Across the River for AMIS

Written by Christina Chen '28 | Edited by Rudy Chau '28

From April 19th to 21st, our sister campus SAS Pudong hosted the annual Association for Music

in International Schools’ Middle and High School Orchestra Festival (AMSHSO). The event

drew over 23 international schools from across Asia, bringing together an ensemble of diverse

student musicians from cities like Manila, Beijing, Seoul, and Singapore.

For our group of SAS Puxi high school students, the journey was much shorter, just a trip across

the Huangpu. But earning a seat was not an easy task. Every student in both Middle and High

School Honor Orchestras secured their spot through competitive auditions judged by AMIS

adjudicators. For the high school division, our SASPX representatives ranged from freshmen to

seniors, playing violin, viola, cello, and bass.

The Conductors

The High School Orchestra was led by Mr. Sebastian See-Schierenberg, an accomplished

violinist and conductor based in the UK. Educated at the Royal College of Music‚ Mr. See-Schierenberg had performed internationally‚ as well as lectured in universities in the United

Kingdom and across Asia․ Meanwhile, our own SAS Puxi orchestra director, Mr. Lee Pophal,

took the podium as guest conductor for the Middle School ensemble. Mr. Pophal, who has been

instrumental in building our orchestra program into what it is today, was a familiar face on the

conductor's stand and a proud presence for the SAS students and staff in attendance.

Repertoire and the Composers Symposium

The orchestra played music from all over the world, moving from the folk music of the Scottish

Highlands to traditional Chinese works. The festival also marked a first for AMIS: an in-person

Composers Symposium for students. The workshop was led by Mr. Brendan McGibbon, a music

educator from Singapore American School. A small group of aspiring student composers from

the schools participated in the sessions, gaining hands-on experience and insight into the craft of

creating music.

For the SASPX musicians who crossed the river, it was three days of playing, practicing, and

making music; new friendships with peers from across Asia; and the sight of their own teacher,

Mr. Pophal, leading an AMIS ensemble.

Not bad for a short trip across town.