Draft:Lu Chuan-Sheng

Lu Chuan-Sheng (July 1, 1916 – March 17, 2008), also known by his pen name Lu Ling-Lang, was a distinguished musician from Sanchiao Village in Shengang Township, Taichung County (now Sanchiao Village in Shengang District, Taichung City). He is known for his musical compositions and achievements as a choral conductor. Lu was devoted to collecting, adapting, and promoting various Taiwanese folk songs, establishing himself as one of the pioneers in the artistic rendition of these traditional melodies. Additionally, he served for many years as the conductor of the Rong-Shing Chorus.

Life Overview
Born on July 1, 1916, in Sanchiao Village in Shengang Township, Taichung County, Lu Chuan-Sheng hailed from a devout Christian family. Encouraged by his family, he joined the church choir in his childhood. Around 1930, Lu was admitted to the Taichung Municipal Taichung First Senior High School. During his studies, he was deeply moved by a concert he attended in Tokyo. He pleaded with his family to buy him a violin, embarking on a journey of self-taught music. By 1932, his enthusiasm for violin practice led to numerous absences from school, prompting the school to hold him back a year. Meanwhile, he sought instruction from the esteemed pianist Chen Hsin-Chen, standing out as one of Chen’s few male students.

In 1936, Lu Chuan-Sheng pursued his studies at the Tokyo College of Music, majoring in piano. However, an accident in 1938, in which he injured his fingers, shifted his focus to vocal studies.

Upon graduating in 1939, he showcased his vocal talents at the esteemed Toho Japan Theater Company (now Toho Cinema) and honed his compositional skills under the tutelage of Tamezō Narita.

On a memorable broadcast on June 23, 1942, with the musical accompaniment of Chen Su-Ti, he graced the airwaves of the Taiwan Hōsō Kyōkai (THK). Later that year, he returned home to handle affairs following his father's death. The intensifying Pacific War prevented his return to Japan, leading him to settle in Taipei permanently.

Since April of 1943, he had taken up a teaching position at Cheng Hsi Shih Chien Girls' Middle School in Taipei—his first salaried role. However, the ravages of war forced the school to move to Grass Mountain, now known as Yangmingshan, by 1944. The relocation, inconvenient for him, prompted his resignation.

In a short-lived performance from September 3–5, 1943, Kosei Theatre Society brought to life Chang Wen Huan’s provocative “Castrated Chicken,” with him masterfully adapting and incorporating Taiwanese folk melodies such as “Clinking Coins,” “June’s Paddy Waters,” and “A Bird Cries for Help.” But political winds, pushing a Kōminka (Japanization) agenda, silenced these pieces shortly after their debut.

In January 1952, he commenced as the chief editor of the monthly magazine Sin-Shan Nursery Rhymes, which ran for 99 issues. While accepting and publishing new compositions from the public, the magazine featured a diverse range of music, including children’s songs, choral pieces, and folk songs. In March, he was entrusted by Yu Mi-Chien, the chairman of the Taiwan Provincial Education Association, to curate The One Hundred and One Best Songs. Simultaneously, he penned the “Elementary School Music Textbook”.

In 1957, upon invitation from Koo Chen-Fu, he founded the Rong-Shing Chorus. He served as the choir's director until his retirement in November 1991.

Starting in 1958, he began teaching at the Shih Chien College of Home Economics. In 1969, when the college introduced a music department, he was appointed as its head, a role he held until his retirement in 1989.

While serving as a music teacher at the Blessed Imelda’s School, he composed the school anthem at the request of its sixth principal, sister Hung Chi-Chen.

In 1991, the Executive Yuan honored him with the National Cultural Award.

On March 17th, 2008, he passed away in the United States.