The Evolution Of School Songs

In the late Qing dynasty, as Qing government was not able to resist the foreign invasions, China was in the passive position and the people suffered from lots of oppression and insults. The successional plunder and split made old China semi-colony and semi-feudal contry. The transformation in politics, economics and culture had to be carried out. It was when the class songs were given birth to."Class songs" refers to the songs taught and learned at the music class, which features in "adding the lyrics to the selected sympoth from the foreign countries. In the beginning, the music class was not considered as an important lesson. "Class songs", as newly born, was recommended by the democrats from the capitalist class, and it had rapidly grown up to become the powerful tool to publicize the "inspiring idea". As time went on, class songs was being transformed. Since the Education department of Republic of China declared that the music class is compulsory in 1912, class songs was given a new mission to boost esthetic education, and at that time the name of "class songs" was replaced by "school songs". Class songs manifested the idea of saving the nation, self-reliance, enlightment and advancement, as well as the spirit of republic and patriotic. However, it also included some feudal things. Shen Xingong and Li Shutong were the main representatives at that period.After the May Forth Movement, School songs developed step by step. This new music style differs from the old ones which were mainly based on adding the lyrics onto the melody and closely connected with politics. It showed the new features including the creative ideas and practical method which were influenced by western music culture and professional education. The school songs were created at this period. Comparing with the idea of enlightening the people and manifesting the saving, the new one shows a wider range on the real world and society, with emergence of lyric showing the pursuit in beauty. In the forms, they began to create by themselves, which was shifted from unison to counterpoint. Some music score was accompanied with piano, and some lyrics has its English version.With a general view on the modern history of music, school songs had the same important historic status and close relationship with class songs. School songs was the result of the Chinese modern music reformation. Its development had reflected the change of age, and had improved the music education in China. It also perfected and gave the positive effect on the broadcast and creation of new music. The creation of school songs, reflecting the change of age, was the one of the core developments of school.