On January 4, 2025, the Dawn Theater at the monastery was filled with warm light. On stage, members of the orchestra’s wind section stood side by side with four teachers from France, performing the final piece of their two-week learning and collaboration. This concert was both a presentation of their achievements and a heartfelt expression of gratitude. Among the four teachers, three were from the prestigious Bell Symphony Orchestra, whose connection with the Wuyue Symphony Orchestra began with a joint performance at the United Nations in 2023. The fourth was a close friend specially invited by them, who served both as a teaching mentor and a representative of the French Ministry of Culture.
Though brief, these two weeks left a profound impression. The teachers devoted themselves to refining every detail—from breath control to musical phrasing—generously sharing their expertise and insights. The students, fully immersed in focused daily practice, grew quietly yet steadily. During their stay, the teachers embraced the rhythm of monastery life, sharing daily routines with the monastic community. Through simple meals and a serene atmosphere, they experienced a unique and quietly flowing sense of care. The rehearsal hall echoed with music and discussions, and the days and nights spent together fostered a subtle rapport and genuine bond between teachers and students, as well as between the guests from afar and the monastery.
As the performance concluded, departure drew near. The teachers’ eyes reflected both appreciation and reluctance, while the students’ hearts were filled with gratitude and attachment. Without many words, everyone exchanged warm smiles and affirmed a gentle promise: this farewell was not an ending. In the future, they would surely reunite at Xizu Temple, brought together once again by music.
