Da Capo: From the Beginning

RP String Ensemble’s 20th Anniversary

/ˌ ɒ n ˈ s ɒ m .b l/

from the beginning 02 Feb 2024 (Friday), 8.00pm The Republic Cultural Centre, Theatre Free admission

The Republic Cultural Centre The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC) is an integral part of Republic Polytechnic’s mission of nurturing the multiple facets and talents of our students. TRCC is the focal point for the artistic and cultural development of our students, and also a cultural space that facilitates the integration of the community through a common appreciation of the arts.

Republic Polytechnic (The Republic Cultural Centre) is part of the National Arts Council’s Arts and Culture Nodes Network.

TRCC’s venues provide aspiring artistes platforms to realize their passion, and to share that with a wider audience. With its arts series “Arts Platter” and the annual Reflections - Community Arts Festival, TRCC hopes to raise cultural awareness and

appreciation for our colorful heritage. In so doing, TRCC seeks to be the venue of choice for entertainment, exploration and enrichment of the arts.

Designed by Maki & Associates (Japan), TRCC exudes an elegant simplicity and balance of aesthetics and functionality that reflects our approach to nurturing an appreciation for the arts and culture. Under its fan-shaped roof, TRCC has 2 main performing arts venues: a) 1,111-seat Theatre and b) 346-seat Studio. In addition to these performing spaces, TRCC also has a complement of rooms and studios for practice, rehearsal and recordings that support curriculum, student development.

The Republic Cultural Centre TRCC is a home to 25 student arts groups. These groups have a safe haven to explore and evolve their art forms.

Having them under the same roof promotes interaction, collaborations and synergy.

This healthy atmosphere helps the groups grow artistically as well as broadens their appreciation for what other groups are doing.

Both professional and amateur arts groups from the community often leverage on TRCC’s creative and professional staff and its facilities for practice and performances. Through our Artistes-in-residence scheme, groups like Singapore’s top Gamelan group, Gamelan Asmaradana, and ZingO Festival Drums are based in TRCC and work closely with RP’s student groups to

mentor and develop their craft.

TRCC is thus more than just a superb array of arts venues but also a driving force that strives to provide a viable platform for students, staff and community partners, to realize their passion for the arts and the cultural vibrancy that defines us as a nation.

Conductor’s Message Dear Honoured Guests, Welcome to the Republic To our past members, Polytechnic String present musicians, and our Ensemble's 20th anniversary cherished audience, thank concert. It is with immense you for being an integral part joy and gratitude that we of our musical story. Your stand before you tonight. presence tonight adds a Two decades of musical special resonance to this exploration, growth, and celebration. Here's to 20 camaraderie have led us to years of harmony and to many more to come. this momentous occasion.

This concert is a testament to the dedication and passion of our talented musicians. With heartfelt appreciation, Through the strings, we've woven a tapestry of emotions Dr Yeo Jan Wea and stories. Each note Conductor resonates with the spirit of Republic Polytechnic String collaboration, hard work, and Ensemble the joy of making music together.

As we embark on this evening's performance, let the music be a testament to the power of harmony and unity.

The Concert

/ɒnˈ sɒmbl / - Da C a po : Fro m t h e B e gin n in g

Republic Polytechnic String Ensemble celebrates its 20 years! Established in 2004 at RP’s Tanglin Campus, the ensemble brought together students with a passion for string instruments. Since inception, the group has been a platform for students to explore string instruments, hone their skills and express themselves musically through various opportunities regardless of their level of experience.

This anniversary concert draws inspiration from its title ‘Da Capo: From the Beginning’, which is also abbreviated as D.C as an Italian musical term. The concert will encourage the ensemble and the audience to return to our roots and celebrate everything that has happened since then. The

musicians will showcase a variety of musical pieces traversing from classical, romantic, and modern eras.

Over the years, the ensemble has also expanded their capacity in creativity and music composition and developed our own musical style.

Join us on an evolutionary journey of classical music through the ages in celebration of RP String Ensemble’s 20th Anniversary!

String Ensemble W ho are we?

Established in 2004, Republic Polytechnic’s String Ensemble comprises of students with a passion for string instruments. Since inception, String Ensemble has been providing students with an avenue to discover stringed instruments and hone their skills and abilities through various opportunities regardless of their level of experience.

Unlike traditional string ensembles, Republic Polytechnic’s String Ensemble

expands their repertoire to other various genres ranging from Hollywood to theatre and billboard hits.

Under the baton of Dr Yeo Jan Wea, String Ensemble has been constantly pushing and performing in various events such as Reflections Arts Festival, IGNITE! Tribute VII, and recently at Methodist Welfare Services Nursing Home, opening for the Thomson East Coast Line, and Republic Polytechnic’s Open House.

Trainer and Conductor Dr Yeo Jan Wea

Violist Dr. Yeo Jan Wea received a scholarship from the Loke Cheng Kim Foundation to study viola performance at the Eastman School of Music in 1990. He graduated in 1994 and subsequently earned Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Michigan State University School of Music. While at Eastman, Dr. Yeo was invited to participate in the Heidelberg Castle Festival in Heidelberg, Germany as principal violist for two summers. He is the first person from Singapore to be selected as orchestral fellow at the prestigious Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan in 1990 and was

invited to return for another two summers in 1991 and 1992. He was also selected to participate in the inaugural season of the Asian Youth Orchestra in the same summer. In 1999, Dr. Yeo was invited to be part of the Pacific Music Festival International Orchestra. The orchestra was formed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the festival and performed throughout Japan.

Trainer and Conductor Dr Yeo Jan Wea

He has worked with conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Neeme Jarvi, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Tan Dun. Since his return to Singapore, Dr. Yeo has been a much sought after teacher and performer.

He was invited to be the founding principal violist of both the Singapore Festival Orchestra in 2008, and the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra in 2012. He freelances regularly with the

Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently the viola instructor at Anglo Chinese School (Independent), Hwa Chong Institution, CHIJ St Nicolas Girls School, and the conductor of the string ensemble at Republic Polytechnic. Dr Yeo is also the Leader-Mentor to the viola section of the Orchestra of Music Makers.

Trainer Jul ian Li

Symphony Orchestra Hanoi, Vietnam.

A winner of the Tan Kah Kee Postgraduate Scholarship (2013) and the Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award (2013), Julian graduated with Masters in Distinction (2015) from Universität für Musik und Darstellende Graz (KUG) under the tutelage of Ernst Weissensteiner.

An active musician in Singapore’s classical music scene, Julian has a wealth of professional orchestra experiences, having served as Associate Principal of the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra (2017-2020) and Principal Bass of the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra (2015-2017). Recently he freelanced with Sun

Outside of his orchestral career, Julian is an established bass soloist, having won First Prizes in The Singapore International Double Bass Music Festival Competition (2019), Classical Music Competition Charleston (2020), Winter International Music Competition (2020). Most recently, he was the Gold Prize Winner of the World Classical Music Award (2022).

Trainer Jul ian Li

Julian is also a founding member of Bass Around Asia (BAA), established in 2019, with the aim to promote double bass chamber music in Asia. Since his return to Singapore in 2020, Julian is a freelance Bassist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Principal Bassist for numerous classical ensembles in Singapore, including the Red Dot Baroque, Resound Collective, Metropolitan Festival

Orchestra, Wayfarer Sinfonietta, Singapore Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Opera Singapore.

He is also the Mentor Bassist for Orchestra of Music Makers.

Programme EINE KLEINE NACHTMUSIK

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1787 I II III IV

Allegro Romanze Menuetto Rondo

ANDANTE FESTIVO

Composed by Jean Sibelius in 1922

SERENADE FOR STRINGS, Op.11 Composed by Dag Wirén in 1937 IV

Marcia

CANON IN D

Composed by Johann Pachelbel in late 17th Century

MELANCHOLIC FANTASIA

For RP String Ensemble Composed by Lydia Tay (Alumni)

ONE-BOW CONCERTO

Composed by Richard Meyer

ALWAYS WITH ME FROM “SPIRITED AWAY” Composed by Joe Hisaishi Music by Yumi Kimura Arranged by Yukihiro Matsubara in 2001

Programme A TOWN WITH AN OCEAN VIEW FROM ”KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE” Composed by Joe Hisashi Arranged by Yukihiro Matsubara in 1983

ST PAUL’S SUITE, Op.29 No.2 Composed by Gustav Holst in 1913 I II IV

Jig Ostinato Finale (The Dargason)

The Ensemble CONDUCTOR Yeo Jan Wea PERFORMERS First Violin Lim Yih Xuan Krystal (Concertmistress)

Fremont Loh Zhen Feng (Associate Concertmaster)

Rianne Jayne Wallace Melissa Ong Bao Xia * Wang Xiaxin Raymond * Loke Han Ying (Staff) Second Violin Xin Yilin (Principal) Evangeline Teo Jia Xuan

Viola Sai Zaw Lin Htike (Principal) Winne Tan Jing Wen (Associate Principal)

Woo Qian Wei Nur Farhah Binte Mohamed Najeeb Mattar Deniola Resly John Samillano Chang Tai Hsin Lydia Tay Wan Ching * Siti Nur Fatimah Binte Mohd Mazlan Alumni

(Associate Principal)

Chow Jia Ying, Jesslyn Jesslyn Wong Min Hwee Pek Min Xi Bliss Chan Yu Xuan Chow Mei Yan Chia Gyann Wong Zhi Yi Wong Ern Ling Hannah

* Alumni

The Ensemble PERFORMERS Cello Nur Aqeelah Batrisyia Binte Mohamed Saiful (Principal) Lee Ying Xin Kesrie (Associate

Double Bass Shara Khoo Wan Ling

Lee XinYu Ellery Yasmeen Isabella Qian Jin Binte Mohd Zahid Jerome Samy Jie Lun Matthew Tan Yong Jie Chua Mu Fen Kelda * Ng Min * Chia Hui Ling Marilyn *

Nurul Qistina Bte Hassanal Chooi Wei Tyng Goh Pei Yun Alvin Tok Jun Wei *

Principal)

(Principal)

Yeoh Zhi Xuan (Associate

Principal)

* Alumni

Show Committee Creative Team

Production Team

Conductor Dr Yeo Jan Wea

Production Coordinator Keith Tan

Trainers of RP String Ensemble Dr Yeo Jan Wea Julian Li

Lighting Designer Firdaus Zaini

Producer Debra Chua Student Producers Nur Aqeelah Batrisyia Binte Mohamed Saiful Assistant Student Producers Xin Yilin Deniola Resly John Samillano Marketing Head Evangeline Teo Jia Xuan Marketing Team Tan Hao Yuan Lim Yih Xuan Krystal Chow Jia Ying Jesslyn

Audio Engineer Mohammed Firdaus Bin Juma’at Stage Technicians Rahmat Abu Hasbullah Rahim Production Manager Wong Zhi Yi

Show Committee Stage Management support by:

Front of House Team

Stage Manager Chin Yun Zhi

Facilities & Venue Managers Adila Mohamed Azizah Rohani

Assistant Stage Managers Liew Annie

Front of House Manager Bryan Aw Yan Sheng

Stage Crews Ray Tan Jun Tao Ezzhan Hakim Bin Abdol Hamid

Front of House Team Ee Bis Ethan Ler You De Goh Boon Shuan Alissa Kaitlyn Phoon Kai Xuan Lily Ardini Binte Muhammad Nur Loh Siew Yi Shannen Chan Tan Chun Mei Tan Hao Yuan Tan Sok Huan Teung Ler Ya

Campus Arts Productions

Photography & Videography Photo Republic

Acknowledgements The group wishes to convey their appreciation and thanks to the following for their gracious presence, guidance and support for /ɒnˈsɒmbl/ Da Capo (From the Beginning).

Principal/ CEO of Republic Polytechnic Ms Jeannie Liew Management of RP String Ensemble Trainers Dr Yeo Jan Wea Julian Li Alumni Melissa Ong Bao Xia Wang Xiaxin Raymond Lydia Tay Wan Ching Siti Nur Fatimah Binte Mohd Mazlan Chua Mu Fen Kelda Ng Min Chia Hui Ling Marilyn Alvin Tok Jun Wei

Emcees Cheviolla Fathiya Rahman Teo Hui Si All who have contributed to make this evening’s performance a success.

And you, the audience, for your presence and support here with us tonight.

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