Song of Spring: A Selection of Children's Choir Songs from China and Abroad

Author: Lin Hua (Compiler/Editor), Xu Liangliang (Annotation)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: This book collects 26 choral compositions created and arranged by the author for the Shanghai Television Spring Youth Choir. The pieces are organized by the choir director according to difficulty level, genre, and choral training requirements, accompanied by training tips. A key feature of this book is that the choir director, Xu Liangliang, has appended "Training Tips" to each piece, outlining basic choral knowledge, coordination exercises, performance techniques, and complex repertoire rehearsals based on the difficulty and genre of the music. These tips are designed to assist readers in using the book as a teaching resource.
In the world of music, the most beautiful flowers are undoubtedly the songs of children: their pure tones and simple emotions reflect the innocent aspirations of those unburdened by worldly experience. Every time I listen to their singing, I feel as though I am revisiting my early teacher's guidance, or as if I am polishing my own demeanor in a mirror. Indeed, if we can maintain the fragrance of a May rose in our hearts—preserving a pristine realm of ideals—perhaps we would be less susceptible to the shallow, vulgar, and hasty styles that plague us.
Having devoted over seventy years to choral music, I hope that people can find their place in the world's harmony through the pursuit of vocal unity. I am heartened to see that an increasing number of people now recognize the importance of arts education, with many primary and secondary schools establishing choirs. The cultivation of talented individuals begins with children. However, finding suitable teaching materials for these choirs is not always easy.
In recent years, while coaching the Shanghai Television Spring Youth Choir, I had the opportunity to work with Lin Hua, a professor of composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the choir's artistic advisor, who had written numerous works specifically for them. Whether original or adapted, these pieces possess the following merits:
First, the author demonstrates a deep understanding of the capabilities of each vocal section, ensuring that they neither underperform nor overstep their roles. This is the most fundamental requirement for choral works.
Second, the combination of homophonic and polyphonic textures allows each section to take both lead and supporting roles, which is crucial for a choir's development. Only through such training can each section develop independent expressive functions. Choirs lacking this ability are merely performing unison singing at best.
Third, the piano accompaniment and choral parts are organically integrated, granting the music a three-dimensional quality. This enhances choir members' musical appreciation and receptiveness while fostering a sense of multi-layered order in children.
For years, I have wished to recommend Lin Hua's works to teachers seeking training materials for children's choirs. It is truly a great thing that Shanghai Music Publishing House is now willing to compile and publish this collection. I believe that this choral score will play a significant role in elevating the level of children's choral performance.