MUSIC NEWSLETTER
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From the Director of Music
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Centenary Concert at Esplanade
Interpretations at the National Gallery Singapore
Centenary Showcases
ABRSM Exams
Oliver Jnr!
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Infant Music
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Junior Music
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Senior Music
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Mr Seal’s Desert Island Discs
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Around the Sections
Forthcoming Events
FROMTHE DIRECTOROFMUSIC
With the end of the academic year and the school centenary celebrations drawing to a close, it is time to look back on what has been a truly remarkable term, and indeed year, for Music at Tanglin. As ever, the students and staff have been phenomenal in juggling the pressure of academic life, trips - including the first two cohorts of Highlanders - and other commitments, whilst maintaining a full calendar of musical performances throughout the term.
The Centenary Concert at the Esplanade - Theatre on the Bay, which included the world premiere of Jonathan’s Dove A Bridge Across the Sea was an outstanding occasion that will live long in the memory of all participants and audience alike. This was followed soon after by two concerts which were held at the National Gallery, in conjunction with the Art Department, as part of the Interpretations Exhibition. The standard of performances, given by many of the Musician of the Year Finalists, was first class and was a superb advertisement for Tanglin Music.
With half term looming large, we returned to the Esplanade, albeit this time the intimate setting of the Recital Studio, for three wonderful concerts on successive evenings, presented by musicians from the Infants, Juniors and finally Seniors. This was a new venture for us, but one which was remarkably successful and will hopefully feature next year too.
The second half of the term, whilst only 4 weeks, has also been full of performances, including the hugely impressive Tanglin Centenary Summer Festival, the Middle School production of Oliver Jnr, the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts Awards, as well as numerous other awards events, assemblies and of course the Year 13 Graduation, held once again in the imposing Mediacorp Theatre.
We were also delighted that the Junior Chamber Choir and other soloists from the Junior School were able to take part in the Preview of the stunning new Junior Arts Centre (the JAC) in front of invited guests. Two days of ABRSM exams, lunchtime concerts, informal recitals - so popular that we now tend to run two simultaneous events - ensure that performance opportunities abound for our budding musicians
I mentioned in the Newsletter this time last year that we were busy developing closer ties with organisations both in Singapore and further afield, and this has very much come to fruition over the past 12 months, albeit with plenty of scope for more. Becoming the first ABRSM partner school earlier in the academic year was significant in recognising the outstanding opportunities given to our students and we continue to put forward around 100 instrumentalists and singers for exams each year - predominantly in-person, but also through the online performance exams as appropriate The Centenary Concert was a truly collaborative occasion which brought together musicians from Tanglin, as well as internationally renowned composer, Jonathan Dove CBE, professional soloists Victoria Songwei Li and Jonathan Tay (our Head of Singing), acclaimed conductor Lien Boon Hua, the Raffles Singers and their chorus master Toh Ban Sheng, and finally the incredible instrumentalists from Resound Collective. We sincerely hope that these associations will continue to develop over the coming years as we pursue greater ties with the wider Singapore community and beyond
At this time of year it is always sad to say goodbye to colleagues and this year we are losing two hugely committed and valued members of the Music TeamJocelyn Yeo (Junior STLA) and Michael Holiday (Director of the Co-Curriculum). Jocelyn has been an incredibly supportive and jolly character in Junior Music and has been involved in so many aspects of school life over the past decade; she has decided to pursue her formal teaching qualifications next academic year
Michael has been a real champion for Music at Tanglin, both initially as Director of Music and then as Director of the Co-Curriculum. His vision and huge support, particularly behind the scenes, have been fundamental in providing the necessary resources for the department to thrive. We wish him well as he becomes Head of Senior School at the British International School, Jeddah
We also sadly say goodbye to many students who have been incredible ambassadors for Music at Tanglin, some for a few years, others for 15 years It would be wrong of me to single out individuals, but particular thanks to our incredible Year 13 students who have led the way with such passion and drive in all aspects of music-making - rock bands; orchestras and wind ensembles; choirs and music theatre.
In closing, I would like once again to pay tribute to the expertise, dedication and phenomenal energy of all our teachers, admin and technical support staff in what has been a truly remarkable term and indeed year Their willingness to go above and beyond really is exemplary and fulfils our agreed department philosophy which states:
Music at Tanglin is inclusive, enjoyable and both aspirational as well as inspirational Through offering a broad range of opportunities and by sharing our passion for music, we enable our students to be creative and to thrive whatever their individual interests.
I hope you enjoy reading the Newsletter which showcases many of this term’s highlights. As ever there is much to look forward to next year and whilst the centenary celebrations may subside, the opportunities for music-making certainly won’t, with another action-packed year on the horizon!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Music Department at Tanglin over the past year - as I wrote in a recent concert programme, every contribution has been significant, celebrated and applauded. Please sit back and enjoy the video highlights from 2024-2025
I wish you all a very pleasant summer and look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
Rob Hall Director of Music
Whilst many people were tucking into their Easter Sunday Roast, months and years of planning were starting to come together as rehearsals began in earnest for the Centenary Concert. With composer Jonathan Dove CBE and Paul Hughes, (former Director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and a member of the Tanglin Arts Committee) in attendance, the choirs of Tanglin and Raffles Singers came together to work through A Bridge Across the Sea, a piece specially commissioned for the school’s centenary, under the baton of guest conductor Lien Boon Hua. A nervous excitement was the order of the day as all the various components assembled like a huge jigsaw puzzle - the choirs heard each other’s parts for the first time, and the soloists dazzled as their voices rose above the combined choruses. This excitement only heightened further as the orchestra joined forces the following day - the emerging sound created a real sense of anticipation amongst singers, instrumentalists, conductor and composer; something very special was brewing! Centenary Concert at Esplanade
The day before the concert saw over 300 children and students visit the Concert Hall at EsplanadeTheatres on the Bay for rehearsals; pieces had been specially chosen and arranged to create larger, combined ensembles for the first half of the concert. The look of awe and amazement as the children stepped onto the stage for the first time was quite electric, and the sound being produced was stunning in such a beautifully crafted acoustic.
Concert day arrived and, following another day of extensive rehearsals and run-throughs, we were all set for the sell-out show.
The Symphony Orchestra opened the concert with a fine rendition of Mendelssohn’s evocative Hebrides Overture, known for its vivid depiction of the sea and the Hebridean landscape, particularly Fingal's Cave This challenging, and ever changing piece was brought to life with assurance by the orchestra, and ensured that the evening got off to a magical start
The Festival Symphonic Wind ensemble comprising 70 Woodwind, Brass and Percussion players, ranging from Year 3 up to Year 13 were next on stage as they performed 2 contrasting pieces under the baton of Ms French and Mr Baxter. It was wonderful to see our emerging Woodwind and Brass players playing alongside older and more experienced students, and the richness of the sound filled the auditorium
Over 100 String players, directed by Ms Knight Lucas then gave an energetic and lively performance of Festival Rondo by the American composer Richard Meyer. Again the ensemble included children in Yr 3 who are in the early stages of their musical careers, performing alongside diploma-level string players in the Sixth Form, demonstrating the potential musical journey first-hand to the youngest string players
The Big Band, comprising some of our most advanced woodwind and brass players, together with rhythm section assembled on stage to present legendary jazz composer Pat Metheny’s Song for Bilbao The performance was made all the more poignant by the knowledge that Pat himself was due to take to the very same stage in May! With some daring harmonies and lively improvisations, this piece certainly had the audience on the edge of their seats.
The upbeat, celebratory nature of the concert continued as the 90-strong Senior Choir joined the Big Band for a rousing rendition of Barry Manilow’s Dancin’ Fool. It was a dynamic and vibrant performance with exciting harmony and great scat singing, which brought the first half of the concert to an energetic conclusion
During the interval, almost 200 singers and a 54-player orchestra took their places ahead of the world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s dramatic cantata A Bridge Across the Sea. The sense of anticipation and excitement was palpable amongst audience and performers alike and grew still further as conductor Lien Boon Hua and soloists Jonathan Tay (Ram) and Victoria Songwei Li (Sita) emerged from the wings This was the moment to bring the piece to life
With constantly changing textures, time signatures and tempi, and some discordant harmonies, yet incredibly catchy melodic motifs, the piece was a challenge for our students, however the experience of performing in a world premiere, with the composer in the audience, was simply unforgettable. The Adult Chorus, made up of the Yr 11-13 Choir alongside the Raffles Singers essentially provided the narration as the piece tells a story from the Ramayana. Meanwhile the children’s chorus portrays the army of monkeys coming together to build the bridge to free Sita after her capture. This is supported by the colourful sounds of the symphony orchestra, made up of players from the Resound Collective alongside many of our music tutors and most advanced students
The performance itself was simply spectacular; energetic, lively, and full of contrasting moods and emotions. The audience knew that they were witnessing something very special and the applause at the end rang out for several minutes in appreciation of both a stunning new piece of music, but also a highly professional performance.
The Concert was a real tour de force as one of the outstanding events of the centenary celebrations, bringing together so many different organisations and involving so many people from across the school - Music, Trips, Co-curricular, TLAs, Marcomms, Theatre & Events, volunteers - the list is endless. The key word which features in the libretto of A Bridge Across the Sea is ‘Together.’ This was Team Tanglin working together to produce something spectacular As one audience member suggested, ‘It was worthy of a century of legacy’.
Interpretations at the National Gallery Singapore
Many of the finalists from the recently-held Musician of the Year competition were invited to take part in the Senior School Interpretations Exhibition, hosted by the National Gallery Singapore Impressive artwork from Yr 8 students created a wonderful focal point as soloists from Year 3 up to Sixth Form presented two hour-long recitals either side of poetry recitations, again from students in Yr 8. Each of the musicians had also been tasked with looking through the online gallery exhibits to choose a suitable piece of artwork to accompany their performance, and these were displayed as each performer took to the stage.
As ever each of the concerts incorporated a breadth of musical styles and genres, including composers such as Beethoven, Elgar and Rachmaninov, alongside more contemporary composers and musical theatre pieces, all of which were performed with confidence and style.
The event really is one of the highlights of the musical calendar each year and we are very grateful to Mrs Anstiss and the Art Department for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to perform in such a beautiful venue to the wider Singapore community.
For videos, please click links below:
Musician of the Year Finalists’ Concert - Intermediate Musician of the Year Finalists’ Concert - Advanced
We were delighted to return to the Esplanade just before half term to present three Centenary Showcases, with each school having their own concert in the intimate setting of the Recital Studio to showcase some of the choirs, top soloists and chamber musicians. Tickets were in high demand, particularly for the Junior and Infant Concerts and it was understandable why this was the case!
The Junior Chamber Choir opened the first concert with a stunning performance of a traditional Balinese Folk Song and returned to the stage for the closing number - an uplifting performance of Defying Gravity from the hit show, Matilda. In between the audience were treated to a range of solo and chamber music offerings featuring a range of styles and genres from Clementi, Mozart and Chopin through to more contemporary composers such as John Williams and Tim Minchin. The concert was a truly joyous hour of inspiring music-making and was described by one audience member as 'one of the best performances ever!'
The following evening it was the Infants who took centre stage, again with the Choir ‘topping and tailing’ the concert with rousing renditions of well-known songs including Do-re-mi and Zip-a-deedoo-dah. The standard of performance from the assembled instrumentalists was superb and one could quite easily forget that the programme was being presented predominantly by 6-8 year olds. There were some incredibly advanced pieces that would not have been out of place in a Senior concert, but the highlight for many was another world premiere - a Centenary Sonata for Piano composed by Yr 1 pupil, Jovienne.
The final showcase was presented by students in the Senior School, and once again featured soloists, together with chamber music for piano, and strings Many of our Music Scholars and potential scholars of the future took to the stage to perform an eclectic range of music which included two pieces by Rachmaninov, as well as works by Debussy, Chopin and Schubert, to name but a few. Tasuku and Charlotte, both Yr 10 Scholars, delivered a very impressive performance of the highly virtuosic Passacaglia for Violin and Cello, which had the audience sat in rapture. The evening was brought to a stunning conclusion with Yr 13 Scholar Olivia singing two pieces from the musicals The Wizard of Oz and Ordinary Days We wish Olivia well as she goes on to study Musical Theatre in London
For videos, please click links below:
Infant Centenary Showcase (Highlights)
Junior Centenary Showcase (Full Concert)
Senior Centenary Showcase (Full Concert)
Following on from the ABRSM exams held in March, a further 40 students sat exams this term, ranging from Initial Grade (pre-grade 1) up to grade 8 on a range of instruments including piano; violin, viola, cello and double bass; and clarinet, saxophone, and cornet We are still awaiting some of the results, however the examiner did comment on how well our musicians performed overall. Good luck to those waiting for their results!
Oliver Jnr!
This year’s Middle School musical production, in collaboration with the Drama Department, was Oliver Jnr - a condensed version of Lionel Bart’s award-winning adaption of Charles Dickens’s novel, Oliver Twist. With two sets of ‘leads’, the cast of over 70 students captivated the huge audiences as they sang and danced their way through classic songs such as Food glorious food, Consider yourself and Oom-pah-pah. It is clear that the future of Musical Theatre at Tanglin is very much alive and kicking and we can’t wait to see many of these students continue to excel in this field in the years to come!
INFANTMUSIC
The Infant Music Department has been as busy as ever in this, the last term of the centenary year. Early in the term, the Year 2 Choir, joined by the Yr 3 & 4 Choir, performed beautifully at the Bird Paradise for their families and other visitors. The following week, the Year 2 Ensembles concert showcased every child in the year group, as well as the array of musical CCAs available for Year 2 children Each class represented a different country or continent, and the children all learnt songs and played traditional instruments, from Indonesian Angklung to a Welsh folk song on Recorder.
The Nursery children also had a musical Teddy Bears’ Picnic featuring music from the Junior recorder group, as well as soloists from the Senior school who came and inspired our youngest students
Andy Gleadhill spent a day at Tanglin and inspired more children in the Infants with his Djembe sessions which were really hands-on and fun
Delphine Hastwell Head of Infant Music
The Infant Centenary Showcase at the Esplanade Recital Studio also enabled a wide range of children from Year 1 and 2 to play and sing to their parents in this prestigious venue. The Year 2 Choir performed once again, as well as pianists, violinists and solo singers.
The centenary year finished with the Summer Festival which featured an Infant Big Sing with over one hundred infants from all the choirs singing on the Friday night. On Saturday morning it was a real celebration from all the CCAs across the three stages performing for their families and the community. The Grand Infant finale was the 100 Ukulele event where the Infants, Juniors and Ukuladies played with families, staff and anyone else who wanted to join on the Big Stage All performers got a special 100 sticker and had “The Best Day of their Life’ as we played and sung together.
JUNIORMUSIC
A
Musical Term to Remember: Highlights from Our Junior Mus
This term has been a vibrant celebration of musical talent and creativity across our Junior School Our young musicians have shone in a series of exciting performances, workshops, and special events that showcased their hard work, enthusiasm, and love for music.
A major highlight early in the term was the spectacular Junior Centenary Showcase, which featured a programme of solo performances from some of our most talented young musicians. The event was beautifully rounded off with a moving performance by the Junior Chamber Choir, bringing the community together to celebrate 100 years of music-making in style.
The Year 3/4 Choir delighted visitors with a joyful performance at Bird Paradise, singing to a captivated audience amid the colourful surroundings Meanwhile, our ever-popular Lunchtime Recitals offered pupils the chance to perform solo and chamber works in an informal and supportive setting
We were thrilled to welcome renowned music educator Andy Gleadhill for a day of inspiring drumming workshops, where pupils explored rhythm, teamwork, and global musical styles
Our Year 3 Strings Programme continued to flourish, with pupils developing their skills in violin, viola, cello, double bass and harp. This foundational programme plays a vital role in nurturing early musical confidence and ensemble awareness.
Fiona Knight Lucas Head of Junior Music
At the Nursery Picnic, the Recorder Ensemble gave a charming performance, introducing our youngest pupils to the joy of live music in a relaxed setting
As we prepare for the grand opening of the Junior Arts Centre (JAC), excitement is building. During the JAC Preview, alumni Grace Roberts and Harry Mills returned to perform stunning selections from Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by a powerful performance from the Junior Chamber Choir This preview offered a tantalising glimpse into the talent that the new space will support and celebrate.
The term concluded with a musical flourish at the Summer Festival, where 16 Junior ensembles performed a wide variety of repertoire - from strings and wind groups to percussion and vocal ensembles - demonstrating the breadth and depth of musical learning across the Junior years.
Sadly we will be saying goodbye to Ms Jocelyn our talented STLA at the end of the term Ms Jocelyn’s kindness, care, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on our school community for the last 12 years.
As she embarks on her next chapter, training to become a music teacher with the Ministry of Education, we thank her for the music, the inspiration, and the warmth she brought to every rehearsal, performance, and interaction. We wish Ms Jocelyn all the best in her next adventure
What a term it’s been! We look forward to even more musical adventures next term as we settle into our new home in the Junior Arts Centre.
SENIORMUSIC
This term has been nothing short of extraordinary for our Senior Musicians, who have remained as active and dedicated as ever. While our Year 11 and Year 13 students wrapped up their coursework with finesse submitting - exceptional performances and compositions for their IGCSE, A Level, and IB exams - their musical journey extended far beyond the classroom.
In celebration of the school’s Centenary, we launched the year with a stunning concert at the Esplanade This memorable evening featured a wide array of ensembles and culminated in the world premiere of our specially commissioned piece, A Bridge Across The Sea by renowned composer Jonathan Dove - a truly magnificent highlight.
The excitement continued with a visit from percussionist Andy Gleadhill, who led vibrant samba workshops that had students drumming with enthusiasm. Shortly after, a group of 15 instrumentalists and choristers represented the school at the FOBISIA Intermediate Music Festival in Bangkok, collaborating with peers from across Asia to deliver a powerful and inspiring concert
Back on campus, our musicians contributed to a variety of events, including the Summer Art Exhibition, Year 6 Transition Day, the graduation ceremony, the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts Awards, and several school assemblies. Beyond school grounds, they also performed at prestigious venues such as the National Gallery and the Esplanade Recital Studio, showcasing their talents to wider audiences
The Summer Festival was another highlight, featuring a rich lineup of ensembles, Senior Bands, and soloists. Despite the sweltering heat, our musicians delivered outstanding performances during the Friday evening concert and throughout Saturday’s festivities.
To celebrate their hard work and achievements, our Senior Musicians enjoyed their much-anticipated annual pizza party a well-deserved treat and a joyful way to end the term We wish all our students a restful and enjoyable summer and look forward to another year of inspiring music-making ahead!
Helen Owain Head of Senior Music
Mr Seal’s Desert Island Discs
Have you ever tried to compile a list of your favourite pieces of music, along the lines of the BBC’s long-running radio series Desert Island Discs? As the name suggests, the concept is that you are stranded on a desert island, however you are allowed to choose 8 pieces of music to take with you, alongside a book and a luxury item. It is a wonderful way of learning more about an individual as well as discovering music that you may never have encountered before. Guests on the show talk about the significance of each piece and why they have chosen to take it to the imaginary desert island
We asked Mr Seal, Head of Senior School to select his Desert Island Discs and to explain what each piece means to him
My first piece brings back evocative memories from childhood. The Throne Room and End Title from Star Wars is a magnificent piece of music, full of brass which I love but also references and motifs from the soundtracks of the epic movies I grew up with. John William’s soundtracks of this era were masterful in their composition – Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark and E T are also wonderful pieces As a massive Star Wars fan, this piece was also tinged with emotion as it signalled the start of a three year wait before we were to see another film in the series – it still gets me now.
A theme of my choices will be grand or strong openings and Waterfront by Simple Minds is typical of this. I’m not a massive Simple Minds fan but this song for me epitomises the music I loved as a teenager – loud, with guitars, drums and strong vocals and I love the way the intro grabs you On my paper round this sort of stuff played at top volume through my Walkman and at the time in my teenage naivete I would have assumed my own coolness. When driving alone I occasionally put this one on and crank the volume right up to try to recapture my youth
After university I moved just south of London and in the sundrenched summer of ’96 I was player of the year at Dartford Cricket Club I seemed to score runs every weekend and at the time my best mate, a finance broker on a decent salary, had a Saab convertible which at the time was a lovely car. However, he only had two cassettes, Alanis Morisette and Oasis’ Definitely Maybe which had actually been released two years earlier in ‘94. As he gave me a lift to and from most games, Oasis seemed to win in the tape choice every time and as I celebrated more success each week the music was played loudly all the time. I have to admit to knowing most of the words of the entire album. Slideway is for me the best track on the album, and peak Oasis. That was a good summer!
Chris Seal Head of Senior School
A lot of my music is played in the car, and I can still remember the day I slid the Parachutes CD into the changer in my new VW back in 2000. As ubiquitous as they are now it is hard to conceive of a time when Coldplay were novel and groundbreaking, but they were. The simplicity of the very first song on the Parachutes album, Don’t Panic is something to behold and I was hooked Just 2 minutes 17 seconds of guitar, drums, bass and a little organ plus haunting yet soothing lyrics – a very happy place.
Similarly, my next choice takes me to a happy place. I enjoy most of what Richard Ashcroft produces and his time with The Verve produced some great tunes Lucky Man was released in 1997 and still really resonates with me about how lucky I have been to have been married since ’97, have two lovely daughters and a fulfilling life in education. I’m not prone to singing much and certainly never in public, but Lucky Man weirdly provokes the odd outburst
Through a long teaching career there have been many ups and downs, but also some constants. One of them in recent years has become my Sunday morning ritual of starting my ‘classical’ playlist on Spotify and getting down to some work – maybe clearing e-mails, writing proposals or reports, possibly reading up on the next venture. That classical playlist is a pretty eclectic mix but there are two pieces which I listen out for every time Rachmaninov: Prelude in B-Minor, Op32 No 10 is such a beautiful, haunting and soothing piece. I’d first heard it at a recital at Millfield and have since heard it played by professionals in other recitals. It is hard to describe why I like it so much but in a relatively short piece it seems to encapsulate a range of emotions My overall sense is one of feeling better for hearing it It has served me well with some challenging inspection work in the past and is a piece I enjoy listening to when I know I need a quiet moment.
In more recent years I have gravitated to pieces that seem to recognise home. The Lark Ascending is one of the most popular pieces in the UK and evocatively brings a British summer to mind and there are others too, but my favourite has become Nimrod which is part of Elgar’s ‘Enigma’ Variations. The sweeping music reminds me of the rolling hills of Devon and other parts of the UK not least Worcestershire and Herefordshire where my parents live and from where Elgar hailed. It is a piece that is often used at remembrance services and feels appropriate then as a serious, grand and respectful tribute, but it is has also an uplifting tone that captures a perhaps romanticised view of what England could and should be
My final piece is also uplifting. I’ve played this in assemblies, in the car, at home, with my girls, on planes It is one of those pieces that just makes you feel good through the jangling guitars, massive Dave Grohl drums, and the raspy vocals It also asks a question that has been running through my time I schools – ‘is someone getting the best of you?’. The Foo Fighters are a great band and again for me Best of You is them at their finest. Dave Grohl explained that it is "a song of resistance. It’s about the refusal to be taken advantage of by something that’s bigger than you, or someone you’re in love with. It’s the fight in the face of adversity." I like that notion of resisting the crowd, doing your thing, being you and maybe schools doing all they can to promote this Not only that but it is a great rock song.
So, with my discs selected all I am left with is my book and luxury item. The book is easy. The Hobbit is my favourite book I have already read it a few times and would have no problem reading it again and again The story is wonderful but more than that the characters Tolkien creates offers a window into your own imagination and endless possibilities in what seems the endless world of Middle Earth
The luxury item is harder. I do like my creature comforts but almost all of them have practical uses and so would not be permitted. Therefore, I think I would go with a guitar and basic lesson booklet. I don’t really do regret, but I am mildly annoyed with myself for never following through and learning the guitar despite a couple of attempts – especially as I see the benefits of learning instruments in so many of our students. It would offer me endless possibilities to try to badly replicate my favourite songs and try some of my own – I’d have plenty of time finally!
AROUNDTHESECTIONS
Celine Tan - Head of Piano
The final term of the year began on a busy note for the Piano Team As is customary, we held our annual Term 3 Piano Recital, albeit earlier this year in Week 5. Organising and coordinating the concert was challenging due to the absence of many Senior and Year 6 pianists on trips, however we successfully had 49 students from all our Piano Group CCAs perform various ensemble pieces, ranging from the more serious works of Rachmaninoff to lighter compositions by Coldplay, John Williams, and Joe Hisaishi
A special mention to the Year 10 students who dashed back to school after their work experience (WEX) to participate in the concert, and of course huge thanks to all our pianists who played their hearts out to everyone in the audience
During the inaugural Esplanade Showcases the following week, we were delighted to feature 1-2 piano duets/trios from each of the Infant, Junior, and Senior Piano Groups as part of the repertoire for the respective schools every evening It was a distinguished occasion to perform at one of Singapore's most esteemed performing venues.
In our final two sessions for Junior Piano Club/Group, we introduced an element of fun and mystery by allowing our pianists to spin a roulette wheel to determine their partners and song selections. Although the chosen pieces were relatively short and straightforward, they provided an excellent opportunity to test the sight-reading skills and teamwork of our pianists, who then performed with their new partners at the last session Judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces, it was a delightful conclusion to the CCA for this school year.
Our Infant Pianists experienced two distinct performance opportunities this term. Firstly, at the Year 2 Ensembles Concert, they participated as a keyboard ensemble playing a simple arrangement of the Passacaglia theme Additionally, at the Summer Festival, individual students from the Infant Piano Group had the opportunity to play solo pieces. Those who managed to learn a second piece during the CCA also performed a duet It was a pretty casual setting, yet it was remarkable to watch the young pianists take to the “stage”, supported by an enthusiastic audience cheering them on.
It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge the exceptional accomplishments of our Music Piano Scholar, Austen Z (Y7) In addition to winning the Advanced Piano category in this year's Musician of the Year competition, Austen recently placed third in the Under 12 Amateur category at the 7th Singapore Steinway Youth Piano Competition. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and eagerly anticipate his future successes
Best wishes for a relaxing and wonderful summer break – we look forward ready for another bustling
Tzy Ren Chu - Head of Strings
Centenary Concert - Combined Strings
After many months of hard work, the Centenary String Orchestra, consisting of Sostenuto Strings, Strings Camerata and String Sinfonietta, performed at the stunning Tanglin Centenary Concert on 23 April.
Under the baton of Ms Fiona Knight Lucas, the 103-strong ensemble, featuring students from Yr 3 up to Yr 13, filled the Esplanade Concert Hall with a powerful rendition of Richard Meyer’s A Festival Rondo .
Y3 Strings Programme
This year’s Year 3 Strings Programme began on 30 April, giving all children the year group the chance to have small group lessons on an instrument of their choice. With eager anticipation, the first class (3.8) arrived at 8:15am; 9 aspiring violinists, 5 potential viola players, 6 future cellists and 3 hopeful double bass students. Ms Knight Lucas gave a small briefing and thereafter the students went off to their various classes
Throughout the day, all 8 Year 3 bases of year 3 had their lessons, with some lucky classes also having sessions on harp too. The Programme ran for 6 weeks and we are hopeful that a good number of children will sign up for lessons on their chosen instrument. Fun fact: Young string players are encouraged to listen to instructions whilst ‘doing the unicorn!’
Tanglin Community Orchestra
Formed in Jan 2022, the Tanglin Community Orchestra, currently known as the Tanglin Symphony Orchestra, comprises an 80-member group of music lovers who meet once a week, on Thursday evenings in Tanglin Trust School The aim is to provide music in accessible and enjoyable ways Members of the Orchestra come from all walks of life: students, nurses, pharmacists, designers, teachers, chefs, and more!
Since the inaugural concert in March 2022, the Orchestra, conducted by Hr Holiday, has been regularly performing quarterly at venues such as the Lee Foundation Theatre and the School Of The Arts Auditorium. Their repertoire has included Tchaikovsky’s Symphony 5, Swan Lake Suite, Dvorak Symphony 9, Beethoven Symphony 5, Star Wars Suite and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, amongst others.
This term’s concert, held at SOTA, again featured a programme of music from the Romantic Period, including Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and Rimsky-Korsakov’s energetic Capriccio Espagnol in the first half. The second half was the emotionally charged and deeply personal ‘Pathetique’ Symphony No 6, again by Tchaikovsky.
We are hugely grateful to Mr Holiday for his wonderful leadership of the orchestra over the past 4 years and we look forward to working with our new director, Mr Hall in the autumn.
Jonathan Tay - Head of Voice
TTerm 3 has been filled with lots of music and singing, with months of hard work culminating in a crescendo to the wonderful climax of the Centenary Concert. Enormous congratulations to all the students who were involved in the Adult and Children’s Choruses, who got to step onto the grand stage of the Esplanade Concert Hall to sing the stunning commission by Jonathan Dove. The music really did bring out the best in our singers, and they should be proud of their achievements I myself had a splendid time working with the celebrated composer, as well as the entire team responsible for putting this wonderful concert together. A special mention to our conductor and dear friend Maestro Lien Boon Hua, who tied the many pieces of this piece together seamlessly, and in a short amount of time. The students were exposed to a high level of music-making both on and off the stage. From the choirs to the orchestra, they were given the opportunity to work alongside more seasoned, professional performers, and that level of interaction and learning is truly invaluable
However we were not done with singing quite yet; in what is becoming something of a tradition within the music department, the vocal concert took place in May. This concert serves as an opportunity for all the singing students to showcase their voices and what they’ve learnt. This year, as the number of singers has grown significantly, and alongside the desire and willingness to perform, we had two concurrent concerts running side by side! Both concerts featured a wide range of repertoire, from Benjamin Britten and Roger Quilter, to Alan Menken and Lin Manuel Miranda, to Coldplay and Lady Gaga A lot of our younger performers were featured this term, and we are looking forward to seeing all our young talent grow and blossom into even more confident singers and performers in the years ahead.
The singing never stops as our singers continued to showcase their talents with performances at the National Gallery of Singapore, the Centenary Showcases at the Esplanade Recital Studio, as well as the Summer Festival at Tanglin.
We are already excited about plans for singing in the year ahead watch this space!
Looking Forward to the Next Term
Sat 23 Aug
Music Dept Open Morning and Auditions
TCB Level 8, 9am-1pm
Wed 3 Sep
Music Tutors’ Concert BBPH, 4 15pm
Thu 18 Sep
Music Scholars’ Concert CHJIMES, 6pm
Wed 5 Nov
Senior Ensembles Concert SOTA, 6.30pm
Fri 5 Dec
St George’s Festival of Music St George’s, 6 30pm
Correct at time of publication
Tue 11 Nov
Formal Solo & Chamber Music Concert Recital Room, 6pm
Thu 20 Nov
Junior Ensembles Concert BBPH, 6pm
Mon 8 Dec
Christmas Jazz Night Chandran Hall, 6pm
