MS Band Performs at Inaugural World in Singapore Concert By Brian White and Rebecca Davidson, Middle School Band Directors Photos by Brian White and MOE
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pparently the word is out. The quality and artistic achievements of our Middle School Tiger Band program are attracting attention, and this time they have spread beyond our SAS community. Two months ago MS Band Directors Brian White and Rebecca Davidson were contacted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and presented with an invitation for Advanced Band students to perform in the inaugural World in Singapore Concert. "When I heard the concert was going to be performed at the Esplanade, I couldn't pass up this opportunity for our students," said White. The idea for the concert originated a couple of years ago when MOE began seeking opportunities for Singapore students to have more exposure to the international community. Their threepronged approach included sending students on educational trips outside Singapore, inviting international speakers and performers to work with students here and making connections with the large international community residing in Singapore. The World in Singapore Concert was designed as an opportunity to promote friendship and collaboration through music. The concert was held on November 24 at the Esplanade and featured 630 musicians from six international schools and eight local schools. Performances included traditional band music, Indian dance, Scottish reels, Broadway songs, Japanese hip hop, a Mozart piano concerto and
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SAS NewsFlash – February 2009
an Indonesian angklung ensemble. The grand finale by a 300 member strong ensemble made up of the SAS Middle School Advanced Band, Tanjong Katong Secondary School (TKSS) Band and a 200 member choir performed "The Power of the Dream" and "Please Give Me Wings." "It was an amazing learning experience for me and my students," said White. "The first thing I realized was that in the Singapore educational system, students at the end of Secondary School are about two years older than our 8th graders." The music that the students were asked to perform was quite challenging as it was geared toward students with more playing experience. "I was very pleased with the hard work and preparation our SAS musicians did to learn the music. They stepped up to the challenge and performed beautifully." White had the honor of conducting "The Power of the Dream," written for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. This included the opportunity to rehearse with the TKSS band. "What an eye opener," said White. "I wasn't sure what to expect as I had heard that the local schools only practice on Saturdays. Despite this the TKSS Band was fantastic!" SAS and TKSS students met for the first time the day before the concert for a mammoth sevenhour rehearsal. This was also the first rehearsal with the combined 200-member choir. "It was a little shaky at first, but the students stayed really focused and were determined
to make it a great performance." Students from SAS were also lucky to have the opportunity to work with guest conductor Uichi Kajiyama, who flew in from Japan to conduct “Please Give Me Wings” (“Tsubasa Wo Kudasai”). On the night of the concert, the Esplanade concert hall was packed. MOE had purchased all of the seats and then given the tickets to the participating schools and honored guests. “Its level of commitment to this project was awe inspiring.” " Middle School Principal Devin Pratt was one of the honored guests and said "... the finale with our Advanced Band playing in a 140 member band with the choir of 200 was powerful. I appreciated the opportunity to have our students perform in the Esplanade and to be there to see the product of their talent and commitment." "MOE should be commended for recognizing the value of bringing students together in this manner," said Davidson. "Our SAS students were surprised and humbled by the level of performance exhibited by students of the participating schools." In addition to the musical value of the experience, SAS students were able to mingle and mix with the TKSS band students between dress rehearsals and performances. "SAS students were played games and took photos with TKSS students, phone numbers were exchanged, and we've broached the idea of an additional collaborative endeavor in the future."