70-year-old teacher teaches music in mountainous area

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70-year-old teacher teaches music in mountainous area

2021-06-21

Song Sidong, a 70-year-old volunteer teacher, teaches children to play the traditional Chinese instruments at Mangshan Minzu School in Yizhang County.

Song Sidong was born in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province in 1951. After his graduation from college in 1975, he taught in Mangshan Township in 1977 and then went to the First High School of Yizang County to teach English one year later. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1988. In 1996 he was transferred to Guizhou High School in Shunde City, Guangdong Province until his retirement in 2011.

In 2017 when he attended a get-together organized by a student, he came back to Yizhang County and heard that there was still a shortage of music teachers. “Influenced by my father, I have been fond of music instruments since I was a child and joined the school music band to perform in rural areas when I was a middle school student. The major reason I worked in Mangshan before was mainly because of my music talent.” After talk with Mangshan Minzu School, the school welcomed him to teach music there.

In August 2018, Song gave up the comfortable life and a well-paying job opportunity for voluntary teaching in the mountainous area.

“Since the foundation of the traditional instrument orchestra in October 2018, the number of its members has grown from 20 to 35.” The gray-haired man insists on teaching music in order to nurture music talents and carry forward the local culture.

The music classroom is filled with various instruments like violin, cello, erhu (a traditional Chinese bowed string instrument) and flute. Some of the instruments were provided by the school, some were bought by himself, and others were donated by a CCTV program. “It was really difficult at the beginning as the children knew nothing about the instruments. But fortunately, they are fast learners.” The orchestra is now turning better after their two years’ efforts.

Song makes full use of the spare time—after lunch, after supper and in the break time of students—to teach music. Considering some of the students are Yao people, apart from imparting music knowledge, he also integrates Yao songs and dances into his teaching.

“I have learned violin for 3 months and I believe I can play it better soon with the help of Mr. Song,” said Liu Kaichen, a third grade student.

“I really hope that children in mountainous regions are able to achieve their music dream just like the kids in the city.” In May 2019, under the guidance of Song, the band won the first prize in the 21st Primary and Secondary Art Festival of Yizhang county, and the violin performance “Legend of the Dragon” won the second prize. Moreover, in November 2020, Song and the band played an ensemble “Tea Leaf Picking Dance” on the talent competition of the county, which won the prize for the best organization.

“I have learned Zhongruan (a kind of Chinese stringed instrument) for 3 years and I am grateful for Mr. Song. I will be a person like him in the future,” said Tan Huizhu, a junior high school student.

The school is on a hillside with the music classroom at the top. It is especially difficult for an old man to climb more than 260 stairs every day.

“The selfless dedication of Mr. Song is worthy of learning. He also offers me instruction in English. Whenever I ask him for advice when I have difficulty in work, he will give me his answer carefully,” said Tan Fei, an English teacher in the school. Song is always patient to the students and cares about them. In addition, he sometimes works as an English tutor for some junior high school students.

In his spare time, Song also pays a visit to some ethnic villages to learn about the development of the folk music of Yao Ethnic Group in Mangshan and communicate with music lovers.

“I live a fulfilling life after returning to the mountainous area where I once worked and it is meaningful to teach children music and bring them happiness.” What he wants to do now is to do something he can when he is in good health. “I will keep teaching until I am too weak to do that,” said Song.

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