On the morning of May 14th, the press conference of "Musicathlon: The Conservatory Music Festival" was held in the main hall of former Prince Chun's Mansion. Mr. Richard C. Levin, the President of Yale University and Ms. Linda K. Lorimer, the Vice President of Yale University attended the press conference. Professor Wang Cizaho, the President of CCOM, on behalf of the conservatory, expressed warmly welcome to the honored guests from Yale University.

Other guests attending the conference include Ms. Guo Shulan, Chairman of Conservatory Council; Mr. Qiao Luqiang, Director of Department of International Arts Cooperation at National Centre for the Performing Arts; Prof. Hu Yongyan, Artistic Director of Orchestra Academy of CCOM; Prof. Zhao Ruilin, Director of the Department of Orchestral Instruments of CCOM and Artistic Director of China Youth Symphony Orchestra; Prof. Ma Honghai, Deputy Director of Voice & Opera Department of CCOM and Artistic Director of Chorus of CCOM; Prof. Hei Haitao, Deputy Director of Voice & Opera Department of CCOM and Director of Chorus of CCOM; and the alumni of Yale University Prof. He Rong and Prof. Fan Lei who are the faculty members of CCOM. Over twenty news reporters from main media institutes in Beijing also attended the press conference.
  
Conceived and sponsored by Yale School of Music Dean Robert Blocker and President of Central Conservatory of Music Wang Cizhao, the "Musicathlon: The Conservatory Music Festival" will be hosted in the main concert halls at CCOM and National Center for the Performing Arts from July 8th to 24th. The music conservatories participating into the event include Shanghai Conservatory, Universit?t Mozarteum Salzburg, Sibelius Academy (Helsinki), Royal Academy of Music (London), Liszt Academy (Budapest), Korean National University of the Arts, Sydney Conservatorium, The Juilliard School (New York), and the Beethoven Institute at the University of Music and Performing Arts (Vienna), as well as the two host institutions. The international gathering of performers and master teachers, including series activities of lectures, concerts and master classes, will last for two weeks and meant to celebrate music and musicianship in the Olympic spirit.

Mr. Levin delivered a speech first. He pointed out that the Olympic let China to be visible to the whole world for her sports achievements and to stand at the center of culture. Music, as the sport, is a universal language and a good way to carry culture. He liked to thank President Wang and Dean Blocker for their wonderful proposal. The event creates a great opportunity gathering Yale School of Music and other most elite schools of music in Beijing and communicating to each other. By the end, he expressed his particular thanks to CCOM because of the special effort during the preparation process. He finally wished the event a big success. 

Prof. Wang firstly reviewed the historical connection and more and more tied collaborative relationship between Yale School of Music and Central Conservatory of Music in his speech. Then, he introduced the original cause of this event, planning process and preparations for the event. He believes that the event will not only strengthen the mutual understanding among young people in various countries, improve the musical and cultural communication among music conservatories all over the world, but also contribute to world peace and mutual development. He expressed particular appreciation to Yale University and other conservatories for their strong support to hosting this event and their contribution to the Olympic and the cooperation with CCOM at the end.

Prof. Hu Yongyan, alumnus of Yale and Prof. Zhao Ruilin introduced the Closing Concert respectively that Philharmonic Orchestra of Yale, China Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Chorus of CCOM will co-perform Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection" by Mahler in National Center for the Performing Arts on July 24th. They all emphasized the profound meaning of this concert and look forward to dedicate the concert to the people in earthquake-stricken area. They believed that the brave people will defeat the disaster and rebuild their homeland soon.

In the end of the conference, Prof. Wang answered the reports' questions. He introduced the programs of other concerts with unique music features presented by other conservatories from different countries. The music event will present to the audiences in Beijing and from abroad a music feast with many high lights.

After the press conference, the delegation members of Yale University and media reporters enjoyed a brilliant concert presented by the teachers and students of CCOM.