The General Education Center of STUST recently held a "General Education Master Lecture," inviting the well-known violinist and concertmaster of the Contrapuntal Chamber Orchestra, Dr. Jia-lin Lin, to lead teachers and students through musical time and space. With the theme of "The Past and Present of the Violin," she unfolded a musical feast rich in intellect and artistry

【Vice President Zhen-gan Wang (right) of STUST was presenting a letter of appointment and souvenirs to Dr. Jia-lin Lin (left), the first violinist of the Counterpoint Chamber Orchestra, at the General Education Master Lecture.】

The event was thoughtfully organized by the General Education Center. Dr. Jia-lin Lin arrived on campus at noon, met with school leaders, and took commemorative photos. Before the lecture began, Vice President Zhen-gan Wang gave a welcome speech on behalf of the university and presented a certificate of appreciation and souvenirs to express sincere gratitude. Vice President Wang noted that the university’s General Education Master Lectures aim to expand students’ humanistic horizons and cross-disciplinary thinking, hoping to inspire more creativity and learning momentum through face-to-face exchanges with outstanding scholars and artists

【In the General Education Master Lecture at STUST】

Dr. Lin has had extensive experience in both performance and teaching and is a renowned violinist domestically and internationally. She has demonstrated Paganini techniques on the public television program Classical Magic Guest and has long participated in major music events, such as Taiwan Connection and the Kaohsiung Spring Art Festival. The lecture content was rich and varied. She began with ancestral string instruments such as the viola da gamba and lyre, discussed the evolution of violin-making techniques in the Brescia and Cremona regions of Italy, and shared historical stories and treasured masterpieces from famous violin makers such as Stradivari and Guarneri.

【In the General Education Master Lecture at STUST】

The lecture also featured vivid video and musical demonstrations, including introductions to the famous violin collections of the Ashmolean Museum and the Chi Mei Museum. Performances of classic works such as The Four Seasons and The Bells allowed attendees to more deeply appreciate the violin’s unique timbre and expressive power. Lin also discussed the violin’s role in pop music and film soundtracks, showcasing the continued vitality of classical instruments in contemporary music.

【In the General Education Master Lecture at STUST】

A special feature of the lecture was Lin's encouragement for students to explore classical music through YouTube. She recommended such channels as TwoSet Violin, Ray Chen, and Musician’s Boring Life, which use humor and relatable content to make classical music more accessible to younger generations. She also emphasized that, despite advances in digital technology and AI, the warmth and emotion of live performance are irreplaceable values.

The lecture combined history, music, technology, and culture in an easy-to-understand manner and received widespread praise from both teachers and students. The on-site interaction was lively, with enthusiastic participation and insightful questions, reflecting the high level of interest and learning ability among students and faculty at STUST. The event concluded successfully with warm applause. Dr. Hui-ru Tsai, Director of the General Education Center, thanked Dr. Lin for her excellent lecture and performance and expressed hopes for future opportunities for collaboration and exchange.

This General Education Master Lecture not only deepened students’ understanding of musical art but also reflected STUST’s educational vision of fostering diverse learning and nurturing talent with both humanistic and technological literacy. Moving forward, the General Education Center will continue to plan enriching lecture content, build a more diverse and open learning platform, and promote cross-disciplinary knowledge integration and in-depth value exploration.