Xin'an Village Music Culture

Confucianism originated from Shandong province which possesses deep culture and different kinds of music. Haiyang is a town in mountain areas with colorful cultures. It is not only famous for Haiyang yangko, but also for Peking Operas, Taoist music, Shandong drum and performances as well. Xin'an Village is the birthplace for Haiyang Xiaojiazi yongko. Xin'an yongko is of distinctive styles both in performance and accompany. Comparing gong and drum's beats with Peking Opera and Taoist music, it can be found that the yongko learned from the Peking Opera and its accompany of gongs and drums. Also it continued to use the names of the tunes to which qu are composed. Thus the form of Xiaojiazi yongko in Xin'an Village is not a coincidence. Xiaojiazi yongko developed and prospered in the village due to the rich musical forms in this area. Secondly, this thesis is based on a large amount of sources and oral recordings from the villagers, and the author rechecks Peking Opera and Taoism ceremonies. During the process, the author found that Peking Opera, Taoist music and Shandong drums once existed in Xin'an village and became the rich sources of Xiaojiazi yongko. Thirdly, the researching results proves that gathering and sacrificing ceremonies play important parts in social functions, which include entertaining oneself, other people and the deity. As an activity for self- entertainment, yongko can not only satisfies the participants mentally and physically, but also brings profits to the organizers and participants. Yongko can also entertain others and help to harmonize the neighboring villages. Furthermore, "believe in fate" is a universal belief among villagers. Thus in order to obtain shield from the god, yongko became an essential part in ceremonious music.