Harbin University’s Songshan Academic Center has launched a new curriculum that integrates various musical genres such as Italian classical bel canto vocal techniques, folk songs and choral singing. In particular, the karaoke class attracted great interest and quickly became fully booked.
Since opening its doors to students in August 2023, the school has recorded an impressive number of 38,580 students registered to participate in 118 courses. Besides traditional classes like dance and calligraphy, the school has expanded the list with new courses like video recording, yoga and especially karaoke.
China: Unique class teaching elderly people to sing karaoke
A university has opened a karaoke training course for the elderly in Heilongjiang, China. Photo: SCMP.
The karaoke course is divided into three parts: reading music, practicing vocals and performing. The facility’s director, Qi Xin, said each course includes 16 sessions at a cost of 90 yuan (equivalent to 13 USD, more than 300 thousand VND) and can welcome up to 42 students.
Qi Xin explained why the school decided to launch a karaoke course: “We often see elderly people gathering to sing karaoke at coffee shops, from there we came up with the idea of providing a course for them to have more experience.” musical experience”.
Huang Nannan, an experienced teacher with 4 years of teaching vocal music at the school, shared that his karaoke class focuses on folk songs, which do not require much technique, to bring joy and entertainment to students. learner. Mr. Xin added: “Mainly because it is easy to learn, they only need a few songs to participate.”
The 90-minute lessons, two sessions per week, attract the interest of many older adults who wish to enrich their artistic lives. This story has attracted great attention on social networks, with many people expressing their expectations and interest in this unique course.
“Looks amazing,” one person commented.
“I would suggest my parents take this class,” another said.
“I hope to have such joy when I retire,” another person shared.
Stories about universities’ unique courses frequently appear on social media in China, especially in light of the diverse and unique needs of learners.
