Nguyen Minh Dung, 10 years old, paralyzed in both legs, won the inspiration prize at the National Open Piano Competition.
Competition by Nguyen Minh Dung. Video: Provided by the organizers
In the final on the evening of March 24 in Hanoi, Nguyen Minh Dung played the piano Sonata 3 by Danish composer – Kuhlau. Judge - artist Trung Hieu, said: "The image of the baby being helped into a chair by relatives makes me emotional. My piano sound is smooth and precise, the result of serious practice."
Mr. Nguyen Van Tan - Nguyen Minh Dung's father - said his son had paralyzed legs since childhood and had surgery at the National Children's Hospital but it was unsuccessful. Mr. Tan and his wife are both music teachers, so Dung was soon exposed to art and learned the piano from his parents.
"Music is a bridge for children to access society. I hope they will be more confident and overcome limitations in life," Mr. Tan said. Dung lives with his family in Lang Son and often participates in some music competitions to improve his skills.
Nguyen Minh Dung took a photo with his father - Mr. Nguyen Van Tan (standing) and Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan - President of the Vietnam Institute for Educational and Cultural Development, head of the organizing committee. Image: Provided by the organizers
In addition to Minh Dung's inspiration award, the organizers awarded eight first prizes to contestants: Vo Giap Phong (10 years old), Nguyen Thac Hoang (nine years old), Tran Thanh Mai (seven years old), Nguyen Dinh Bao Khanh ( 13 years old), Le Duc Bao Minh (13 years old), Tran Ngoc Anh (16 years old), Vu Anh Kiet (16 years old), Vu Anh Hang Nga (18 years old). After the final, the organizers opened a concert for the contestants on April 6 in Hanoi.
The competition launched in October last year, attracting 10 contestants to participate in the preliminary rounds, semi-finals, and finals. The judges include Dr. Dao Trong Tuyen - Head of the Piano Department of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, People's Artist Pham Ngoc Khoi - Vice President of the Vietnam Music Association, Master Luong Duc Thang - Deputy Director of Grassroots Culture of the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, actor Trung Hieu and a number of lecturers from art schools. The judges said that the judging criteria were that the contestant memorized the song, hit the right notes, and had sublimated emotions.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan - head of the organizing committee - said that the competition is mainly aimed at non-professional candidates who learn piano from art centers. The event is organized by the Vietnam Institute for Educational and Cultural Development, in coordination with the Department of Grassroots Culture (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), and is expected to take place annually.
Ha Thu
