SHANGHAI, March 16, 2025 (WSH) — On the afternoon of March 11, 2025, the Shanghai Science Hall was immersed in the warmth of spring as it hosted the grand “2025 Four Seasons Public Welfare Forum and Music Therapy Gathering” charity concert.
The event was guided by the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation, co-organized by the Ma Xiaohui Cultural and Arts Special Fund under the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the Shanghai Medical Association, and supported by Shanghai Xingzhi Travel (Health) International Travel Agency Co., Ltd.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Li Yiping, Vice Chairman of the 13th Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, Vice Chairman of the China Welfare Institute, and Chairman of the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Chen Kehong, former Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Education and Health Work Committee and Director of the Education, Science, Culture, and Health Committee of the 14th Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress; Cui Minghua, former Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation and Construction Committee and Director of the Urban Construction and Environmental Protection Committee of the 15th Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress; Xu Jianguang, Director of the Education, Science, Culture, and Health Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, Vice President of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, President of the Shanghai Medical Association, and Honorary President of the Shanghai Medical Society; Qi Quansheng, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Chairman of the Shanghai Overseas Chinese Federation; Zhang Lili, former Chairwoman of the Shanghai Women’s Federation; Zhang Ming, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Welfare Institute, and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Wang Luoqing, Member of the Standing Committee of the Changning District Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department; Bei Wen, Director of the Shanghai Medical Organization Joint Management and Development Center and Executive Vice President of the Shanghai Medical Association; Zhu Yaping, Special Assistant to the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Tian Hong, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Medical Association, along with approximately 200 professionals and enthusiasts from the fields of medicine, music, and the arts. Together, they explored the significance and practical value of music therapy and mindfulness in contemporary life.
Opening remarks: the role of music therapy in holistic well-being
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Xu Jianguang, who highlighted the Shanghai Medical Association’s dedication to physician development and management as a “Five-Star Society” recognized by the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology and a “5A Social Organization” by the Shanghai Municipal Social Organization Administration Bureau.
He emphasized that music therapy is not only an auxiliary treatment for health conditions but also an advocacy for a proactive and balanced lifestyle.
Xu called on more physicians to embrace the integration of medicine and the arts, fostering a new path of synergy between the two disciplines to enhance public health and well-being.
Roundtable forum: music therapy and mindfulness in everyday life
Following the speech, an immersive roundtable forum commenced, gathering esteemed experts and scholars from China and abroad to delve into the topic “The Significance of Music Therapy and Mindfulness in Contemporary Life.”
The forum featured an impressive lineup of guests, including Ma Xiaohui, a national first-class performer, composer, and erhu soloist with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra; Professor Liu Hao from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music; distinguished psychology and music scholar Tim Kelly; Dr. Wu Yanru from the Shanghai Mental Health Center; and Dr. Bao Liwen from the Department of Cardiology at Fudan University’s Huashan Hospital. They shared their extensive experience and real-life case studies on how music and mindfulness can help alleviate stress, improve mental health, and cultivate inner peace and emotional balance in daily life. The forum sparked enthusiastic discussions, resonating deeply with the audience.
Immersive musical performance: healing through melody
After the forum, the event reached its climax with a mesmerizing immersive musical performance. The performing artists conveyed emotions and energy through melodies and rhythms, using music as a medium for healing. Among them, Ma Xiaohui is renowned for her expertise in artistic therapy. Her music evokes positive emotions, alleviates anxiety and depression, and fosters psychological balance and well-being.
Xiaohui Ma, Junxi Gong: Erhu and Cello Performance
With her extraordinary mastery of music, Ma Xiaohui has brought beauty and inspiration to many around her, igniting passion and motivation for life through her melodies. Music therapy is not only beneficial for those with health concerns but also plays a crucial cultural role in maintaining the mental and emotional well-being of healthy individuals.
Xiaofeng Tang: Pipa Piece “Xu Lai”
In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure society, even “healthy” individuals may face hidden stress, emotional fluctuations, or social isolation. Music therapy, as an active self-regulation tool, holds significant value in promoting holistic well-being.
Lu Xiaozhi: Guqin Solo “Flowing Water”
Interactive exchange: exploring practical applications
During the interactive session, the audience eagerly engaged with the guest speakers, raising insightful questions and participating in in-depth discussions. Topics included practical methods for music therapy, techniques for mindfulness exercises, and ways to incorporate music and mindfulness into daily life.
Ziyou Lin, Yanxi Liao, Hongxin Su, and Tian Yin: String Quartet
The speakers patiently addressed these inquiries, sharing their insights and experiences, fostering a lively and warm atmosphere throughout the session.
Xiaohui Ma, Xin Yin, Shengmin Li: Erhu Solo and Tai Chi Performance “Spring River, Flower, and Moonlit Night”
A harmonious conclusion: embracing music and mindfulness as a way of life
The successful hosting of the “2025 Four Seasons Public Welfare Forum and Music Therapy Gathering” not only established a robust platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration between medicine and music but also provided the public with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into music therapy and mindfulness. These practices are more than just therapeutic tools; they represent a way of life.
Liwen Bao: Pipa Piece “Gong Shang Jue Zhi Yu”
Weiying Zhang: Ballet “Saint-Saëns: The Swan”
Ziyou Lin, Yanxi Liao, Hongxin Su, Tian Yin: String Quartet
Xiaohui Ma Performs Erhu and Guitar Duo with Tim Kelly and Gong Chen
