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Music Education Singapore magazine - Issue 1 (Summer 2011). Sample: pages 1-12.
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Playing for Singapore!Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Summer 2011 / LAUNCH ISSUE 1
Singapore
MusicEducation
bringing everyone together
Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts
Yong Siew Toh students in Cambodia
Musical Futures in Australia
Leong Yoon Pin – a tribute
Developing the Kodály legacy
Young voices: Musical journeys
Digital Learning
News, reviews & listings
musiceducationsg.com
S$6.90
SUBSCRIBE NOW - you could win S$100 of vouchers! See page 24
MICA (P) 171/07/2011
• Piano• Strings• Woodwind• Brass
• Guitar• Chamber music• Choral & Vocal• Reference
• Flute• Clarinet• Saxaphone• Tuba
• Trumpet• Trombone• French Horn• Euphonium
Rosins, Bridges, Endpins,Adjusters, Mutes, Shoulder Rests, Tailpieces,Pegs, Chinrests, Strings,Metronome, Bags
• France• Germany• Czech Rep.
• China• Collectors’
VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO& DOUBLE BASS
Our Luthier Michal Bittnerprovides professionalcomprehensive repairs andrestoration services
For Stringed Instruments
• Italy• France• Germany
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• Violin• Viola• Cello
• Double bass• Bow
IMPORTER, EXPORTER, WHOLESALER, RETAILERIMPORTER, EXPORTER, WHOLESALER, RETAILERExclusive Sole Agents & Main Distributors:-
Gramercy Music (S) Pte LtdHead Office & MailingShowroom (Katong)Showroom (Esplanade)
: No. 19 Ubi Crescent, Singapore 408577. Tel: +65 67499618 Fax: +65 67496243: 291, 293 & 295, Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437076. Tel: +65 63453815: 8, Raffles Avenue, #02-06/08, Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802. Tel: +65 63376128
www.gramercy.com.sg [email protected]
Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com 3
REGULARS
Foreword
Eugene Dairianathan, National
Institute of Education
News
Reviews
Yes You Can Play Great Rock Guitar
Does reviewer Robert Ahwai agree?
Listings
What’s on locally, regionally and
internationally
Young voices: Musical journeys
Two Singapore students tell us
about the importance of music in
their lives
Musical Futures in Australia
Why students are queueing up to
join an innovative music education
programme Down Under
Developing the Kodály legacy
László Nemes’ keynote address
from the musiclearninglive!2011
conference in Glasgow, UK
Cambodian collaboration
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory and
Royal University of the Fine Arts
students in Cambodia
East, West, home is best
Is music teaching the same the
world over? We talk to teachers in
Singapore and the UK
DIGITAL LEARNING
Project-based learning
George Hess argues the case
Practice makes perfect
Online practice with Charanga
The Apptitude test
Beatwave & NanoStudio
Music Education Singapore Issue 1 Contents
5
7
41
42
22
23
24
COVER FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURE
A tribute to the Singaporean
composer, conductor and educator
The launch of Singapore Teachers’
Academy for the aRts
A profile of the Singapore National
Youth Orchestra
Leong Yoon Pin
remembered
Singapore’s rising
STARs
16
26
29
33
36
Following this launch issue, Music Education Singapore
magazine will be published bi-monthly from November
2011.
The iPad edition will also be available from November from
the iTunes store.
Subscribe online at at www.musiceducationsg.com
Launch offer: 7 issues for the price of 6: S$36.
Student subscriptions: S$20
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FEATURES
SNYO
Playing for Singapore!
10
13
19
Scan the code to visit the Music Education Singapore website
Supporting music teachers in Thailand and SingaporeA programme of workshops, masterclasses and performances designed to support and inspire music teachers and students in their music making.
Featuring soloists from the world-famous LPO, this two-day event will include interactive workshops and support sessions for music teachers focusing on the new Trinity Guildhall syllabuses for piano and woodwind, masterclasses with soloists from the LPO, and a programme of workshops and demonstrations in schools.
A recital by the orchestra’s chamber group Soloists of the LPO, will also be included.
� Bangkok 29–30 August 2011
� Singapore 1–2 September 2011
For more information about how you can be involved in these exciting events visit:
www.trinitycollege.co.uk/LPO
photos: Tas Kyprianou and Kevin Ricks
Trinity College London in partnership with the
London Philharmonic Orchestra
At a time when public sector
and arts budgets are being
slashed worldwide, the launch of
a new music education magazine
may seem a crazy idea!
But Singapore’s commitment to
the arts and arts-in-education
and the value it places on
creativity within education is self-
evident – most recently with the
launch of the Singapore Teachers’
Academy for the aRts (see page
13). It is this commitment – and
that of our many partners – which
has given us the confidence to
kick-start an ambitious project
which has been several years in
the planning.
We know the enormous value
that is placed on music education
in Singapore. Our vision is to
create an invaluable resource for
Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com 5
It is with great pleasure that I write
to introduce Music Education
Singapore magazine.
The magazine’s main objective is
to provide a lively and inclusive
platform for music education and
engagement with musical
practices and music-as-practised
in Singapore.
While the magazine is modelled
on its successful sister
publication, Music Education UK
(now celebrating its 8th year in
print), it is written and published
in Singapore. This encourages
ownership and a sense of
commonwealth of talented
musicians, music students and
music teachers.
Published in print, online and –
from November – on iPad, the
magazine addresses
practices of music in all its
contemporaneity and relevance
in a global and virtual
environment. It hopes to act as
a hub for the sharing of musical
practices and events in
Singapore and the wider world.
The magazine aims to reach an
audience ranging from teachers
delivering music in schools to
practitioners responsible for
creating, performing and
responding to music and
welcomes everyone –
instrumental teachers, early
childhood specialists, those
working in music schools and
higher learning institutions,
artists and arts administrators,
students, parents and the
public-at-large – with an interest
in music and music education.
It is very much the hope that
Music Education Singapore
magazine will delight, excite and
inform you in equal measure as it
showcases the diversity and
quality of musical pedagogies,
practices and behaviours across
Singapore and beyond to provide
a new and stimulating space for
people and ideas to intersect.
Eugene Dairianathan
Associate Professor Eugene Dairianathan
is Music Co-ordinator of the Visual and
Performing Arts Academic Group, Nation-
al Institute of Education, Singapore. He
is a member of the Music Education
Singapore Editorial Advisory Board.
Editor Cathy Tozer
Digital Learning Editor Tim Hallas
Contributors
Robert Ahwai, Fatin Nabilah Mohd
Ariffin, Mark Burke, Chan Chi Ling,
Chua Siew Ling, Richard Crozier,
Eugene Dairianathan, Ian Harvey,
George Hess, Chung Shih Hoh, Leong
Wei Shin, Kris Low, Roy McGillivray,
László Nemes, Soh Kuan Wei,
Eleanor Tan, Wang Siao Hua
Editorial Advisory Board
Dr Pamela Burnard (University of
Cambridge), Richard Crozier (ABRSM),
Prof. Eugene Dairianathan (National
Institute of Education, Singapore),
Dr George Hess (Yong Siew Toh
Conservatory of Music, Singapore),
Leong Wei Shin (University of
Cambridge), Dr László Nemes (Liszt
Academy, Budapest), David Price OBE
(Innovation Unit, London), Dr Benjaman
Schögler (Skoogmusic, Edinburgh)
Publisher Ian Clethero
Subscriptions & distribution
Print & digital advertising
Published by
Zone New Media Asia Pte Limited
19 Ubi Crescent, Singapore 408577
Directors: Ian Clethero, Jimmy Pang
Printers
Times Printers Pte Ltd
European representative
Zone New Media Limited
Innovation Centre, Broad Quay
Bath BA1 1UD, UK
musiceducationuk.com
Follow us on
@musicedsg
Welcometo Music Education Singapore
MESg
Editorial
MESg
Publishing
everyone involved in the sector
whether they be educators,
students, musicians or parents:
a dynamic music education hub
for Singapore.
Music Education Singapore
magazine represents the first
phase of a long-term project. In
November, we will be launching a
series of new online resources –
a ‘music education map’ of
Singapore, a Facebook site and
iPad and mobile Apps. Follow us
on Twitter for the latest
developments (@musicedsg).
We’ll also be announcing plans
for a major international music
education conference –
musiclearninglive!Asia 2013.
We are grateful to the many
supporters whose time and
expertise have made it possible
to get this project up and running.
We warmly welcome all
suggestions and contributions so
that Music Education
Singapore – both the magazine
and the larger project – can
flourish in the years to come.
Ian Clethero, Publisher
Cover photo: SNYO – a lighter moment in the Music Studio
Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com 7
The stage was set for the 5th
Anniversary Concert of the
Singapore Symphony Children’s
Choir (SSCC) – girls in their ruby red
dresses and boys decked out in their
smart vest suits. Held at the Yong
Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall
on Sunday 5 June, the children
mesmerised the audience with their
stunning and entertaining singing.
Performing with much vocal
discipline and deportment, the 70-
strong group were obviously
comfortable with different styles and
textures as they sang with clear
diction in various languages – Latin,
French and Tagalog to name a few –
performing a 90-minute programme
entirely from memory under the
batons of choral instructors, Quek
Soon Hiang and Wong Lai Foon.
The impetus for the formation of the
SSCC in June 2006 was the need for
the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
(SSO) to have available a choir for
orchestral works that require
children’s voices. As the national
orchestra, the SSO has taken pride
over the last five years in nurturing
these young talents and helping
them achieve their musical
potential.
The SSCC made its debut
performance in 2007 at the SSO's
Christmas concerts and, since then,
has performed with the SSO in works
including Mahler’s Symphony No. 3
and Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust
as well as in the annual Christmas
concerts. Now firmly established in
its own right, the choir has a number
of performances lined up for the
second half of 2011, including a
performance of Berlioz’s Te Deum
with the SSO under Claus Peter Flor
in October.
Additionally, the Children’s Choir
Training Programme provides young
singers aged between 8 and 14
years with a comprehensive initiation
into the art of good singing under
Chorus Master, Maestro Lim Yau.
After one year, the trainees can
audition for placement in the SSCC.
Auditions are held twice a year with
the next round taking place in
November/December.
ss-childrenschoir.blogspot.com
Beijing-born composer Dr Zhou
Long is to present a paper on his
Pulitzer-prizewinning opera, Madame
White Snake, at the second NAFA
Symposium in September.
Recently awarded the 2011 Pulitzer
Prize for Music, Dr Zhou will present
the paper, Imagination Between
Ancient and Modern: Composing A
New Opera on a Legend, at New
Asian Imaginations: (Re)Searching
the Arts in Southeast Asia which
runs from 19 to 21 September 2011
at the Nanyang Academy of Fine
Arts (NAFA).
Dr Zhou, who is Visiting Professor
of Composition at University of
Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory
of Music, USA, has received
numerous awards and gained
international recognition for
his music.
SSCC celebrates 5th anniversary
NAFA partners with RCM
NEWS
residents will pay S$23,400. NAFA is
the first institution outside the UK to
offer the prestigious degree course.
The two-year programme includes
seven weeks’ study at the Royal
College of Music (or seven weeks at
a major Chinese conservatory for
Chinese instrumentalists).
At the official signing ceremony on
25 April, Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong said: ‘We have invested in
arts education as well as in science,
technology and sports. Our aim is to
create a mountain range with many
peaks of excellence; within the arts
itself, we are building a mini-
mountain range.’
The ceremony was also attended by
then Education Minister Ng Eng
Hen, NAFA President Choo Thiam
Siew (pictured on left) and RCM
Director Professor Colin Lawson
(right) who said: ‘The NAFA-RCM
partnership will establish oppor-
tunities for gifted young musicians in
Asia to practise the art of music at
the highest level. Students will bene-
fit from an established curriculum
rich in musical heritage and access
to an outstanding faculty.’
www.nafa.edu.sg rcm.ac.uk
Trinity College London is launching
a unique collaboration with the
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
with the aim of developing the skills
of music teachers all over the world.
The first project will see events for
teachers in Singapore and Thailand
in August and September. The two-
day events will include a range of
masterclasses, interactive ‘how to’
workshops and support sessions
for music teachers.
There will also be a programme of
short workshops and demonstra-
tions in schools and a series of educ-
ation workshops for children. A recit-
al by the orchestra’s chamber group
and soloists will conclude the events.
Pulitzer prize-winning composer at New Asian Imaginations conference
Trinity College/LPO collaboration in Singapore and Thailand
Nicholas Keyworth, Chief Examiner
in Music at Trinity College London,
is working closely with Patrick
Bailey, Director of Education at the
LPO, to put together the events.
He said: ‘We are incredibly excited
about the opportunity to be able to
visit Singapore and Thailand with
this programme which will be of
immense value to music teachers.
We also look forward to strength-
ening our partnership with the LPO
and the further opportunities this
will bring to musicians worldwide.’
Bangkok dates: 29-30 August
Singapore dates: 1-2 September
trinitycollege.co.uk/lpo
The award’s judges hailed
Madame White Snake as ‘a work
that synthesises ancient and
modern, East and West, blending
Asian timbres, instruments and
musical traditions into a Western
musical fabric in ways that
transcend local colour to
become deeply expressive in
their own right’.
newasianimaginations.nafa.edu.sg
musiceducationsg.com/news
Students with a music diploma
from the Nanyang Academy of
Fine Arts (NAFA) are eligible to study
for a degree from London’s Royal
College of Music from August.
The two-year Bachelor of Music
(Hons) course will be subsidised by
the government, bringing tuition fees
down from S$56,000 to S$18,500
for Singapore citizens. Permanent
Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com 9
If musicians were travellers
traversing space and time in order
to sample music from the classical
to the avant garde, then the 5th
Singapore International Piano
Pedagogy Symposium might make
an intriguing time machine. Themed
Beyond Piano Teaching: Discovering
the Past, Serving the Future, the
symposium, which ran from 20-24
June 2011 at Yong Siew Toh
Conservatory of Music, invited piano
pedagogues to make a journey into
the past in a bid to rediscover the
present, reports Chan Chi Ling.
For five delightful days, participants
at the 5th Singapore International
Piano Pedagogy Symposium
immersed themselves in an exciting
array of workshops ranging from
lectures and masterclasses given by
a distinguished panel of presenters
to a fun-filled baroque dance
workshop run by eminent dancer,
Paige Whitley-Bauguess.
The exploration of past, present and
future began – appropriately – with
the past. ‘Teachers are time
travellers who go back to the past to
keep it alive,’ said Dean Kramer
and Claire Wachter in their keynote
address and this perfect preamble
to the theme of the symposium was
to linger in most minds throughout.
Examining piano music from various
time periods, Kramer and Wachter
threw new light on the perennial
question of whether composers are
the products or makers of the
cultural zeitgeists that were later
neatly defined as ‘baroque,
classical, romantic, 20th century’.
What emerged was the bold
suggestion that it was the creative
genius of various master composers
that defined their epoch – which
means that each work deserves
interpretation not merely according
to stylistic rules belonging to any
time period but according to the
intentions of its creator.
It was therefore unsurprising that
Kramer and Wachter lent a
personal touch rather than didactic
interpretations to subsequent
lecture/demonstrations on music by
Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann
and Scarlatti. The takeaways were
not so much ‘answers’ as new per-
spectives that were well worth pon-
dering. Equally thought-provoking
were the many concurrent sessions
running throughout the week – from
pedalling techniques and pedagogy
methods to aural training, music
scholarship, contemporary music
and ways to gain insight into partic-
ular compositions and pedagogues.
What was interesting – admirable,
in fact – was the particular attention
paid to broader issues pertinent to
the local context. In particular,
discussions on the place of piano
examinations in Singapore today
forced a re-evaluation of the
underlying premises behind gearing
up students for examinations. The
closing forum saw participants
entertaining flights of fancy (if you
had the chance to go back in time,
where would you go and what would
you do?), Kramer candidly sharing
his experience of learning under
legendary artist, Vladimir Horowitz,
and important questions on the
relevance of classical music in an
age dominated by pop and rock.
The most memorable moments,
most participants would concur,
were spent dancing to familiar
tunes from baroque dance suites
and recreating a merry folk-dance
party reminiscent of a scene from a
Jane Austen novel. Listening to a
baroque suite will never feel the
same again! And as the time
machine landed gently back in the
present at the end of the five-day
symposium, the time travellers –
teachers and pedagogues alike –
had already begun a new journey to
‘serve the future’.
Discovering the Past, Serving the Future: 5th International Piano Pedadogy Symposium
Educational opportunities at Music China
the event to be another record-
breaking show,’ said Evan Sha,
Deputy General Manager, Messe
Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd. ‘More
than 90% of exhibitors from last
year’s show have already agreed to
reserve space and some are even
looking to expand. This shows that
the Asian music industry market,
particularly in China, remains strong.’
Running alongside the fair will be a
wide range of fringe events enabling
visitors to gain knowledge of the
music industry as well as live
entertainment and demonstrations.
In her sixth year of organising NAMM
University courses, Ms Betty
Heywood, the Association’s Director
of International Affairs, said: ‘It’s
vital to offer educational activities at
a trade show to give added value to
the face-to-face opportunities.’
Educational seminars will feature
successful Chinese entrepreneurs
and international retailers who will
share their expertise while popular
outdoor drum experience event,
Dancing Drum (pictured), will inspire
participants by creating and fostering
a fun and comfortable atmosphere
in which to enjoy rhythms.
‘The show draws music lovers from
around the world together at one
stage. It further impacts the public
towards the development of the
Chinese music industry,’ said
Mr Stephen Yu, owner of Tycoon
Percussion, who supports
the event.
Other events include principal
forum, retailer forum, Chinese folk
music programme, masterclasses,
electronic music-making workshops,
drum circle and more.
Music China 2011, the sister show
of Musikmesse, held in Germany,
is organised jointly by the China
Music Instrument Association
(CMIA), INTEX Shanghai and
Messe Frankfurt.
musikmesse-china.com
Asia’s largest musical instrument
trade fair, Music China, will run
from 11–14 October at the Shanghai
New International Expo Centre
(SNIEC). The event is expected to
attract more than 50,000 visitors
from around the world.
‘This year we are celebrating the 10th
edition of Music China and we expect
Chan Chi Ling is a freelance writer who
loves writing and learning about music
enough to call herself an amateur music
reviewer. As a student, she has published
a motley hotchpotch of writings ranging
from academic papers to travel books,
literary reviews and poetry. Some of her
writings are available online at
matterandart.wordpress.com
The 5th Singapore International Piano
Pedagogy Symposium was organised by
the Singapore Music Teachers
Association.
smtasingapore.com
Playing for Singapore!
The learning environment provided by the
Singapore National Youth Orchestra is a
safe and non-threatening one in which
friendships are fostered and a sense of
enjoyment in music-making is created.
In addition to developing musical
competence, members are able to
develop non-musical attributes, gaining
essential life skills and, in the case of
student leaders, leadership qualities as
they work closely with adults and peers in
the orchestra, reports Wang Siao Hua.
Musical development
With its focus on young people and their
music, the Singapore National Youth
Orchestra (SNYO) provides opportunities to
develop each and every one of its members to
their fullest musical potential. The orchestra
holds at least six concerts a year so that
members have the opportunity to explore
different kinds of repertoire and perform at
different venues besides the usual concert
setting. Through these concerts, members
develop their individual musical preferences
and, most importantly, their love and passion
for orchestral playing.
To build up the ensemble skills of members,
professional musicians from the Singapore
Symphony Orchestra (SSO) lead ensemble
classes and sectionals for string, woodwind,
brass and percussion playing. Another
important aspect of musical development
comes in the form of chamber music training.
In particular, the orchestra’s string quartets
have the distinct privilege of being coached by
members of the renowned T’ang Quartet.
Interestingly, the T’ang Quartet were once
members of the Singapore (National) Youth
Orchestra and subsequently the SSO. In
1999, the T’ang Quartet went professional
and since then, they have embarked on
various musical projects in collaboration with
musicians both local and abroad. Now
Quartet-in-Residence at the Yong Siew Toh
Conservatory of Music, each of the four
members has helped to get the SNYO
musicians fired up about chamber music.
Through their weekly rehearsals, the members
have also learnt a little more about them-
selves as learners, as communicators and
as musicians.
All this training builds up towards the full
orchestra rehearsals, also known as tutti
rehearsals, which culminate in a concert
performance (see diagram on facing page).
Student development
One of the objectives of Co-Curricular
Activities (CCAs) in Singapore is to provide
platforms outside the formal environment
of the classroom for students to develop
leadership skills. In the SNYO, members
are encouraged to volunteer for positions
in the members-elected Student Commit-
tee. This committee has two functions:
firstly, to act as an avenue for communica-
tion between the orchestra and
management and, secondly, to organise
non-musical events for the orchestra.
Self-nominations and peer nominations
are encouraged and shortlisted members
are interviewed by the current Student
Committee before their names are put up
as candidates for the election. The
purpose of the preliminary interview is to
ensure that the candidates understand
the level of commitment which is required
Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com10
SNYO wind players
• Delivery of musical
work in front of an
audience
of them and that they are suitable to take up
positions in the Student Committee. Once
elected, the new members meet with the
outgoing committee for the handover of duties
to ensure continuity.
The appointment of specific posts, such as
Chairman and Secretary, is discussed and
decided amongst members of the new
committee and is based on self-evaluation
and personal preference. The Student
Committee also provides training
opportunities for younger members who may
wish to run for the next committee election as
there is often an open invitation for anyone
interested to run events with the committee.
In this way, current committee members
provide a two-way learning process where they
learn as they share experiences and expertise
with their juniors. This also promotes cohesion
and unity amongst orchestra members.
Going International
In order to develop this group of talented
young musicians further, the SNYO does not
limit itself to local performances but gives its
members international exposure through
various channels.
The orchestra management is constantly on
the lookout for visiting international musicians
in order to invite them to give masterclasses
to the SNYO. Most recently, SNYO members
had the privilege of working with musicians
from the Berlin Symphony Orchestra (2010)
and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (2011).
Such masterclasses are extremely useful as
SNYO members are able to attend open
rehearsals and concert performances by the
musicians before or after the classes
themselves.
The SNYO International Artiste Series allows
SNYO members to work closely with a soloist
or conductor for one concert a year. The
invited artiste also conducts workshops with
the orchestra and their sharing has been
tremendously inspiring for the members.
Another milestone was reached in May 2010,
when chemicals company, LANXESS, came on
board to support SNYO musicians in a three-
year mentorship programme called the
LANXESS SNYO Classic. Through this
collaboration, the SNYO musicians were able
to work with international artistes such as
Stewart Rose (horn), Lara St. John (violin) and
Andrea Griminelli (flute) in one concert each
year from 2010–2012. Our young musicians
are also selected to go on annual study trips
to hone their musicianship skills with these
mentors in their home countries. In 2011,
Jasper Goh from Temasek Polytechnic, Rachel
Ho from Hwa Chong Institution and Tu Si Jing
from School of The Arts (SOTA) had the
privilege of travelling to Italy to be tutored by
renowned flautist, Andrea Griminelli, for a
week. This wonderful experience has made
them better musicians and encouraged them
to consider pursuing music as a professional
career.
‘A big thank you to LANXESS for presenting us
with the honour to work alongside
Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com 11
About the SNYO
The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO)
first came under the auspices of the Ministry of
Education in 1980. The 200-strong orchestra
consists of students from over 70 primary and
secondary schools, junior colleges, international
schools and tertiary institutions in the country.
The SNYO aims to provide each member with
an exemplary orchestra experience and the
highest quality professional music education
and training.
The SNYO is managed by the Management
Board, consisting of a team of officers from the
Ministry of Education and members of the
public from arts-related industries and
institutions. There is also an Artistic Committee
formed by selected members of the
Management Board to explore programming
possibilities and other artistic matters. In
addition, the main orchestra elects a Student
Committee to work with the Management Board
in matters concerning the well-being of
members and the future direction of the SNYO.
As a National Co-Curricular Activity and a
National Project of Excellence, the SNYO is fully
funded by the Ministry and occupies the apex of
the Music Talent Development Framework for
Co-curricular Activities in Singapore. Interested
students apply and go through an audition
process on their choice of orchestral instrument.
Successful candidates who are Singapore
citizens or permanent residents can apply for
the Individual Training Scheme where they are
offered part-sponsorship for their private
lessons with professional tutors.
snyo.org.sg
Sight-reading
(individual/orchestra)
• Initial contact with
musical work
Practice
(individual musician)
• Motor, cognitive,
social skills
• Musical
knowledge
Rehearsal
(orchestra)
• General musical
knowledge & skills
• Moment-by-moment
information
processing
Performance
(orchestra)
The process of music-making in an orchestra
Soundcheck at the Esplande Concert Hall
12 Music Education Singapore magazine: Summer 2011 | musiceducationsg.com
professional musicians within our immediate
environment and giving us a chance to be
further inspired by them!’
(Lanabel Teo, Lim Hao Wei)
The SNYO travels regularly to international
music festivals to share its music with others
around the world. These concert tours provide
an opportunity for the orchestra to benchmark
itself with other youth musicians. The tours
are also a time for reflection and bonding for
the members.
The orchestra travelled to Italy in 2008 to
participate in the 10th Florence International
Music Festival. The SNYO performed two
concerts in Florence and one more in Milan at
the famous Auditorium di Milano. At each
concert, the audience made a beeline for the
best seats in the house and many stayed
behind to congratulate our young people on
their amazing performances. This was also a
very special and rewarding concert tour for the
SNYO as the Festival organisers had arranged
for a Festival Orchestra concert for the SNYO
and the Amersfoort Youth Orchestra from
Holland. This rare opportunity saw members
of the two orchestras coming together to
rehearse, exchange information about each
other’s countries and cultures and, most
importantly, make music together. The
combined orchestra concert was one of the
highlights of the Festival and was featured in
the Italian media.
In July 2011, eleven years after its first visit in
2000, the SNYO revisited Aberdeen, Scotland.
The orchestra participated in the Aberdeen
International Youth Festival with an all-
Russian concert programme conducted by
Music Director, Darrell Ang. For the first time,
the orchestra travelled with a guest soloist, in
this case, Singaporean award-winning pianist,
Lim Yan. With 60 other performing arts groups
from all over the globe present, the SNYO
worked hard to make Singapore proud as the
nation’s music ambassadors at an
international arts festival.
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Wang Siao Hua is Manager (Orchestra Affairs) of the
Singapore National Youth Orchestra and also a Music
Officer at the Co-Curricular Activities Branch of the
Ministry of Education. She is an SNYO alumni mem-
ber and continues to play the double bass with the
Philharmonic Orchestra.
Playing chamber music in the garden