Where the singing soars

(Baonghean) - News of the Nghe An Folk Music and Dance Troupe winning top prizes at the "National Professional Music and Dance Art Competition 2015" was widely shared on social media. When I called singer Que Thuong, she exclaimed: "Our troupe won 9 prizes, brother! Including 3 Gold Medals and 3 Silver Medals..." It was truly wonderful, who could have imagined…

The 2015 National Professional Music and Dance Competition was not merely a purely artistic performance, but above all, it showcased the cultural identity of various regions and the spiritual values ​​of each locality, with the artists and performers serving as a bridge connecting them. Comprising 57 members, including singers, performers, and musicians, the Nghe An Ethnic Music and Dance Troupe presented 12 performances with the theme "My Homeland, Nghe An". The program, totaling over 70 minutes, consisted of three parts: "My Homeland, Nghe An", "Memories of a Bygone Era", and "Sunrise in My Homeland".

Serving as the artistic director and overall program director, musician Trinh Van Thuan stated that the troupe had spent two years preparing for this competition. From conceptualizing the program, structuring the songs, finding composers for arrangement, and staging the music, to creating imagery, costumes, and props... everything had to be done meticulously, step by step. In Thai Nguyen City – the former Viet Bac War Zone – the audience was surprised and delighted to enjoy the heartfelt songs and dances of the people from President Ho Chi Minh's homeland. Particularly noteworthy was the pervasive presence of the deep, sweet melodies of Nghe Tinh folk songs, particularly the Ví and Giặm styles. This created an incredibly powerful impact and convinced even the most discerning audience.

However, according to musician Trinh Van Thuan, Head of the Nghe An Ethnic Music and Dance Troupe, the artists faced immense professional pressure when participating in this competition. This was because among the professional art units competing were troupes with established "brands." For example: the Central Youth Theatre, the Central Opera Theatre, the Thang Long Music and Dance Theatre, the Art Troupe of Military Region I – General Political Department, the Art Troupe of the Border Guard Command… This contributed to the quality of the competition and created a fierce rivalry. But overcoming all obstacles, the art troupe from the homeland of the Lam River, of folk songs and melodies, created something truly unique.

While the performance of "Night of the Palm-Carving Festival" immersed the audience in the most ancient and distinctive festival atmosphere of the Thai ethnic group in western Nghe An, the song "Returning to the Folk Songs" brought them back to the warmth and simplicity of a sun-drenched countryside. These two performances were also awarded Gold Medals at the competition. In the female solo performance, singer Que Thuong, with her sweet, emotional, and powerful voice, brought another Gold Medal to the Nghe An delegation with the song "Lullaby of the Roots" – a new composition by musician Xuan Thuy. Singer Que Thuong shared: "I would like to dedicate this gift to the audience in my hometown, those who have accompanied and followed my growth on my artistic journey throughout this time."

A performance by the Nghe An Ethnic Music and Dance Troupe at the competition.

Meritorious Artist Diem Hang had another reason for happiness. For the first time, Diem Hang participated in the competition as a choreographer, and it was also the first time that works directed and staged by this young artist reached the podium of honor. These were the performances that won Gold Medals: "Finding the Folk Song" and Silver Medals: "Fishing on a Moonlit Night." In 2012, Diem Hang was recognized with the title of Meritorious Artist, and at that time, she was the youngest dancer in the country to receive this prestigious title.

According to the assessment of the Department of Performing Arts – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the program of the Nghe An Ethnic Music and Dance Troupe has a logical, creative, and very refined structure. It reflects the diverse cultural identity of Nghe An province, from the vibrant colors of the ethnic minorities in the western region to the genuine and simple nature of the lives and activities of the people living along the Lam River. The program is a portrayal of the development stages of this province located in the North Central region.

Therefore, the Nghe An delegation only "accepted" fourth place, behind the central art units. And as musician Trinh Van Thuan, Head of the Nghe An Song and Dance Troupe, said, what's even more important is that all the troupe's performances have high "applicability" in serving the community audience. At the competition, Nghe An was also one of two units honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army for successfully recreating revolutionary heroism through the dance work: "Truong Bon in the Season of Purple Mua Flowers." Sharing in the joy of the troupe's success, the artists and musicians also had the personal happiness of receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Musicians Association for their professionalism and impressive performance style.

The competition has ended, but its impact still resonates. Right now, the artists and performers of the Nghe An Folk Music and Dance Troupe are embarking on a new journey. They are bringing their songs to every corner of their homeland, Nghe An, to places where people still live in hardship and poverty. There, their songs will soar, and smiles will remain.

Dao Tuan