Paiwan children gain confidence and perseverance through Puzangalan Choir скачать в хорошем качестве

Paiwan children gain confidence and perseverance through Puzangalan Choir

Ten years ago, a teacher who had already dedicated more than 30 years of his life to indigenous communities retired early, in order to devote himself to a choir. His goal was to give children from the Paiwan tribe in Pingtung, a safe space where they could grow up with more self-confidence. The Puzangalan Children''s Choir has since won numerous awards both in Taiwan and abroad, and has widened the horizons of dozens of indigenous kids. In our Sunday special report, let''s take a look at how these children have blossomed through song. Northern Tawu Mountain Reserve. The songs of the Paiwan tribe have rung out across this majestic landscape for hundreds of years.Now the next generation fills the air with their voices. This is the Puzangalan Children’s Choir.Their practice room is a farmhouse at the foot of the mountains, in Changjhih Township, Pingtung. They’re just about to release their first album.These children from the Paiwan tribe come here at the weekends to practice. They range in age from elementary to high school. The choir provides much more than just passing down cultural heritage or singing skills.Tsai I-fangPuzangalan Children’s Choir Executive DirectorWhat’s different about our choir is that we specifically said, we’re an educational team. We’re not really about practicing singing. The qualities we want to cultivate in the children are perseverance and concentration.Tsai I-fang founded the choir as an educational project. While teaching the children to sing, he has also found ways to help out with many different challenges – with their homework, interpersonal struggles, or even their families’ finances. Many of the choir’s members are raised by a single parent or by their grandparents. Like Yeh Shih-han, who joined the choir in the third grade, and is now a high school junior.Tsai I-fangPuzangalan Children’s Choir Executive DirectorShe’s kind of tone deaf. But she’s never stopped coming to choir.Previously, Shi-han was looked after by her grandparents. When they both passed away within a short period, she went to live with her mother, who has to work long hours. Shih-han is often left alone to carry burdens that are very heavy for a child.Yeh Shih-hanPuzangalan Children’s Choir MemberActually I feel scared that when a problem comes up, I won’t know what to do. But the choir and my friends will all help me. It’s helping me become a bit more independent.This July, Puzangalan Children’s Choir went to Europe to join accomplished choirs from all over the world in two major contests. Representing Taiwan, they won gold at the Musica Eterna Roma International Choir Festival. And on the same trip, they won a stash of medals at the Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival in Florence.For some of these children, competing in a festival abroad initially seemed like mission impossible. For starters, scraping together more than NT$ 1.4 million to pay for their airfare was an urgent challenge. Thankfully President Tsai Ing-wen stepped in to help their fundraising, enabling the trip to go ahead.Tsai I-fangPuzangalan Children’s Choir Executive DirectorThe biggest difficulty was the expenses. When we first started the choir, for six months we were relying on a pension. But we got through it.On their first day back from Europe, crowned in glory, the choir was invited to Timur Elementary School in Sandimen Township.They could meet the school’s choir and share their experiences abroad with other indigenous children.Currently a high school junior, Wu Tsu-erh used to be like many children: a bit doubtful of her own worth, and sometimes her own harshest critic.She showed us the name tags she’s collected from all her performances and international trips. They’re a record of the achievements of a girl who’s always loved to sing.Tsu-erh led a recital of the national anthem at President Tsai’s inauguration in 2016. It was the biggest audience she had ever entertained. Her confidence continues to go from strength to strength, and this year she won the prize for best female solo at the Leonardo Da Vinci International Choral Festival in Florence.Wu Tsu-erhPuzangalan Children’s Choir MemberAnd then I wiped my eyes. I was so happy. They asked if I was crying because I was moved or because I was sad. I felt really moved. We all did well.When she teaches other children to sing, Tsu-erh seems just like a little adult. In a few years’ time, she really will be grown up, and she’ll have to make more and more serious decisions in life.Wu Tsu-erhPuzangalan Children’s Choir MemberPeople have told me I should go and work for the government. One of my aunts says I should become a social worker. There are lots of paths I have to choose between, and I don’t know which one to choose.Tsu-erh says she wants to be a singer, and with Tsai I-fang’s encouragement, she’s working hard to make that a real possibility. All of her experiences ha...