Two Chinese teachers from China arrived in Johor Bahru for a 9-day intensive course as they wanted to introduce to China the creative work of Malaysians--24-season drum which has shocked the entire world.

A sport teacher, Zhang Guo Run and a music teacher, He Zan Long from Meizhou county, Guangdong, made a special trip to Foon Yew High School in Johor Bahru between 15 and 23 January 2010 to learn the basics from the 24-season drum team members there with the hope that they would later introduce the skills to their school in China.

Since the first 24-season drum show was performed at an ancient temple in Johor Bahru on 12 June 1988, over the past 22 years the team members have successfully promoted their skills overseas, especially China.

Recently the 24-season drum even attracted the attention of some oversea visitors to come here to learn about it, and this has also helped promote the Malaysian culture further.

Members of the 21tst session of Foon Yew High School 24-season drum team have been tasked with the responsibility of training the two teachers from China.

It was indeed an incredible opportunity for the team members to share our culture with the visitors as this was the first time foreign teachers have come here just to learn 24-season drum.

Jin Guang High School in Meizhou County, Guangdong, is a school funded by a deceased Malaysian philanthropist, Xiao Wan Xiang.

He Zan Long and Zhang Guo Run were invited here to learn the skills mainly because of their connection with one of the creators of 24-season drum, Chen Zai Pan (the poet, Xiao Man) with the sponsorship of Xiao’s son, Xiao Guang Hua and the others.

The two teachers were required to spend six hours a day learning the basics of beating drum as well as composing in order to introduce the culture to their school as a new cocurricular activity.

He Zan Long: China has little understanding of it

During an interview with Sin Chew Daily, He said the concept of "seasonal drum" originated from China; however the secondary school textbooks there did not talk much about it, resulting in a lack of understanding among Chinese people.

Therefore, he said he had to figure out some ways to enhance the students' understanding of it.

Zhang: Indifference to traditional music

Zhang said students nowadays were becoming increasingly disinterested in traditional musical instruments and according to him, Chinese students lacked the motivation to take part in cocurricular activities.

Shocked by the powerful rhythm

Both Zhang and he admitted that they lacked the interest in learning it at first, but after they came to know it better, they were instantly shocked by the powerful rhythm of the 24-season drum.

He said before he learnt it, he had referred to the video and had learned about its origins and features from Chen Zai Pan.

However he was still impressed by the power of the drums after hearing it with his own ears. He added that this was an art that combined 24 big different drums.

"There are some changes to the scores of 24-season drum after over the and it now contains more emotional plot."

"The fusion of dance inspired by the musical performance is a better way of performing."

Varying opinions

One of the coaches for the two visiting Chinese teachers, Lin Yu Kai thought that they have achieved with some new theories after sharing their different opinions.

Furthermore, they have different opinions about how to maintain the drums due to different geographical and climatic factors.

Zhang added, Malaysia is not as humid as Guangdong and does not have four distinct seasons, therefore it is natural to have some different ways of the maintenance of drums.

Lin said, in the 9-day intensive course, they learned some of the basic skills such as movements, hand gestures, exercising manual dexterity as well as team management, especially discipline.

Another coach, Zhong Zhen Hao, said it was quite relaxing to train the two teachers as they had some music background. (Translated by LIM LIY EE/Sin Chew Daily)