In the Final of the Hanoi Singing Contest 2023, Pham Minh Hieu – a guy from Nghe An, is a second-year university student, Vocal Department of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, competing in the folk music category. . The young singer conquered the audience with two works “Singing on the banks of Hien Luong” and “Flying Thang Long Vietnam”. As a result, Pham Minh Hieu won the Three Folk Music Prize with Ninh Trinh Quang Minh and Bui Phuong Khanh Thy.
After finishing the competition, Pham Minh Hieu returned to studying and cherished new musical plans. The most important thing is that he had the confidence to pursue his dream of “pure folk” music, not pursuing any other genre of music. Pham Minh Hieu had a conversation with Vietnamese people about the change after winning the Third Hanoi Singing Award 2023.
Pham Minh Hieu won the Third Prize of Hanoi Singing 2023. Photo: NVCC
We start by wanting to become a folk music singer. For you, what “magic” does folk music have that makes you determined to pursue it to the end?
– From a young age, my parents liked me to pursue art. I was “bathed” in folk music from a very young age. I was born and raised in Nghe An – the cradle of Vi Giam folk songs, an intangible heritage registered by UNESCO, so I often listen to this genre of music. It is Vi Giam folk songs that have nurtured my soul and helped me grow up. And since I had some knowledge about music, I have always dreamed of becoming a famous singer in the music industry.
Among the music genres that I approach, I find folk music closest to me. My personality is gentle and simple… so I always find intimacy in folk music. Many people say that the gentleness of my personality is clearly shown through the way I sing. And if I pursue this genre of music, I will have more opportunities to express myself.
After winning the Third Prize for Folk Music of Hanoi Singing 2023, I feel even more determined that it is right for me to be steadfast in my ambition to become a folk music singer. I know that up until now, very few singers have pursued pure folk music and those who have pursued it have had a hard time succeeding, but that doesn’t mean I will give up.
Just like you said, there are not many male singers pursuing folk music these days. That’s why pursuing folk music will pose many obstacles and difficulties for you on the path to making a name for yourself. Do you think you’ve been a bit risky?
– It is true that to achieve certain success when pursuing folk music, male singers often face more difficulties than female singers. However, I am still optimistic that I will be able to do it, there will be songs that will be loved by the audience and mentioned by the audience more. My biggest difficulty right now is that I’ve only been studying vocal music for 2 years, I’m still young, I don’t have much experience, so everything is still young…
Pham Minh Hieu aims for the image of a pure folk singer. Photo: NVCC
Meanwhile, folk music requires a lot of emotion and technique. To have emotions, a singer must have a certain level of maturity, which I’m lacking. But that is a story of time. My job now is to try to study to improve my knowledge and create creative efforts to produce the best music products. Improving yourself or your voice and emotions all have to be a process, I’m not in a hurry about that.
Surely before deciding to stick with folk music, you also tried your hand at some other music genres?
– Honestly, before studying Vocal Music at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, I spent 4 years studying Intermediate at the Military University of Culture and Arts. While sitting in school, I also had thoughts about my strengths and the genre of music I pursued. At that time, I was still wondering whether I should follow chamber music, folk music or light music because many people advised me in different ways. During this time, I performed in many places but mainly sang lyrical and chamber music. This was the time when I realized that I was most compatible with folk.
And before entering the Hanoi Singing Final 2023, I was determined to aim for a pure folk singer image, which means not encroaching on other genres. Of course, I am a “late-born” person, so in order to conquer the audience and affirm my name, I will have to research and be creative to bring folk music closer to the world. .
What do teachers and family say about the third prize you won at Hanoi Singing 2023?
– My family is very proud of me because this is the first time I “swim into the big ocean”. Before that, my parents still thought that I was so gentle and shy that I would not dare to participate in any competitions. But when they saw me pass the Semi-finals and enter the Hanoi Singing Final 2023, my parents were very happy. My parents called to encourage me: “On the final ranking night, we will go from Nghe An to Hanoi to cheer for you.” This award is a huge gift for my parents.
Pham Minh Hieu is studying in the second year of the Vocal Music Department at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. Photo: NVCC
As for Mr. Quang Tu – the teacher who is teaching me directly at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, he always encourages, cares, and asks questions. The teacher joked: “Now when I go to school, I don’t dare scold you anymore, I only dare to encourage you.” He also taught me many things to turn this turning point into a milestone in my music career.
How do you feel when you want to pursue pure folk music but your teacher teaches you classical music?
– Right from the moment I entered the Vietnam Academy of Music, I did not know that the school specialized in classical music and that my teacher was also a classical music follower. I also expressed to the teacher that I wanted to study seriously to have methodical vocal techniques, so that I could follow folk music in a stable and sustainable way. I hope that when I graduate from university in vocal music, I can apply the knowledge I have learned to innovate the folk music genre I want to pursue. I don’t mind the fact that I studied classical but after graduating, I pursued folk music because I know what I can do and what vocal techniques I can apply to folk singing.
How does studying with a teacher from such a different genre of music bring you new experiences?
– I see a lot of new things. The Vietnam National Academy of Music does not specifically train youth music, bolero music or folk music, but trains general classical vocal techniques. Therefore, when studying from Mr. Quang Tu, I learned a lot of things. For example, when performing folk music works, it is necessary to apply a lot of knowledge about vocal techniques, especially contemporary folk music. If you have knowledge of classical and chamber music, then you can handle it. The work will not be dry or lacking emotion.
Applying classical chamber music techniques to perform folk music works, what difficulties do you encounter?
– Speaking of difficulties, there are many. During the 2 months of participating in Hanoi Singing, I had to practice a lot, how to sing high notes bright, beautiful, and technically correct. This is very difficult for me. In the auditorium, the words go straight to the notes, and the folk are very melodious. Those are obstacles for me and I am on a learning path.
Have you ever established relationships with your seniors pursuing the folk genre to ask them to teach you more?
– I have. Meritorious Artist To Nga is the coach of the Hanoi Singing 2023 program. However, in addition to her teaching hours, I also personally contacted her to ask her to teach me more licks to sing folk songs better. . Besides life, singers Huyen Trang and Thanh Tai also taught me a lot. In addition, my teacher is singer Dang Thuat, who taught me when I studied Vocal Music at the Military University of Culture and Arts.
