To enhance university students' aesthetic literacy and artistic appreciation, deepen their understanding of the role of musical works in the progress of Western civilization, and explore the effectiveness of modern information technology in the construction of the "New Liberal Arts," on December 27, 2024, Dean Hui Yanyan of the International School of Guangzhou Huashang College, student affairs teacher Feng Lexin, and 15 students from the International School, Artificial Intelligence School, Foreign Languages School, Teacher Education School, and Health Medical School visited Xinghai Conservatory of Music to experience the role of AI and VR technologies in teaching reform, cultural heritage preservation and display, and to attend the lecture "Western Music History."
Professor Wen Daibao of Xinghai Conservatory of Music introduced the integration of AI and VR technologies into course teaching, describing the process and main methods. He focused on the realization process of VR technology, key technical approaches, major technical challenges, the role and application scenarios of AI, and the positive effects of embedding these technologies into teaching. Faculty and students experienced on-site demonstrations of projects such as the "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge," "YinggeDance," and "Lingnan Music."
Teacher Qiu Jingwen from the Fundamental Music Department at Xinghai Conservatory introduced the lecture with the question, "What is the West, and how do we define the West?" This led into the lecture's main theme: "Western Music History." Following a timeline, Teacher Qiu began with music in ancient Greece, then discussed music in ancient Rome and the Middle Ages, followed by French music of the Middle Ages, Renaissance music, and representative works. Famous musical excerpts were played to allow attendees to feel the musical language and the artistic conception conveyed.
Furthermore, Teacher Qiu elaborated on how historical environments influenced musical styles and discussed how music functioned culturally during different periods. She analyzed in detail the relationship between religion and music, and between music and social culture in various historical eras, as well as the aesthetic characteristics and development trends of musical themes during these times.
Through the experiential activities arranged in this event, faculty and students gained a more intuitive understanding of the application of modern information technology and deeply felt the transformative impact of the AI era on teaching, research, and life. The thematic lecture provided a deeper understanding of Western music history, a systematic appreciation of musical melodies and the characteristics of various instruments, broadening horizons and enhancing aesthetic taste among faculty and students.
