Background
Established in 1962 by Fr Áureo Castro, the Academia de Música São Pio X (under the Diocese of Macau) was the first institution in Macau to provide systematic musical training to young people. With the passing of Fr Áureo in 1993, Fr Lancelote Rodrigues became the new Director and he invited Dr Margaret Lynn, Hong Kong pianist and music educator, to be Music Consultant. The school building underwent expansion in 1975, and later, in 1995, relocated to another site in Rua da Santa Clara. Fr Lancelote led the Academia until 2013 at which point Cónego João Evangelista Lau took over the directorship. In September 2020, Bishop Stephen Lee appointed Cónego Lau as the School Supervisor and Basilla Sam as the Director. Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang also approved the former Colégio Mateos Ricci in Rua da Praia do Bom Parto to be the Academia’s new campus. After over three years of restoration and reconstruction of the heritage building, the Academia has settled into the premises since September 2021. Its additional space, resources and facilities provide a much enhanced teaching and learning environment.
The Academia’s importance in fostering musical talent and enriching the cultural life of Macao was well recognized by the Macao Government which twice awarded the Medal of Cultural Merit to the Academia and Fr Áureo in 1987 and 1990 respectively. The Academia stresses music and arts education as an integral part of holistic education, and offers an all-round musical training of a very high standard, as envisaged originally by Fr Áureo. Learning music improves a child’s ability to think, reason, create, and express; and develops coordination, self-esteem and social skills. A high number of students continue on to tertiary music studies in prestigious conservatories or universities abroad; many graduates are now actively engaged in Macau’s arts scene.
The curriculum is designed to give students a balanced exposure to the discipline of music. Supported by a team of dedicated teachers, many of whom with postgraduate music degrees and trained overseas, students receive weekly instrumental tuition and musicianship classes. There are many opportunities to take part in ensemble work, choir activities and performances within the Academia and in outside concert venues. Visiting artists regularly give masterclasses, lectures, workshops and concerts, as well as judge internal music competitions. The Academia also organizes an activities week each year that offers students a wide range of music experiences outside of their normal lessons. Students have achieved outstanding practical and theory results in ABRSM examinations. There are major successes in international competitions such as the PIARA Piano Competition (Japan) and in the Macau Youth Music Competitions, with students gaining awards such as the Prize for Best Musical Potential and the Cultural Affairs Bureau Grand Prize.
The Academia looks forward to furthering its contribution to the cultural aspirations of Macau.
Motto
The Academia has adopted the Chinese motto「以樂載道，以德惟馨」(‘Let Music be the Path to Truth, Let Virtue be the Source of Grace) which refers to the cultivation of universal virtues that are the basis for the development of a meaningful life. It is the aim of the Academia to help its students develop to the best of their ability in music and to support their intellectual, social and personal growth.