Nelson's Choral Voyage

FOREWORD When I began my professional journey as a choral conductor in 1985, I was deeply inspired by then Senior Minister of State for Education, the late Dr Tay Eng Soon.

He hopes to have choirs that could represent Singapore on the international stage.

I strongly believe in building a vibrant Singapore choral scene, we need to improve on both the depth (excellence) and breadth (outreach) of choral standards and education.

For the next 35 years, I actively took part in international choral competitions leading many local choirs; 3 community, 1 university, 4 junior college and 4 secondary school choirs to win more than 250 local and international Gold awards including the most prestigious titles of “World Choir Games Champion”, “Choir of the World” and Grand Prix of Competition from events of the highest standards. I had garnered high commendations from hundreds of international choral experts for my skills and artistic achievements. These recognitions have endorsed my musical skills and given me confidence that I am on the right track in developing Singapore choirs towards choral excellence.

I also recognised the urgent need for qualified conductors to further develop our choral scene; more than 25 local conductors were nurtured under my mentorship since 2001. I founded both the Choral Directors’ Association and Federation for Choral Music in Singapore in order to enhance the professional skills and knowledge for choral conductors. In addition, I organised local and international festivals to provide local conductors and choirs a platform to gain knowledge and exposure from global specialists.

I believe the power of choral singing can deeply enriched our cultural foundation and bond our nation together. With a vision of making Singapore a singing nation, I organised the Inaugural Singapore Choral Festival in 2015. The festival serves as a platform to celebrate Singapore choral artists from all aspects; bringing conductors, singers, composers, music organisations and societies together. It has gone from strength to strength and brought people from different communities, age and ethnic groups together to share their passion for choral music. In addition, I am also actively involved with the Musician Society and Choral Association of Singapore, which have also aided my efforts to broaden the influence of choral arts to reach more Singaporeans.

As I embark on the next chapter of my music career, plans are in motion towards inaugurating 2 new choirs. Firstly, a professional chamber choir, elevated from a semi-professional chamber choir I had formed previously which had already given successful performance both locally and abroad.

Secondly, I will start writing more choral compositions and arrangements that speak to me and touch my soul. Choral art will always be very close to my heart and I would love to continue to learn, to pursue, to explore and to experiment new horizons in this art form.

Nelson Kwei

NELSON KWEI Nelson Kwei, the premier choral director of Singapore, is an international acclaimed conductor, conservatorium lecturer, editorial advisor, international adjudicator, music arranger and vocal clinician in the music scene. He is a Fellow from the London College of Music, has a Licentiate in singing from the Guildhall School of Music and Advance PostGraduate in Choral Conducting from the Royal Academy of Music (London). In 2013, Nelson was specially elected to receive the Associateship from the Royal Academy of Music for his outstanding achievements in choral music. He currently holds the record in Singapore of garnering an unprecedented 254 gold, distinction awards and champion titles for Singapore. In 2018, Nelson led the NUSChoir to win the “Choir Of The World Award – Pavarotti Trophy” in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod becoming the first and only Singapore choir to achieve this honour.

A familiar figure in the local choral scene, Nelson started conducting at the tender age of 10 when he was selected to direct his school harmonica band, symphonic band and choir. It was the start of an illustrious career. As a student, he went on to conduct and sing for the Anglican High School Choir, the Temasek Junior College Choir and the National University of Singapore Choir. Upon graduation in 1985, he founded and conducted the Victoria Junior College Choir and Varsity Choral Ensemble.

In June 1990, the VJC Choir made history in the local music scene by being the first school choir to win an international choir competition at the Welsh Eisteddfod.

Nelson’s conducting style and interpretation of music were highly commended by the distinguished panel of judges. Since then, He has led the Victoria Chorale, the Tampines Junior College Choir, The Amadeus Choral Society, the Victoria School Choir, the Catholic High School Choir and the Dunman High School Choir to clinch top prizes at international choral competitions such as Bournemouth Musicmakers International Competition Festival, Riva Del Garda Concorso Corale Internazionale, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod , International Choral Competition at Pohlhelm, Germany, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy International Choral Competition, Germany, Choir Olympic 2000, Austria, Hawaii International Choir Competition Festival and Pacific Basin Music Festival.

Nelson was also the first choral scholar from Singapore. He was awarded the prestigious scholarship in 1990 by the Ministry of Education resulting in a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Choral Conducting Studies for the Post-Graduate from the Royal Academy of Music in London. Upon his return, he was appointed as a Choral Project Officer with the ECA Centre, Ministry of Education. During his service with the Ministry of Education, Nelson had conducted many choral workshops for choir teachers and took charge of many national projects.

In 1993, Nelson was honoured with the “Singapore Youth Award”, the highest accolades for youths in Singapore, in recognition of his significant contribution in the field of choral art. In 1999, he was awarded with the “Culture Award” by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and in 2001, the Rotary Club honoured him as the “Ambassador of the Arts” for Singapore. In 2011, COMPASS Singapore has awarded Nelson with the prestigious “Meritorious Award” in view of his outstanding artistic achievement and contribution to the nation.

On the international level, Nelson won the prestigious “Outstanding Choral Director Award” 2 years in a row at the International Choral Competition in Germany, 1998 and 1999 and also the “Best Conductor Award” at the Petr Eben International Choral Competition in 2002 and 2004 in Prague. Between 2006 and 2008, he has led his choirs to 8 Gold Medals including 3 Choir Olympic Champions in the World Choir Games held in Bremen, Germany & Xiamen, China. His choir was also the first Asian choir to win the Grand Prize & Audience Prize at the prestigious Concorso Corale Internazionale held in Riva Del Garda, Italy. In 2008, he was also conferred the “Conductor Prize” in the 10th edition of the internationally-acclaimed choral competition.

In 2012, Nelson was once again presented with his 6th conducting prize in the 28th Franz-Schubert Choir Competition held in Vienna, Austria where he led Victoria Junior College Choir to attain 4 Gold awards and 2 Category Champion prizes. In 2013, he led the National University of Singapore Choir to achieve an unprecedented result of three 1st Prizes in the oldest choral competition in the world, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in Wales, UK. Recently in 2015, he led the Victoria Junior College Choir to 4 Category Champion awards in Hoi An, Vietnam, cementing our nation’s status in the international choral arena.

In July 2016, Nelson and the NUS Choir were invited to participate in the Taipei International Choral Festival and also to perform in the National Concert Hall, the first choir from Singapore to be invited to this prestigious event. During the festival, Nelson also gave a lecture on Southeast Asian Choral Music for the participating conductors from around Asia. In December 2016, Nelson gave a special choral music interpretation workshop for the teachers at the Hong Kong Children’s Choir.

Presently, he is the Artistic Director of the “Singapore Choral Festival”, “A Voyage of Songs” and “Asia Cantate”, both are prominent international choral competitions and “Jubilate, Festival of Choirs”.

Nelson is also invited as both clinician and adjudicator in many top international choral festivals and competitions including the World Choir Games Series. Currently, he is the conductor of many schools, colleges, university and semi-professional choirs in Singapore that has won numerous national and international accolades.

CONCERT PROGRAMME The Vocal Consort 心里的小百合 Lily In My Heart 丝方尽, 泪始干 A Father’s Love 细水长流

composed by Nelson Kwei composed by Nelson Kwei composed by Liang Wen Fook arranged by Nelson Kwei

Victoria Chorale 一步一步来

Malay Melodies My Harvest, My Land

composed by Liang Wen Fook arranged by Nelson Kwei arranged by Nelson Kwei composed by Nelson Kwei

Combine Male Chorus A Montage

composed by Nelson Kwei

Combine Female Chorus 海的故事 Stories Of The Sea

arranged by Nelson Kwei

Singapore Choral Artists Ave Verum Corpus Ubi Caritas Levavi Oculos Meos In Montes 小时侯 Yesterday I Was Young

composed by Nelson Kwei composed by Nelson Kwei composed by Nelson Kwei composed by Nelson Kwei

‘思亲’ 三部曲 ‘REMEMBRANCE’ TRIPTYCH

BY NELSON KWEI

心里的小百合 Lily In My Heart

‘Lily In My Heart’ first made its appearance as a submission at a composition competition in 1981. The Lily symbolises Blessing, Nobility, and Innocence; characters akin to a child and the child’s impression of mothers. This song sings of the unwavering love of a child for his mother, and a sense of looking back in time to a distant memory that remains clear to the beholder as he reminiscent the days of yore. The first poem I learn from my mom, 《静夜思》from the Tang Dynasty, which decorates this piece like a distant memory from childhood. This multifaceted composition weaves a nursery rhyme and poem《静夜思》 throughout the piece; both works which many of us associate with growing up years. This piece was premiered by The Vocal Consort in 2019. 我来到清清的小河畔，看到小小的百合花， 它纯纯的迎风摇摆，我不禁将它摘下。 我掬着这朵小花，献给亲爱的妈妈， 她那含笑的脸庞，带给我无限地温暖。 排排坐，吃菓菓，你一个，我一个， 床前明月光，疑是地上霜，举头望明月，低头思故乡。 如今我远离了家乡，独自流浪走四方。 啊，我亲爱的妈妈，可听到孩儿的呼唤， 愿我心里的小百合，随风送到你的身旁。

丝方尽, 泪始干 A Father’s Love

I wrote “A Father’s Love” for my dad as a Father’s Day present when I was in junior college. The lyrics was inspired by the Tang Dynasty poet 李商隐, in his poem《无题》, the deep love and sacrifice he described reminded me so much of the selfless love parents will give to their child. The full choral version was written during the recent pandemic which coincide with my father passing away for 25 years, and hence the sorrow of missing a person but can never meet again was added into the final version.

I was also inspired by the Taiwanese composer 叶佳修’s song 爸爸的草鞋 as it reflected the struggles of my father’s life during and after the Second World War. I have used a small portion of that song to bridge the two major segments of A Father’s Love. 丝方尽，泪始干，相见时难，别亦难。 怎堪见父双鬓白，皱纹日渐深， 心念父爱深且阔，待子诚且真。 春蚕至死丝方尽，蜡炬成灰泪始干， 念父终身辛又劳，为儿劳苦为儿忙。 草鞋是船爸爸是帆，故国的叮咛不能忘， 草鞋是船爸爸是帆，充满疲惫的启航。 怎堪见父双鬓白，皱纹日渐深， 心念父爱深且阔，待子诚且真。 春蚕至死丝方尽，蜡炬成灰泪始干， 多年岁月的风和霜，父爱撑起了我的家。 丝方尽，泪始干，东风无力，百花残。

小时侯 Yesterday I Was Young

Childhood memories are always the sweetest and I have always like to express that into music. Of all the great moments I have experienced, the memories of my mother’s story-telling has left the deepest and most lasting impression. Another one would be the nightly time spend outside in the garden where she would show me different star constellations and it is always accompanied by songs and stories. In this song “小时候”, I use the text 《秋夕》 by Tang dynasty poet 杜牧 that my mother used to sing to me to begin this journey down a bitter sweet memory lane. 银烛秋光冷画屏，轻罗小扇扑流萤， 天阶夜色凉如水，卧看牵牛织女星。 小时候，我喜欢看着满天闪烁的星辰， 在晚风中让思绪驰骋在长长的银河里。 想像自己是蓝蓝天空里的小白船，飘呀，飘呀， 在星海里航向浩瀚遥远的天际。 辰星是灯塔，照呀照得亮。 小时候，我每夜期盼妈妈讲的故事。 故事中我化身脚踏风火轮，翻江倒海的哪吒，封神榜，风起云涌。 花果山，水帘洞，六丁六甲天兵天将， 盘丝洞，火焰山，唐三藏，孙悟空，大话西游。 桃园中结义，夜奔上梁山，格林的童话，天方夜谭。 古老的故事在男孩的世界里化成永恒的记忆。 春去秋来，岁月如流，游子伤漂泊， 回忆儿时家居嬉戏，光阴宛如昨。 我怀念那所古老的房子，是我成长的天堂。 我怀念那群儿时的玩伴，他们在何方？ 那些全家团聚欢乐的日子，说说笑笑其乐无穷， 怀念那段逝去的时光，小时候….. 银烛秋光冷画屏。

CHOIRS

SINGAPORE CHORAL ARTISTS

The Singapore Choral Artists is the first semi-professional choir in Singapore founded in 2021 by Choral Maestro Nelson Kwei. With a passion to invigorate the local arts scene, the young and vibrant SCA seeks to champion new choral works by local composers. The ensemble of dedicated singers SCA sees its members with no less than 10 years of singing experience, who have all stepped onto the world stage performing at various festivals and competitions. Together with Maestro Kwei, the group stands at the forefront of choral excellence and artistry.

CHOIRS

THE VOCAL CONSORT

Founded in 2001, The Vocal Consort (TVC) is one of Singapore’s premier choral groups. As a community choir, its talented members range from choral hobbyists to musicians across students and working professionals who come together to share their passion for choral singing.

Since its inception, TVC has been actively involved in numerous collaborations with various national arts groups and has participated in several national arts events. The choir has continually expanded its repertoire, exploring different genres of choral music in its bid towards choral excellence. Today, there are five choirs housed under TVC: the main chorus, Coro di Signori, Coro Delle Donne, the Chamber Choir, and The National Youth Choir of Singapore.

TVC also actively seeks for opportunities to perform and compete both locally and abroad to provide exposure to its members and maintain its choral excellence. At the Tokyo International Choir Competition in 2018, the choir achieved Gold for all the categories it participated in. It was also the category winner for Contemporary Music and awarded the Best Interpretation for Renaissance and Baroque music.

TVC has shown its perseverance during trying times. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it successfully held a live concert ‘Cadenza’ in January this year, and will continue doing so in the days to come.

CHOIRS

VICTORIA CHORALE

Established in 1988, the Victoria Chorale comprises the alumni of both Victoria School and Victoria Junior College. The choir members come from all walks of life and are bonded by their passion for singing. Under the baton of esteemed conductor, Mr. Nelson Kwei, the choir performs an extensive repertoire, ranging from sacred Latin works to contemporary Asian songs and light jazz pieces.

The choir has won awards at many prestigious international festivals, including those in Llangollen, Pohlheim and Bournemouth. Notably, the choir emerged category champions in the Musica Sacra A Capella category in the 2006 World Choir Games held in Xiamen, China. In 2009, the choir embarked on its first ever Asia-Pacific region concert tour at the invitation of J&A Music Corporation, performing an extensive repertoire at the Seoul Arts Center, South Korea. In 2014, the choir was invited by the acclaimed vocal duo, the De Lanerolle Brothers, to sing at the historical Lionel Wendt Theatre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In 2017, at the Manado Cantat International Choral Competition, the choir emerged Grand Champions, after sweeping the top prizes in the Equal Voices Open, Chamber as well as Sacred categories. At her concert series In Song 2018, Victoria Chorale commemorated her 30th Anniversary with a special line-up of songs representing the choir’s journey since her founding in 1988. The night was made special with the participation of the present, new and pioneer members of the choir.

In addition to her concert series, the choir is largely involved in the Singapore choral scene, performing in various concerts. The choir also carols every Christmas season in hotels and boutiques across the country. In particular, past and present members of the choir return each Christmas season to participate in a homecoming caroling session, known as the Grand Reunion. It is a testament to Victorians of all generations returning to connect and to sing with friends, both old and new.

Konzert is a Singapore-based arts events organisation motivated by a passion for choral and vocal pedagogy. Working closely with our regional and global partners, it is our lifelong mission to promote cultural learning and choral excellence through collaborations. Established in 2013, Konzert continues the legacy of its predecessor Victoria Choral Academy as the organising headquarters for Asia’s prestigious choral events.

Our first competition series began with A Voyage of Songs in 2003 to positive reception and in the following year, we introduced our first workshop series Jubilate. Over the years, our biannual events have garnered a reputation for quality and excellence, attracting specialists and choirs from around the world, many that have displayed exceptional performance standards. In 2012, Asia Cantate was unveiled as the new competition series which attracted more than 700 participants from the region. Recently in June 2015, we successfully launch Cantus Angelicus, our brand-new specialized workshop series for children’s choirs.

For more than a decade, we have organised over 20 choral events to huge success in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. With our extensive professional network regionally and globally, we are pleased to assist choirs and voice ensembles looking to participate in an overseas festival or competition.

Get in touch for help on choosing one suitable to your needs, advice, or more information about our services.

Website: www.konzertchoral.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/konzertchoral

Email: info@konzert.com.sg

To purchase the music scores please contact us at info@konzert.com.sg

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Konzert Pte Ltd would like to specially thank the following organizations and personnel for their support:

Victoria Concert Hall

Mr Poh Choon Ann Singapore Choral Artists The Vocal Consort Victoria Chorale Brian Foong, Concert Designer Rachel Chia, Emcee Backstage Crew Front of House Assistants Families and friends of all performers All personnel that have assisted in any way to the success of the concert Thank you!