Interviewee: Ma Daixu

Interviewer: So Ry Park

It was pleasure to meet Ma Daixu, a very talented and bright student from Yunnan province who has shown tremendous growth and commitment to his musical life - even after joining our CUHK-Shenzhen community.

In 2019, not so long after the first semester started, Daixu joined the Chinese Orchestra of CUHK-Shenzhen. Since then, he has been actively involved in many of the activities the university has organized for students like him with the sincere passion for Chinese traditional music.

We asked him several questions in order to learn more about Daixu:

How and when did you start playing the flute?

When I was only in third grade, I used to spend my weekends watching TV because I finished all my schoolwork by Friday and played in the weekend. However, my grandparents, who raised me, didn’t want me to spend my weekends like that. So they enrolled me in a music academy, where I went every weekend.

There, my instructor asked me whether I wanted to play the western flute or the traditional one, and I had chosen the latter one because it looked a lot more simple to play - when in fact, it’s more difficult.

What is your most exciting and almost most challenging experience as a member of the Chinese Orchestra?

The University’s annual concert held in the Shenzhen Concert Hall has been my most memorable experience so far. Although other smaller performances have been great, this annual concert made me feel powerful. Performing in front of a crowd, after an intense 3-month rehearsal period, with my fellow friends couldn’t have made me feel more alive.

I had a great time not only on stage but also off stage. One of my favorite moments happened before the concert began. Many of my musician friends were in the small conductor’s room, each holding their own instruments, as they looked for a place to practice. The small room was small but filled with so much laughter and music.

What is the most challenging aspect of playing in the Chinese Orchestra?

The most challenging yet fun part is that I have to play in a group. That means I can’t play whatever or however I want because whether small or large, I have a role to play. I have to listen carefully to what others are playing so that we can all sound complete.

What do you think of the University’s music atmosphere?

Our university are quite supportive to music-related activities and programs, which I am really grateful about. I believe that they will continue to do so as they plans to build the School of Music.

How do you want to contribute to the school with your music?

I want to hold many more performances, where I can share the joy and the deep understanding that I get from playing the traditional flute. I think it’s important to preserve and intrigue people's interests in Chinese traditional music because of its historical significance and beautiful sound. I hope traditional music spreads in our university, so that we can use our university as a platform where we can connect the traditional music with other popular music.

“Follow your heart.” – Ma Daixu