Old is Gold for Guzheng Players at Anderson Primary School
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Playing the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, is enjoyed by pupils of all ethnicities at Anderson Primary School.
Confidently manoeuvring twists and turns on the wheels of his Ripstik (something of a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard) in the school hall, Kenric Tan Yi Cong looks like the typical Pri 3 student who takes up the newest offering in the gizmo market with ease. Yet as adept as he is with the latest toys, Kenric is just as comfortable playing the traditional Chinese musical instrument, the guzheng.
Kenric is a member of the guzheng CCA ensemble in Anderson Primary School, which is 67 members strong. The ensemble made a solid debut in 2002, winning the silver award in its inaugural performance in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF). Today, their proficiency at coaxing the smooth and melodious sounds from the guzheng has garnered them international recognition as well.
In 2008 the ensemble enjoyed a bonanza, bagging gold awards both at the SYF and at an international competition in Hong Kong, the 3rd International Children's Music Championship. Going up against contemporary music ensembles such as brass bands, Anderson Primary's guzheng ensemble proved that "old is gold", returning home triumphant with awards for Gold with Honours, as well as Best Discipline.
"It was a fun experience going through the Hong Kong competition. More than ever, I have realised that it is vital to learn and improve as a team in order for us to earn good results. I also got to know the members of the ensemble much better," reflects Pri 6 student Nicolette Ow.
Learning to play the guzheng to the same beat has built a sense of unity and teamwork among its members.
Fostering golden values
One important aspect of being part of the guzheng ensemble is developing seamless teamwork between the members. "Even if you play different notes on your guzheng, you still play to the same beat. It brings about a sense of unity," says Pri 5 pupil Hilary Then. Mdm Grace Loke, the teacher in charge of the guzheng CCA, points out a senior student who is helping her junior put back a bridge that has come off the string. "Through playing the guzheng, the students learn the important of sincerity, communication and teamwork."
The school also tries to inculcate values and develop the character of the students through the playing of guzheng. Mdm Loke says, "I am so proud of my students who have overcome stage fright when they performed at an international level. Many of them have also come forward to tell me how playing the guzheng has helped them in their academic subjects because they have learnt that they can achieve their target with a sustained focus and hard work."
The 67-member guzheng ensemble hard at practice.
Pri 5 pupil Dorothy Tan echoes this point. "In the end it is not talent that helps us to achieve success, but the way that we learn how to play the instrument, through determination and learning from mistakes."
A musical and cultural experience for all
Even as the school year is winding down, the guzheng ensemble has a busy schedule ahead. They will perform at the school's 10th Anniversary Family Nite on 25 September and its Annual Prize-Giving Day on 20 November. They will also be traveling on an Overseas Learning Journey to Beijing later in November.
Pri 3 pupil Kenric Tan plays with concentration and ease on the guzheng.
Yet despite going places with their award-winning music, the ensemble also relishes the opportunity of sharing their music with those who are closest to home - their community. In previous years, it has performed at the Esplanade and the Asean Ministers' Farewell Dinner. "We also find it deeply meaningful to share our music at the Ang Mo Kio - Thye Hua Kwan hospital. We perform for patients and nurses during festivals and also during Nurses Day, as a way to contribute to our community," adds Mdm Loke.
As one of the 14 schools that were awarded the Programme for School-based Excellence in 2009, Anderson Primary School aims to use the guzheng to promote greater musical and cultural appreciation to the broader school population. For a start, about 270 Pri 2 pupils attend guzheng lessons during the music curriculum lessons. One of them, Matil Anaqi, is thrilled to have the chance to play the guzheng. "I am used to playing the strings on the guitar, but playing the guzheng is a nice change too," he says. The school also aims to build the teachers' capacity for playing the guzheng.
While the guzheng is a traditional Chinese instrument, the calm and soothing sounds emanating from it are timeless. No wonder pupils like Ripstik-loving Kenric and his peers not only want to learn to play it, but find the music inspiring as well.