Features / Creating Value for the Next Generation 01
Enriching Education in Vietnamese Schools through the Introduction of Instrumental Music Education

The educational effects of learning to play musical instruments are so well documented that such instruction is standard in schools around the world. However, in some countries, lack of equipment or trained teachers, or inadequate curriculum often limits to what extent schools can offer. As a project to provide the chance for as many children to experience the joys of playing instruments, Yamaha is currently expanding the School Project.
In 2016, Yamaha's initiative to introduce instrumental music education into music classes at the elementary and secondary schools in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (hereinafter Vietnam) as a part of the School Project, received official recognition under the Public-Private Initiative to Disseminate Japanese-Style Education Overseas (EDU-Port Japan) of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (hereinafter MEXT). Yamaha will continue to contribute to the dissemination of instrumental music education and the development of music education in Vietnam, in cooperation with the Japanese government.

The School Project is a program unique to Yamaha, taking into account its position as a musical instrument manufacturer and its possession of know-how concerning the music education business. While starting the introduction of its uniquely developed Music Time program in Malaysia, Indonesia and Russia from 2015, Yamaha also initiated implementing instrumental music education as a part of compulsory education in Vietnam in 2016.
By enabling children to become familiar with musical instruments in the course of school education, we make it possible for children to experience the joys of music while facilitating their growth. Additionally, we help enrich musical education by providing the infrastructure required for carrying out classes. Research concerning the educational values of this program is conducted in cooperation with the Faculty of Education of Yokohama National University.

Yamaha’s Music Time program offers musical instruments, textbooks, and training programs to public elementary schools in one package. Instructors who have gone through Yamaha training teach classes using instruments and class materials specially developed for the Music Time program. Currently, we are developing instructional materials for portable keyboards (PKs) and guitars, and are organizing recorder and Pianica programs.

From January 2016, Yamaha started supporting the introduction of instrumental music education in music classes for elementary and secondary education in Vietnam. In Vietnam, no “Course of Study” is provided in the elementary and secondary schools for teaching pupils to actually learn to play musical instruments. In order to develop music education in the country, Yamaha, with an eye to the revisions in course of study for elementary and secondary schools scheduled after 2018, is promoting the introduction and establishment of instrumental music education in cooperation with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
The population in Vietnam is increasing by approximately one million persons per year^*, thus an increase in the number of children is expected in the future. Through this initiative, this program will not only contribute to promoting music education in the country, but also expand the market for musical instruments due to the expected increase in the number of instrument players.

Recently, Japanese education, which cultivates both basic study knowledge and lifestyle habits, has drawn considerable positive attention from abroad. However, the provision of educational contents to foreign countries have been mostly carried out only by individual efforts of companies and organizations. Under these circumstances, MEXT began the Public-Private Initiative to Disseminate Japanese-Style Education Overseas (EDU-Port Japan) through a framework involving the collaboration of all-Japan public private sectors. Through this project, MEXT aims to revitalize the Japanese education industry through overseas expansion, and strengthen its relationships of trust and cooperation between foreign countries through education.
This project proposed by Yamaha was evaluated based on our long-standing performance in Japan, and correspondence with the domestic needs of our counterparts, and received certification as an official project. From now on, Yamaha, along with MEXT support, will conduct negotiations and make arrangements with the Vietnam government and local educational associations, and will continue to support the introduction and establishment of instrumental music education in Vietnam.

By playing musical instruments, children are provided the opportunity to express wider ranges of emotions, and gain options for self-fulfillment. Also, through playing in ensemble, children are given opportunities to learn about responsibility and cooperation. The foundation of Yamaha’s music education business is the Yamaha Music School which has a history of more than 60 years.
Yamaha utilizes this experience and know-how acquired in more than 40 countries and regions, in order to support the implementation of instrumental music education.
From here on, Yamaha will also promote the introduction and establishment of a recorder education program in Vietnam. The recorder can be easily played by anyone, and instruction is also relatively easy, making it a suitable starting point for students who are beginners of musical instruments. Along with this process, we plan to introduce other instruments, in order to contribute to the growth of children and the creation of a musical culture.