SYMPHONIA CANTUS ITINERIS
Eunoia Junior College
Symphonic Band
2024 Concert
CONCERT PROGRAMME
EJC Auditorium 10 May 2024, 6:00 PM
(Doors open at 5:30 PM)
SYMPHONIA 2024
Symphonia is a biannual concert that EJCSB is premiering in 2024. It seeks to showcase our talents as a band and is a legacy we hope to pass down to future generations of EJCSB Band Members.
Synopsis
Join us as we take you on a musical journey all around the world, from the Mexican heritage of the El Camino Real trail, to the flow of the Shenandoah River in Virginia, USA, to the music of the Brazilian Samba in Rio de Janeiro. Or let us take you back in time to Nordic mythology, Celtic fantasy, and transport you to a world of majestic pyramids, swirling desert winds, and the timeless allure of the Nile in Ancient Egypt.
Heartfelt thanks to the principals (Mr Tan, Ms New, Mdm Phua, Mr Shah), conductors, teachers, Operations Support Officers (OSOs), tutors, parents and friends. This concert would not have been possible without them.
Our Conductor: Mr Adrian Chiang
Mr Chiang has been EJCSB’s Conductor since EJC’s establishment in 2017. He is an accomplished and wellrespected conductor of numerous Orchestras and Wind Ensembles in Singapore, namely in educational institutes such as Singapore Management University, Singapore Polytechnic, Anderson-Serangoon Junior College, Victoria Junior College, Catholic High School, CHIJ Toa Payoh, and Maris Stella High School.
Mr Chiang is also the Music Director of the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra. He is also President of the National Instructors and Coaches Association. He had previously led the Philharmonic Youth Winds for a decade, uplifting the group to become one of the more successful youth wind orchestras in Singapore. He had also previously served as the President of the Band Directors’ Association (Singapore) from 2017 to 2022.
A recipient of the distinguished National Arts Council and National University of Singapore scholarship, Mr Chiang attained his Master of Music degree at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM, NUS) with a major in conducting. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty at the YSTCM (NUS).
Source: https://bdas.org.sg/members/adrian-chiang/
The Band
MR ADRIAN CHIANG
Principal Conductor
MR RALPH EMMANUEL LIM
Assistant Conductor
MR ONG WEE YONG
Teacher-In-Charge
MRS WEE CHEN JINQI
Teacher-In-Charge
MS RACHEL LIM
Teacher-In-Charge
FLUTE
Cadence Lim
Lai Xin Yu
Section Leader
Loh Tze Yang, Jalen
Loh Xuan Ying, Samantha
Yuna Kawazoe
OBOE
Saurav Menon
CLARINET
Dylan Chia
Woodwind Quartermaster
Erin See Jia-Xing
Kyae Sin Moe Sat
Lew Zi Ting Shantel
Li Yushu
Tan Jia En, Jacob
Section Leader
BASS CLARINET
Lucas Cheng Wei Cheng
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Chew Shi En
Jayden Ho
Liew Jun Xuan
Maegin Ma Wye Kit
Wong Kai Li, Kylie
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Li William
Melinda Tay Yu Shan
Vice-President
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Toh Shee Yen, Emelia
Section Leader
FRENCH HORN
Clare Bernadette Wong En Ning
Fei Hongming
Foo Ken Shiin
Koh Kai En Elkan
Section Leader
Ma Runhua
TRUMPET
Chia Xin Yue
Brass Quartermistress
Gerard Goh Jing Xian
Loo Mun Chye
Ma Shiyuan
Ng Xin Yu
See Yan An, Kayden
Section Leader
Zhang Rui Yin
TROMBONE
Charlene Lee Shan Lin
Ching Ren Shyang
Chiong Ming Jie
Kiong Rui-En, Rei
Section Leader
Lai Yong Yan
EUPHONIUM
Danny Hwang Wei Ming
Section Leader
TUBA
Isaac Tan Tze Onn
Joel Tan Student Conductor
Lim Dillon
DOUBLE BASS
Audrey Chan Jiexin
Avrielle Charlotte Ho
PERCUSSION
Ang Jia Wei, Erin Section Leader
Chloe Wong Hui Xin
Faith Ong Enting Librarian
Liu Mengtong
Liu Yuecen
Ong Jing Kai President
Teo Woo Hng Reanne
Wong Xin Yi
Programme
Mr Adrian Chiang - Principal Conductor
Joel Tan - Student Conductor
Mr Ong Wee Yong - Teacher Conductor
ALFRED REED El Camino Real
FRANK TICHELI Shenandoah
BERT APPERMONT The Green Hill
STEVEN REINEKE Fate of the Gods
YOSHIHIRO MIZOGUCHI Castle In The Sky (Clarinet Ensemble)
DAICHI TANAKA
Spirited Away (French Horn Ensemble)
TETSUYA WATANABE Jonetsu Tairiku (Saxophone Ensemble)
JAY BOCOOK
The Prince of Egypt
TOSHIO MASHIMA Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
NAOHIRO IWAI Carioca
NAOKI HAYASHI A・RA・SHI〜Troublemaker
Program Notes
ALFRED REED
El Camino Real
This piece means ‘The Royal Road’, bearing the subtitle "A Latin Fantasy". It is based on several chord progressions common to countless generations of Spanish flamenco guitarists. The piece opens with an eruption of speed, underscoring the hectic affairs along the entire stretch of the El Camino Trail, from bustling trade to inevitable conflicts. Folk melodies then bring forth the calmer nature of life along the trail, showcased by the upper register of the band. However, each beautiful life experience is unique as shown by the irregularity of the time signature. Finally, the piece
accompaniment gradually flows under, breathing alongside the brass melody. As the piece progresses, the saxophone and flute solo sings in growing optimism, with the flute trio chiming in as a
BERT APPERMONT
The Green Hill
Bert Appermont shows off the incredible, but often overlooked, versatility of the euphonium, leading the band with virtuosic runs, painting a vivid picture of a blissful Celtic landscape. The audience is further transported into a mystical world with the evocative melodies of the horns, rich harmonies of the lower brasses, and dynamic contrasts of the woodwinds, exemplified by the fervent mallets.
STEVEN REINEKE
Fate of the Gods
"Fate of the Gods" by Steven Reineke is a powerful and dynamic band piece inspired by tales of Nordic mythology. Soaring melodies of the woodwinds depict triumph and good, contrasted with the dramatic shifts in dynamics of the brasses to capture the tension of evil forces. The rhythm of various percussion leaves the audience spellbound and in awe of the new and idyllic world that Reineke creates.
YOSHIHIRO MIZOGUCHI Castle In The Sky
Join the clarinet section as they bring you on a journey through the clouds with Joe Hisaishi's enchanting score from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved anime film, Castle in the Sky. This rendition takes you on a whimsical adventure alongside Sheeta and Pazu, two young protagonists who dream of a legendary floating castle. The melody passes from one clarinet to another and everyone gently supports each other as the piece progresses.
DAICHI TANAKA
Spirited Away
The French Horn section presents another piece by acclaimed composer Joe Hisaishi. Join Chihiro, the female protagonist, and the horn section as they transport you to the world of Spirited Away, taken through the wondrous spirit realm. Vital to the film's magic, it creates a soundscape of wonder, mystery, and warmth.
TETSUYA WATANABE Jonetsu Tairiku
Jonetsu Tairiku, which translates to "Land of Passion," is a popular piece by Japanese composer Taro Hakase, the theme song for the long-running Japanese documentary program. The piece is characterised by its energetic tempo, driving rhythm, and soaring melody lines, creating a sense of passion and determination. Do listen out to the various spotlights on each saxophone!
JAY BOCOOK
The Prince of Egypt
Jay Bocook arranged this medley of three pieces from the original motion picture. ‘Deliver Us’ depicts the suffering and agony of slaves in Ancient Egypt, with the trumpet solo evoking a sense of sorrow and percussion mimicking the snap of whips. Despite the tensions, ethnic drums colour the piece, showing how the simple joys still matter in ‘Through Heaven’s Eyes’. ‘When You Believe’ finally weaves together the triumph and jubilance of the entire band as the people are liberated.
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
The original song by Frankie Valli is a timeless song expressing deep admiration and affection for a significant other. Toshio Mashima’s arrangement features the flutes, beautifully capturing this feeling of being completely captivated by someone's presence, with the rest of the band responding exuberantly. This makes it a classic favourite for romantics everywhere as an extravagant declaration of love.
TOSHIO MASHIMA
NAOHIRO IWAI Carioca
"Carioca" by Vincent Youmans is a lively and catchy song that captures the vibrant spirit of Brazilian music and dance. In this special arrangement by Naohiro Iwai, the piece invites listeners to immerse themselves in the energetic rhythms of the samba with the upbeat tempo and catchy melody of the flute, clarinet, trombone, and trumpet solos, transporting them to the colourful streets of Rio de Janeiro.
NAOKI HAYASHI A・RA・SHI〜Troublemaker
As of October 2020, the Japanese boy band Arashi has sold over 58.8 million copies of albums, singles and videos and became the best selling boy band in Asia. This arrangement by Hayashi is a compilation of their most cheerful tunes. Feel free to clap along!
Repertoire Map
PLACE OF ORIGIN
Fate of the Gods: Scandinavia
Shenandoah: Virginia, USA
El Camino Real: Mexico
The Green Hill: Celtic Region
Castle In The Sky: Japan
Spirited Away: Japan
Jonetsu Tairiku: Japan
The Prince of Egypt: Egypt
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You: USA
Carioca: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil A・RA・SHI〜Troublemaker: Japan
X4
More about EJCSB!
Eunoia Junior College Symphonic Band was newly established in 2017 along with the founding of Eunoia Junior College (EJC). Undeterred by our young age as a band and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were awarded Distinction at every Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation under the tutelage of our Principal Conductor Mr. Adrian Chiang and Assistant Conductor Mr. Ralph Emmanuel Lim. Despite our diverse Secondary School backgrounds, EJCSB remains united, striving to always be on a high note, with each batch forging a legacy as an accomplished JC Wind Band.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Is photography/videography permitted?
Only non-flash photography is allowed. Audio recording is not permitted due to copyright issues. Please remain in your seats and do not obstruct the view of other audience members.
2) What is the recommended dress code?
We do not enforce any dress code, though most would show up in smart casual attire :D
3) How do I get to Eunoia Junior College?
EJC is accessible by bus from the Bishan, Bright Hill and Marymount MRT Stations. Please check online for the most updated travel information.
For those driving, parking is not available in EJC. You are recommended to park in the nearby HDB carparks. Please access the school on foot via the main gate at Sin Ming Place. The auditorium entrance is at the ground floor near the Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH)
4) How may I mass order tickets for school bookings?
We are delighted to assist with a direct booking. Please email our TIC, Mr Ong at ong.wee.yong@ejc.edu.sg.
Fun facts about the EJC Auditorium:
Total seating capacity of 908
Built with the Bishan Campus and opened in 2020
This concert programme was designed using Canva. ~ EJCSB EXCO 23/24 ~