Singing project launched

A nationwide project on ca tru ceremonial singing has been organised by the Institute of Musicology at a cost of VND3.5 billion (US$167,500) and may be developed into a national programme.
The project will be carried out in 2012 and focus on researching, teaching and recording this unique type of music.
The institute will begin two research programmes, Popular Ceremonial Singing Melodies and Collection on Past and Present Ceremonial Singing, and commence four one-month beginner classes in Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ha Tinh and HCM City to improve the singing and performance ability of young artists. The initiative will also host two ca tru festivals in the port city of Hai Phong for clubs in the northern region and in the central province of Ha Tinh for groups in the central region.
The institute will submit plans to extend the programme from 2012-2020, which will include restoring a temple to singer Tran Thi Lan in the northern province of Thai Binh, a traditional arts conference in Ha Noi heard on Thursday.
According to institute director Le Van Toan, the number of people taking part in ca tru clubs has increased from 150 in 2009 to 500 this year.
Toan said many old songs had been passed to younger generations while old instruments and other memorabilia had been collected in many provinces, he said.
However province representatives and cultural agencies have expressed concern.
"How could people who do not understand the art know whether artists have the exact manner when singing ca tru or not? Completing the inventory is easy, but doing it perfectly is difficult," said Bui Thi Phan, an offical from Hung Yen Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Deputy director of the Cultural Heritage Department Le Thi Minh Ly said the main concern about preserving the art is that enthusiasm without professional knowledge could alter the heritage of the art form.
A representative from Ha Noi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said although there were many clubs in the city, their standards were not high enough.
Vietnamese Folklorists Association chairman To Ngoc Thanh thought bringing the art into the school syllabus would be a better way to attract young people and thus ensure the future of the unique tradition.
One point the all representatives agreed on was that ca tru has not moved forward in the last two years other than receiving UNESCO recognition.