Xiao Youmei and Modern Music Education in China

Author: Jin Qiao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: This book conducts a comprehensive and in-depth study on the contributions of music educator Xiao Youmei to the development of China's music education. The author not only provides a summary of Xiao's life but also conducts a relatively thorough analysis and evaluation of his artistic practices in music performance, music composition, theoretical research, and especially music education, all with a pragmatic approach. The author fully acknowledges Xiao's achievements while also daring to point out his shortcomings. Both the pioneering contributions of Xiao Youmei in various fields and his limitations in personality and cognition are highly praised, and his objective historical research attitude is commendable. The book is rich in content and well-documented. It offers a clear overview of the development of modern Chinese music education, particularly the professional music education centered around the National Conservatory of Music and the National Music College, and provides a reasonable evaluation of its successes and failures. This serves as a valuable reference for us to summarize historical experiences and lessons, and to advance China's music education to new heights in the new century. The book provides many precious historical materials. In addition to the numerous manuscripts, musical scores, certificates, and original copies of assignments quoted in the book, the appendix also includes interviews with music figures like Liao Fushu, Tan Shuzhen, Chen Hong, and Chen Chuanxi, who had direct interactions with Xiao Youmei. Their recollections and narratives serve as vivid and direct witnesses to the century-long development of modern Chinese music. Today, with the passing of these senior music figures, these interview records are even more invaluable.