University of Macau Student Shines in Patriotic Speech Contest

The Macau Youth Patriotic Speech Contest, hosted by the Macau Professional Speaking Association and co-organized by the Macao Youth Federation, held its final round on 17 August 2024. With the theme “Celebrating the Double Celebrations and Safeguarding National Security Together,” the competition aimed to bolster the culture of public speaking and amplify the spirit of patriotism and love for Macau.

Representing the University of Macau, Sui Xinyi from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College participated in the event. Following intense preliminary rounds, over 50 individuals competed in the open and student categories. Sui, with her presentation themed around the traditional Chinese music song “Impressions of Macau,” clinched the top prize, the Patriotic Vanguard Award, and the Most Popular Award, securing a spot among the top six contestants.

Expressing gratitude, Sui remarked, “The invaluable advice from the University of Macau and the organizers greatly enhanced my skills in delivery, script refinement, and overall presentation.” Judges commended Sui for her speech, appreciating her grounding in traditional cultural perspectives and promotion of Chinese musical artistry. Sui’s dedication to enhancing her public speaking and competition experience for the University of Macau has been pivotal in her success.

The 6 finalists from the open and student categories will advance to the National Invitational Competition in Macau scheduled for October 2024. It is hoped that these students will achieve commendable results and bring glory to the University of Macau.

UM Symphonic Band is recruiting for new members! We welcome all students including Postgraduates, International and Exchange students!

Introduction of the UM Symphonic Band:
Established in April of 2007, the UM Symphonic Band is a college symphonic band. It is aimed to provide formal training for interested students in the University and create a platform for them to perform and exchange, therefore promoting arts and culture in campus and boosting the development of band music in the local community. The Symphonic Band welcomes any UM members, ranging from exchanging university students from other places, students of any degrees studying in UM, and graduated students of the UM to participate in our college band.

Application Link: https://forms.gle/dhD4KLeB7ip2D5V1A
Application Deadline: 1 September 2024

Past Performances:
The debut concert of UM Symphonic Band took place in November 2007. Afterwards, several large-scale performances were staged outside the University, such as the Charity Concert for Sichuan Earthquake Victims, Walk for a Million, Shanghai World Expo Music Festival. In recent time, the UM symphonic band was invited by the ChengDu government to join the “international sister cities youth music festival” to perform several concerts in different places in Chengdu during summer 2016. UM Band is also active in cooperating with other organizations, notably the UM string orchestra and other well-known musicians. For example, the UM Symphonic Band 10th anniversary concert was jointly performed with famous Taiwanese saxophone soloist LIN I-HSIANG. 

Objectives:
* To provide a platform for band enthusiasts to perform and exchange music knowledge.
* To improve performance and training quality of members.
* To enhance members’ music interest, enthusiasm and build up good friendship through training and performances.
* To promote art culture on campus and the development of local band music.

Eligibility:
* Interested in symphonic band music.
* Absolutely available to attend compulsory weekly trainings.
* Ability to do sign-reading (scores).
* Provision of symphonic band experience.
* Possession of musical foundation and ensemble experience will be considered as priority.
* Passing the audition (audition including testing live performance, side-reading and tempo).
* If there are too many applicants for the same section, they will be screened based on interview performance.

Training Schedule:
Every Tuesday from 19:00 – 21:00 and temporarily extra training before performance. 

The welfares for members:
*To attend musical training by professional and experienced instructors.
*To have the chance to be recommended to join the summer exchange programmes and receive subsidy.
*To be able to join activities out of campus.
*To receive 400 CS points in the cultural engagement area of the Whole Person Development Award Programme with 80% attendance of our training.

The duty of members:
*Obeying the rules of the band.
*Being on time every trainings and rehearsals.
*Being proactive to participate in the concerts and competitions of the band.
*Being active to join with our own activities.

For more details, please LIKE and FOLLOW our Facebook page and Instagram.
Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/UMSymphonicBand/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/um_symphonicband/ 

Dear students,

Greetings! If you are interested in making music with your string instrument, the University of Macau String Orchestra (UMSO) would be your choice!

Target:
Violin, viola, cello, and bass players (for all Undergraduates/ Postgraduates/ Exchange students)

Regular rehearsal:
Full orchestra rehearsals are set every Monday from 19:30 to 22:00.
Sectional practice depends upon the availability of tutors and students.
Additional rehearsals are arranged before the concert.

Audition process:
The audition will be conducted face-to-face on Monday, 2nd September. The exact interview time and location will be announced at a later date. Kindly reserve the day for preparation.

Audition content:
Violin:

1. Required pieces (The first required piece’s minimum tempo requirement is bpm=90, and the second required piece’s minimum doesn’t have a specific tempo requirement.)

https://uofmacau-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/lc21905_um_edu_mo/EUU48DLQIn1CqhsNP9f48fcBGnJs0gwDZhu645BBAlsJTA?e=0Yhji6

1. A two-octave or three-octave scale
2. A self-selected piece (optional)

Viola, Cello, and Bass:

1. A self-selected piece
2. A two-octave or three-octave scale

Thank you for your application!

Inquiry: umacso2012@gmail.com
Website: https://srs.sao.um.edu.mo/string-orchestra/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMStringOrchestra/
Instagram: stringorchestra_um

Student Resources Section
Student Affairs Office

Dear students,

UM Mandarin Debating Team is recruiting new members for 2024/2025!

The Mandarin Debate Team of University of Macau (UM MDT) always adheres to the aim of promoting the Mandarin debate activities, actively joining Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China and the world debating enthusiasts from many universities and all walks of life. Through communication, competitions, workshops and other forms, UM MDT strengthens cooperation and interaction among Mandarin debating cultures and boosts the debating and speech cultures mutual exchange in Macao.

In UM MDT, we encourage our members to read and learn in their daily lives, and to fight and win on the field. Our coaching team can provide in-depth debate aesthetics, comprehensive and effective debate skills training to promote the enrichment of language and the improvement of efficiency of expression. In addition to training and competition, the team also has various activities, such as orientation activities, team building, term dinners, etc., to help our members build friendships, enrich and expand their extracurricular life and integrate into the UM MDT family. We are looking forward to your joining our Mandarin Debating Team!

Welfare and Obligation of UM MDT Members
Those who are officially admitted to the UM MDT can enjoy the following welfare:
– Join our training and gain the instructions for debating skills.
– Enjoy the chances to take part in various activities and competitions regarding to UM MDT.
– Enjoy the chances to be recommended to take part in the Summer Programs and get subsidies.
– Enjoy the chances to be recommended to join Honours College of University of Macau.
– Join our summer training and meet with celebrities in the debate area.
– Those whose attendance is over 80% throughout the whole academic year can get 400 CS in Whole Person Development Award Programme.

Members’ Obligation
– Attend weekly regular training and additional training before competition on time.
– Take part in the competitions and performances hosted by UM MDT.
– Take part in the whole one-month summer training (usually in June).

Training Time
– Every Sunday night from 19:00 to 21:30.
– Additional training before competition.
– Specific training time will be adjusted due to training progress and UM Calendar.

Team information:
https://srs.sao.um.edu.mo/mandarin-debating-team-mdt/?lang=zh-hant

Application Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GsXVUJUN_Rt_9n_B2GspAmquRDJA3zZMh5ouuU49fOw/viewform?edit_requested=true

Contact Person:
Ms. Sharon Kuok
Student Resources Section
Tel：8822 9906
E-mail：sharonkuok@um.edu.mo