity organisation, heArts. Funds raised for the Seeds of Hope charity help refurbish and build schools in China for students in need, and heArts specialises in supporting people with special needs through art classes.

One unique painting in the auction was created through a special collaboration between Year 5 Student Council members and the YCIS Artist-in-Residence, Mr Mark Montgomery, which sold for over RMB 3,000 yuan.

In addition to a celebration of art, many fantastic musical selections were presented by the YCIS Hongqiao Campus Primary Orchestra, the Junior String Ensemble, Junior Choir, Senior Choir, as well as individual piano solos from students in Year 3 through Year 5 throughout the evening, showcasing the students’ talents and the learning in the Primary music programme and After School Activities programmes. The evening ended in high spirits as students, staff, and parents joined together to sing the classic Christmas carols Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and O Come, All Ye Faithful.

The Music and Art Mosaic was a marvellous example of how Culture and Art can coalesce with Love and Charity, which is part of what makes both founding principles at YCIS unique amongst international schools. For more information about the Primary Education, Music and Art, Character Education, and Seeds of Hope programmes at YCIS please click the links.