Nurturing folk songs

Folk singing class organized by People's Artist Vu Thi Thanh Minh at home

For nearly a month now, the small house of People's Artist Vu Thi Thanh Minh and Meritorious Artist Pham The Nhuan in Cam Due commune (former Cam Xuyen district) has always been bustling and vibrant with the presence of many students.

Although they are of different ages, some are primary and secondary school students, some are still in preschool age, but when they come to their grandparents, they all share a love for Vi and Giam folk songs. With the meticulous guidance of the artist couple, many children have mastered a number of melodies and confidently performed their performances . "For the past four years, every summer I have come to Mr. and Mrs. Minh and Nhuan's house to learn to sing. Currently, I know how to sing many Vi and Giam melodies and participate in performances at school events as well as in the village and hamlet." - shared Luu Giang Mi, Cam Due commune, Ha Tinh province.

In recent years, every summer, the artist couple Thanh Minh and The Nhuan have opened classes to recruit children from all over the region to come to their home to teach them folk songs. The husband plays the guitar, the wife meticulously corrects the children from the rhythm, tempo to the vibrato and pronunciation. At different ages, the children's ability to receive is also different... but with their passion, enthusiasm and special love for Vi and Giam folk songs, the artist couple Minh and Nhuan have inspired the children in each lesson.

People's Artist Vu Thi Thanh Minh said: "This summer, our target audience is children aged 5-15. For this group, the teaching method is also different. We go directly to teaching each lesson specifically with familiar topics such as homeland, country, Uncle Ho, motherly love... to make it easier for them to absorb. After nearly a month of implementation, there are now more than 20 students enrolled. That is a great motivation for us to make more efforts."

The most wonderful thing is that the children who come to the class are all enthusiastic and have a high sense of awareness. Many of them, despite only having practiced for a short time, have been able to master many folk songs of Nghe An. After a few lessons, they confidently stand on stage, bringing folk songs of Vi and Giam to the public through local cultural and artistic movements.

Students perform at the ceremony to receive the certificate of recognition for a model residential area in Cam My commune (old). *Photo: Archive*

Also one of the people who is passionate about preserving, teaching, and bringing Nghe Tinh folk songs closer to the public, for over a month now, every Tuesday and Thursday evening, artist Tran Van Sang has been present at the folk song class of the Ha Tinh Young Vi and Giam Folk Song Club organized by the Provincial Youth Union at Nguyen Du Plus International Kindergarten.

Passionately and diligently practicing each vocal lesson, focusing on choosing melodies and song combinations with content that is easy to understand, close and suitable for each age group, from his burning passion, artist Van Sang has poured all into each song to contribute to passing on the flame of love for traditional culture to the younger generation.

Folk artist Tran Van Sang, Head of the Ha Tinh Young Folk Song Club, shared: “In this class, we not only guide the children to practice the melodies, but also train their voices to have better singing voices. At the same time, we also provide training in performance skills and staging of performances to help young people both practice and spread the value of heritage in modern life.”

The class attracted nearly 50 students with the guidance of Folk Artist Tran Van Sang and other artists.

The classes not only attracted a large number of students, but many parents also enthusiastically practiced with their children. There were parents who had to travel long distances to bring their children to class, but since the beginning of the course, they have hardly missed a single session.

“The distance from home to the class is quite far, but seeing that my child really loves it, I try to take him there. When coming to class, the children are really happy and excited. I myself am also attracted to the rhythms and melodies and also sing along with the children” - Ms. Vo Thi Hong Duyen, Thanh Sen ward excitedly shared.

From the first classes with 15 to 20 students, the class now has nearly 50 children from all over the province. Although many of them do not sing really well and their singing is not yet proficient, each lyric and voice exudes love for their homeland and pride in the heritage of their fathers and grandfathers.

“Before this class, I often practiced at home. Since coming here, the teachers have taught me many new tunes and rhythms, corrected many mistakes, and helped me feel more confident when singing,” said Tran Huyen Anh, from Thanh Sen Ward.

Honing each lyric, shaping each voice… blending into each melody. In the classes, the distance between the learner and the teacher seems to be erased. The previous generations of artisans still burn themselves out in each vi and giặm tune, striving to pass on and nurture in the younger generation a greater love for the homeland’s vi and giầm tunes.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, there are still people who silently dedicate themselves to preserving the essence of traditional artistic values. For them, it is not only enthusiasm and passion, but also a mission to keep the fire burning for the heritage of their homeland.

“A good sign is that recently, many young people have participated in practicing Vi and Giam singing. Along with the efforts of the artists, the young generation is increasingly aware of preserving the nation’s heritage.

This also proves that Nghe Tinh folk songs are being passed down from generation to generation without interruption" - Ms. Phan Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Vietnam Folk Arts Association in Ha Tinh excitedly shared.