December 2023 | Issue 1
MUSIC NEWSLETTER
Contents PAGE 3 From the Director of Music
PAGE 5 Review of the Term
PAGE 9 Forthcoming Events
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Welcome to our first Music Department Newsletter which is designed to showcase some of the major events that have taken place over the past few months, as well as keep you updated with forthcoming performances. It has certainly been a busy yet productive term, providing myriad opportunities for our musicians across all three schools. Over the next few pages, we will reflect on some of the higher profile events that have taken place involving Tanglin musicians. In addition, there have also been dozens of other performances that aren’t covered in this newsletter from assemblies, year group productions, lunchtime recitals, informal recitals, open mornings, award ceremonies and many more. It is true to say the Music really is at the heart of the school and, quite rightly, has a high profile in the school. This term we have launched the Tanglin Centenary Music Scholarships with auditions taking place in March 2024. This exciting addition to the music provision will ensure that our most able, talented, and committed musicians in Senior School will benefit from a nurturing environment in which they will be able to fulfil their potential. More information about the Centenary Scholarships can be found here. Looking forward, we have an action-packed few months ahead of us to kick-start 2024, including visits by Briana Corrigan (former lead singer of Beautiful South) and the Desford Colliery Band in the first few weeks of Term Two. These visits will support the Senior Battle of the Bands (Thursday 25 Jan) and our first Community Brass Day (Sat 3 Feb) respectively.
A good number of our musicians are also involved in this year’s musical, Chicago which runs 16-19 January in the Berrick Performance Hall. It promises to be another fabulous production, not to be missed! Later in the term we will also have two cross-phase themed concerts involving most of our larger ensembles, SEASAC and FOBISIA Music Festivals, and several days of Associated Board Instrumental Exams.
The Tanglin Young Musician of the Year makes a welcome return next term with the deadline for first round online entries in early February. The second round, which will be held in-person, in front of an adjudication panel, will take place in early March with the Finalists’ Concert being held in the Summer Term. The competition is open to all Tanglin students, performing at Grade 3 standard and above, regardless of whether they have their lessons in or out of school. More information is available in In Touch and via the QR code on the posters displayed across the school campus.
I frequently talk about creating a musical environment which is both inspirational and aspirational; we want to inspire our students to aspire for bigger and better things, through recognising the transformational impact that music can have on young people’s lives. I do hope that the next few pages will demonstrate some of the ways in which this environment is being nurtured on a daily basis at Tanglin.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the music staff for their commitment, dedication and willingness to go far above and beyond. Their ability to inspire and nurture our young musicians is exemplary, whether that be in the classroom, in rehearsals or in their one-to-one individual tuition. I hope you enjoy reading our first newsletter – please do let us know what you think! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
REVIEW OF THE TERM Music Tutors’ Concert Our calendar of performances began in superb style with the inaugural Music Tutors’ Concert in September which featured a range of solo and chamber music performed expertly by our team of Visiting Music Teachers. This family-friendly concert incorporated a variety of styles and genres, with music from the classical and romantic periods up to a more modern Latin-American Tango, the jazz classic Fly Me to the Moon and even an arrangement of Alan Menken’s Part of Your World from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. This concert will undoubtedly become part of the annual calendar and one not to be missed!
FOBISIA Music Teachers’ Conference In early October the department was awash with music as we welcomed over 100 Music Teachers from across Asia to Tanglin for the FOBISIA Music Teachers Conference. Over the course of three days, teachers had a chance to attend sessions on a vast array of topics from curriculumbased discussions to jazz improvisation, microphone techniques and strategies for engaging young musicians in early music. ‘World music’ featured prominently with hands-on practical workshops covering Gamelan, Chinese Traditional Instruments, Taiko Drumming and Samba. Over 30 sessions were delivered over the three days, with presenters coming from across the globe.
House Singing Competition As half-term beckoned, students in Years 5-8 were busy rehearsing for the second instalment of the House Singing Competition. With a theme of ‘100 Years of Disney’ the 8 houses each performed a song in front of the judges before joining together for a somewhat boisterous rendition of ‘We’re All in This Together’ from Disney’s High School Musical. It was a fantastic occasion and a joyous end to the first half of term as over 800 students sang their hearts out with gusto! Congratulations to Weyhill who retained the trophy that they also won last year.
Senior Ensembles Concert & EDUtech Conference As many prepared for the long weekend of Deepavali celebrations, Tanglin musicians were once again out in full force. The fine surroundings of the Lee Foundation Theatre played host to the Senior Ensembles Concert which featured our more advanced choirs, bands and orchestras. It was a wonderful celebration of music, opened in style by the Big Band who, earlier that week, had delighted the EduTech Asia delegates in Marina Bay Sands Conference Centre.
The Senior Choir, bursting at the seams, sang two beautiful pieces before the Chamber Orchestra joined forces with the Chamber Choir for a fun arrangement of Viva! From Mozart’s opera ‘Il Re Pastore’. Impressive performances by the Chamber Orchestra, Year 11-13 Choir, Symphonic Wind Band and String Sinfonietta followed, before the evening was brought to an energetic close by the Symphony Orchestra performing the well-known circus piece ‘Entry of the Gladiators’ by Fucik and the Third movement of Brahms’ Fourth Symphony.
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 12 November saw a number of Junior and Senior Singers join forces with choirs from Dulwich College Singapore, Dover Court and Marlborough College Malaysia for the annual Service of Remembrance at Kranji War Memorial. Led by the British High Commission, and with embassies from across the globe represented, this is always a poignant and moving ceremony.
Ensembles Concert
The Ensembles Concert featuring our upcoming musicians from across the Middle School and Junior School was an uplifting evening which began and ended with all the musicians showcasing songs they have learnt in their weekly Chorals this term. There were also fine performances from our various concert bands and string ensembles, as well as a lively percussion ensemble performance and a tuneful rendition of Shotgun by the Ukelele Group. The Recorder Group demonstrated the tremendous progress they have made recently with their arrangement of Don’t Stop Believin’. The audience were also treated to two energetic Rock Band performances which thrilled the rockers young and old!
Piano Recital In late November, over 40 pianists from across the three schools got together for a beautiful piano recital in the wonderful Recital Room. Using two of our new Fazioli grand pianos, the concert included a range of musical styles including Jazz Waltzes, Blues, Ragtime, and more, arranged for four, six and even eight hands.
St. George’s Festival of Music
As ever, The Festival of Music at St. George’s Church heralded the start of Christmas for many in the Tanglin Community. Featuring an array of choirs from across all three schools, the audience delighted in an evening of carols, both familiar and perhaps less well-known. Interspersed with readings and some audience singing, this event remains a real favourite in the annual calendar. The Senior Chamber Choir further delighted the audience with carol singing in the Courtyard accompanied by some festive refreshments!
Christmas Jazz Night The Christmas Jazz remains a firm favourite in the calendar, with several of our new Jazz Ensembles making their debut at the event. Friday morning is now officially ‘Jazz Morning’ with 3 Nonet size groups running at the same time across the Department and the new Vocal Group which features singers from our IB and A Level Music classes. The concert featured a mix of Swing, Latin and Dixieland Music with some Christmas favourites specially arranged for the event. The evening was brought to a close with a Big Band performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ with all of the musicians jamming for the encore.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS Term Two promises to be incredibly exciting for Tanglin Musicians with a whole host of events planned throughout the 11 weeks. As mentioned, highlights will undoubtedly be Chicago, Battle of the Bands, with special guest Briana Corrigan, the Desford Colliery Band visit (and Community Day), and, later in the term the Stage & Screen-themed cross-phase bands and orchestral concerts. Our choirs will also be busy preparing for their Choral Concert, which is scheduled for 26 April, once again in the beautiful setting of the Victoria Concert Hall. Below is the current diary of events for Term Two:
Tue 16 Jan - Fri 19 Jan
Sat 3 Feb
Fri 15 Mar
Musical: Chicago: Teen Edition BBPH, 6pm Tickets here
Tanglin Community Brass Day BBPH, 12pm Tickets here
Senior Music Scholarship Auditions Recital Room, All day
Wed 24 Jan An Evening Briana Tues 16 - Friwith 19 Jan Corrigan & Friends Rehearsal Room, 7pm Tickets here Thu 25 Jan Battle of the Bands BBPH, 6pm Wed 31 Jan Informal Concert Recital Room, 5.30pm
Wed 28 Feb Formal Solo & Chamber Music Concert Recital Room, 6pm Mon 4 Mar - Fri 8 Mar Musician of the Year Round Two Recital Room, lunchtimes Mon 11 Mar Informal Concert Recital Room, 5.30pm
Fri 2 Feb Year 1 Show The Moot, 8.45am & 10.45am Fri 2 Feb Musician of the Year First Round entries deadline Enter here (from 9 Jan 2024) Fri 2 Feb Brass Spectacular with the Desford Colliery Band BBPH, 7pm Tickets here
Correct at time of publication
Tues 23 Jan
Mon 18 Mar - Thu 21 Mar ABRSM Music Examinations Recital Room, All day Tue 19 Mar Cross-phase Bands Concert Music for Stage & Screen BBPH, 6pm Thu 21 Mar & Fri 22 Mar Reception Concert Raffles Hall, 8.45am & 10.45am Thu 21 Mar - Mon 25 Mar
Wed 13 Mar
FOBISIA Primary Music Festival Kuala Lumpur, All day
Informal Concert Recital Room, 5.30pm
Tue 26 March
Tue 12 Mar & Wed 13 Mar Year 6 Show BBPH, 6pm Thu 14 Mar - Sat 16 Mar SEASAC Music Festival 2024 UWCSEA East Campus, All day
Cross-phase Orchestral Concert Music for Stage & Screen BBPH, 6pm