Sac Cham club organizes a festival for singing Then and other folk songs of northern mountainous areas in December, 2020. (Photo: VOV)

Sac Cham club was set up in 2019. It now has more than 60 members from across Bac Kan province. Ma Thi Day, Head of the club said anyone regardless of age can join as long as they have a great passion for Then singing. 

“We want to make people more aware of preserving and promoting Then singing and playing the Tinh. We teach children to sing Then and develop their love for this art. We hope those activities will help preserve Then melody,” she said. 

The club members vary in terms of jobs and ages, so practice time is flexible. Each practice session focuses on a certain topic. Ms. Trieu Hoang Tham, a member of Sac Cham club, said, “To prepare for a performance, each district will send a representative to participate in the sessions, then we will practice in groups. Finally, we will have a final rehearsal”.

Artisan Ma Thi Day (C) teaches local children to sing Then and play the Tinh musical instrument. (Photo: VOV)

Last December, Sac Cham club successfully organized a festival for singing Then and other folk songs of northern mountainous areas. The club also performs in many other local festivals and cultural events. 

“I joined the club because I can sing and have great love for Then singing. I also have the chance to perform for visitors which also helps to promote the culture of Tay ethnic people,” said Nong Van Le, another club member.

Club members met many veteran Then artisans to learn more traditional Then songs and enrich their knowledge about the cultures of Tay and Nung ethnic groups. They also joined provincial projects to teach Then singing to nearly 500 young learners.

“We plan to open more training classes for club members. We also organize Then performances to serve visitors, which is a way to promote the club and help preserve Then melodies,” said artisan Ma Thi Day.