Students in Nghe An learn to sing folk songs in the village courtyard.
Recently, many artists, artisans, and local cultural officials have opened classes to teach folk songs to young children. Notably, many folk singing classes are held in traditional performance spaces, making them attractive to young people.
Recently, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ngan, a cultural officer at the Hung Nguyen District Cultural Center, organized an outdoor learning session at Lien Tri communal house in Lien Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district. The session attracted more than 30 students from various rural areas in the province.
During this lesson, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ngan taught students traditional folk song medleys such as "Deep Father-Son Love," along with new songs like "Lotus Fragrance of Uncle Ho's Homeland," "Spicy and Intense Culinary Arts of Nghe An," "Song of Unity," and "Words of Teachers"...
Also in this special performance space, Mr. Ngan demonstrated ancient folk song suites to the students, correcting their pronunciation, rhythm, and vocal embellishments.
To Uyen, a student from Nghia Duc commune, Nghia Dan district, said: "I really like the song 'Father-Son Love' but I can't sing it correctly. Today, at this village square, the teacher corrected each line and note for me, helping me sing more smoothly."
Phan Phuong Chi, from Lien Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, has been attending Nguyen Thanh Ngan's folk music class for a long time. Despite living far away, Phuong Chi's parents drive her to Vinh every week to learn folk music from Mr. Ngan. Folk music is not only a burning passion since childhood but also a way for her to connect with friends from all over.
Present at the field trip to the village square, Phuong Chi said: "I feel incredibly proud to be able to sing the folk songs of Nghe An province. I hope that many more rural areas will have folk song performances in such an attractive setting as the one we experienced today."
Before attending the class atLien Tri communal house performance spaceIn Lien Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, Mr. Ngan's class has recruited more than 30 students with a talent for singing folk songs. Some students come to his class hoping to improve their vocal techniques and pronunciation in folk songs, while others come simply to learn to sing.
Students in Mr. Ngan's folk singing class come from the lowland districts as well as from Que Phong and Tuong Duong districts in Ha Tinh province. Mr. Ngan has taught the students all the ancient folk melodies, as well as how to sing modern folk songs.
Each course lasts only about a month, but the students are able to master all the ancient melodies and famous songs developed from folk melodies. After 3 training courses, many students have made remarkable progress in understanding and singing folk melodies.
In particular, among this cohort of students, Mr. Ngan has discovered many promising talents who will contribute to the province's traditional performing arts scene in the future. Mr. Ngan said: "This time, about 10 students have been selected to attend the Nghe An College of Culture and Arts. Hopefully, these will be future singers of the Vi and Giam folk music genre."
At the folk music class taught by cultural officer Nguyen Thanh Ngan of Hung Nguyen district, many underprivileged children or those with special talents receive tuition waivers or reductions. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ngan, teaching folk music in open performance spaces like village courtyards is of immense significance, helping the younger generation deeply absorb folk songs.
"When we bring the children back to the village square and teach them folk songs, we see them becoming more aware of their roots, of the intangible cultural heritage left by their ancestors, and even more aware of their responsibility to promote and spread it."
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ngan
