Vietnamese traditional music education is being conducted in many schools across Da Nang in order to enhance their students' understanding of national music, cultivate a deeper love for their country, and stimulate the development of creativity and passion in students in learning.

The community-based project is deployed in the Son Tra High School. Photo: KHANH NGAN

Bringing school pupils back to their roots

In November 2023, the Son Tra Senior High School worked with the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong (Classical Drama) Theatre to perform with traditional musical instruments in an effort to promote the development of the art of Tuong or classical drama in the context of education renewal in Viet Nam.

The 60-minute traditional music performance took place in an artistic ambiance, rich in national identity. Both teachers and their students of the Son Tra Senior High School were deeply impressed with an excerpt from the play named "Trung Vuong Raises the Flag'. The experience of hearing drum beats, melodic singing, and watching performing arts offered students a special insight and heightened their interest in traditional folk theatre.

Le Pham Quynh Anh, an eleventh grader of the Son Tra School, shared: "Tuong is still quite unfamiliar to me as I had no opportunity to watch this folk theatre form. I was very impressed with intimate performances of the Theatre’s artists. Through watching the Tuong performance, I can understand more about different forms of tradition folk theatre such as Cheo (traditional opera), Tuong (classical drama), cai luong (reformed theatre)."

Mai Cao Minh Phuong, another student from the Son Tra Senior High School, said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the traditional musical instrument performance by students and their teacher of the Da Nang based FPT University. Prior to this event, I had no opportunity to play Vietnamese traditional instruments like the zither, lute, and pipa. Also at the event, I had the chance to play these instruments under the guidance of  teachers and their students of the FPT University. The zither left a notable impact on me, and should I get the opportunity, I'd like to explore more of this musical instrument."

Moreover, in the digital world, local trends are making room for an influx of cultural imports from multiple nations, affecting and influencing the emotional and psychological well-being of the youth. Hence, traditional music education in Da Nang’s school becomes imperative, as it provides a solid musical foundation for their students to appreciate and choose values aligned with their national culture.

Mr. Bui Minh Quang, the Principal of the Son Tra Senior High School, stated: "The school’s students showed immense excitement upon traditional music education, mainly due to the fusion of contemporary youth music with trending pop music. In the coming time, the school will boost cooperation with relevant units to host folk festivals, and dramatize literature in an attempt to bring its students back to their roots, as well as contribute to promoting the development of Vietnamese traditional arts."

Reinforcing traditional values

Since March 2022, a community-based project called "Teaching traditional musical instruments in senior high schools" launched by the Da Nang-based FPT University has been deployed in senior high schools with the aim of  preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural heritage through the traditional music education.

The project includes performances of four traditional instruments: the zither, moon lute, pipa, and bamboo flute. To engage these schools’ students, the traditional music performances blend classical and contemporary music, infusing familiar tunes with a touch of Vietnamese culture. Additionally, students will have hands-on experiences with these instruments, guided by teachers and their students from the FPT University.

Till date, the project has been introduced in 10 schools in Da Nang and some in Quang Nam Province. It has received an enthusiastic response from high school administrators, teachers, and their students. This positive result has fueled the efforts of FPT University's teachers and students in their journey to promote Vietnamese traditional music.

Nguyen Hong Phuc, a student of the FPT University shared his sentiment, "I find immense joy in playing Vietnamese traditional music instruments in these high schools. Such an performance not only brings great benefits to local communities, but also improves my performance skills and motivates me to hone my mastery of traditional musical instruments."

In 2014, the FPT University began to teach how to play traditional musical instruments to its students. In addition to in-class practice sessions, students at the University also partake in a variety of activities, including school arts playgrounds, including F-Sound, FPTU Sound, and exhibitions to introduce traditional musical instruments. These activities allowed the university’s students to show their talents and performance techniques, thereby fostering a growing passion for Vietnamese traditional music, which in turn spreads throughout the wider community.

Mrs. Truong Hong Cong, the Manger of the Student Affairs Department at the FPT University remarked that this community-based project will continue to roll out its performances across senior high schools in Da Nang and major schools in Quang Nam Province. Additionally, the project team will continually improve their performance skills in a bid to conserve and promote Vietnamese traditional national music.

Reporting by KHANH NGAN - Translating by HOAI TRANG