FEATURING:
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.
TRCC’s venues provide aspiring artistes platforms to realize their passion, and to share that with a wider audience. With its 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 help 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
Good evening, and welcome to tonight’s unique string ensemble concert! We are thrilled to bring you a vibrant mix of genres, from the improvisational spirit of jazz, to the timeless energy of musicals, and the bold sounds of rock.
Our ensemble has enjoyed exploring these diverse styles and we can’t wait to share how the strings can transform and elevate these genres in unexpected ways. Each piece is a testament to the versatility of string instruments, and we hope this performance will surprise and inspire you. Thank you for being here, and we invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the musical journey ahead!
With heartfelt appreciation,
Dr. Yeo Jan Wea Conductor RP String Ensemble
The Concert
String Ensemble presents Euphony: "No Strings Attached", a captivating musical journey that weaves together a myriad of genres and styles. The title, No Strings Attached, reflects the idea of exploring a wide range of music without limitations. SE ventures out into various genres of music, from the electrifying energy of rock classics to the soulful melodies of folk music, the smooth grooves of jazz, and the enchanting allure of theater and musical scores.
As the ensemble performs, the audience is invited to experience a spectrum of feelings. Each musical selection is thoughtfully chosen to evoke a different mood, offering both the musicians and the audience a rich tapestry of emotional and sensory experiences. “Euphony: No Strings Attached” is a celebration of diversity in music that is pleasing to the ears. With every note, a new sensation fills the air, creating a harmonious blend of emotions that linger long after the final chord is played.
String Ensemble
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.
Wind Symphony
Formed in 2003, RP Wind Symphony is made up of passionate players that enjoy music-making through exploration. The band has gained recognition for their fine musicianship in both the local and international stage, most recently earning themselves a Gold in Singapore International Band Festival's Division 1 category.
The members had been very privileged to work with the Hong Kong Festival Wind Orchestra, National Chiayi University Wind Ensemble from Taiwan, Jugendmusik Kreuzlingen from Switzerland, Singapore Police Force Band as well as the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band in the past.
RP Wind Symphony strives to be the stimulus for musical excellence among the school bands in Singapore. It’s this spirit that motivates the band to train hard and bring quality music to the community.
Trainer & 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.
Trainer & Conductor
Dr. Yeo Jan Wea
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.
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, 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.
Lower Strings Trainer
Li Yongrui, Julian
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 Symphony Orchestra Hanoi, Vietnam.
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). He was also the Gold Prize Winner of the World Classical Music Award (2022).
Lower Strings Trainer
Li Yongrui, Julian
Most recently, he won the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition (2024) and was featured as a soloist in their September 2024 concert.
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
PLINK, PLANK, PLUNK!
Music by Leroy Anderson
Arranged by William Zinn
THE WALTZING CAT
Music by Leroy Anderson
Arranged by William Zinn
PIE IN THE FACE POLKA
(from 'The Great Race')
Music by Henry Mancini
Arranged by William Zinn
BABY ELEPHANT WALK
(From the Paramount Pictures Production, 'Hatari")
By Henry Mancini
Arranged by William Zinn
MOON RIVER
(From the Paramount Pictures Production, 'Breakfast At Tiffany's")
By Henry Mancini
Arranged by William Zinn
JAZZ PIZZICATO
Music by Leroy Anderson
Arranged by William Zinn
Programme
SELECTIONS FROM AMERICAN IDIOT
(The Musical)
Music by Green Day
Arranged by Tom Kigg
Arranged for Concert String Orchestra by Eric Gorfain
MUSIC FROM BRAVE
(From the Walt Disney Pixar Film)
Arranged by Robert Longfield
SELECTIONS FROM PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Arranged by Larry Moore
SELECTIONS FROM LES MISÉRABLES
(A Musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel-Schönberg )
Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
Arranged by Larry Moore
HIGHLIGHTS FROM JERSEY BOYS
Words and Music by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio
Arranged by James Kazik
THE BEST OF QUEEN
Arranged by Larry Moore
The Performers
CONDUCTOR
Yeo Jan Wea
STRING ENSEMBLE
Violin I
Lim Yih Xuan, Krystal | Concertmistress
Chow Jia Ying, Jesslyn | Associate Concertmistress
Lydia Tay Wan Ching*
Melissa Ong Bao Xia*
Loke Han Ying (Staff)
Violin II
Bliss Chan Yu Xuan | Principal
Sydney Siow | Associate Principal
Evangeline Teo Jia Xuan
Hoon En Qi, Charis
Lily Ardini Binte Muhammad Nur
Viola
Wang Wenrui | Principal
Tan Hao Yuan | Associate Principal
Jaron Ong Jun De
*Alumni
The Performers
Cello
Ee Bis | Principal
Choo Zhixuan | Associate Principal
Anis Ariana Binte Mohamad Hazlan
Nur Aqeelah Batrisyia Binte Mohamed Saiful
Chia Hui Ling Marilyn*
Ng Min*
Double Bass
Yeoh Zhi Xuan | Principal
RP WIND
SYMPHONY
Piano
Lee Kai Hong | Section Leader
Too Jun Kai Ernest
Percussions
Lee Kai Hong | Section Leader
Irshaad Ahmad Bin Noorizam
Nur Batrisyia Binte Jasman
Soh Jovan
Too Jun Kai Ernest
Emcee
Cheviolla Fathiya Rahman
*Alumni
Show Committee
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor
Dr. Yeo Jan Wea
Trainers of RP String Ensemble
Dr. Yeo Jan Wea
Julian Li
Producer
Debra Chua
Student Producer
Bliss Chan Yu Xuan
Assistant Student Producer
Lim Yih Xuan, Krystal
Marketing Team
Bliss Chan Yu Xuan
Chow Jia Ying, Jesslyn
Lily Ardini Binte Muhammad Nur
Sophia Lim Hui Yim
Sydney Siow
Wang Wenrui
Show Committee
PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Coordinator
Keith Tan
Lighting Designer
Syaziq Abdullah
Audio Engineer
Firdaus Zolkifli
Stage Technician
Zikry Izzkhairin
Production Managers
Tan Hao Yuan
Yeoh Zhi Xuan
Stage Management support
Campus Arts Productions
Stage Manager
Nurul Batrisyah Binte Zainal
Assistant Stage Manager
Soh Tian Nuo
Stage Crews
Ang Le Xuan Alynna
Nur Ellysa Nasida Binti Md Nassir
Pierce Sim Wei Shan
Sofea Darwisyah Binte Iskandar
Show Committee
Photography & Videography
Photo Republic
FRONT-OF-HOUSE TEAM
Facilities and Venue Manager
Adila Mohamed
Front-of-House Manager
Aditya Arikeri
Front-of-House Ushers
Choy Enna
Li Kexin
Ng Kai Xuan Raeann
Sophia Lim Hui Yim
Tham Yan Kei Jamie
Acknowledgement
The group wishes to convey their appreciation and thanks to the following for their gracious presence, guidance and support for Euphony: No Strings Attached.
Principal / CEO of Republic Polytechnic Ms Jeanne Liew
Management of RP
String Ensemble Trainers
Dr. Yeo Jan Wea
Julian Li Alumni
Chia Hui Ling Marilyn
Lydia Tay Wan Ching
Melissa Ong Bao Xia
Ng Min
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.
Organised by:
