The lounge singer's voice 'hypnotizes' listeners

(Baonghean) - Minh Hoang - a lounge singer with a luxurious lyrical voice is no stranger to music lovers in Vinh city. He appears in most of the "live music" cafes in Vinh city with his passionate, soulful semi-classical ballad melodies.

The passionate feeling that Minh Hoang brings to listeners is not simply the feeling of being carried away by the beautiful melodies of lyrical songs, but also the feeling of being in harmony and being absorbed in the emotions he brings.

Lounge singer Minh Hoang (right). Photo: TN

That is, every time he sings, Hoang always keeps in mind to tell the music love story to the listeners with his own style, with his own musical recognition. Therefore, if anyone has accidentally fallen in love with ballads, old music, they cannot help but be attached to Hoang's voice. When listening to Hoang sing, people will doubt that a singer was once famous somewhere. I asked Hoang about that doubt, he just humbly said: "I also only studied at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music, sister. But what I have is passion, is sincerity with music".

Hoang was born into a family where no one pursued a musical career, but from a young age he showed his musical talent. When he was in high school, Hoang was known as a teenage singer, so in any music competition, this small student always won the highest prizes.

However, Hoang never thought that he would pursue a career in music, because besides his love for singing, football is also his great passion. And for him, music is for playing, for confiding and expressing, while football is a place for him to be liberated and to live with himself. From those thoughts, Hoang did not choose music to pursue but he chose the opposite environment, which is a place to train teachers specializing in physical education and sports.

He took the entrance exam to the College of Physical Education and studied there for 2 years. By chance, Hoang learned that Vinh City Youth Union was organizing a music talent search contest, so he immediately signed up. "Signing up for the contest was for fun, to ease his longing for the "profession" and also an interesting experience to satisfy his passion in a professional music playground."

In this competition, the Organizing Committee invited famous artists to be judges, so most of the contestants were very excited to show their best. Hoang participated in the competition with the song "Thu can" by musician Giang Son, a hot song at that time. Different from what people imagined, the song "Thu can" was nailed with the famous singer Tung Duong, so it would be difficult to escape the shadow of this talented singer Sao Mai. But when hearing Hoang's voice, both the judges and the audience in the final night of the "Vinh city Ido" competition were amazed. The song "Thu can" seemed to have a new, purer coat.

Right after the contest ended, although he was only awarded third prize, singer Siublak and artist Mai Huong, a teacher at Hanoi College of Art, had to meet Hoang, just to tell him: "It's a pity if you don't follow a professional path. You have to go to vocal music school."

Hoang said: “Before that, my friends advised me to pursue a singing career, but I really didn’t pay attention because I thought I didn’t have the favorable factors that a semi-classical singer needs, a good physique, a supportive family. However, when two famous artists met me backstage just to suggest that I pursue a professional career, the flame of passion that had been smoldering for so long seemed to flare up.” From that day on, Hoang asked his parents for permission to “turn the corner”, he packed his bags and went to Hanoi to find a tutor to review for music school. Warmly welcomed by artist Mai Huong, Hoang drove a motorbike taxi more than 30 km to meet her.

But now when talking about fate in life, Hoang can't help but feel regretful when talking about teacher Mai Huong. After that meeting, Hoang did not become her "favorite" because of a small misunderstanding. Until now, Hoang still regrets not being able to explain to her.

But it was also because of fate that he met the teacher who guided him step by step so that he could confidently step onto the stage; the person who used all his professional knowledge to give to the student who had a beautiful voice and a good taste in music. During the 3 years of studying at the school, Hoang was always highly appreciated by the school's Board of Directors, his scores after each exam were always absolute.

It was thought that after graduating from the professional music school, Hoang would quickly find a good job. But in music, not everyone with talent and hard work will be able to follow a path of glory. He started his journey to the South to find a new musical space, to find a place that needed him. Hoang said: "If you ask where in Saigon people enjoy the most difficult and tasteful music, you will receive the answer, it is tea rooms and coffee shops". Because according to Hoang, here people carefully screen the voices, the singers on stage always have to be the most neat and presentable. Here, Hoang is welcomed, truly admired and he also has an income to live "quite well" with his profession.

But because of fate, Hoang had to put aside his dream of becoming a freelance singer in demand in Saigon. That was when he returned to his hometown and was invited to sing at Muong Thanh Coffee Shop and immediately signed a contract. During the days of singing at this small stage, he was warmly welcomed by the Vinh audience. He fell in love with the pretty Vinh girl who worked there. “When I fell in love and met my wife, I no longer wanted to go North or South. No stage is as happy as singing for my lover, being close to my lover to build a castle of happiness.”

When asked if he regretted not choosing a path with a more brilliant red carpet, Hoang said that for him it was a blessing, as he was already fully booked most of the week. The salary of a provincial singer who sings in a tea room is not high, but he also has a side job. Many students have come to him for vocal training, and so far he has trained dozens of students with each course lasting from 12 to 15 sessions. Hoang said: "Teaching vocal music is also a profession because I can inspire and pass on passion to music lovers."

Thanh Nga