Classical music for the youth

Classical Music – A Foundation for Nurturing Youth’s Intellect

Classical music is quite abstract! It is an instrumental genre, often dubbed "intellectual music," and has yet to become truly familiar to Vietnamese audiences. The history of music has shown that this genre is an incredible legacy left by brilliant composers for humanity over the centuries. Apart from its undeniable values, many developed nations around the world have placed great emphasis on classical music, incorporating it into formal educational programs from preschool to the end of high school. It can be affirmed that classical music serves as the foundation of musical knowledge and aesthetics, nurturing the soul and expanding the intellect of students at all levels.

Practicing classical music requires skill, musical knowledge, and a high level of performance, with a style that is formal, refined, and meticulously detailed. If we take the time to explore and research scientific literature, we will clearly see the amazing effects classical music has on people, especially on children and young people like us.

In recent years, many classical music programs featuring beautiful, easily comprehensible, and accessible melodies have been performed at concert halls and theaters in major cities across the country as part of music education efforts. In particular, classical music programs for adolescents, students, and young people have garnered increasing attention.

Bringing quality artistic programs, along with the efforts of performing artists and event organizers, with a focus on classical music, is something that deserves great appreciation and should be expanded.

We have entered the new school year full of excitement after a summer filled with meaningful activities and trips, especially the opportunity to enjoy classical and semi - classical programs for the youth. These were presented in various formats such as solos, ensembles, classical singing, choirs, and modern musicals (Broadway), at venues like the Municipal Theatre, Hoa Binh Theatre, and the Concert Hall of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music.

The first impressive program we had the chance to attend was The Love Within concert - a symphony concert for young audiences held at the concert hall of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. We were captivated by the melodies of the opening performances Waves of the Amur River and Le Beau Danube Bleu, with the sweet, graceful sound of the mandolin played by the Saigon Mandolin Guitar Orchestra.

It was truly moving each time we heard Chopin's Nocturne or Shostakovich's Waltz No. 2. We were mesmerized by the sacred, earnest, and pure melodies of Caccini's Ave Maria, performed by soprano Khánh Trang with pianist Co Tan Thu Huong. We also felt the soaring sound of the saxophone in the free-spirited, youthful style of saxophonist Quách Tiến Dũng in the piece Chau Paris.

From The Hat de Concert to Shrek the Musical: Exceptional Musical Experiences

At The Hat de Concert by Saigon Choir, we had the opportunity to experience something new and unforgettable in the realm of choral music. This concert was a sure, rhythmic, and explosive blend of sound and stage movement, between the different vocal parts and solo voices. There was nothing but voice blending with voice, and how wonderful that was! The perfect harmony of soloists combined with the colorful choral ensemble - ranging from high, mid, to low voices - created an engaging and impressive performance, skillfully led by choral conductor Huynh Quang Thai.

It can be said that The Hat de Concert took listeners through various emotional stages, featuring international pieces such as Fajar dan Senja, Hela Rotane, Cikala le Pong Pong by composer Ken Steven; Sleep by Eric Whitacre; Remember Me (from the movie Coco) by K.A. Lopez & R. Lopez, arranged by Efraime Mallari; Deliver Us and When You Believe by Stephen Schwartz; and notably Queen of the Night by Whitney Houston & Lani Misalucha, arranged by Ily Matthew Maniano. Additionally, we enjoyed Vietnamese musical pieces arranged for choir, from familiar folk songs like Beo dat may troi to distinctly nationalistic artistic songs like Dat nuoc loi ru by Van Thanh Nho and Ru con by Tran Manh Hung. Each piece flowed like a seamless stream of sound, sometimes soft and graceful, sometimes bright and fiery, before finally settling into the listeners' souls.

Perhaps the most memorable performance for us was Shrek the Musical. Directed by Mr. Jesse Donaldson Jarret; Artistic Director: Nicolas Gentile; Script: David Lindsay-Abaire; Music and Lyrics: Jeanine Tesori. This musical opened up a fresh, unique, and fascinating fairytale world. It tells the beautiful love story that transcends differences between the ogre Shrek and the rebellious and strong-willed Princess Fiona. Despite the apparent vast differences between them, they ultimately harmonize in a magical way, imparting a profound lesson: love can erase all differences and bring two people closer together.

It can be said that Shrek the Musical offered the audience a visually stunning, emotionally charged, and exhilarating performance.

Music: A Journey of Discovery and Nurturing the Soul

I am truly happy each time I sit in the concert halls of the conservatory, surrounded by the grandeur of theaters, enjoying and listening to the wonderful classical music melodies through the vibrant sounds. I feel fully immersed in the music, experiencing and receiving inspiration from dreams, love for humanity, and life itself. The greatest fortune on my musical journey has been the opportunity to study under two prominent mentors at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music for many years. One is Dr. Khanh Trang, a vocal instructor who has taught me vocal techniques and music theory, and the other is pianist Co Tan Thu Huong, who has guided me in piano playing. Singing and playing the piano have greatly helped me relieve the pressures of school while also allowing me to explore myself and develop essential skills.

With the solid musical foundation I have gained from these exceptional teachers, along with the musical talent inherited from my family - my grandmother, my mother, and other relatives—I have always dreamed of joining international friends to continue my studies and musical training in countries with well-established music traditions. This is part of my larger ambition to pursue a fulfilling musical career.

To this day, classical music has yet to be included in the curriculum of public schools, which is truly unfortunate. We are missing two key fields that could contribute significantly to shaping musical aesthetics, providing musical knowledge, and sparking creativity in young people: classical music and traditional Vietnamese music.

I also dream that in the future, I can help children become familiar with and appreciate classical music combined with contemporary youth music, traditional music, and modern folk music. This would steer them away from chaotic, cheaply produced music that floods social media, providing them instead with moments of delightful musical enjoyment that brighten and enrich their souls.

Classical music is not only a precious heritage of humanity but also a beautiful tool for nurturing the soul and intellect. Although still unfamiliar to much of the Vietnamese public, classical music experiences are already offering the younger generation deep aesthetic and emotional values. Integrating classical music into formal education is essential for helping students develop holistically, nurturing their passion for the arts, and laying the foundation for their dreams to reach new heights in the future.

By Huynh Khanh Dan