Resonance Reimagined: A Sequel

Programme Kenneth Tay Isle of Mist Eriks Ešenvalds The Cloud Albert Tay Xiang Si 相思

Keane Ong Man Jiang Hong PREMIERE 满江红

Francisco Feliciano Pokpok Alimpako Albert Tay DaliBingBong PREMIERE Kenneth Tay Cherryblossom Elegy PREMIERE Eriks Ešenvalds Amazing Grace Ko Matsushita Itsuki no Komori Uta (Lullaby from Itsuki) 五木の子守唄

Americ Ting-Wei Goh Singapura Permai

E VO K X EVOKX was founded in 2010 as a non-profit community youth choir by Singaporean conductor and music educator Terrence Toh. The choir’s name is a portmanteau of the word ‘evoke’ and latin word ‘vox’, which embodies the group’s fundamental mission; the evocation of the human spirit through the choral arts.

At the heart of EVOKX, singers share a passion to inspire resonance with our collective voices; the commitment to instil charity, compassion and empathy in our audience and in ourselves, through the transformative power of choral music.

EVOKX pursues artistic excellence and nurtures our singers’ artistic growth through an emphasis on educational pedagogy and the exploration of an eclectic choral repertoire. We do not stop at finding meaning in what we do, rather, we seek to create meaning with our music making and to extend the unifying power of music and music making to the community at large.

SOPRANO Chloe Ong Leong Wan Xuan Michelle Ramachandran Rachel Xiong Sherilyn Lim Shirley Mu Stefenie Rachel Wong A LT O Amanda Ong Brenda Lai Chang Xiu Qi Chin Zhong Wei Hoang Tõ Quyen Liu Simeng Loo An Qi TENOR Alden Pong Chan Sheng Feng Chng Chee Hian Ivan Tan Joseph Mathews Keane Ong Nazrul Hakim Ted Ngoo BASS Chong Ting Jia Ho Shao Wei, Shawn Kester Tay Marcus Wan Ng Kian Hui Ryan Lim Yeo Zhe Hao

TERRENCE TOH Music & Artistic Director Terrence Toh is a Singaporean choral director, music educator and chorus master. He holds a Master of Music from Boston University and has studied under Dr. André de Quadros, Dr. Owen Brian William and Dr. Diana R. Dansereau. Terrence’s research interest is in the transformative powers of music, music education and musicmaking.

In his international debut as a conductor, Terrence led the choirs of National University of Singapore (NUS) and Tanjong Katong Secondary School to four gold awards in four competition categories at the 21st Century International Choral Festival in Genting, Malaysia. The NUS Choir was awarded the “Best Interpretation Award” and Terrence was honoured with the "Most Promising Conductor Award” in the same festival.

Choral programs under Terrence’s direction have consistently garnered gold awards and distinction certificates in the Singapore Youth Festival. He has also led the Anglican High School (AHS) Choir and Nanyang Junior College Choir to gold awards and diplomas at the Festival of Songs 2008 in Olomouc, Czech Republic, 11th and 12th Consorso Corale Internazionale in Riva Del Garda, Italy. The AHS choir also participated in Orientale Concentus 2014, Singapore and emerged winner in the Mixed Voices Junior Youth category.

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On top of being a regular feature in Esplanade’s Limelight, a concert series that showcases the best school choirs in Singapore; Terrence has also been actively involved in Esplanade’s Voices – A Festival of Song, as performer and clinician. He has also served as a choral specialist for Ministry of Education’s World Youth Choral Festival (2008) and Singapore International Youth Choral Festival (2011).

Terrence is the founder, artistic and music director of EVOKX, a non-profit community choir that engages youths in social and charitable causes through its outreach program and concert series, Evocation: The Art of Giving. EVOKX also promotes choral excellence and diversity in programming through Resonance: The Heart of Singing, a flagship concert series that explores an eclectic range of choral music. With the support of the National Arts Council (NAC), EVOKX was the first choral ensemble in Singapore to produce a digital presentation of a collaborative art form between animation and choral music, titled Resonance Reimagined: A Prelude.

A lifelong music educator, Terrence directs the choral programs at Anglican High School, Anderson Secondary School, CHIJ Katong Convent and Katong Primary, Crescent Girls’ School, Jurong Pioneer Junior College, Nanyang Junior College, Pasir Ris Secondary School and Zhonghua Secondary School. He firmly believes in a progressive curriculum, grounded in education ethics, realized through Critical Pedagogy, empowerment and transformative music.

His budding relationship with opera music has led him to serve as the Chorus Master for the Singapore Lyric Opera’s (SLO) production of Turandot (2016), L’elisir d’amore (2017), Aida (2018), Carmen (2019) and The Arts Place’s Don Pasquale (2019). He currently directs the three SLO choruses and serves as a co-opt member of the SLO Artistic Committee.

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“

According to Greek mythology,

humans were originally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves.

- Plato, The Symposium

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Programme Note EVOKX returns to the stage with Resonance Reimagined: A Sequel. This is the second of a trilogical concept that was hatched during the lockdown period in 2020. In 2021, we staged Resonance Reimagined: A Prelude, a digital presentation of a collaborative art form amalgamating animation and choral music. It was also the first of this three-part series aimed at promoting local choral works to the bigger audience.

Tonight, we present five pairs of choral works, continuing on our mission to showcase local compositions; in congruence and juxtaposition with choral works regularly performed by the international choral community.

We begin with the first pair which shares a common theme of transience and a moment of fleeting thoughts. Isle of Mist by Kenneth Tay is inspired by the breathtaking and mystical landscape of Skuy and The Cloud by Eriks Ešenvalds paints a tranquil image of clouds and a sea of waves - in which contemplation and reflection are immersed. Though both pieces share similar imagery, their respective music treatments are unique.

Based on Chinese literacy texts, 相思 (Xiang Si) by Albert Tay and 满江红 (Man Jiang Hong) reminisce the past and what has been lost. Using musical devices to imitate instruments and create atmosphere, we are transported to the time and place in which these texts were written, experiencing an array of emotions from anger to sadness.

The next pair is a fun and uplifting reminder of games from childhood - Pokpok Alimpako by Francisco Feliciano and DaliBingBong by Albert Tay remind us to disconnect from the digital world around us and get in touch with our inner childs to find simple joys and pleasures in games that we could enjoy easily with just the people around us.

Cherryblossom Elegy by Kenneth Tay and Amazing Grace arranged by Eriks Ešenvalds both speak of personal reflection and deep contemplation on one's life. However, through each individual's struggles, the source of comfort and grace varies. No two experiences are the same, so we invite you to bathe in the tuneful and melodious lines of these two pieces, as you forge your own path of grace.

The final pair are both contemporary arrangements of folk songs that use changing texture and tonality to convey emotions. 五木の子守唄 (Itsuki No Komori Uta) arranged by Ko Matsushita is a lullaby of despair and desolation, whilst Singapura Permai arranged by Americ Ting-Wei Goh is a traditional Singaporean melody which speaks of the beauty and admiration for the beautiful island we live on.

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We urge you to come on this journey with us and our artistic director Terrence Toh; to not only be open to new ideas and concepts that you perhaps never thought to consider, but also to share and connect through past experiences and welcome newfound reflections, both introspectively and retrospectively.

Programme note by Stefenie Rachel Wong

Isle of Mist Kenneth Tay (1992) The sun shines on the ocean, And the heavens are blue and high, But the clouds hang grey and lowering O’er the misty Isle of Skye.

The streams are broad and stately, And the meadows fertile lie, But I hear the streamlets leaping Down the rocky glens of Skye.

I hear the blue-bird singing, And the starling’s mellow cry, But I love the peewit’s screaming In the distant Isle of Skye.

There’s a singing in the cornfields As the breeze goes whispering by But I love the bracken’s rustle On the lonely hills of Skye.

The trees are grand and lofty, And the grass grows sweet and high, But I long to see the heather In the purple Isle of Skye.

And I’d rather hear the music, Where my time may come to die, Of the wind among the corries In the far-off Isle of Skye.

Text attributed to M. J. M. in "Misty Isle of Skye”

by John A. MacCulloch

The Cloud Eriks Ešenvalds (1977) I am a cloud in the heaven’s height, The stars are lit for my delight, Tireless and changeful, swift and free, I cast my shadow on hill and seaBut why do the pines on the mountain’s crest Call to me always, “Rest, rest”?

I throw my mantle over the moon And I blind the sun on his throne at noon, Nothing can tame me, nothing can bind, I am a child of the heartless windBut oh the pines on the mountain’s crest Whispering always, “Rest, rest.”

Poem by Sara Teasdale 6

Xiang Si 相思 Albert Tay (1981) 紅豆生南國 春來發幾枝 願君多採擷 此物最相思

The red berries grow in the south.

I wonder how many more branches sprout in spring.

May the gentleman gather more of them For the red berry best represents longing.

Adapted from a translation by Albert Tay

Poem by 王維 (Wang Wei)

Man Jiang Hong 满江红 PREMIERE Keane Ong (1990) 怒发冲冠 , 凭栏处，潇潇雨

Wrath bristling through my helm, as I lean on the railing, the rain stops

抬望眼， 仰天长啸，壮怀激烈。

I lift my eyes up to the sky, and I let loose a passionate roar.

三十功名尘与土， 八千里路云和月。

At the age of thirty, my many deeds are but dust, Over eight thousand miles I have journeyed.

莫等闲，白了少年头， 空悲切!

Do not tarry, once the young man’s head is white, it is empty with regret.

靖康耻，犹未雪；

The Humiliation of Jingkang, it lingers still.

臣子恨，何时灭？ 驾长车，踏破贺兰山缺。

The pain of the Emperor’s subjects, when will it end?

Let us ride our chariots through Helan Pass.

壮志饥餐胡虏肉， 笑谈渴饮匈奴血。

There we shall feast on barbarian flesh, and savour the Xiongnu’s blood.

待从头， 收拾旧山河， 朝天阙！

We will start anew, reclaim the old mountains and rivers, and pay tribute to the Emperor!

Text attributed to 岳飛 (Yue Fei)

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Pokpok Alimpako Francisco Feliciano (1941 - 2014) Pound your hands; Dali will run.

Boro-boro is not around.

Open that hand under the other.

Pound your hands!

Pokpok alimpako pok!

Limpakopiko malalago isi daling daon si Boroboro bukas kasa-isa Pokpok alimpako!

Translation by Francisco F. Feliciano, edited by André de Quadros

Traditional Maranao Muslim children’s chant

DaliBingBong Albert Tay (1981) Cherryblossom Elegy PREMIERE Kenneth Tay (1992) Petals drifting off into the starless night I wonder where they are headed in their flight One by one, and yet too many at once Against the foggy glow of lamplight.

It is said beneath a cherry tree there lay A sleeper who has departed from his days Dreaming within the gnarling roots’ dark embrace Of the trees branching into blooms of pink.

Driven free-falling through the wind in spring Whilst the tree that blossomed stands as it has been For what reason can there be to such haste In their leaving before they have stayed?

How I long to return to that hallowed embrace Keeping safe from waking moments between icy rains Lost not in night to the snowing flowers Never stirring, bound to thy dreams.

Poem by Toh Hong Jin

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Amazing Grace Eriks Ešenvalds (1977) Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed.

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we first begun.

Text by John Newton

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Itsuki No Komori Uta 五木の子守唄 Ko Matsushita (1962) おどま盆ぎり 盆ぎり 盆から先 ゃおらんど 盆が早よ来 りゃ 早よもどる

I will stay here until Bon comes.

As soon as Bon is over, I will not be here.

The sooner Bon comes, the sooner I can go home.

おどまかんじん かんじん あん人達ゃ よか衆 よかしゃ よか帯 よか着物

I am a beggar, just a beggar They are rich people.

With good sashes and good dresses.

おどんが打死だちゅて 誰が泣いてくりょか 裏の松山 蝉が鳴く

When I die, who will cry for me?

Only the cicadas in the mountains behind the house.

蝉じゃござんせぬ 妹でござる 妹泣くなよ 気にかかる

No, it’s not cicadas.

It’s my little sister.

Don’t cry, little sister, I will be worried about you.

Translation by Norio Shimizu

Japanese folk song

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Singapura Permai Americ Ting-Wei Goh (1982) Singapura, oh pulau indah istimewa,

Singapore, oh beautiful, special island,

Di keliling laut, indah permai,

Surrounded by the beauty of the sea.

Singapura, laksana permata delima,

Singapore, like a ruby gem,

Yang bermutu tinggi dan bernilai,

Of exquisite quality and valuable,

Itulah neg’riku, di situ hidupku,

That’s my country, that's where my life is,

Hidup bahagia dan sentosa,

Live happily and peacefully,

Singapura, berpohon berdaun berbunga

Singapore, full of flowering, leafy trees

Sungguh istimewa, indah permai.

So special, and beautiful.

Translation by Yeo Zhe Hao and Nazrul Hakim

Text by Harry Martinez

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AC K N OW LE D G E M E NT S M U S I C A N D A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R Terrence Toh CO M P O S E R S Americ Ting-Wei Goh Albert Tay Keane Ong Kenneth Tay CO N C E R T CO M M I T T E E Keane Ong Brenda Lai Joseph Mathews Liu Simeng Ryan Lim P R O G R A M M E N OT E S Brenda Lai Kester Tay Stefenie Rachel Wong Yeo Zhe Hao PUBLICITY Amanda Ong Shirley Mu DESIGN Sherilyn Lim VENUE Victoria Concert Hall REHEARSAL VENUE Singapore Lyric Opera VIDEOGRAPHY Dancing Legs Productions SOUND Steven Cheong P H OTO G R A P H Y Elgin Ting

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