Globalisation and localisation in music education in Hong Kong and Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyse and discuss the influences of globalisation and localisation on music education in Hong Kong and Taiwan. It argues that the reform of music education concerns changes to the contents of the curriculum that envisage the cultural and political developments that arise from processes of globalisation and localisation in these two Chinese societies. ‘Glocalisation’ throughout this essay refers to the interface of the global and the local. I conclude by discussing three issues relating to the processes of glocalisation that have shaped music education and cultural identity in these two changing societies: (1) the multiculturalism of music education; (2) the promotion of local music cultures in the curriculum; and (3) the inclusion of Confucian ethics in song lyrics. This study argues that education that promotes family values and social harmony can satisfy concerns that glocalisation involves the adoption of both Chinese and foreign songs in the school curriculum.

Notes

Lady Gaga presented her four concerts in Hong Kong titled ‘The Born This Way Ball’, that was produced globally by Live Nation, at the city's 1400-capacity AsiaWorld-Expo venue in May 2012. Tickets for Gaga's two shows on 2 and 3 May were sold out within 90 minutes.

Putonghua, also known as Mandarin, standard Chinese or modern standard Chinese, is the official spoken language of mainland China and Taiwan, and is one of the official spoken languages of Singapore. It is based on a dialect once spoken by the educated elites of Beijing. It is the most widely spoken form of Chinese across most of northern and south-western China. It has a Romanisation system named pinyin to help aid learning and pronunciation.

Martial Law was imposed by Chiang Kai-shek in May 1949. At this time, Chiang's government and about two million troops and supporters fled to Taiwan after losing their power to Chinese Communists during the Chinese civil war between 1945 and 1949. The lifting of Martial Law was proclaimed by the president Chiang Ching-kuo in July 1987.

Cantonese opera was an important dramatic form in Guangdong (a province on the South China Sea coast of mainland China). It originated in the era of Jiajing, who was emperor of China from 1521 to 1567 – the period of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). It is a traditional Chinese art form that involves music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics and acting. Besides Hong Kong, Cantonese opera is also popular in Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and other regions of Guangdong.

Cram schools in Taiwan are called buxiban (i.e. tutorial class). They are specialised schools, commonly to prepare students to pass the entrance examinations of high schools or universities.

Puppet shows include budaixi (glove puppet shows), piyingxi (shadow puppet shows) and xuansi kuilei (marionette or string puppet shows).