VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Music Development Centre has launched a singing contest to highlight the importance of folk music in the development of pop music.

Ca tru will be performed at a singing contest held by the Viet Nam Music Development Centre. —Photo dangcongsan.vn

The Autumn Festival 2018 contest will be for people of all ages who have a talent and passion for singing. It aims to highlight the influence of Vietnamese folk music in pop song writing and singing. 

It is held to celebrate the National Independent Day which falls on September 2 and Vietnamese Music Day on September 3.

Contestants will be required to perform two songs, including one folk song which can be in the form of quan ho Bac Ninh (love duet singing), ca tru (ceremonial singing), cheo (popular opera), or xam (blind busker singing). Trong quan singing will also be allowed.

The singing genres of quan ho Bac Ninh and ca tru were registered by the UNESCO in its representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2009. Quan ho is an art form that combines various elements, including music, lyrics, and costumes, and features the distinctive culture of people in the region formerly called Kinh Bac. Ca tru traces its origins from the 11th century, but it was not officially recognised as a form of entertainment for the royal court until the 13th century during the Ly Dynasty. 

Quan ho is among folk songs to be performed at the singing contest held by the Viet Nam Music Development Centre. Photo Vnplus.com

The contestants will also be required to sing pop songs composed by musicians known to write pop songs based on folk music, such as Nguyen Cuong, Pho Duc Phuong, Nguyen Tai Tue, and Nguyen Trong Tao.

From an initial list of 30 contestants, 10 finalists will be selected to compete in the final round. The finalists will perform at a gala concert and award ceremony in September in Hanoi. 

Source: VNS