VietNamNet Bridge – Young people, especially those in vibrant Saigon, have easy access to new global trends of music. While a majority of young people are fond of EDM (electronic dance music), pop and hiphop, some have deep passion for classical music and they are trying to promote this genre of music in the community via a series of high standard concerts, music talks and exchanges for the past ten years. They are members of Nhom ban yeu nhac co dien Saigon, or the Saigon Classic Music Group.

Struggling to keep passion for classical music

Established in 2005, the group at first was named Cau lac bo Nhac co dien Sai Gon with around 20 members who aimed to create a playground for young artists and enthusiasts to nurture their love for classical music and master their skills and knowledge. Later it was renamed as Nhom ban yeu nhac co dien Sai Gon.

 

 

File photo of the “Sound of Eternity” concert hosted by Nhom ban yeu nhac co dien Sai Gon at Cresent Mall in HCMC’s District 7

 

Recalling the first days of establishment, Pham Ngoc The Ha, member of the organizing committee of the group, told the Daily: “It is hard for young and amateur people like me to perform at a classical music program. Therefore, when I learned there was a group of young people staging classical music concerts, I thought this was a great chance for me to join and practice classical music.”

Other organizers are Nguyen Vo Lam, Do Minh Khoa and Hoang Thi Quynh Tam, while more than 10 others are in charge of event planning, translation, filming and design.

In an interview with the Daily, the group said that they have faced a lot of difficulties for the past ten years. The biggest challenge is how to secure sufficient funding for a high quality concert, including standard venue, and good musical instruments. Secondly, classical music requires viewers to have certain knowledge.

The group has struggled to find ways to maintain operations. At first, they hosted exchanges and meetings about composers and masterpieces, and staged small performances at members’ houses featuring young and well-educated artists including amateurs.

Since 2009, the group has added more staff to run meetings, concerts and discussions. And since 2010 they have arranged quarterly theme shows plus introductions and explanations.

Members of Nhom ban yeu nhac co dien Sai Gon pose for photos at the “Dark Winter” concert held at the Union of Literature and Arts Associations in HCMC’s District 3 earlier this year

 

New members of the group have also had the opportunity to practice and familiarize themselves with stage performances through small shows.

High expectations

The group’s membership has snowballed. Its fans on social networks are in the thousands after ten years of establishment. Its members come from all walks of life such as students, artists, white-collar workers and young entrepreneurs.

They have received positive spectator feedback for their concerts, especially those in the age group of 18-35 willing to ask relatives and friends to come to the group’s upcoming concerts.

“Audiences now have easy access to new trends of music. Our group has actively interacted with spectators to make classical music popular,” Ha added.

 

Bui Vu Nguyet Minh, born 2000, is the youngest member of the Saigon Classic Music Group. She has been active in the group since she was 7 and is now a student of HCMC Conservatory of Music. “We are happy to join the Saigon Classic Music Group. I remembered the day when the group had 10 members sitting together to perform and talk to each other. Now, we can perform in huge and modern halls with luxury Steinway & Sons pianos. I believe the group will further develop as this is purely our love for classical music and our passion to bring humanistic values of music to everybody. Let’s come to experience our concerts and you may find them fantastic.” Further information about the Saigon Classical Music Group is at www.facebook.com/saigonclassic.

SGT