Although courses in the Chinese language are offered in universities across the country, Binghamton University is the only one which gives students the opportunity to learn the language while singing.
For over 10 years, Chinese 202/Musc 280D: Singing in Chinese, has been offered to BU students, combining a foreign language course and a music class. The course focuses on both language acquisition and music appreciation and allows students to earn aesthetic perspective General Education credit.
“It’s a very good [opportunity],” said Hong Zhang, the instructor. “Through singing students can improve [their] Chinese: pronunciation and diction. They also learn music appreciation and singing technique, so they kill two birds with one stone.”
Zhang, who is a professional performer, created the course in 1995.
“I came up with the idea because I’m a singer,” she said. “I can use my specialty and at the same time teach language.”
Throughout the course students learn different art, folk and popular songs from the Chinese main land, Taiwan and Hong Kong. They also translate the lyrics, allowing them to study new vocabulary words and sentence patterns.
“I [set aside] half an hour to study language,” Zhang said.
At the same time students gain professional vocal training. Zhang especially emphasizes vocal techniques such as voice projection and language expression.
“Students enjoy this class so much,” Zhang said. “It became very popular [and] it fills up quickly.”
Although the course requires basic knowledge of the Chinese language, students do not have to be fluent or native speakers to take the class.
Michael Kemp, a junior linguistics major taking the class this semester, regularly studies Chinese and thought the class would be an interesting alternative to the usual language courses.
“I want to be able to sing better and to become a little bit better in Chinese,” he said.
At the beginning of each semester Zhang gives out surveys to determine how well students know Chinese and then divides the class into two levels.
“Level-two students have the ability to handle songs that are harder,” Zhang said. “To higher level students I give different assignments, other songs and tests.”
Students also have to do a presentation focusing on a single Chinese song, describing its meaning and pointing out vocabulary words to the class. At the end of the semester students are required to participate in a recital and sing in Chinese to a large audience.
Zhang said that the recitals are always successful and the theater is always packed.
This semester many students took advantage of this unique opportunity and signed up for the course.
“I’m very happy that I was able to get into this class,” said Yun Ying Feng, an enrolled student. “Chinese music is my favorite music and I want to learn how to sing formally.”
Crystal Li is doing a minor in Chinese and took the class to fulfill a requirement.
“I really like the teacher,” she said. “She adds enthusiasm to [the class].”