The Development of a Vocal Practice Manual of “Yu Song” for Undergraduate Students at Zhengzhou Shengda University, People’s Republic of China

This study investigates the development and implementation of a Vocal Practice Manual of Yu Song for undergraduate students majoring in Vocal Performance at Zhengzhou Shengda University, People’s Republic of China. Yu Song, which integrates the artistic characteristics of Henan Yu Opera with modern vocal music, represents an important medium for preserving regional culture and promoting contemporary vocal education. However, the teaching of Yu Song in higher education remains constrained by the absence of systematic instructional materials and the insufficient integration of technical and cultural learning. This study employed mixed methods of research design consisting of two phases: the development and validation of the manual, followed by its implementation and evaluation. Data were collected through a literature review, semi-structured interviews, expert evaluation, and student satisfaction questionnaires. Five experts in vocal music education validated the manual, while 20 undergraduate students participated in a 14-week instructional implementation. The findings indicate that the manual effectively supports the development of dialect articulation, vocal ornamentation, stylistic interpretation, and cultural understanding related to Yu Song performance. Students reported a high level of satisfaction with the instructional content, particularly regarding vocal technique guidance and stylistic development. Expert evaluation further confirmed that the manual demonstrated strong pedagogical value, practical applicability, and cultural relevance for undergraduate vocal music education. Overall, the study contributes to the development of localized vocal pedagogy by proposing a systematic and culturally grounded instructional model for Yu Song teaching. The findings may also serve as a reference for the preservation and transmission of other forms of regional music in higher education contexts.