Music teacher's legacy passed to next generation

After more than 60 years, Chen Bixin can still vividly remember how impressed he was by the way his teacher Zhang Rouwu dressed and her graceful manners the first day she came to his school.

Chen said Zhang's influence has benefited him long after his graduation. "She has taught numerous students in her life," said Chen, whose own students are now all over the country. "As one of her students, I can still remember her lessons 60 years ago, and have passed them on to my own students."

Zhang, now 95, is a granddaughter of Zhang Jian, a famous industrialist, politician and educator in modern China’s history. Zhang became vice-chairman of the CPPCC Nantong Committee after her retirement and was active in the political and social arenas.

Zhang was raised in a compound built by her grandfather. In her parents' study, there was an old-fashioned gramophone, classical music records and a piano.

Under the influence of her mother, who graduated from a church college and was accomplished musically, Zhang practiced piano and singing in both the mornings and evenings when she was young.

Zhang later graduated from the Shanghai National College of Music, which is now the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Her musical talent blossomed while she was at college.

After graduation, she married and followed the tradition of staying at home to care for her family.

After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, education developed so rapidly that teachers were in short supply. After being approached several times by the president of Nantong Normal College, which lacked qualified music teachers, Zhang agreed to teach at the school.

The school was one of the earliest normal colleges, which train students to become teachers, in China. Zhang’s grandfather, who promoted development of modern music education in the Nantong region, founded the institution.

Zhang's arrival at the college was heartily welcomed by its faculty members and students who, like Chen, eagerly looked forward to her classes.

Chen said the students were both excited and curious before the first lesson because of Zhang’s family background. The students, most of whom were from rural areas, showed their reverence as soon as Zhang walked into the classroom.

"She closely communicated with the students. Our reverence soon turned into respect after the first class," Chen said. "We were all drawn by her vivid way of teaching and silvery voice and felt lucky that we had such a professional teacher."

Chen said the students were impressed by Zhang's devotion to teaching music. Zhang taught her students a full range of musical skills, starting by teaching individual musical notes then gradually helping the students to read music.

"Her strict requirements ensured that we students could learn true knowledge and skills," Chen said, added that Zhang used many innovative teaching methods.

To increase her students' attention, Zhang asked individual students to sing before the class, although many were nervous at first. The method proved a very effective way of improving the students' skills, as it motivated them to compete with each other. They often practiced hard after class and their interest in music became much stronger, Chen said, adding that he has benefited from Zhang’s method of teaching all his life.

Zhang gradually raised her requirements for students, such as asking them to practice composing music. A few of Chen's classmates soon started writing their own pieces.

Chen recalled that Zhang also encouraged students to learn on their own. She divided the class into several groups and asked the group members to practice in the school's piano room at a required time every day.

Zhang's students also practiced music outdoors, by the riverside, under trees and in a park in Nantong, which attracted the attention of many local residents, Chen said.

After graduation, many of his classmates were able to teach music lessons or organize choirs though they were not professional music teachers. Some even wrote songs, Chen said.

During the 1970s, the school where Chen taught as a head teacher encouraged each class to create its own song to celebrate National Day. Chen wrote a song that he practiced with his class, and the class won first prize in the school.

After his graduation, Chen taught music in several middle schools. He has organized several successful large choirs and served as a conductor. Chen attributes all his musical achievements to Zhang’s education.