NP 40th Programme Booklet

Celebration

NGEE ANN BAND FAMILY 40th Anniversary Concert

29TH OCTOBER 2023 | SUNDAY | 2 PM SOTA CONCERT HALL

TABLE OF Contents

President’s Message

3

NP Concert Band

4-5

NP Alumni Band

6-7

Resident Conductor - Lester Lim

8

Guest Conductor - Marc Chang

9

Programme

10

Programme Notes

11 - 13

Musicians

12 - 14

Organising Committee

15 - 16

A word from our Sponsors

17

Acknowledgements

18

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Ladies and gentlemen, It is with great pride and immense joy that I welcome you to the 40th Anniversary Concert presented by the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Band Family.

The NP Band Family has always held a special place in the hearts of its members, both past and present. It is a place where melodies intertwine with lifelong friendships, where rhythms reverberate with nostalgia, and where harmonies resonate with memories that stand the test of time.

Tonight, we come together to celebrate 40 years of memories, friendships, and the harmonious legacy that has been passed down from generation to generation since 1983.

This concert is a testament to our mission, a resounding affirmation of our traditions, and an exultant symphony of gratitude to all those who have played a part in shaping this remarkable journey.

As we witness the magic unfold on this stage, let us reflect on the power of music and the strength of the band family. It is a profound reminder that no matter how far apart we may be or how different our journeys have been, the language of music, the echoes of the past, and the harmonies of the present will always bring us together as one resilient, extraordinary family.

Here's to our enduring NP Band Family, and may our melodies resonate for many generations to come.

Joshua Low President, NP Alumni Band NPBF

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band

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NP CONCERT BAND Founded in year 1983 by Mr. Yeo Poong Poh, with the support of NP’s 4th principal, Mr. Chen Hung, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band (NPCB) was established with the aim of encouraging secondary school band students to continue pursuing their passion in music.

Since 2004, the band has been led by their Resident Conductor, Mr. Steven Tan Aik Kee, who is currently away pursuing his further studies in the States.

Apart from the annual Rondeau concerts and the NP Arts Fiesta performances, the band also participates in competitions, band exchanges and outdoor performances throughout the year.

Most notably, NPCB clinched the Champion award in the 6th Singapore International Band Festival (Division 1) in year 2016.

Through these events, the band members get to forge lasting friendships and cherished memories that will last a lifetime, which will continue on even after graduation as the graduating cohort will join the Ngee Ann Alumni Band (NPAB).

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Ngee Ann Polytechnic Alumni Band

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NP ALUMNI BAND Ngee Ann Polytechnic Alumni Band (NPAB) was established shortly when the first batch of band members officially graduated from NP. The alumni band is a homely place where graduated members can return to pursue their passion in music-making and get in touch with fellow alumni band members.

As part of its mission, NPAB continue to forge close ties with NPCB by taking on the roles of mentors to reconnect with and guide the current leaders and members throughout the annual events the band has.

Apart from the annual Rondeau concert series, NPAB also participates regularly in Esplanade’s Beautiful Sunday series as well as performed for many external outdoor performances.

Till date, NPAB is about 800 strong with members from the past 39 batches of members.

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RESIDENT CONDUCTOR

Lester Lim

Lester Lim's journey is a fusion of engineering brilliance, a deep love for music, and a legacy of leadership.

Graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 1987 with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Lester's early days included being a trombonist in the NP Concert Band.

He later answered the call to serve in the Republic of Singapore Air Force Band during his National Service. Seeking more knowledge, Lester pursued a Specialist Diploma in Band Directing, launching a journey of over two decades of guiding aspiring musicians.

In 2000, Lester became the Resident Conductor for the Anderson Military Band, a role he still holds today. He also took on the role of Resident Conductor for the NP Alumni Band in 2008.

Beyond his musical prowess, Lester is deeply committed to music education and operates a publishing house that supports composers, arrangers, performers, and more. His goal is to empower the music community and expand the Band music scene in Asia and beyond. Lester Lim's unique blend of engineering, music, and leadership positions him as a true visionary in the world of music.

Today, the NP Alumni Band basks in the enchanting leadership of the maestro, Lester Lim, a luminary of both engineering and the harmonies of the musical realm.

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GUEST CONDUCTOR

Marc Chang Marc began learning the cornet at the tender age of eight years old when he joined his primary school brass band and has continued on his musical journey throughout his education. Under the tutelage of Mr. Erik Tan, Marc obtained an ATCL in Trumpet Performance in 2019.

In 2013, Marc pursued a diploma in Environmental and Water Technology at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and graduated in 2016. During that time, Marc contributed and was part of NP Concert Band’s effort that clinches Champions in the biannual Singapore International Band Festival (SIBF), 1st Division.

Since then, Marc enlisted in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to serve his National Service and in 2019, he signed on with the SPF Band as both a police officer and a musician.

As an active trumpeter in the local band scene, Marc has performed with professional ensembles such as the SPF Band, West Winds and The Philharmonic Orchestra. He also tutors young trumpeters from various schools such as Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School and Bukit View Secondary School.

Today, as a musician and an educator, Marc will be on stage with us as a Conductor.

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PROGRAMME Nulli Secundus (Movement 1 - March Caprice) James Curnow

Carmen Fantasy for Wind Ensemble Eiji Suzuki

Salut d’amour for Wind Ensemble Toshinari Iijima

Symphony No. 1 - The Lord of the Rings (Movement V - Hobbits) Johan de Meij

The Way We Were Marvin Hamlisch arr. Kenji Urata

I Could Have Danced All Night Naohiro Iwai

- I N T E R M I S S I O N Amparito Roca (Spanish March) Aubrey Winter

Music for a Festival Philip Sparke

Alvamar Overture James Barnes

Shenandoah Frank Ticheli

Japanese Graffiti XIV Hideaki Miura NPBF

PROGRAMME NOTES Carmen Fantasy for Wind Ensemble An arrangement of familiar melodies from the opera “Carmen”, this piece centers around its titular heroine and her passionate love story. Starting off with a short fanfare, this piece spirals into a rhythmic dance section, “Seguidilla” led by the woodwinds.

The piece then transitions into the start of “The March of Toreadors” that starts off with a soft yet intensifying melody from the basses while featuring the percussion section. The band then moves into an emotional and grand segment led by the woodwinds and trumpets, while winding up the piece with “Gypsy Song”, a frenzied segment that starts off gently but soon intensifies into a rhythmic tempo from the woodwinds and brasses.

Carmen Fantasy was first performed in 2008 under the baton of Mr. Lester Lim who made his conducting debut as the resident conductor for NP Alumni Band.

The Way We Were Featuring the alto saxophone, this piece is a reminiscence of the iconic ballad song sung by Barbra Streisand in the year 1973. “The Way We Were” depicts a romantic solo melody played on the alto saxophone throughout, while being accompanied by gentle music in the background.

This work will be accompanied by soloist Wang Twee Kiang, and pays tribute to the 40 years of NP Band.

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PROGRAMME NOTES Amparito Roca A famous Spanish march that was composed in 1925, Amparito Roca features some strains of a bullfighters‘ music in the beginning, followed by a gentle and lighthearted trio section, before closing with a grand maestoso conclusion from the powerful brass sections.

This work is a traditional march that NP Band plays at most of their concerts.

Partly influenced by Mr Yeo who is an avid fan of classical music, this tune is in the hearts of many members till today.

Music for a Festival Music for a Festival opens up with a bright fanfare from the trumpet section, followed by a harmonious melodic line presented by the horn and saxophone section in the middle. The piece later slows down to a thoughtful solo for the bassoon accompanied by the woodwinds, and slowly transition into a rhythmic cantabile tune from the clarinets and saxophones before closing off with a burst of percussion rhythms and fanfare opening from the brasses.

This piece holds an important place in the hearts of many members as it was with this piece that the NP Concert Band won first prize in the first division of Singapore International Band Festival competition in year 2016.

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PROGRAMME NOTES Alvamar Overture Alvamar Overture is a rich and lavishly orchestrated thematic piece that opens up with a resounding fanfare by brasses before branching off into a melodious tune presented by the woodwinds. Slowing down into a soothing melody in the middle, the piece slowly picks up into a rhythmic pulse by the brasses and ends off on a high note with the running notes by the woodwinds.

This work was first performed in Rondeau 2, and has been well received by both members and audiences to date.

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MUSICIANS FLUTE Cassandra Ong Charlyn Loh Siyun Chua Chong Rui Cindy Lim Felcia Lim Goh Si Hong Goh Xue Yi Jamie Lim Javier Tay Zing Hin Lee Ying Yan Vionna Loo Khai Khong Ooi Hong Xiang Samantha Tan So Zhi Yi Tan Si Hui Teo Soo Leng Sonya Wong Carric

OBOE Andrew Chia

BASSOON Ma Bohao Syed Ridwan Ahmad

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CLARINET Ang Teck Yen Beatrice Eugenia Surya Dayna Wong Sum Yim Eleanor Ee Elton Low Ernest Joseph Kee Wei Ye Goh Miah Kiat Jonathan Tan Yong Chun Kim Si Tong Kim Si Xuan Kristy Lim Kwan Hao Wei Lian Hui Shan Low Zhen Yu, Cedric Mok Ji Yong, Jason Nicholas Lee Nur Faiezah Binte Osman Olivia Lam Xuan En Shie Rui Qi Skyler Soh Syafiq Zahran Bin Zin Annuar Tay Rui-Jie Tng Hong Xiang, Nigel Tye Voon Hui Walter Soh Wong Shu Xian Kasey Wong Wei Jun, Raybriel Wong Yi Cai

MUSICIANS SAXOPHONE Brenda Lee Xin Yu Eddy Ng Kenneth Caleb Kee Kristy Lim Jia Hui Lachica Ezequiel Guia Nur Amirah Binte Jamaludin Ong Jun Ming, Ernest Tan Jia Jing Kaley Tiffany Gloria Prajogo Wang Twee Kiang Yvonne Ng

TRUMPET Choong Pei Yi Chua Hui Hong Cindy Poh Elly Goh Joey Loo Kok Hao Kelvin Chye Kew Ee Fun LeCaine Clifford Jamie Leroi June Yen Hao Lim Yue Sheng Low Zhen Jie Marc Chang Muhammad Azri Bin Mohammed Deah Muhammad Haikal Bin Azahari Ng Jun Jie Nigel Haagai Butar Butar Ocean Tan Yu Yang Soong Chu Wen Rena Yap Yoke Sin

FRENCH HORN Adrian Antonio Lee Fontelera Chai Kang Fu Brandon Chung Jie Min Georgena Tan Ho Law Fatt Isabelle Heng Yan Qi Kong Zhi Jing Neo Geng Jian Joel Tay Shu Mei Taanya Thiam Pei Xuan Yeam Choon Yong Yu Jia Cheng Jason

TROMBONE Huang Wei Han Lum Tang Hui Javier Muhammad Hariz Bin Ramli Quek Wei Heng, Justin Sherlynn Ong Skyler Tan Zheng Jie Tan Jing Jie Tan Yunn Ming Timothy Wong Toh Han Wei Yoong Jun Hao, Sebastian

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MUSICIANS EUPHONIUM Ethan Wong San Yong Kelsie Chye Loh Jun Jie Syed Faiz Saputra Toh Yong Ting, Jenelle Wong Hai Yun

TUBA Gary Teo Wei Zhong Kelvin Neil Leong Hui Wen Joy Michael Kwek Muhammad Idhar Azhari bin Iskandar Tiffany Teng Yu Xuan

PERCUSSION Abhijith Mookoni Abigail Lim Seow En Conrad Chung Firdauz Sapii Joann Maria Vincent Kenny Zhang Yuanan Leow Rou Shan Muhammad Azirul Bin Zulkifli Muhd Firdaus Haqiem Bin Riduan Victor Wong Yeo Kai Wen

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CONCERT CREW Backstage Crew Hazel Phua Javion Tee Loke Lagu Merwyn Masagca Mohammad Irfan Bin Selamat Xena Khoo Video Crew Goh Hui Ting Hairul Ismadi Jacob Tngn Tham En Tong Photographers Hong Junyi Jonathan Chng

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ORGANISING COMMITTEE ALUMNI BAND COMMITTEE

ALUMNI BAND SECTION IN-CHARGE

President Joshua Low

Flute & Double Reeds Samantha Tan

Vice President Firdauz Sapii

Clarinet Shie Rui Qi

Head of Treasury Ryan Hidayat

Saxophone Yvonne Ng

Head of Administration Nur Faiezah Osman

Trumpet Kelvin Chye

Head of Logistics & Production Gary Teo Wei Zhong

French Horn Ryan Hidayat

Head of Library & Archives Yvonne Ng

Trombone Sherlynn Ong

Committee Members Brenson Yam James Ng Walter Soh

Euphonium & Tuba Gary Teo Wei Zhong Percussion Xena Khoo

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ORGANISING COMMITTEE CONCERT BAND COMMITTEE

CONCERT BAND SECTION LEADERS

President Dayna Wong Sum Yim

Flute & Double Reeds Lee Ying Yan Vionna So Zhi Yi

Vice President Lee Ying Yan Vionna Secretary Wong Yi Cai

Clarinet Ernest Joseph Kee Wei Ye Lian Hui Shan

Treasurer Ocean Tan Yu Yang

Saxophone Lachica Ezequiel Guia Brenda Lee Xin Yu

Stage Managers Lim Yue Sheng Loke Lagu

Trumpet Ocean Tan Yu Yang Nigel Haagai Butar Butar

Librarians Kew Ee Fun Yeam Choon Yong

French Horn Yeam Choon Yong Adrian Antonio Lee Fontelera

Quarter Masters Abhijith Mookoni Chung Jie Min

Trombone Vincent Tan Sebastian Yoong

Welfare Officers Lachica Ezequiel Guia Tiffany Teng Yu Xuan

Euphonium Syed Faiz Saputra Tuba Muhammad Idhar Azhari bin Iskandar Percussion Abhijith Mookoni Muhd Firdaus Haqiem Bin Riduan

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to extend our warmest gratitude to those who made this celebration concert possible. A big thank you to

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

for your outstanding support the past 40 years

Student and Development Office for your guidance and support to the NP Concert Band

Student and Alumni Services Office for your guidance and support to the NP Alumni Band

Mr Yeo Poong Poh

for founding the NP Concert Band and being an inspiring teacher to all of us

Our Conductors, Mr. Lester Lim and Mr. Marc Chang, for your endless support and guidance during the rehearsals.

Mr. Steven Tan and Mr. Teo Kay Min for the endless love and support for the NP Band Family.

Our members

for your dedication and hard work throughout the past few months.

Our sponsors

for your kind sponsorships towards the concert.

Our partners

for your support towards the concert.

Our audience

for your presence and support tonight.

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OUR SPONSORS James Ng Sebastian Goh Wee Ming Wong Hai Yun and various anonymous donors

OUR PARTNERS

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Thank you for being a part of Ngee Ann Polytechnic Band Family’s 40th Anniversary Celebration!

NP Band Family @npcb_ @np.alumni.band

535, Clementi Road #04-01 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Band Room Ngee Ann Polytechnic