Exploring “The Sound of Dunhuang” through Technology, Art, and Global Collaboration
On October 25, the USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI), in collaboration with multiple international organizations, officially launched and hosted the IDMIC International Digital Music Innovation Competition. Centered on the theme “The Sound of Dunhuang”, this year’s competition invited digital music works from around the world that demonstrate cultural depth, artistic excellence, and technological innovation. The initiative seeks to foster an open and symbiotic digital music ecosystem while exploring new models for cultivating high-level, multidisciplinary talent in the digital cultural and creative industries.
In his opening remarks, Yu Chaoyang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, emphasized the university’s long-standing commitment to integrating technology with art, promoting campus cultural development, and nurturing interdisciplinary talent. He noted that the competition provides a valuable platform for young creators to showcase their work, injecting fresh vitality into the digital dissemination and creative transformation of traditional culture. Yu highlighted the power of digital music as a medium for fostering deep resonance between technology and art through innovative musical languages.
Professor Dirk Verelst, Chair of this year’s jury, remarked that digital music—characterized by instant dissemination, interdisciplinary integration, and multimedia synergy—is profoundly reshaping how traditional culture is expressed and shared globally. During the judging process, he reviewed nearly one hundred submissions inspired by “The Sound of Dunhuang,” spanning songs, musical compositions, videos, and art installations. He noted that the experience not only deepened his multidimensional understanding of Dunhuang culture but also left a lasting impression of the exploratory spirit and creativity demonstrated by young participants.
Among the award-winning works, “Curved Ceiling: Dunhuang Electronic Music Interaction”, created by second-year graduate students from ICCI, received the Excellence Award in Track C: Music Technology and New Media Art. The piece explores the harmonious resonance between “stillness” and “motion,” as well as “form” and “sound.”
The entire planning and execution of the competition were led by the student organizing committee. Graduate students actively participated in every stage—from call for entries and jury coordination to on-site event management. Through this hands-on process, they gained valuable insights into the organizational logic of international competitions, broadened their global perspectives, and strengthened their teamwork and communication skills. During the awards ceremony, Dean Zhang Weimin and Deputy Party Secretary Chang Heshan presented appointment letters to the student committee members, encouraging them to continue harnessing their creativity and leadership to contribute to a globally connected digital music ecosystem.
Dean Zhang Weimin further highlighted that digital music is a key area within ICCI’s educational and research strategy, with the IDMIC Competition serving as a systematic exploration of this field. By leveraging the competition platform, ICCI effectively integrates high-quality academic and industry resources, offering creators an international stage for exchange and collaboration. At the same time, the event enables faculty and students to engage deeply with emerging technologies and global industry trends. Through such international collaboration and experiential learning, ICCI aims to cultivate a new generation of cultural and creative professionals with visionary perspectives and global competence.