Lack of children's songs

People in the music industry are concerned that the children's music treasure trove is increasingly lacking in cheerful, innocent melodies, but it seems that the musical playground for children is still open.

Children sing adult music

It is not difficult to see a child singer, duet, trio or group performing at events with an adult song. From "The Country Full of Joy" to "Homeland of Love and Youth" or "The General's Wife", even "Who is Forever Loyal"... Musician Pham Tuyen once said: "Don't force children to sing adult songs!", but according to insiders, currently the number of musicians interested in composing songs for children is not much, leading to the phenomenon that children always have to "shoulder" adult songs in a tiring way.

In the development of the flat world , there are not many children's music products on social networks or performances that attract audiences, and awards for children's music are also rare. Currently, only Da Nang City organizes an award every 5 years, the Vietnam Musicians Association awards awards annually, and only a few places occasionally organize awards for children's music.

Singer Hong Nhung is almost the pioneer singer to release children's music albums. (Photo provided by the artist)

Musician Nguyen Van Chung was granted a copyright certificate for 300 children's songs by the Copyright Office. With this legal document, musician Nguyen Van Chung has become the new record holder for composing music for children today. Musician Nguyen Van Chung said that 7 years ago, he decided to challenge himself with songs about family with the album "Love your children, love your whole life", and at the same time focused on writing children's music with the album "Small family, big happiness", including the songs: "Mother's diary", "Mother's letter", "Baby celebrates birthday", "Mom, do you know", "Thank you angel"... These songs are now familiar to children.

"Children's music does not bring profit or fame, but I write because I want to contribute, I want to do something meaningful and practical for life" - musician Nguyen Van Chung confided.

The cooperation of many people

Faced with concerns about the lack of good songs for children, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers (2021), the Central Council of the Pioneers launched a children's song composition contest, with over 500 songs by nearly 400 authors participating.

The Children's Songwriting Camp organized by the Vietnam Musicians Association in collaboration with the Center for Supporting Literary and Artistic Creation (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 2021 presented 77 works. This result shows that there are many writers, there is no shortage of songs, but what is lacking now is a place to organize, stage and broadcast children's songs.

Not only a concern of departments and agencies, children's music now has the cooperation of many enthusiastic young people. Singer Phan Dinh Tung made the MV (music video) "Let's brush our teeth", starting a long-term children's music project. The songs all aim to teach children basic life skills and polite behavior through easy-to-understand lyrics and cheerful, gentle melodies.

"When I had children and became a father, I had very strong emotions. From the initial simple lyrics, I developed them into songs. The music market is lacking products for children. Therefore, I pay a lot of attention to this issue" - Phan Dinh Tung confided.

Hong Nhung is almost a pioneer singer in releasing children's music albums. Her children's music album "I Draw the Sun" has created positive effects from music lovers. After "I Draw the Sun", singer Hong Nhung released another album "My Childhood" with 10 children's songs familiar to many generations such as: "First Day of School", "Little Frog", "Counting Stars"...

Musician Do Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, said: "The Resolution of the 10th Congress of the Vietnam Musicians Association for the 2020-2025 term has set out the important task of developing children's music. In addition to encouraging and mobilizing members to compose and encouraging social forces to participate in developing this music field, the association will soon restore the Children's Music Committee, organize children's music awards, organize children's music festivals, create a playground for musicians to bring new compositions to the public, and at the same time discover and nurture young musical talents...".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/van-nghe/thieu-vang-ca-khuc-danh-cho-thieu-nhi-20230409210343489.htm