CPPCC member promotes traditional folk performance on campus to inspire the young generation

When Ji Wei, a traditional folk performer of meihua tune, looked through her daughter's music textbooks, she found nothing about traditional folk music. From then on, she has been working hard to promote meihua tune and other folk performance styles among young people. She is now Vice Chairwoman of Tianjin Federation of Literary and Art Circles and a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Meihua tune, known as Meihua dagu, is a branch of dagu performance. Dagu performances include a singer who sings or recites while beating a drum. Flourishing in Beijing and Tianjin, meihua dagu is elegant and pleasing to the ear.

"Tianjin is the birthplace of many top folk performers. But some folk arts face the risk of being lost as tutors are aging," Ji said. So it is urgent to increase the scale of on-site teaching and performance, and to record lessons and performances as teaching materials.

During the fourth session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee held in Beijing in March 2021, Ji suggested introducing traditional Chinese operas and folk arts at schools and enhancing the competence of teachers. She based her proposal on a year spent conducting research in educational institutions ranging from kindergartens to universities.

Last year, Ji organized a Meihua tune performance by kindergarten children on Children's Day. The success of the performance gave her the confidence to further promote traditional Chinese folk performance.

She also gives online lessons in performance at colleges such as Tianjin Conservatory of Music. Some students said that it's difficult to sing trills and vibrato in meihua dagu. Ji told them that the trick was similar to that used in pop music. "They were surprised by my explanation and could then master it easily," she said.

Ji thinks folk performance styles share some similarities with pop music, and believes that can open a door for young people who want to explore the beauty of traditional folk music. "We should promote folk performance in a way that caters to the younger demographic."

"Folk performance styles, including meihua dagu, should see stronger development in the new era. It is our mission to carry it forward to the next generation," she said.