2022 Asia Kodaly Symposium Programme

Organising Committee

Main Partners

With the kind support of

ABOUT KODÁLY ACADEMY OF MUSIC (SINGAPORE)

The Kodály Academy of Music Singapore (KAM) is a Singapore registered company that is privileged to have the long term support of the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music (Hungary) for its projects since its inception in 2014.

CORE VALUES

We are committed to giving and bringing our best to music; musIcians, teachers and students.

OUR MISSION

To inspire, promote and bring about better understanding of the arts and culture to the masses through the Kodály Concept (a Hungarian inspired teaching philosophy and technique).

To provide an international platform that celebrates the diversity of arts and culture.

To provide opportunities for learning, understanding and collaboration between composers, artistes and sponsors in spearheading and pioneering Arts in a sustainable manner.

We are committed to building relationships for the betterment of music education and contribution to the professional growth and life-long learning of staff and students.

We are committed to exploring new ways of teaching and performing music.

Offering a Diverse Range of Experiences

Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd. (SCS) is a Singapore choir collective and the premier avenue for learning music through singing. SCS believes that music is spiritually nourishing and good music education should be available to people of every kind and rank.

SCS is a flexible choir collective that offers singing groups of different sizes, voicing and levels of singing ranging from chamber choirs, (symphonic) festival choruses to opera choruses. Apart from catering to educationist efforts in the form of un auditioned choruses where one can learn fundamentals of music theory through singing and performance, SCS has a professional level choir for hire for corporate events and artistic projects.

SCS was responsible for numerous world and local premieres, including the first fully staged Singaporean production of Richard Wagner’s ‘The Flying Dutchman’ in 2016, as well as showcasing an array of Singaporean works overseas. Innovating at the forefront of art making, SCS was the first Singaporean choir to deploy Virtual Reality 360 recording in the 2017 premier of Luo Mai Shuo (PRC)’s ‘Fighter Writer - Yu’. SCS also premiered ‘遇⻅ Rhapsody in Verse’ during the 2018 Singapore Writers’ Festival as part of Singapore Press Holding Zaobao’s 95th Anniversary. SCS was featured in Esplanade’s “A Tapestry of Sacred Music” in 2019, performing Arvo Pärt’s Passio - St John’s Passion in the Dark to a full house audience at the Esplanade Concert Hall. SCS has also been featured at Esplanade’s annual Voices Festival.

SCS soldiered on during the global pandemic and remained highly active despite the difficulties. SCS was the local partner for the 4th Asia Kodály Symposium 2020 (AKS) and premiered the digital virtual choir performance of Zoltán Kodály’s ‘Esti Dal’ as part of the event’s Gala Closing Ceremony. The choir also worked with other arts groups an immersive digital performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (Final Movement), presented by the German Embassy Singapore in partnership with the Foundation for The Arts and Social Enterprise, as well as a music video with the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra in support of our frontline heroes. SCS also successfully deployed the latest, cutting edge low latency technology that allowed multiple voices to simultaneously sing together amidst the pandemic. SCS was the recording choir for the Ho Yeah Festival 2021 Theme Song - 排 排 坐 (Sitting in a Row), and was the first Singaporean choir to employ the use of innovative 3D Audio technology in its production.

ZOLTÁN KODÁLY

Kodály was born in Kecskemét, Hungary, on December 16, 1882. Although born into a musical family, his early interests were into literary studies. As his father was a railway official, his family had a rather nomadic existence.

From 1884 until 1891, they lived in Galánta (later to be immortalised in the orchestral dances Kodály based on folk music from the area), then moved to Nagyszombat (now Trnava, Slovakia), where Zoltán studied violin and piano, and sang in the cathedral choir an early introduction to the importance of choral singing. He explored the scores in the cathedral music library, meanwhile teaching himself the cello to make up the numbers for his father’s home based quartet-evenings.

From 1884 until 1891, they lived in Galánta (later to be immortalised in the orchestral dances Kodály based on folk music from the area), then moved to Nagyszombat (now Trnava, Slovakia), where Zoltán studied violin and piano, and sang in the cathedral choir an early introduction to the importance of choral singing. He explored the scores in the cathedral music library, meanwhile teaching himself the cello to make up the numbers for his father’s home based quartet evenings.

After gaining a PhD in philosophy and linguistics, Kodály went to Paris where he studied with Charles Widor and discovered the music of Claude Debussy. On his return to Budapest in 1907, he was appointed a professor at the prestigious Liszt Academy where he taught music theory and composition. Kodály was to teach there for most of his life and after his retirement as a professor, he returned as the Director of the Academy in 1945.

Outside Hungary, Kodály's compositions began to gain ground around 1910 through concerts in which Bartók and Kodály presented their music. The real breakthrough came in 1923 with a commission to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the union of the cities of Buda and Pest. The result was the Psalmus Hungaricus, a powerful setting of a sixteenth-century Hungarian version of Psalm LV.

This established Kodály both as a national cultural leader, and a figure of international standing. Two operas followed, Háry János (1926) and the Spinning Room (1932), the first of which yielded a suite that soon became internationally popular. So did the orchestral Dances of Marosszék (1930) and Dances of Galánta (1933), all presenting an authentic Hungarian national idiom in a manner that allowed international prominence.

His other orchestral works include a Concerto for Orchestra (1939 40), a Symphony (1957 61) and one of his best known scores, the Variations on a Hungarian Folk Song (1938 39), often referred to as the ‘Peacock Variations’.

Among his choral orchestral output the Missa Brevis (1942 44) enjoys considerable esteem, as does the Te Deum of Buda Castle (1936).

Kodály’s renown as a music educator is almost as high as his reputation as a composer. He was very interested in the problems of music education, and wrote a good deal of educational music for schools as well as books on the subject. His work in this field had a profound effect on musical education both inside and outside his home country. Although he is sometimes acknowledged as the creator of the 'Kodály Method', this is something of a misnomer as Kodály did not actually devise a comprehensive method. Instead, he laid down a set of principles for music education.

In 1945 he became the president of the Hungarian Arts Council, and in 1962 received the Order of the Hungarian People's Republic. His other posts included a Presidency of the International Folk Music Council, and Honorary Presidency of the International Society for Music Education. He died in Budapest on 6th March 1967, one of the most respected and well known figures in the Hungarian arts.

INTERNATIONAL KODÁLY SOCIETY (WWW.IKS.HU)

ASIA KODÁLY SYMPOSIUM

The 5th Asia Kodály Sy held from 15 21 August year’s symposium is “E Building Bridges Throu 2022 consists of a serie as well as musicianship professional developm professionals and stud symposium programm of some of the top min offer in 2 days of full d lectures were also held experts from around th in-person conference.

The biennial AKS trave and has touched the li people worldwide sinc The 5th AKS is presente collective Schola Canto the support of the Kod y y (Singapore), the International Kodály Institute (Hungary) of the Liszt Academy of Music, the National Arts Council (NAC) and Tanglin Trust School.

AKS LOGO, DESIGNED BY NICHOLAS THAM

FOREWORD

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Kodály Academy of Music (Singapore) and Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd. for organising the 5th Asia Kodály Symposium Gala Concert. The past two years have been very challenging, but I am very happy that things are getting better and that we are able to organise more physical events and activities again.

The Asia Kodaly Symposium (AKS) Gala Concert has always supported our local talents by showcasing our local artists and choirs. This year's concert aims to focus on our youths and to provide them with a platform to showcase their talent.

The youths are our future leaders, and we need to build a supportive and healthy environment which will provide them with the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Inculcating positive mindset and habits such as music and choral singing are healthy activities that encourage our youths to stay away from harmful activities and influences such as drug abuse.

I have seen many young Singaporean lives destroyed by drug abuse, and it is not only the lives of the youths that are destroyed, but those closest to them as well. Therefore, we must come together to build and work towards a drug-free Singapore.

Best Wishes,

Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development

FOREWORD

Warm greetings and congratulations from the International Kodály Society to all of you who are participating in the 5th Asian Kodály Symposium!

You are in the best of hands with Dr. László Nemes and Albert Tay. Dr. Nemes exemplifies the musical and creative spirit of the Kodály Concept of Music Education; I am always inspired by his teaching. Albert Tay's contagious enthusiasm for the work and his organizational skills have resulted in the continuation of these Asian symposia.

I encourage you to learn all you can and to apply it diligently in your home countries. Our musical cultures are a priceless gift the people of the world need now more than ever. Zoltán Kodály understood how our oral traditions are priceless treasuries of wisdom, music, dance, drama, and storytelling often thousands of years old that create the wonderful identities of every nation.

May you experience great personal and professional growth this week, and much happiness for years to come as you teach your students and their families through their own living music.

The members of the Board of Directors of the International Kodály Society and I send you our best wishes and invite you to join with us in making Kodály's vision a worldwide reality.

Dr. Jerry L. Jaccard President, The International Kodály Society

FOREWORD

Dear Delegates, Friends and Colleagues,

The 5th Asia Kodaly Symposium (AKS) is a significant milestone marking 10 years of fruitful partnership between Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore) and the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music.

The AKS has had a great impact on musicians and music educators, prompting much rethinking of one’s approach to music education and performance, inspired the creation of new ensembles, provided an international speaking and performance platform for established and young artists alike, and has to date, reached out to more than 6000 participants, many of whom are music professionals and music lovers hailing from nearly 40 countries & territories.

Many participants have gone on to further their studies in Hungary or continue to participate in various Kodaly inspired music programmes in the region.

We would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to the National Arts Council and Tanglin Trust School for their generous support, as well as the patrons and sponsors who continue to support the Arts during these difficult times.

A bi th k ll t t t both past and present, who have helped make this

Albert Tay Founder and Director, Kodály Academy of Music (Singapore)

Professor László Norbert Nemes Director, Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music (Hungary) Chairman, Asia Kodály Symposium

EVENT

1

Saturday, 20 August 2022

Symposium Opening Keynote 0Speech 9 : 0 0 1 0 : 0 0

Professor László NEMES

Exploring Cultures Through Orff 1Schulwerk

0 : 0 0 - 1 1 : 0 0

1 1 : 3 0 - 1 2 :

0

Abdul HAKIM and Rebecca LAU (SingOrff)

As the saying goes, “Tell me, I’ll forget Show me, I’ll remember Involve me, I’ll understand ”

The Orff Schulwerk philosophy expounds the notion that children learn better in a multi faceted manner In regard to music, as encouraged by Carl Orff, the learning process weaves the natural behaviours of chanting, singing, movement and play, with exploration, improvisation and creation, the hallmark activities of the Orff artistic pedagogy. The musical content is derived from the child’s own native folk tradition, often in pentatonic, highlighting music that is elemental and pertaining to the child’s world What better way to understand the Orff Schulwerk than to experience the process itself, isn’t it? In line with the symposium’s theme this year, participants will be engaged and involved in the various stages of the Orff process, through song, play and dance, building bridges with each other, highlighting the social aspect of the above pedagogy.

1

Saturday, 20 August 2022

Engaging Young Audiences Through Music Theatre

PHANG Kok Jun

As someone who believes in introducing music to young audiences, Kok Jun has been actively creating music theatre productions for children of varying ages since 2010

In this session, Kok Jun will share his personal journey in creating, composing, and even directing these productions. He will engage in a candid sharing of what has worked and not worked for him, and how he is constantly adapting his approach to reach out to this generation of young ones who live in a changing world.

Saturday, 20 August 2022

Bridging Different Art Forms with Chinese Music

Dedric WONG

One of my missions is to blend Chinese music with other art forms to create new works that are relatable and speaks to the audience Through this endeavor of experimentation in bridging different art forms with Chinese music, I have

encountered an array of challenges and that has informed my works and processes that are multi disciplinary and multi cultural

Arrangement: A Behind the Scenes

Peter HUANG

Come take a peek into Peter Huang’s processes for a cappella arrangements, featuring live demonstration He will also bring us behind the scenes at how MICappella comes up with various types of arrangements while debunking certain myths about the a cappella art form.

Peter will also share his own musical journey from being a solo singer songwriter to forming MICappella along with his visions for the band and inspiring the band to get where they are now.

Sunday, 21 August 2022

Diana TAN & Peter HUANG

Imagine yourself, the person/art form as a business, what do you think people should know about your business? What is your unique selling point and why should they buy in to you?

Do you only have 1 product and how can you maximise this 1 product? How do you creatively make yourself a business?

Using the success story of MICappella, Peter and Diana will share some insights and the journey MICappella took to get the band from a niche arts form to a pop group in Singapore

Adrian CHIANG

Creating a balanced artistic programme for your ensemble, your community, and your organisation’s vision, is always a tough line to walk. Young conductors, as well as seasoned professionals, often struggle with curating the appropriate "course meal menu ” that can build the artistic achievement of our ensemble(s), and yet satisfy the palettes of our audiences

Come join conductor Adrian Chiang, as he shares his experience on how you can showcase your skills, and yet curate a programme that will leave your guests wanting more

EVENT

2

Sunday, 21 August 2022

Organising Sensory Friendly Concerts

Damien LIM

Traditionally, concerts have been organised with the general audience in mind. But what does “general audience” mean these days?

Awareness about the presence of persons with special needs and disabilities in our concerts these days, require attention to detail, in order to make our concerts accessible and accommodating

What do we need to know about the technical accommodations? How about accessibility? What if there was a child melt down? How to create a pre show activity and why?

Come hear the sharing of Baba Damien Lim, who has been an active organiser of Sensory Friendly Concerts with the Ministry Of Bellz (a Traditional English Handbell Ensemble), since 2016

2

Sunday, 21 August 2022

Vocal longevity: developing strategies for professional voice users, teachers and choristers to be life-long singers

Akiko OTAO

Your body is your instrument! Unlike other instruments, we don’t get to pack up our instrument at the end of rehearsal in a comfortable case. In this workshop, we will explore how to take care of our voice throughout the day based on daily vocal usage patterns, reconnect with our bodies and learn how to reset the voice so that you can do it all again the next day!

EVENT

2

Sunday, 21 August 2022

Traditionally "Pop py"

Mike CHIANG

What is “Fusion”? Is putting different traditional or classical instruments together known as “Fusion”?

Over the decades, I have explored possibilities of using Chinese traditional instruments and even a full sized Chinese Orchestra in performing various types of popular music of different regions Why do I do this? It is becoming more and more challenging to engage with the youths in this new era and encourage the learning of traditional instruments and Chinese culture. To mitigate this, I came up with an idea of using traditional instruments in the orchestra to play popular music that the youths are familiar with I have started to use Chinese Orchestra to perform Mandopop song covers since 2003, and later J pop, K pop, English Billboards hits and even rock and heavy metal songs.

Inspired by variations of “Bach Goes Pop”, I also began to explore the possibilities of bridging the Chinese traditional music genre with pop genre during the Covid 19 pandemic. Join me as I share some of these experiences with you!

BIOGRAPHIES

Prof. László NEMES

Dr. László Norbert Nemes (Habilitation Certificate Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, DMus and MMus University of Alberta, Diploma Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music) is currently professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest and director of the International Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy.

His main areas of expertise are the theory and the practice of the Kodály Concept, musicianship training according to the Kodály Concept, choral conducting and choral music education. For 5 years, he was the leader of the joint research programme of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music “Active Music Learning with Singing and Movement” aiming at further enriching Hungarian music educational programmes both at primary and secondary levels.

Besides teaching, he maintains an active career as a choral conductor. Since September 2014 he has been artistic director of the New Liszt Ferenc Chamber Choir, the artist-in-residence choral ensemble of the Liszt Academy. In 2018, he founded the National Youth Choir of Hungary. László Nemes has conducted, taught, held workshops, master classes and seminars all across Europe, in Australia, Brazil, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Japan, the Korean Republic, Malaysia, The Philippines, Republic of China/Taiwan, Singapore and the United States of America several times. He is guest professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China.

In recognition of his artistic activities, he received the Bartók Pásztory Award in 2005. In March 2017, he was decorated with the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit. He is vice president of the International Kodály Society, patron of music education at National Youth Choir of Scotland, and patron of the British Kodály Academy.

D I R E C T O R , I N T E R N A T I O N A L

K O D Á L Y I N S T I T U T E O F T H E

L I S Z T A C A D E M Y

Albert TAY

Award-winning composer, conductor, educator Albert TAY is a global citizen and “playaholic” for whom “work” is play! When not composing, the thinker-innovator can be found guest-conducting, giving lectures, masterclasses for choral and instrumental ensembles and adjudicating choral/singing competitions in various cities in Asia, Europe and USA on invitation by top choirs and various national institutions, associations and foundations for choirs and/or education.

Albert is founding director of the Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore) (KAM) where he leads diverse and dynamic teams of artists, administrators and volunteers from different countries in spear heading the biennial Asia Kodaly Symposium. KAM provides multi disciplinary direction and training of hundreds of choristers in numerous school and community choirs encompassing the full gamut of voicing, age groups, genres and skill levels. As a result of sound processes and a values-based education, many of his choirs have won top awards and reviews in international and local festivals. Albert is Artistic Director of Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd. a non-profit choir collective that also seeks to bring Art and Artmaking of the highest quality to the masses and has been featured in operas, music festivals and various for hire corporate events.

The NAFA alumnus credits his teachers, Professor Peter Erdei, Leong Yoon Pin, Professor Laszlo Nemes, Dr. Kelly Tang, Jennifer Tham and Dr. Zechariah Goh as major influences in his journey as a musician, and is grateful to the International Kodaly Society, National Arts Council (Singapore) and NAFA for scholarships that supported his degree and post graduate studies. Albert was awarded the professional title of Magister Chori and an honorary membership by the Association of Croatian Choral Directors. He is the first Singaporean musician to receive the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit, a state decoration conferred by the President of Hungary in 2021 for his efforts in promoting classical music and the Kodaly Concept in Asia

D I R E C T O R , K O D Á L Y A C A D E M Y

F M U S I C ( S I N G A P O R E )

Adrian CHIANG

C O N D U C T O R

A recipient of the National Arts Council and National University of Singapore (NUS) scholarship, Adrian attained his Master of Music degree at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM) with a major in conducting. He is currently a part time faculty at YSTCM (NUS) where he teaches conducting. He is currently the President of the “Band Directors’ Association (Singapore)” and the General Manager of Resound Chamber Orchestra, he also directs numerous Wind Ensembles & Orchestras ranging from secondary, tertiary institutions, and community groups.

He is also the Music Director of the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra whose main focus is on Orchestra works written by Asian composers, infusing a variety of Chinese, Malay and Indian instruments into a standard Western Symphony Orchestra,

Under his direction, his groups consistently achieve the finest results and highest accolades in music festivals held locally and overseas. Passionate about developing the Asian Wind and Orchestra scene, Adrian features Asian works and musicians prominently in his programming with his groups.

Prior to full time conducting, Adrian was the Orchestra Manager of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Mike CHIANG

Mike Chiang is a talented homegrown musician. Music Director and Conductor of Nanyang Philharmonic Chinese Orchestra and Nanayng Polytechnic Chinese Orchestra. Pioneer musician of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO). He is now under the tutelage of Maestro Xu Zhi Jun in China Conservatory of Music, Masters in Orchestral Conducting. He was awarded a full scholarship from Beijing Foreign Student Scholarship.

Mike pursued his music studies in Beijing and Shanghai after being awarded the Zubir Said Scholarship by the National Arts Council in 1995. This was followed by a study grant from SCO in 1998 to China to further improve his skills and knowledge.

Mike honed his conducting skills under the tutelage of Maestro Hu Bing Xu, the first Music Director of SCO. He went on to acquire a Fellowship Diploma FLCM in Conducting under London College of Music from the University of West London and a Licentiate Diploma in Conducting and LLCM from Thames Valley University. Mike attended the Florence Conductor Masterclass in Italy under Maestro Massimiliano Caldi in 2017.

Mike have been invited as guest conductor regionally over the years in Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China. He was also invited as a speaker representing Singapore, at the Boao New Year’s Concert that was held at the BFA International Convention Centre in Hainan, China. The conference centred on the theme of “How to Build and Nurture a Youth Chinese Orchestra in Asia Pacific region?”

Mike is also very active in the local arts scene and has been widely commended. He is an established curator and Director for artistic events. In Summer 2017, he collaborated with renowned Hollywood composer Harry Gregson-Williams, composer of The Martian, Shriek, Armageddon, to record percussion tracks for Warner Bros.’ 2018 blockbuster “MEG”.

M U S I C D I R E C T O R , C O N D U C T O R , P R O D U C E R

Abdul HAKIM

Hakim has been an elementary music teacher for the past 19 years. He attained his Bachelor of Music Education and Management from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, as well as the Advanced Diploma in Primary Music Education in Singapore. Hakim completed his Orff Level III from ANCOS, and has since been giving numerous Orff inspired workshops to adult educators and learners locally and around the region. Among his teachers, mentors and advisors include Barbara Haselbach and Andrea Ostertag (Orff Institute, Austria), Doug Goodkin and Rob Amchin (USA), Peta Harper, Robyn Staveley, Bethany Rowe, Nikki Cox, Susie Davis-Splitter and Sarah Brookes (Australia), and Paul Grosse (Singapore). In 2020, Hakim completed the Orff Schulwerk European Mentorship Programme under the guidance of Christa Coogan, Soili Perkio and Elisa Seppänen

His passion and drive for teaching children stems from his philosophy that “ every child deserves quality music education”, as he strives to continue to explore and upskill himself in the world of Orff-Schulwerk. Hakim is currently an Executive Committee member of the Orff-Schulwerk Association of Singapore (SingOrff).

S I N G O R F F , E D U C A T O R

Dr. Esther Liu HARRIS

C H O R A L D I R E C T O R

Dr. Esther Liu Harris is the Choral Director at the Spence School, New York. Previously, she was the choral director at the Packer Collegiate Institute. She received the honor of Babbott Chair of Literature and the Arts. This award is to “recognize the scholarly pursuits and teaching excellence of faculty members in the fields of literature and the arts.” She has conducted a number of music tours and festivals both in the States and Europe. In addition,

Dr. Harris is a faculty at the Kodály Summer Institute and an adjunct professor at New York University where she teaches choral conducting, methodology, and pedagogy to teachers and college students. Dr. Harris serves on the faculty at the Juilliard School in the Pre-College Division and conducts the Youth Chorus. This choral program has flourished under her direction in terms of choral singing interests and the quality of musicianship in singing. In 2020, she is appointed to be the leader of the curriculum development team at the Tianjin Juilliard School.

Dr. Harris earned her Doctor of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and her Master of Music in Music Education with Kodály emphasis from Holy Names University. She holds certification from the Creating Artistry Choral Conductors Program at Butler University. Dr. Harris is a frequent clinician in the New York area, her recent publishcation was her article in the book “The Choral Conductor’s Companion: Rehearsal Techniques, Imaginative Ideas, Quotes, and Facts”. Her research interests include in intrinsic motivation and engagement development of adolescent choral singers as well as autonomous learning of student run ensemble settings.

Peter HUANG

C O F O U N D E R A N D V O C A L

P E R C U S S I O N I S T , M I C A P P E L L A

Best known as the co-founder and vocal percussionist of Singaporean pop vocal band, MICappella, Peter has been heavily involved in the music scene in Singapore and abroad since 1997 both on stage as a performer and behind-the-scenes as a producer, songwriter, vocal arranger and recording engineer.

Peter has held solo concerts in Taiwan, Toronto and Singapore and has been invited as a solo artiste to perform alongside DJ KOFLOW and the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra and the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra. He is also frequently invited on judging panels and held masterclasses at multiple international a cappella festivals and competitions such as USA, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore.

Peter was signed as an Exclusive Songwriter with Touch Publishing and BMG Publishing Singapore. He worked as a studio engineer/ producer/ arranger/ teacher at Atticgroove Music, before moving to Boston where he got a scholarship in the highly esteemed Berklee College of Music.

Dr. Jerry KERLIN

Jerry Kerlin founded the Kodály Summer Institute at New York University, bringing Kodály philosophy and praxis to students coming from the USA and many world nations. He counts Washington University (BS, MA) and New York University (PhD) as his higher education foundation. Kodály Diploma Programme certification was awarded from the University of Calgary, where his mentors included Lois Choksy, Scott McCormick, Karen Taylor, and László Vikár. He has completed five summers of training at the Kodály Institute, Kecskemét, Hungary, studying with László Nemes, Arpád Tóth, Peter Erdei, Lucinda Geogheghan, Cyrilla Rowsell, Lenke Igó, Ilona Bartalus, Katalin Körtvési, Eszter Hargitai, and James Cuskelly.

Teaching positions have included Third Street Music School Settlement, The Spence School, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, University of Calgary, and Chair of the Music Department at Manhattanville College. He cofounded the Kodály Organization of New York (KONY), has served as Eastern Division President of the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE), and presented workshops for KONY and OAKE Conferences, New York area schools, and recently for the Texas Music Educators Association.

Research presentations have included the University of Illinois, University of Notre Dame, College Music Society, and American Hungarian Association. Research in traditional song (amhrán) of Ireland has led him to receive the Bronze Medal, Men Singing in Irish, Fleadh Cheol na Éireann (the “All Ireland”), the Comhaltas Coltri Eireann Aer Lingus Living Tradition Award, and publication of The Transmission of Song Among the New York Irish: Teaching, Learning, and Irish Sensibility (Akademiker Verlag 2008).

A S S O C I A T E P R O F E S S O R

Rebecca LAU

S I N G O R F F , E D U C A T O R

Rebecca graduated from the National Institute of Education (NIE) Singapore and has been teaching general music in an elementary school for the past 20 years to children from primary one to six. In 2011, she completed an Advanced Diploma in Primary Music Education in Singapore. She has also completed her Orff Levels I, II and III from ANCOS and has led a variety of professional-sharing Orff workshops where she continually inspires pre-school to elementary school educators and adult learners locally and internationally. Her personal training involves teachers like Barbara Haselbach and Andrea Ostertag (Austria), Doug Goodkin and Rob Amchin (USA), Peta Harper, Robyn Staveley, Bethany Rowe, Nikki Cox, Susie Davis-Splitter and Sarah Brookes (Australia), and Paul Grosse (Singapore). In 2020, Rebecca completed the Orff Schulwerk European Mentorship Programme under the guidance of Christa Coogan, Soili Perkio and Elisa Seppänen.

Rebecca is also actively involved in mentoring work and the professional development of teachers in her school, as well as music teachers in the cluster schools in the Northern part of Singapore. She currently serves as an Executive Committee member of the Orff-Schulwerk Association of Singapore (SingOrff).

Damien LIM

Damien holds a Masters in Music (2021) from the London College of Music, University of West London, majoring in performance and teaching. He is presently the Music Director of the award winning MINISTRY OF BELLZ (MOB). 27 years of music work has brought him to perform, teach & adjudicate in more than 23 countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Ireland & France. His teachers, many to name, include his late-Dad Nicholas Lim (Band Directing), Percussion from Syed Ibrahim, Lim Meng Keh & Tamagoh, Handbells from Chris Fong, Kevin Ko & Jun-ichi Ozawa, Conducting from John Hooper, Emily Li & Chan Tze Law, Composition from John Howard & Eugene Dairianathan.

Damien advocates the importance of quality teaching/learning/performance & enjoyment in music making in today’s 21st century handbell ringing. He was admitted as a Fellow (FRSA) with the Royal Society of the Arts (UK) in 2016 & a Fellow (FLCM) of the London College of Music (UK) in 2015.

In handbells, Damien was invited to conduct & present workshops in countries such as the UK, USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Canada, Taiwan & Malaysia. He currently also serves as Executive Director of the Handbell Ringers of Singapore (HRSG) and works closely with the team to oversee the development of handbell music in Singapore and its relations overseas. Outside the MOB, he directs the handbell teams at 6 mainstream schools & is consultant to 8 other school ensembles. He also teaches handbells & chimes at Special Education Schools, working with children with autism & persons with disabilities.

Damien received the “Friend of Arts Award” from the NAC in 2012, 2014 & 2017 and was nominated for the NAC Young Artiste Award in 2007 & 2011, and the NYC National Youth

P R O D U C E R / A R T I S T I C

D I R E C T O R & P R I N C I P A L

C O N D U C T O R

Multi-award winning Japanese-American soprano Akiko is an arts practitioner, educator, and the co-artistic director of L’arietta Productions, a chamber opera company focused on bringing bite sized contemporary operas in English.

She debuted in Singapore as the leading role of Nora in John Sharpley's world premiere of Fences Selected credits include the title role in Alice in Wonderland, Kannagi, Drusilla in L’incoronazione di Poppea, Musetta in La Boheme. A champion of contemporary work, her performance in the monodrama Diary of Anne Frank directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall received Straits Times’ Best Opera of the year in 2015, and again in 2018 for Chen Zhangyi’s A Singapore Trilogy.

As a vocal coach, she has worked extensively in classical, musical theatre as well as commercial studio recordings internationally, collaborating with Sony Japan, Avex, Gap Japan, and Youmeishu. Selected vocal coaching credit: Pippin, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Shop of Horrors, The Wiz, Aida, and Urinetown. She is a frequent guest clinician at VOS (Voices of Singapore), CDAS (Choral Director’s Association Singapore), Performing Arts Medicine Singapore, Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory to name a few. She holds B.M. Ed with vocal emphasis from the Hartt School (USA), and she has recently completed the Practical Voice Science for Singers and Teachers course from San Francisco Conservatory of Music as she believes in finding individual’s authentic voice through evidenced based vocal pedagogy.

Her musical versatility continues to bring her an eclectic collection of projects. She is currently on the voice faculty at SOTA, BA (Hon) Musical Theatre faculty at Lasalle College of the Arts, and is a full-member of NATS.

S I N G E R , E D U C A T O R , A R T S

P R A C T I T I O N E R Akiko OTAO

PHANG Kok Jun

C O M P O S E R

Known to be a multifaceted composer, Phang Kok Jun’s music transcends the concert halls, with a repertoire that also includes theatre, film, and other forms of media. An awardwinning composer both locally and internationally, Kok Jun is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles, and has been described as a composer who “comfortably melds Chinese, Western and popular idioms to excellent effect”. Interested in the unique relationship between music and storytelling, Kok Jun is constantly working with artists of various disciplines to discover new possibilities in music-making. He has held several residencies, most notably with Ding Yi Music Company from 2011 to 2021, and has had the privilege of being featured in major productions around the world, working with orchestras, theatre companies, chamber groups, directors, conductors, designers, and soloists.

Kok Jun read music composition at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM), National University of Singapore and as well as the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Johns Hopkins University, both under full scholarship from YSTCM. Principal composition teachers include Eric Watson, Ho Chee Kong, Oscar Bettison and Kevin Puts.

QIU Liping

C H I N A )

Liping Qiu received her Bachelor degree in Music Education at the Sichuan Conservatory, and received her Bachelor of Music (honors) in performance in 2005 from the University of Cape Town. After that, she was active as a vocal teacher in the Guangxi Teachers’ College, and also did vocal training in both children’s and mixed choirs.

In 2010, Liping became acquainted with the Kodály Method, and has since found her passion in music education. She received a Master’s degree in Kodály Music pedagogy in 2015. At the same time she also received a diploma for Kodály Choral Conducting in 2013.

After returning to China in 2016 and creating her own business, she focused on promoting the application of the Kodály teaching method in music education for young children and adults. She is currently running the business and has many students, and a staff of 10 people. While doing all this, she also worked part time at the Guangxi Arts University. Her dedication in the teaching industry, including the Kodály teaching method, has been applied to Chinese chorus teaching.

During the pandemic, when learning had moved online, Liping continued to conduct Musicianship Training workshops virtually for music teachers all over China. She organised the first Chinese Kodály Seminar in January, 2022, where Hugarian and other experts from all over the world were invited to attend the Seminar.

She also taught at an event organised by the Teacher’s Education Department, DONG ZONG in Training Programme for MICSS Music Teachers in March of 2022.

E D U C A T O R , G U A N G X I

( P E O P L E ’ S R E P U B L I C O F

B A N D A N D B U S I N E S S

M A N A G E R , M I C A P P E L L A Diana TAN

Instrumental in the functionality of MICappella, Diana has been working with the band fulltime since 2010.

Her responsibilities include clientele maintenance and servicing, ensuring that the entertainment segment of their event runs smoothly. Diana also handles the marketing and media relations aspects by writing and sending out press releases on behalf of the band and maintaining good relations with media and brand partners.

Another aspect of Diana’s responsibilities is putting together a team that is reliable, in sync and works well with the band. These include vendors from sales, hair and make up sponsorships, to production, sound and production crew team. External partners such as freelance graphic designers, social media consultants and web design are also part of the team.

Lastly, Diana ensures quality control and entrusts various responsibilities accordingly while in keeping in line with the company direction, goals and branding.

Dedric WONG

C O N D U C T O R

Dedric aspired to be a conductor in his teen years, and his interest was ignited again by the renowned Chinese music educator and Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Tay Teow Kiat. With his Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, under the tutelage of renowned Professor Yang You Qing and guidance from conducting maestro Tsung Yeh, he aims to push Ding Yi to new heights of artistic excellence and to develop a unique Singaporean musical direction

In 2013, Wong was selected to participate in the Conducting Masterclass by renowned conducting maestros Prof Zhang Guo Yong and Qu Chun Quan, organised by the Taipei Chinese Orchestra. While in 2015, he was again selected to attend the Conducting Workshop by Tsung Yeh, organised by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

As a 2014 National Arts Council (NAC) Arts Scholarship recipient and a two-time recipient of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts and Cultural Bursary in 2004 and 2006, he has performed in many countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

In 2016, Wong staged his conducting recital with the China Conservatory of Music’s Middle School Youth Chinese Orchestra with reputable conductor Gu Guan Ren. In the same year, he assumed the conductor role for the Cultural Symphony Orchestra and was also featured as an outstanding NAC scholar in the 2016 Straits Times Scholars Choice.

Dunman

Programme

Methodist Girls' School Choir

Conducted by: Albert Tay, Chong Lee Khim

Kom!

Composed by: Monica Åslund

Exultate Justi

Composed by: Lodovico da Viadana

Táncnota Composed by: Zoltán Kodály

LonDali Bridge Composed by: Albert Tay

Dunman High School Choir

Conducted by: Albert Tay Accompanied by: Zeng Canran

來的

Composed by: ⽯

Surprise Segment!

Deus Omnipotens

Composed by: Albert Tay

Programme

St. Andrew's Secondary School Choir

Conducted by: Albert Tay, Wynne Lee Accompanied by: Wynne Lee

Combined

Conducted by: Prof. László Nemes

Bushes and Briars

Composed by: Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Rain (Premiere) Composed by: Ernest Thio

Uptown Girl

Composed by: Billy Joel Arranged by: Roger Emerson

Baba Yetu

Composed by: Christopher Tin

Esti DalGuest Soloist: Jonathan MacPherson Composed by: Zoltán Kodály

Featuring: Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd. YAZERS

The Dunman High School Choir was founded in 1967 and reached its milestone 55th year in 2022. Under the baton of our conductor, Mr Albert Tay, and assistant conductor, Mr Reuben Lai, the choir has explored different styles of music, ranging from Broadway musicals, contemporary compositions to Renaissance pieces. The choir has also acquired various vocal techniques and singing styles through the dedicated guidance of our conductors, as well as exposure to international conductors through workshops and masterclasses.

The Junior High choir attained a Distinction at the biennial Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation in 2019 and 2017 The choir participated in the 2016 Asia Cantate Choral Festival in Hong Kong, attaining two Gold awards in the Mixed Voices Open and Folklore categories.

The COVID 19 pandemic has not been kind to choirs all around the world Nevertheless, the choir strived to have meaningful learning experiences through Zoom practices and virtual choral exchanges with the Packer Collegiate Institute Choir, New York, as well as River Valley High School Choir in 2021 The Senior High choir also pivoted the organising of Centrestage, a virtual singing talent competition for the school, to an online mode. These adaptations to a hybrid approach enabled the choir to continue to grow in spite of the pandemic and was featured in an article in The Straits Times in April 2022

Dunman High School Choir

Soprano

Charmaine Pang Yi Han

Evangeline Joy Lee En Glenda Chiam Wen Qian Goh Eng Yee Kyoei Goh Qin Heng Ho Yee Hsuen Jolie Jerald Toh Yew Ern Kelly Loh Cheng Mun Lau Yu Tong Jazreel Lim Re'Ann Lin Xinru Clarice Loo Kai Hung, Ron Ng Kai Qi Ong Xuan Ying Tan Ying Qi Yip Yoong, Esperance Zhang Yiran

Tenor

Chen Junting Joed Cheah Sawatt Josh Loo Yuanjie Ke Bangyan Ong Wai Kit Wang Liqi Zeng Canran Zhang Haoran

Alto

Feng Yat Kiu Ashley

Goh Jun Yi Jayden

Jiang Suyang Lee Cheen Yee

Li Shican Liu Ziqi Loh Yi Yu

Low Jayleigh Ng Shi Yan Krissebel Tang Tze Siew, Katherine Tey You Xuan Toh Yu Luan Gwen Tricia Lee Kye Syn Zhu Ruixi

Bass

Brandan Goh Yu Hong Darryl Wee Chong Jun Escalada Timothy Go

Lewis Ong Nehemiah Yeo Yi Ze Pua Ming Kai Wong Kang Quan Jovan Zhao Jiajing

dThe Methodist Girls' School (MGS) Choir has a shared sense of passion and love for singing. We seek to make music as a team to the best of our ability and bless the people around us with the joy of music Apart from inculcating self discipline, independence, diligence and a sense of shared responsibility in every chorister, we also strive to be of service to our school and wider community through our performances.

The choir has achieved a number of international and national accolades. We recently achieved 2 gold awards at the 6th International Vietnam Choir Competition in Hoi An, Vietnam, achieving category champion for the Youth Choir Category, second place for the Sacred Choral Music Category and was invited to perform in the final Grand Prix concert. The choir has also performed in competitions and performances in San Francisco (1999), Athens (2004), Bratislava and Prague (2007), St Petersburg (2010), Prague and Vienna (2012), Macau (2015) and Hoi An (2019) and returned with excellent results. Locally, the choir has consistently achieved a Distinction at the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation and was the recording choir for the South East Asian (SEA) Games and National Day Parade. The choir has also been invited to perform for various state institutions.

The MGS choir is conducted by composer conductor Albert Tay and MGS choir alumna Chong Lee Khim.

Methodist Girls' School Choir

Soprano One

Anika Kylie Chiu Anna Chia Xiang Ling Chia Yi Le Hannah Chloe Mah Eve Ang Yee Leng Jolene Tan Pang Jing Fei Samantha Tan Sophie Tan Sophie Wittchen Yee Rui Bing

Alto One

Alicia Long Anne Tan Wen Hsin Ariel Chew Ashley Lim Zi Xuan Christy Su Dana Joy Sim Faith Chua Michelle Li Qinge Sarah Lam Ling Yian Tabitha Ng Kar ley Tay Jing Yi Crisann Verity Wong Yu Han

Soprano Two

Alexis Tan Alicia Lau Ellisya Tan Emily Hia Yi ci Heng Rae Isabel Deacon Megan Faith Low Sarah Loh Sophia Tan Tan Yu Ru You An Lin Zann Chong

Alto Two

Anika Garg

Anthea Tan Jin Xuan Ariel Tai Joanne Yu Zhuo Kate Wong Naomi Heng Samantha Ho See Jeng Leng Tiffany Shevon Tiong Sincere Foo Soo En Hsing Sara ann Sophie Lim Min En Tan Ju Yi Rebecca

St. Andrew's Secondary School Choir

The 39 member strong Saints Choir comprises a vibrant group of young men aged between 12 to 17 with a passion for music and singing. Under the baton of Mr Albert Tay and Ms Wynne Lee, the Saints Choir has provided numerous opportunities for musical and personal growth to the choristers, who love singing anything from African American spirituals to contemporary Asian works they especially love singing popular Disney tunes! In addition, the choir contributes regularly to the vibrant school culture by performing mainly at school functions and engaging in an annual community outreach events to spread their love of music and educate the public on what it is like to be in an all male choir.

Every two years, the choir travels to sing and learn with youths who share the passion of music making in a choral setting. These included participation in the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in 2008 which saw the choristers touring Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, and the 1st Vietnam International Choir Festival & Competition in Hoi An in 2011. The choir has also performed in Hong Kong and Taipei in 2016 and 2018 respectively Locally, the Saints Choir has consistently been awarded Distinctions at the 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation and continues to strive to groom our choristers into servant leaders who bring life and music to the community and beyond

St. Andrew's Secondary School Choir

Tenor One

Abram Choo Aldrych Chen Chong Yi Ren Ernest Mak Ethan Ho Elias Tan Foo Li Hao Kristhen Ho Lucas Lee Tan Zhi Xing

Bass One

Elroy Goh Elston Tan Ethan Eng Evan Neo Jacob Lim Jan Ho Javier Lim Jax Ng Reuben Loh S/O Ganesan Akshay

Tenor Two

Ahaan Pilare Sharma Jacob Poh Jim Leong Jude Goh Lucas Lim Marcus Leong Mario Tan Nicholas Lo Thaddeus Lin Yvan Ng

Bass Two

Adriel Choo David Cheen Elijah Low Jeremiah Wong Marcus Chan Solomon Goh Tang Yi Ren Tin Yong Xin Travis Tham

CHONG Lee Khim

Chong Lee Khim received her education at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music with a Bachelor’s in General Music Studies. She began singing in choirs since the age of 7 and has performed with choirs and has sung in operas and live film music.

As an enthusiastic musician and active performer, she hopes that she can pursue the wonders of music to the best of her abilities Lee Khim is currently a conductor and piano teacher in Singapore.

C O N D U C T O R , M E T H O D I S T

G I R L S ' S C H O O L C H O I R

LEE

Wynne graduated with Master of Music Studies (Performing/Teaching) and Bachelor of Music from the University of Melbourne. A piano major, she also undertook vocal studies and studied conducting under the tutelage of the late Professor John Hopkins. Her teachers included distinguished pianists Igor Machlak, Olga Kharitinova, Yew Jia Lin, the late Ong Swee Chuan, and renowned vocalists Dr Julia Nafisi and Thomas Kuek.

She served as the Assistant Conductor of the Yarra Ranges Children's Choir, and also as Assistant Conductor and Accompanist with the Australian Youth Choir in Melbourne. In the Dandenong Festival of Music & Art for Youth Competition, she was awarded Third Prize in the Pianoforte Accompanist category.

She is currently an active choral conductor and piano accompanist who works with children, youth and adult choirs. In particular, she works extensively with primary and secondary schools as Assistant Choir Conductor and Piano Accompanist. To date, she has collaborated with numerous and varied choral ensembles of all age groups, accompanying them in both local and overseas choir competitions and festivals.

She is passionate about uniting youths through quality choral education, and hopes that her choir members will develop and sustain their love for choral music.

C O N D U C T O R , S T . A N D R E W ' S

S E C O N D A R Y S C H O O L C H O I R

Jonathan MACPHERSON

S O L O I S T

Jonathan began his music education at the age of 7 when he learned to played the cornet in his primary school brass band. He completed his ABRSM Grade 8 with Distinction in 2013 with the help of Lynette Teo, who gave him the confidence to apply for the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Diploma in voice.

He has performed in several opera productions, such as New Opera Singapore’s Die Fledermaus, Orfee aux enfer, SSO’s concert production of Carmen, NAFA’s vocal department production of Offenbach’s Les Deux Avuegles as Giraffier and Lîle de Tulipatan as Romboïdal as well as the Singapore Lyric Opera’s production of Le Nozze Di Figaro as Don Basilio.

In 2015, he sang the tenor solo in the Orchestra of the Music Maker’s outreach performance of Mahler’s 8th Symphony at Paragon and in 2018 was a Finalist in the Open category of the ASEAN Vocal Competition organised by the Singapore Lyric Opera. Currently studying under Soprano Dr Jessica Chen and a trainee in the Singapore Lyric Opera’s Leow Siak Fah

Young Artist Training Program, Jonathan is a lyric tenor who’s described as an “Intelligent and expressive singer.”

Connect with us!

Kodaly Academy of Music Singapore (www.facebook.com/kodalysingapore)

Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore) (https://bit.ly/KAMYoutube) www.kam.sg enquiries@kam.sg

KodalySG FB Group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/kodalysg/)

@kodalysingapore

Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd. 习唱堂 (www.facebook.com/scholacantorumsg) www.scholacantorum.sg/ @scholacantorumsg

ORGANISING

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE FOLLOWING:

All information listed is correct at the time of printing and distribution All rights reserved © Kodaly Academy of Music (Singapore), Schola Cantorum Singapore Ltd.

Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Minister of State for Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development

H.E. Ambassador Judit PACH Ambassador of Hungary to Singapore

Chargé D'Affaires Mr. Oliver FODOR and the staff of the Embassy of Hungary in Singapore

The International Kodály Society

Michael Holiday and the staff of Tanglin Trust School

Sandra LEE NTUC - NICA