On the morning of October 21, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Traditional Arts Theater held a preview performance of the art program participating in the National Solo and Ensemble Competition of Traditional Musical Instruments 2026 (Phase 1). Attending the dress rehearsal were leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with members of the Provincial Arts Council (performing arts sector).
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| Artist My Tram performs a paranung drum solo. |
The program, directed by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and staged by the Khanh Hoa Provincial Traditional Arts Theater, comprises 9 works divided into two sections: solo and ensemble. Among them, the solo competition section features 6 works: the paranung drum solo “Vọng”; the lithophone solo “Giai điệu đại ngàn”; two đàn nhị solos “Sắc hương” and “Nhớ”; and two đàn bầu solos, the medley “Nam Xuân – Nam Ai” and “Nhịp cầu quê hương”. The ensemble competition section includes 3 works: “Hồn tuồng”, “Vượt sóng trùng khơi”, and “Khúc giao hòa ngày mới”.
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| Artist Nhu Binh performs a đàn nhị solo. |
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| Artist Van Tan performs a đàn bầu solo. |
Through 9 elaborately prepared works, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Traditional Arts Theater aims to showcase the rich colors of local traditional music. It features the music of the Cham and Raglai ethnic groups, as well as music from art forms such as bài chòi, tuồng, and đờn ca tài tử. In addition, it introduces typical and unique musical instruments of the ethnic communities living in Khanh Hoa, including the paranung drum, saranai horn, lithophone, đàn nhị, and đàn bầu... This is also an opportunity for the theater's artists to display their talent and performing prowess. Through the program, the collective of artists conveys a message of aspiration to preserve and promote the values of the nation's traditional music.
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| A traditional musical instrument ensemble performance. |
At the dress rehearsal, the Provincial Arts Council highly appreciated the theater's preparation for the competition. Council members recommended that the theater continue practicing and refining to further enhance the quality of the competition program. Regarding the script, performance introductions need to be adjusted to be concise and provide clear information. Regarding the performance, illustrative dancing in the ensemble pieces should be moderated, and sound and lighting effects should be enhanced. The orchestra in the ensemble section also needs to be rearranged to highlight the lead performers...
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| The Provincial Arts Council and leaders of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater presented flowers to encourage the artists participating in the program. |
The National Solo and Ensemble of Ethnic Musical Instruments Competition 2026, organized by the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), aims to honor and promote the values of folk and traditional music and highlight the unique values of Vietnamese traditional music. Phase 1 of the competition takes place from October 24 to 31 at the Lam Dong Provincial Theater and Cultural Arts Exhibition Center (Phan Thiet Ward, Lam Dong Province). This phase features the participation of 17 performing arts troupes from provinces and cities across the Central - Central Highlands and Southern regions (from Nghe An southward). According to the schedule, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Traditional Arts Theater will compete on the evening of October 26.
XUAN THANH
