Performing Arts - Issue 2

PERFORMING ARTS A MAGAZINE TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK OF THE ARTS DEPARTMENT

INTRODUCING ARTS FESTIVAL 2024 MYTHS & LEGENDS WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITIONS & MORE....

ISSUE 2

TERM 1 HIGHLIGHTS

CHRISTMAS FAIR, SENIOR MUSIC SHOWCASE, PKG - KG1 CHRISTMAS SHOW

ISSUE NO 2 2024

Hannah Baldwin DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS

Performing Arts at NLCS (Singapore) The first half of the year has been a busy one for the Performing Arts Department at NLCS (Singapore).

We started the year with a term full of concerts and performances which showcased our Senior and Junior Music Departments from the Lower school all the way up to the top end of the Senior school.

We had Christmas themed performances from PKG, KG1 and KG2 and welcomed music and drama visitors to run workshops with our students.

The Performing Arts was a strong feature in community events as the choirs performanced in the first ever Christmas Fair and we continued to host Junior School Morning Music Express and the Senior School Open Mics.

A LAMDA certificate evening saw our LAMDA students receive recognition for passing their exams at the end of last year and our IMP students were given the opportunity to participate in a recital to showcase the progress made on their instruments.

We recently hosted our Senior School Production ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ which demonstrated great talent from our Senior School students and the Drama department.

It was accompanied by a bespoke band made up of students and teachers from the Music department.

Being part of the band myself, it was a thrilling moment to see it all come together in a week of performances and we are so proud of everyone who took part. It really does take a whole community to produce a show like this and we had parents working on costumes, the Art and the Design departments working on props and set pieces plus a variety of students working with our tech team to run the ‘behind the scenes’.

This term you can expect to be entertained by the annual Senior School Talent Show hosted by the Big 6, and our concert series continues with performances from both Junior and Senior School.

We are also looking forward to hosting the Handlebards who will entertain audiences in our auditorium straight after Chinese New Year.

Please keep the dates of the Arts Festival saved in your diary and look out for the programme of events that will be released later in the year. We are busy planning an exciting variety of events and organising visiting artists that are sure to capture your attention and end the year on a high for the Arts Departments.

Edward Jefferies HEAD OF SENIOR MUSIC

Does Practice Make Perfect?

It has often been said that "practice makes perfect" and whilst this can be applied to sports, music, academics, or any other skill, it can suggest that repeated practice leads to overall improvement and the possibility of eventual perfection. It should however be noted that the relationship between practice and perfection is a finely balanced one and that there are many other factors that can play a crucial role.

Some of you will have heard of Malcolm Gladwell who popularized the idea of the 10,000-hour rule in his book "Outliers”. His work suggests that achieving mastery in any field requires approximately 10,000 hours of practice and although this theorem has been widely mooted since its inception, others now questioned it with academics such as Rooke Macnamara suggesting that whilst deliberate practice and skill are related there are many other factors that should be considered alongside this such as age and innate ability.

In this article I will discuss skill development, quality work and growth mindset since I believe that they are key elements in the acquisition of a skill be it music or any other pursuit.

Practice is fundamental in skill development.

Musicians that spend hours perfecting their performance will see improvement in their performance and to this end repetition is a key element of practice. This is because neural pathways are created and muscle memory is developed, leading to an overall increase in efficiency and accuracy. So the more you practice, the more proficient you will become in your respective skill.

However, it is also important to note that your practice must include quality work.

You can of course spend as much time as you like working on your chosen skill, but if this isn’t done well then you are most likely going to be wasting your time.

It is in fact extremely important to be mindful and to follow the concepts of Anders Ericsson whose theory of deliberate practice emphasizes the importance of “quality over quantity” and values the musician’s holistic ability to process and ultimately integrate improvements in the targeted skills that they wish to acquire.

Remember that it is often the case that practicing a mistake out of a piece can take longer than putting it into your work. Laziness in practice will allow you to assimilate not only poor technique but also ultimately produce poor results that will not allow your musical vision to come to fruition. Slow and deliberate work is to be valued above a quick fix that may seem like a good idea at the time, but will muddy the musical waters at a later stage of your development.

On top of all of this practice, a growth mindset is incredibly important, remembering that very few people succeed on their first attempt will help you to balance envisioned performance with what you are capable of at the moment. You need to be able to embrace challenges and persist through setbacks, seeing them as an opportunity to learn and improve.

In conclusion, whilst “practice makes perfect” holds some merit it must be recognised that not all practice is equal. It will depend on the quality of your work, whether your mindset is one of growth and you are deliberate in your methods. Don’t be disheartened if your hard work does not make you sound like one of the greatest masters of all time! Remember that practice does not guarantee perfection but it can lead to excellence and that is no small feat. In the words of the great Miles Davis “ It takes a long time to sound like yourself.”

Roderick Howie

HEAD OF JUNIOR MUSIC

Overcoming Stage Fright Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is a common challenge faced by many musicians, regardless of their skill level or experience. MPA can manifest as feelings of nervousness, fear, and even panic before and during performances, potentially hindering the musician's ability to deliver their best performance. However, there are several strategies that can help overcome MPA. As someone who has struggled with performance anxiety since Music College I have noted down the following strategies that have helped me and continue to help me today.

Firstly, practice and preparation are essential.

Diligent rehearsal builds confidence and familiarity with the music, reducing anxiety about potential mistakes. Visualising successful performances and practising in the performance space can also help familiarise oneself with the environment and ease nerves. Additionally, taking advantage of more performance opportunities can desensitise musicians to the pressures of performing, gradually reducing anxiety over time.

Believe it or not, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and regular exercise can also alleviate stress and improve overall well-being, positively impacting performance. Consider exercise before a performance. This is a good way to help rid the body of excess adrenaline that might hinder a performance.

It's important to reframe any feelings of nerves as excitement, recognising that they can enhance performance rather than detract from it. Lastly, understanding that physical symptoms like increased heart rate or sweating are normal responses to stress can help musicians manage their anxiety more effectively.

In conclusion, overcoming Music Performance Anxiety requires a multifaceted approach involving preparation, visualisation, practice, lifestyle adjustments, and a positive mindset. By implementing these strategies, musicians can build confidence and perform at their best, even under pressure.

If you are suffering with performance anxiety in any subject area please know that you can always reach out to your teachers.

G11 Karina Gunawan THE BIG 6 ARTS AMBASSADOR (2023-2024)

Being the Arts Ambassador Being Arts Ambassador has been a very fulfilling role so far, as I am able to promote art events in assembly and take part in things that I am passionate about. I am currently organising the talent show and I find it amazing how many talented students our school has, across all grades.

Originally from Indonesia, I moved to Singapore in 2020 and joined NLCS (Singapore) in Grade 8.

Although I don’t have extensive experience in drama or the arts, I find my place in music. I used to play the piano, but I started playing the violin in 3rd Grade and am still pursuing it. I enjoy playing romantic pieces on my own, but I look forward to practising with the school string group every week. The string group has given me a number of opportunities to perform, such as during Founder’s Day, numerous school concerts and at Eden Hall for the King’s Coronation, which I am very grateful for.

Aside from playing the violin, I enjoy visiting art galleries around Singapore, going to concerts and listening to a lot of music. Singapore has a lot of art events happening throughout the year, so I have curated a list of musicals, concerts, gallery and museum exhibitions I think students will enjoy looking at on the bulletin board opposite the arts department office (go take a look!).

The talent show will have a variety of performances ranging from singing, dancing, playing the piano and even magic! This year’s talent show will also have a few special guests in the audience like the residents from Sunlove retirement home and exchange students from NLCS Jeju. I am super excited for the talent show to take place as well as this year’s Arts Festival!

G10 Elsie Heininger

Being a student director On the performance days of ‘80 Days’, the enthusiasm and excitement backstage was infectious, with cast members being alert and focused, supporting and quietly congratulating others who had finished their scenes. In the lead up to the performances as Student Director, I learnt so much about directing and managing a large group, particularly the importance of communication and connection with the cast.

For this year’s play, one thing that Mr. Marks and the rest of the directorial team wanted to prioritise were the transitions from scene to scene, making these transitions a part of the play, almost a separate scene in themselves. This idea was carried throughout the whole play, with each scene being directed to be visually eye-catching and attention-drawing. From the start of the rehearsal process, we really worked on these transitions and ensemble scenes a lot, in particular the Opening scene. This really helped me, as well as the cast, to understand the vision for this play.

I think one scene where I learnt the value of individual characteristics was the Bazaar Scene, ‘Arrival In Calcutta’, where the interactions between ensemble members, and the characters they built themselves, really created the illusion of a bustling bazaar with a huge amount of character and texture.

The play, as many may have noticed, involved a high amount of props, creating texture and character within the rather minimalist stage set. Almost all of these props were specially created by the design department, with hours going into the designing and creation of these props. The music, specially composed for this play and played by a live band also helped the Play stand out in the texture and vitality. The tech team, led

by Trevor, were there every rehearsal, working with the directors to note down blocking, possible ideas for lights, etc., meaning that during the tech runs, it went fairly smoothly and we managed to get everything done.

Therefore, this whole experience of learning about what happens in the lead up to a large play really helped me appreciate how organised and communicative a director has to be.

On the performance days, as a Student Director I mostly stayed backstage, making sure that everyone had everything they needed and kept track of the scenes we were on. On the last night, when I was lucky enough to watch the play for the first time, I felt a huge sense of pride for the actors, as well as everyone who contributed to the play, seeing all of our hard work paying off and creating an absolutely breathtaking performance for our wider school community!

Overall, I have found this process extremely rewarding, with the process of rehearsing teaching me the importance of influencing and nurturing a supportive and connected community, working together toward a vision for the play. I am super excited for next year's projects, and have sincerely enjoyed my role as ‘Around the World In 80 Days’’s Student Director!!

Behind the scenes of a busy Performing Arts Department Trevor Teo Theatre Manager

Trevor is the Theatre Manager at NLCS (Singapore). His day to day job involves running the Auditorium and Blackbox equipment.

His responsibilities also include technical supervision and support of special events and performances, such as the recent 80 Days production. This ranges from everything regarding lighting design, set and prop construction, to supervising and teaching interested parties on show and theatrical production.

Projects he has been involved in previously that are of specific interest include the final staging of an Alternative Reality Game experience (re:set), a live dance club theatrical performance (Oxygen), and a sole audience post-apocalyptic narrative experience in a phone booth (Cabine/Traces). All heavily influenced by the works of Punchdrunk and Moment Factory.

Trevor has studied a Bachelors (with Honours) in Theatre at the University of Ottawa in Canada, supported by technical knowledge in an Engineering Diploma in Audio and Visual Technology form Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Trevor also greatly enjoy rock climbing, frisbee, and is an avid consumer of narrative in all forms. When asked about his interests he says: ‘I am also always down for a discussion in bringing ludo-narrative applications in games to real life, or to discuss why Scott Pilgrim is possibly one of the greatest films of all time’.

Geethanjeli Chinaakadaan Performing Arts Assistant

Geethanjeli graduated from Republic Polytechnic with a Diploma in Arts & Theatre Management.

Before studying Theatre Management, Gee was a percussionist in the Concert band during her Secondary school days giving her the valuable skills of reading notation and understanding music ensemble set ups.

Gee gained the opportunity to intern in Thailand during her Polytechnic course, collaborating with international performing groups and various Thai universities. When asked about working at NLCS (Singapore) Gee says: ‘It has been a privilege for me to work here in NLCS (Singapore), from sharing my creative ideas to organising our administrative tasks it’s never a dull day in the Performing Arts Department.’

Eileen Lim Audio/Visual Technician

Eileen graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic with a diploma in Infocomm and Media Engineering which specialised in Media Technology and Systems.

She had the opportunity to work as an intern with the technical crew at the Esplanade Theatre while pursuing her studies at the Polytechnic. She continued on at Esplanade after her internship before joining NLCS (Singapore) in 2023.

When she was asked about her job, Eileen says “I enjoy working as tech crew because I enjoy doing tech stuff”.

ARTS FESTIVAL 2024

Arts Festival Logo Competition

Wednesday 18 June - Saturday 22 June

G7 Moe

G5 Veritas

The Arts Department have been busy planning the Arts Festival 2024. The process of planning the Arts Festival is a long one. Staff begin the year by consulting students and the Big 6 who select a theme based on student proposals.

In the end they came to an agreement that the image submitted by Moe in G7 encompassed perfectly the theme of myths and legends and was so professionally executed.

Moe is now working with the This year our theme is myths and visual arts department to adapt legends. The Arts staff were her image to turn it into a thrilled with this choice as it lends usable logo to go onto all Arts itself well to being explored Festival publications. through the visual and performing arts.

The next steps now, are to plan the programme of events Once we had our theme Karina and secure the visiting artists (Big 6 Arts Ambassador) hosted a that will work during the competition for logo entries. The festival to run workshops and Arts teachers had a hard decision performances during the 4 day to make as there were so many event. great options.

G4 Adeline To find out more please visit the performing arts firefly page: https://nlcssingapore.fireflycloud.asia/performing-arts/arts-festival-2024

Winning design G7 Moe

VISITING ARTISTS We are pleased to announce that we have booked Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys to run workshops on improvisation and scat singing. The band will also lead a performance that will be ticketed for members of our community to come and watch. Check out the next page to read more about these musicians.

In season 3 of CCA’s, we have renowned Singapore choreographer Kay Grace Lee who will be running our newly formed contemporary dance ensemble in the lead up to the Arts Festival. She will work with our Senior School dancers to prepare an original piece of contemporary dance to appear in a dance show and also work on a dance number to feature in the opening ceremony. This CCA has already been announced to our Senior Students and we look forward to welcoming Kay to work with the dancers over the next few months.

Winning Design - G7 Moe

We have also signed the famous Tiong Bahru Bakery Artist; Uncle Eric. He will work with our PKG and KG1 students as well as providing portraits in the lobby during the festival. He was very popular last year and each time he appeared in the lobby he had a line of willing models who wanted to sit for a portrait. He can often be found in Tiong Bahru Bakery at Anchorpoint creating imaginative paintings using the left over coffee grounds. It is amazing to watch his work come to life and we look forward to sharing his creativity with the school community during the Arts Festival.

Other artists and festival opportunities will be announced over the coming months.

Announcing the Headlining Act:

Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys

If you’ve visited Tiong Bahru Bakery before, chances are you’ve seen or met him already.

Uncle Eric has a penchant for spotting unique features or characteristics of people, which inspires his quick portrait sketches done in real time. - Article about Uncle Eric

Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys “I can add to the list the outstanding showmanship of Australian Jazz Heroes, Adam Hall and the Velvet Playboys” – Australian Stage

Adam Hall is an accomplished Trumpeter, Vocalist and Composer based in Perth,

They’ve built up a steady following performing throughout Europe and Asia since 2013;

Australia. His band, The Velvet Playboys are renowned for their captivating live performances marked by slick presentation and raw energy.

playing at the Blue Note (Osnabruck, Germany), Aachner Vieher (Cologne, Germany), Grand Blues Jam (Bergkamen, Germany), Vienna Blues Festival (Austria), Les

Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys have been a hit at major festivals and events around

Caveau de Augustins (Bayonne, France), Rockin Race Jamboree (Spain), Le Groot Verlof (Belgium), Benenwerk (Belgium),

Australia, including The Narooma Great Southern Blues Festival (NSW), Wintersun (Qld), Melbourne Lindy Exchange (VIC), Alice Springs Cup Ball (NT), Fairbridge Folk Festival, Shinju Matsuri Pearl Festival, and Bridgetown

Bergmannstrassefest (Germany), the Sultan Jazz Club (Singapore) and City Hall (Hong Kong).

Blues (all WA).

playboys

https://www.adamhall.com.au/the-velvet-

Visit our firefly page for more information: https://nlcssingapore.fireflycloud.asia/performing-arts/arts-festival-2024

Performing Arts

CCA PROGRAMME Performing Arts at NLCS (Singapore) is an important part of the CCA programme. It is no big secret that participating in a Music, Dance or Drama related activity has major payoffs in school.

The ability to stay calm and carry on under pressure is a skill that takes years to master. Yet participating in a performance in front of an audience develops those quick thinking and improvisational skills that are invaluable in all areas of life.

Students who join a performing arts CCA will participate in weekly rehearsals and quite likely be involved in more than one performance which will require tech and dress rehearsals. These final big rehearsals are what allows students to work through scenarios in advance and be prepared if something

Monday

Senior School 12.10-1.10

Individual Music practice

G4-5 Musical Theatre Club Junior School 2.20-3 (or 3.20)

Tuesday

G6+ Musical Theatre Club Percussion Ensemble

surprising happens during the show. Polished performances do not happen by accident.

Here at NLCS (Singapore) we are proud that students learn discipline, commitment and responsibility. They become part of a larger team working towards one common goal and when the lights finally go up at the beginning of a show it can be exhilarating for all involved. The audience applause at the end is the reward for all of the hard work.

See below for some of the CCA options here at NLCS (Singapore).

Wednesday

Individual Music practice

Thursday

Individual Music practice

G4-5 Percussion Ensemble

G2-3 Musical Theatre Club

Arts Festival Opening Ceremony

KG2 & G1 Big Sing FS Stringcredibles Advanced Strings

LS Choir

G4-5 Rock Band

Bollywood Dance

SSA choir Arts Festival Senior School 3.45-4.45

Opening Ceremony Advanced Strings ‘Scene from scratch’ drama club

Symphony Orchestra Contemporary Dance Young Directors Bollywood Show

Music Technology & Production Club LAMDA

Community Choir Concert Band Bollywood Show

Friday

Cello Ensemble Guzheng Ensemble

Training Orchestra Symphony Orchestra LAMDA

TERM 1 PERFORMANCES It was a busy first term at NLCS (Singapore). With multiple concerts, informal music performances, drama curriculum presentations & certificate giving, it’s been a whirlwind of activity. To see any photographs and video footage from various events, please check the performing arts co curricular page on firefly.

You can use the QR code but remember, you will need to log in.

1.

SOLO RECITAL EVENINGS In October, we kick started our concert series with a dazzling display of talent from both the Lower School and Senior School Students. We had solo recitals from a variety of performers in Senior School and the Lower School students performed in a Piano recital evening.

This is the first of many solo performance opportunities for our talented musicians and there are plans to develop a concert series featuring a variety of recital opportunities for aspiring musicians.

IMP RECITALS In November, McKee Music hosted several informal recitals showcasing students who are learning instruments or studying the voice through the Instrumental Music Programme (IMP) here at NLCS (Singapore). This performance opportunity had students from as young as KG all the way up to Grade 10. If you would like more information on how to enrol your child for lessons please contact: mckeemusicsg@gmail.com

2.

3.

LAMDA CERTIFICATE GIVING In November, we hosted a certificate presentation evening for those students who passed LAMDA exams in the previous academic year. The certificate presentations were interspersed with performances from some of the students who received a distinction. LAMDA is a programme where students can study the art of public speaking and dramatic performance. If you would like more information on how to enrol your child for lessons please contact: serene@kohwaite.com

4.

SENIOR SCHOOL SHOWCASE December, was a busy period for the music department.

Senior School December, was a busyThe period for the music came together to putSchool showcase department.

The Senior came a together put showcase area of dazzlingtoarea of talenta dazzling in the Music talent in the We Music Showcase.

We120 saw choirs Showcase. saw choirs of of 120 students from Grade 6 and students from Grade 6 and 7. 7.Chamber Chamber groups and Community groups and Community ChoirsChoirs plus top plus top notch soloists.

We heard a debut notch soloists. We heard a debut performance from thethe newly formed Little performance from newly formed Big Band and even saw Mr Marks feature as Little Big Band and even saw Mr Marks the finale as piece collaboration feature thein finale piece with in the Senior Orchestra.

This was a sold out event collaboration with the Senior and something thatwas getsabigger and better Orchestra.

This sold out event every year. and something that gets bigger and better every year.

5.

G10 DRAMA PERFORMANCE G10 Drama Students presented scenes from Hedda Gabler which is a play about a bored, recently married woman who manipulates others but ends up in tragic circumstances. They worked in Drama class to make decisions about staging, lighting and blocking and the opportunity to perform to an audience was invaluable for these developing young performers. A number of these students went on to appear in the Senior School Production or work as assistant directors guiding the process. We are looking forward to seeing more of their work in future events.

DP DRAMA PRESENTATION December, was a busy period for the Our G11 Diploma student (Daisy) also music department.

The Senior School presented scenes from Hedda Gabler aand came together to put showcase performed with our Head ofinDrama, Mr dazzling area of talent the Music Marks.

An interesting decisionofwas made to Showcase.

We saw choirs 120 use screens to provide the audience with students from Grade 6 and 7.

Chamber several different perspectives on theplus scenetop groups and Community Choirs in front of them.

Students in the younger notch We heard a debut years ofsoloists.

Senior School got a chance to see performance the newly formed what it takes to from be successful at Diploma Little Big Band and given eventhe saw Mr Marks level theatre and were opportunity feature as the finale piece in to ask questions at the end of the event. collaboration withdecisions the Senior Some of the staging were Orchestra.

This was a sold event explained and demonstrated an out insightful and something that gets bigger and approach to the artistic decisions. better every year.

6.

7.

PKG & KG1 CHRISTMAS SHOW

We saw our PKG and KG1 classes come together to present their Christmas Show ‘A Christmas Gift’. Put together and rehearsed by their class teachers, this was a cute Christmassy delight that saw some of our youngest students performing songs and dances in front of their guests. From the costumes, to the singing and speaking of lines, we were all impressed with what (for many) will have been their first experienced of performing in front of an audience.

8.

KG2 CHRISTMAS SHOW ‘A Reindeer Christmas’ was the tale of how Ruth the Reindeer saved Christmas when Rudolph falls sick. The Music department, in collaboration with the class teachers, worked with our young performers to prepare the students for the role of a lifetime. From Penguins, to Elves, Nurses to Santas and of course the Reindeers themselves, this was an exceptional display of just how talented some of our youngest students are. It is always heartwarming to see our youngest students take to the stage and give such brilliant performances and I know the audiences were wowed with just how confident the youngsters were, there is some serious talent coming up through the school.

9.

G3 CHRISTMAS SINGALONG We rounded of our large scale Christmas performances with the Grade 3 Christmas Singalong. The Audience was blown away by the Christmas spirit coming from the young singers and we were treated to fantastic renditions of Christmas classics. A crowd favourite was the 12 days of Christmas which saw the adults in our community joining in with 12 drummers drumming. But the real stars of the show were of course our Grade 3s who sang proudly round the Christmas tree. It’s very exciting to see the culture of singing growing at NLCS (Singapore).

10.

OPEN MICS & MORNING MUSIC EXPRESS Throughout the year we have hosted Morning Music Express (Junior School) and Open Mics (Senior School). Students are invited to perform, or sign up in advance to prepare music for these informal performance opportunities which take place in the amphitheatre at the heart of our campus. We have seen a superb array of soloists, small ensembles and bands showcasing their talents. These musical events are a perfect opportunity to bring our school community together in celebration of our growing musical culture.

See more at: https://nlcssingapore.fireflycloud.asia/performing-arts

Performing Arts Visitors

Strings Day with Thomas Gregory In October the string players in school were invited to take part in a strings workshop, exploring various pieces arranged and composed by British Composer Thomas Gregory. This day was a brilliant experience for our young string players to work together as one large ensemble to develop rehearsal and ensemble skills.

Thomas ended the day by working with the newly developed Junior School String Quartet made up of some of our advanced Junior players. They explored the piece ‘Eine Kleine Nachtmusik’ and developed rehearsal and ensemble skills under the guidance of Thomas Gregory himself.

Performing Arts Visitors

Drama workshops with Gecko Theatre Company In November, Senior School students in Grades 9 and 10 Drama classes were treated to a workshop with Katie Lusby from Gecko Theatre Company. We were thrilled to be working with such an ingenious well renowned theatre company. Katie provided the students with some wonderful new ways of working based on the Gecko method. It was great to see the willingness of the students to push themselves out of their comfort zone and try new things, and I look forward to the legacy of these workshops coming through in the students own work.

Around the World in 80 Days

Around the World in 80 Days

To see these & other pictures please visit our performing arts firefly page: https://nlcssingapore.fireflycl oud.asia/performing-arts

‘This experience is, without a doubt, the most relaxing part of my week.’

Sally Aldridge - Parent

When: Thursdays Time: 3.45-4.45 Who: Members of our community (Students, Staff, Parents/Guardians) Where: A525 (music corridor) *Adults - Don’t forget to wear your lanyards

Sally Aldridge What’s your role in the community?

As an actively involved mother of two, I make a concerted effort to engage both within the school and the broader community. I often volunteer at school festivals and open days, and have a particular passion for participating in anything music-related. In the wider community, I also umpire for the Singapore Hockey Federation. This role allows me to interact with youth and senior players from various schools across Singapore, fostering connections within the local sports community.

What is your involvement in the Performing Arts at NLCS (Singapore)?

I've had the privilege of participating in a range of NLCS (Singapore) music events, starting from the inaugural postCOVID Arts Festival in 2022.

One standout occasion was the orchestra play day, where students, staff, and parents joined forces for a day of orchestral music. I vividly recall the unique 'mask on, mask off' routine for all woodwind and brass players. Building on the success of this event, I had the opportunity to once again engage in the Arts Festival last year, contributing to both the orchestra and festival choir performances.

Every week, I play in the Junior School Orchestra and Senior School Big Band CCAs, lending support to the woodwind sections. Within the Junior School Orchestra, I work closely with students who are embarking on their musical journey. It's exceptionally rewarding to encourage and inspire them to play for the sheer love of music.

Senior School musicians typically possess a significant amount of personal instrumental knowledge, and the Big Band provides a lively platform for them to explore a diverse array of musical styles. It's a band setup that I thoroughly enjoy being a part of, and I make it a fun experience, even incorporating some saxophone dancing – a move that might earn me some amused looks from the students!

What’s your arts background?

My musical journey began at the age of 6 when I started playing the recorder and piano at school. This early exposure ignited my love for all things musical.

At the age of 7, I heard the sound of a clarinet being played, and without knowing its name at the time, I was determined to learn it. Fortunately, I had supportive parents who encouraged my exploration of different instruments. Fast forward over 30 years, and I've not only continued playing but have also been fortunate enough to turn my passion into a career.

Following my undergraduate studies in Music and American Studies at Keele University, including time spent at the University of Greensboro, North Carolina, I pursued a Master's degree in Ethnomusicology at Goldsmiths College, London.

From an early age, my involvement in County bands in Norfolk, England, coupled with extensive work experience with the Armed Forces, solidified my desire to become a musician in the British Army.

After completing my university education, I joined the Band of the Coldstream Guards. While you may not be familiar with the name, you'd likely recognise us by our distinctive bright red tunics and imposing bearskin hats if you've ever visited Buckingham Palace. Over the past 18 years serving as an Army musician I've been able to travel extensively and perform around the world. The job has been incredibly fulfilling, providing me with unforgettable experiences.

What has been a highlight for you at our school?

Undoubtedly, the highlight was participating in the last Arts Festival alongside my two children— one in the orchestra and both in the choir. As a parent, witnessing the smiles on the faces of those around me, the shared joy of the performance, the evident pride in a job well done, and hearing the applause from the audience were truly priceless moments.

Another highlight was coming into school over the Christmas period and playing carols in the foyer. The students enjoyed it, staff were singing along and dancing and I loved playing a few christmassy tunes!

What do you look forward to seeing more of?

Perhaps putting on a musical show...... but honestly I really enjoy everything that I am able to get involved in and am excited to see what music is being planned for the rest of the year.

Sally Aldridge - Parent

If you are a member of our community and would like to be featured in our magazine - contact Hannah Baldwin: hbaldwin@nlcssingapore.sg

Performing Arts Staff