Historical Practice, Cultural Characteristics and Contemporary Enlightenment of Music Education in Gulangyu: A Study Based on Oral History

Gulangyu, recognized as an 'International Historic Community' and 'Island of Music,' harbors a unique music education tradition rooted in folk life practices. This study reveals that Gulangyu's music education is characterized by non-utilitarianism, community participation, and the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. It operates through family concerts as its core carrier, supported by a cross-family network and community spaces, forming an enlightenment model that combines unconscious edification with conscious cultivation. Oral histories from key figures like Wen Lishan, Zhuang Dekun, and Sun Zhanshan provide insights into the development of this tradition across four dimensions: historical context, core carrier, educational mechanism, and cultural value. This tradition has significantly shaped the spiritual character of islanders and offers valuable lessons for contemporary intangible cultural heritage protection, community cultural construction, and music education reform.

Luyin Yang, & Guochao Li. (2025). Historical Practice, Cultural Characteristics and Contemporary Enlightenment of Music Education in Gulangyu: A Study Based on Oral History. Journal of Sociology and Education, 1(9). https://doi.org/10.63887/jse.2025.1.9.26