Favourable environment for academic music

The recent launching and operation of the Vietnam National Academy of Music’s Young Orchestra (VNAMYO) and the Vietnam Young Orchestra under the Vietnam Youth Music Institute (VYMY) have brough many positive signals for the development of the country’s academic music.

The appearance of these meaningful art playgrounds of young artists, along with the companionship and support of experienced experts and famous artists, has not only contributed to the nurturing the love for symphony music among young people but also to creating a favourable environment to gradually professionalise the country's academic music industry, especially in the context of Vietnamese academic music still holding a relatively modest position on the world music map.

Academic music has been always considered the "music passport" of each country. Unfortunately, in terms of Vietnamese music in general, academic music is in a much weaker position than popular music. It is a fact that the number of composers and instrumentalists in Vietnam is smaller than the other forces working in music industry. While the tickets for the continuous entertainment music concerts were sold out, the chamber concerts have only been held on special occasions.

In addition, there are many playgrounds seeking vocal stars; meanwhile, the art competitions for instrumental music have always been meagre. Obviously, Vietnamese academic music has not received enough attention to develop strongly in a professional manner. This explaines why this art ‘province’ has been often referred to with the state of brain drain as many domestic musical talents were forced to choose a foreign country to develop their career.

It is undeniable that Vietnam has still lacks a favourable environment for the artists to stabilise their lives and feel secure to devote themselves to academic music because their performance remuneration and income have been too lower than those who pursue the market music.

In order to make the above situation no longer last, it is time to carry out a synchronous and in-depth investment strategy, from the training for artists and pubic to the composition, staging and performance of academic music.

At the countries with developed music industry, the music training has been always strengthened as a strategy for the comprehensive human development. Symphony orchestras were formed in many schools and clubs so that the love and understanding of academic music would be inspired and nurtured among young people. In addition to regular art activities and music performances, orchestras have had the opportunities to interact and exchange together through domestic and international competitions. Vietnam can learn from and apply this method.

According to experts, it is essential to create an environment for this music genre’s development. Besides the encouragement for the establishment of young symphony orchestras under the guidance of professional artists, many useful playgrounds dedicated to the academic music should be created to inspire the love of academic music while orienting while orienting the aesthetics in enjoying arts among younger generations.

In addition, the appropriate policies and remuneration regimes are needed to retain musical talents. Meanwhile, a communication strategy should be carried out to increase the coverage of academic music performance programmes as well as gradually form the public’s enjoyment habit. To achieve this, the functional agencies, professional music training units, musical talents and even benefactors should work closely together towards the development of the country’ music.

Fortunately, the number of classical concerts has increased in recent years, including many academic music programmes reaching out to the public via many open-air performances which have attracted large audiences. The tickets for well-invested concerts sold out and many musical talents have returned home to dedicate themselves to the country’s music following their studying abroad.

These positive signals have been bringing a lot of hope to the country's academic music. Seeking a worthy position for this music genre is also a way for Vietnamese music to reach out, integrate and affirm its position in the world.