The Armed Man 2026

A CHOIR, A FAMILY, A COMMUNITY.

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n her younger days in Kelantan, Khor Ai Ming woke up each morning to the chirping and singing of hundreds of songbirds belonging to her father, who trained them for competitions.

Now an acclaimed soprano, choral conductor and voice teacher, blending distinct voices into melodious choruses has become Ai Ming’s forte. Since coming to Singapore at the age of 20, she has remained here for more than a quarter of a century to advance her music education and music career.

“Along the way, I met my husband Tamagoh, a local musician,” she says. “He encouraged me to focus on becoming a vocalist and specialise in voice teaching in Singapore. I’ve not looked back since!”

MISSION To provide inclusive, high-quality vocal training and performance opportunities for singers of all ages and backgrounds.

To foster cultural exchange, empathy, and lifelong learning through choral collaboration and global repertoire.

To build a diverse, intergenerational community where music is a shared language of love, understanding, and human connection.

To uplift lives and serve the community through music outreach, engaging both professional and underserved audiences.

A M u lt i c u lt u r a l F a m i ly

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esides performing and giving lessons, Ai Ming works with many local choirs at the professional, community and school levels, bringing the joy of singing to disadvantaged groups such as elderly dementia patients and visually-impaired children. A group which holds a special place in her heart is Vocal Associates Choruses which she created in 2014 as a platform for her vocal students to gain stage experience.

Soon after she formed the choir, she was invited to contribute a 150-member chorus to the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra’s performance. It was a big gap to fill, but she gamely took up the challenge and extended an open invitation through various channels for new members. To her relief, more than a hundred signed up for auditions.

“Surprisingly, there were people from all over the world including Sweden, Japan, the Philippines…and of all ages,” she recalls.

VISION TO UNITE HEARTS AND CULTURES THROUGH THE POWER OF VOICE, CREATING A WORLD WHERE MUSIC TRANSCENDS BOUNDARIES AND BRINGS GENERATIONS TOGETHER IN HARMONY.

The Vocal Associates have stayed true to its strong multicultural beginnings from those early days and continues to attract people from different cultures to sing together.

Members from more than 20 countries, even from as far as Mongolia, Nicaragua and Ukraine, have passed through its door.

Vocal Associates is also uniquely made up of members from a wide age range of 6 to 85. It is very much a family affair too, with grandparents in the choir with their grandchildren, couples, and parents with young children.

Where Differences Unite, Not Divide

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ifferences are strengths to capitalise on, as Ai Ming discovers. Being a diverse group makes it more versatile when selecting song genres and languages, often matched to the cultures of her members. When they encounter lyrics in a foreign language, she invites the native speakers among them to explain their pronunciation and meaning to the others. “Even in English, some words are pronounced differently in American English and British English. We pick the sound depending on where the song originated,” she says, citing the friendly exchanges the group often has over language.

When Vocal Associates performed at its 5th Anniversary concert, named “One Voice, One World” after its ethos, all its members donned traditional attire from their own cultures and sang a repertoire of songs in different languages. The visual impact was stunning, and its message equally powerful.

“

Through music, we learn about life. At Vocal Associates, we learn so much from each other about cultures and people from different parts of the world and at different stages in life. Music and singing bring people together. It is a wonderful feeling of love and compassion.”

- Khor Ai Ming

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PROGRAMME JENKINS

THE ARMED MAN A MASS FOR PEACE 1.

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The Armed Man Call to Prayers Kyrie Save Me from Bloody Men Sanctus Hymn Before Action Charge!

Angry Flames Torches Agnus Dei Now the Guns have Stopped Benedictus Better is Peace God Shall Wipe Away All Tears

INTERMISSION GROSSMAN RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN FAURE

Just One Person You’ll Never Walk Alone Pie Jesu

EVANCHO

To Believe

SONDHEIM

Children Will Listen

TIN

Baba Yetu

JACKSON

Heal the World

HAYES arr.

Let There be Peace on Earth

PROGRAMME NOTES

JENKINS, THE ARMED MAN: A MASS FOR PEACE

Thirteen thousand, five hundred and seventeen. This figure represents the number of official deaths recorded in an official document which was compiled at the end of the Kosovo War, showing the number of people who were either killed or went missing during the conflict between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo Liberation Army, which lasted nearly an entire year and four months.

In 1999, the Royal Armouries Museum commissioned Karl Jenkins to compose a choral work in celebration of the millennial celebrations, celebrating New Year’s Eve in 1999. On a more personal note, however, the year 2000 also marked a significant milestone for the Royal Armouries Museum as it moved to its present site in Leeds from London a few years ago. The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace is the result of that collaboration.

Dedicated to the victims of the Kosovo War, which likely resulted in even more deaths than the official reported figure, The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace, is a work which promotes peace and harmony in the world.

The Mass is based on the numerous texts and sources which date back as far back as the Mahābhārata, nearly 14th-Century BC, to more recent writings by a Japanese poet who survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb in 1945. These texts were selected by Guy Wilson, who was then the Master of the Royal Armouries Museum.

A largely programmatic work, The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace first depicts the sinister descent and decline which leads into war. In the midst of all that confusion, there are brief moments of reflection which are scattered throughout the opening. Towards its middle, the work shows the atrocities which war brings, not just to civillians, but to the aggressors, and even the survivors.

Finally, the Mass concludes with the affirmation that sorrow, pain, and death can be overcome, and there is always a longing desire for peace.

By highlighting the cruelties of war, this Mass is a call for world peace. Especially in today’s climate, where technology has allowed us to wage war on each other with the tap of a button on a computer keyboard, this message is more important than it has ever been.

Notes by Loh Shu Han

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

OUR SINGERS SOPRANOS

ALTOS

April Tan

Chong Li Fern

Jen Ong

Elizabeth Clark-Martinez

Joyce Kwok

Lily Wong

Lee Siew Khoon

Nelly Voon-Arriola

Leong Moh Yin

Ng Boon Cheng

Li Li

Ong Jean Wei

Lilian Lee

Yeoh Jeok Eng

Lim-Tan Soo Kim Lum Sau Ying Madeleine Tan Pauline Lo Stephanie Leong Stephanie Lim

TENORS

BASSES

Conan Wu

Ang Chin Guan

Fan Mun Hoi

Edward Lee

Jamie Thom

Fong Poh Him

Leonard Lau

Han King Juan

Michael Hua

Jeremy Chia

Pierre Tremblay

Hor Chor Kiat

Samuel Yuen

ENSEMBLE OF YOUNG VOICES Andrew Bay

Dora Yang

Leo’nidas Koh

April de Raho

Elizabeth Mather

Lim An-ya

Archibald Thom

Emma-Victoria Pang

Mia Du

Fleur Loh

Oliver Goh

ABOUT

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

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ormed in 2014, Vocal Associates (VA) is a dynamic non-profit arts organisation comprising five major wings: the Vocal Associates Chorus, Chamber Choir, Ensemble of Young Voices, Timeless Singers, and Solo Artistes. The majority of members receive weekly individual vocal training under Ms Khor Ai Ming, and many have consistently achieved distinctions and merits in graded examinations and diplomas under Trinity College London.

Vocal Associates is the realisation of Artistic Director Ms Khor’s vision, passion, and commitment to elevate vocal artistry within Singapore’s music scene. Its members span a diverse range of nationalities and cultures, with ages ranging from 6 to 86. Reflecting Ms Khor’s signature versatility, this vibrant performing arts group regularly presents a wide spectrum of musical styles, including orchestral works, opera, Chinese orchestral music, jazz, musical theatre, and pop favourites.

Initially established for the 2014 performance of Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Vocal Associates has since been invited to perform numerous major orchestral works. These include Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and the world premiere of Alarcón’s Marco Polo Trilogy. VA has also been a regular guest at Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) concerts, including their 20th and 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2016 and 2021. Over the years, the choruses have collaborated with esteemed conductors such as Justin Freer, Timothy Reynish, Tsung Teh, Joshua Kangming Tan, Quek Ling Kiong, Hong Xia, and Xu Zhijun.

On the international stage, Vocal Associates has proudly represented Singapore across multiple cities worldwide. In 2016, they received a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall, New York. This was followed by a 2018 performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and a 2019 music tour to Okinawa, Japan. In December 2023, VA toured Shizuoka and Tokyo for a musical exchange that culminated in a performance at Makinohara City Comprehensive Music Hall. That same trip included an invitation to perform at the Taipei 101 New Year’s Celebration, hosted by the Taipei City Government. On 15 December 2024, they gave a joint concert with the Jeonggwan Women’s Sunlight Choir at Youngsan University in Busan. Most recently, in May 2025, VA members returned to Carnegie Hall to perform Mozart’s Requiem under Dr Margaret Pride, alongside Australian choirs and the New England Symphonic Ensemble.

Since 2010, Vocal Associates has also presented numerous concerts under the baton and artistic direction of Ms Khor. The group’s annual Songbird Series features solo performances by VA’s Songbirds Solo Artistes. In addition, VA has staged semi-staged musicals and operas at the Esplanade Recital Studio, including Hansel and Gretel (2016), Eloise (2019), Thomas and Sally (2022), The Sound of Music (2015, 2022), The Lion King (2023), The Magic Flute (2014, 2023), and The Little Prince (2018, 2024).

Since 2015, VA has also mounted two major concerts annually at the Esplanade Concert Hall, presenting full-scale choral and orchestral works such as: Fauré’s Requiem (2017), John Rutter’s Mass of the Children (2015, 2018), Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace (2018), Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana (2019), an adaptation of Handel’s Messiah in Hallelujah (2022), Carnival by Gwyn Arch, inspired by Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals (2022), John Rutter’s Magnificat (2023) & David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus (2024).

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

ENSEMBLE OF YOUNG VOICES V

ocal Associates Ensemble of Young Voices (VA Ensemble of Young Voices) is an ensemble of solo voices from 6 to 21 years of age. These young singers have a wide repertoire including choral masterpieces, opera, musical theatre, cinema theme songs, oratorios, and modern compositions. They have had many choral and soloist performance experiences under their belts. VA Ensemble of Young Voices has performed with orchestras like the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Orchestra of the Music Makers, the Philharmonic Winds, and Asia Virtuosi. Orchestra works presented includes Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8.

VA Ensemble of Young Voices has also performed in Vocal Associates’ annual concerts at the Esplanade Concert Hall since 2016, presenting works like Handel’s Messiah, Carnival of the Animals, Mass of the Children, Faure’s Requiem, A Mass for Peace, and the Wind in the Willows. ln August 2020, VA Ensemble of Young Voices joined VA Chorus singers in lending their voices for National Day, in apprecia­t ion of Singapore, through a virtual choir production, Song for Singapore. In December 2022, VA Ensemble of Young Voices was invited by Children’s Museum Singapore to perform at their Grand Opening.

On its own, the Ensemble of Young Voices has put up a number of children-opera and musical performanc­e s such as The Magic Flute Children’s Opera in 2014, The Sound of Music in 2015, Hansel & Gretel in 2016, The Little Prince in 2018, Eloise - An Opera for Young People in 2019, The Sound of Music in 2022, Lion King Jr The Musical in 2023 and The Little Prince 2024. These productions not only showcased the voices of these talented young singers as both soloists and ensemble, but also their acting skills.

VA Ensemble of Young Voices has also performed on the international stage, delivering performanc­ es in New York City’s Carnegie Hall (2016), Los Angeles’ Disneyland Anaheim and the Walt Disney Hall (2018), Okinawa Japan’s Civic Theatre Ashibina, the Okinawa City Hall, and Shimabukuro Elementary School (2019). Most recently, they travelled to Japan and performed at the Makinohara City Comprehensive Music Hall (2023).

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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KHOR AI MING

hor Ai Ming is a celebrated contemporary classical soprano, choral conductor, and voice educator. She was awarded the COMPASS Artistic Excellence Award in 2015 in recognition of her outstanding artistic achievements in Singapore. Renowned for her vocal artistry and versatility, Ai Ming is a prominent figure in the Singapore arts scene and is frequently invited to present world and Singapore premieres of new-music works. Her performances at large-scale national celebrations further attest to her innate musicianship and expressive range.

Among the notable works she has presented as Singapore or Asia premieres are Der Besuch der alten Dame by Gottfried von Einem (in the lead role of Claire Zachanassian), the complete cycle of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire, Berio’s O King, Gaslini’s Magnificat, Paul Wilson’s Spiritus, Messiaen’s La Mort du Nombre, Juhi Bansal’s The Lost Country of Sight, Tony Makarome’s Shiva, and Jeremy Monteiro’s Shakti Dance. She sang the theme song for the Chingay Parade in both 2011 and 2014, and was the soprano soloist in Music for Fireworks at the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2012, composed by Iskandar Ismail. In 2013, she performed Pierrot Lunaire for the second time—this time under the Esplanade Spectrum Series with the Asian Contemporary Ensemble—to critical acclaim from The Straits Times. The publication has also called her annual solo recitals at the Esplanade Recital Studio “a keenly awaited fixture in the concert calendar.”

Ai Ming is also the principal of Ms Khor’s Studio, one of Singapore’s leading voice and music schools for aspiring vocalists. Her students have consistently achieved top results in Trinity College London’s music examinations, with many being the highest scorers. Between 2013 and 2025, over 50 of her solo voice students won top prizes—including Best Performer Awards and Judges’ Distinction Awards—at the American Protégé International Vocal Competition, earning the honour of performing at Carnegie Hall, New York.

Many of her students, having undergone years of rigorous personal training and mentorship, have pursued professional vocal studies at leading conservatories worldwide. These include the Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Manhattan School of Music (USA), Berklee College of Music (USA), University of Queensland (Australia), and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore).

Previously, Ai Ming served as Chorus Mistress of both the Singapore Lyric Opera Chorus and Children’s Choir, working under distinguished opera directors such as Andrew Sinclair, Tom Hawkes, David Edwards, and Paul-Émile Fourny. Her experience spans productions of Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Offenbach), La Bohème, Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly (Puccini), La Traviata (Verdi), Carmen (Bizet), and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Don Giovanni. She has also collaborated with eminent conductors including Tsung Yeh (Singapore Chinese Orchestra), Joshua Tan (Singapore Symphony Orchestra), and Alice Farnham (Royal Opera House).

Passionate about nurturing the next generation, Ai Ming conducts several school choirs, many of which have received Distinction Awards at the Singapore Youth Festival. She also provides vocal coaching for students in the Music Elective Programme and O-Level Music, in institutions such as Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Tanjong Katong Girls’ School, Raffles Junior College, and CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, among others.

Ai Ming has served as a mentor at the Singapore Street Festival for the past 20 years. In more recent years, she has devoted significant time to community work, especially with the elderly and children with special needs. She is the choral instructor of The Purple Symphony and conducted singing classes for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore. Her weekly therapeutic singing programme at the Lions Home for the Elders has shown encouraging progress in residents with dementia. She has also been the vocal instructor of the Breast Cancer Foundation Ladies Chorus for the past 10 years.

In 2015, Ai Ming founded two community choirs: The Joy Chorale under the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra, and East Coast Choir under Kampong Chai Chee Community Centre.

Ai Ming is currently the Artistic Director of Vocal Associates. She holds a Fellowship in Voice (FTCL) and continues her studies under international opera star Ning Liang. She lives in Singapore with her husband, drummer Tamagoh, and their two dogs, Cavoodle Baby Buggar and Shih-Tzu Tanoshi.

AC C L A I M E D BY T H E S T R A I T S T I M E S “…few are blessed with Khor’s versatility. After all, who is equally at home singing Chinese and Malay songs, Western classical standards and modern works such as Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire?”

“She brought out the delightful innocence of these far-fromstraightforward miniatures by means of some captivating vocal and visual characterisations.”

“….gloriously communicative personality and innate musicianship…”

“….a highly sophisticated and perceptive performance which went far beyond an ability to control a voice.”

“…one of the nation’s most versatile and distinctive art song practitioners.”

FEATURED VOCALISTS & MUSICIANS KIRA LIM SOPRANO

Kira Lim is a first-year Master of Music (Voice) candidate at the New England Conservatory, studying under Ms Carole Haber. She graduated from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music (Voice) with Highest Honours under Professor Alan Bennett.

She also holds a Diploma in Performance from LASALLE College of the Arts and won First Place in all three categories of the American Protégé Vocal Competition in 2018 under Ms Khor Ai Ming, making her debut at Carnegie Hall.

Recent engagements include a recital tour of Taiwan with Dr. Joel Ayau (2026), soprano solo appearances in O’Regan’s Triptych and Handel’s Dixit Dominus at NEC’s Jordan Hall conducted by Maestro James Burton, Adina (cover) in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, and soprano solo cover in Poulenc’s Gloria. In 2025, she performed the title role in Rusalka: The Littlest Mermaid at NEC. Her operatic credits include Créuse in Charpentier’s Médée (The Opera People, Red Dot Baroque, and Les Épopées), Klara in The Opera People’s premiere of Beacon, Zerlina in Don Giovanni at the Musikverein, Vienna (Vienna Opera Academy), Carmen-Ghia in The Stoned Guest, Luisa in The Fantasticks in YS, Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte, First Maiden in Der Zwerg.

RUDY DJOE MUEZZIN

Rudy Djoe is a versatile Singaporean crooner celebrated for his soulful vocals and his seamless ability to traverse genres including Jazz, Pop, Traditional Malay music, and Keroncong.

With a career spanning nearly two decades, Rudy is recognised for his refined musicality, expressive storytelling, and deep respect for Nusantara musical heritage.

He first rose to prominence after winning Anugerah 12, a Malay television singing talent competition produced by Prime 12 (now Suria, Mediacorp). Since then, Rudy has performed extensively across Singapore and the region, collaborating with leading orchestras, cultural institutions, and festivals.

Performance Highlights include: Simfoni Keroncong Nusantara, Orkestra Melayu Singapura, Pesta Raya – Malay Arts Festival 2023, UNESCO International Jazz Day, Singapore, jazz’in @ Capitol Singapore – A Night in Asia, Singapore Night Festival 2023, Pesta Jazz 2021, Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra, Capitol Theatre, Kaleidoscope: An Asian Jazz Odyssey (2023), Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Batam Jazz Festival (Indonesia) – 2017 & 2023, Langkah Gergasi, Orkestra Melayu Singapura 30th Anniversary Concert, Victoria Theatre, Konsert Persada Budaya, Wisma Geylang Serai 2023, Arts Everywhere@CDC, National Arts Council & Community Development Councils, with Kenchana Jazz Band, Armenian Street Party 2025 – Rudy Djoe & Mansoor Joget Combo (Peranakan Museum Official Opening)

BERTRAND LEE PIANO

Bertrand Lee studied under Albert Tiu at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, where he was awarded a full scholarship in recognition of his musical potential.

Since then, he has collaborated with many of Singapore’s leading musicians and has been featured in prestigious events graced by Presidents S R Nathan, Tony Tan, and Halimah Yacob. As a versatile accompanist, Bertrand has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York with top prize-winners of the American Protégé International Vocal Competition. He has worked extensively with the Singapore Lyric Opera on various productions and previously served as an accompanist at the School of the Arts (SOTA), Singapore. He has also performed with students from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in competitions where they achieved top honors. Notably, he was featured with the Asian Contemporary Ensemble in a critically acclaimed performance of Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire at the Esplanade.

Bertrand currently serves as rehearsal pianist for both Vocal Associates and Joy Chorale.

With these ensembles, he has worked alongside distinguished conductors on major choral-orchestral works including Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Fauré’s Requiem, Rutter’s Mass of the Children, and Karl Jenkins’s The Armed Man.

JAMES NG CELLO

Cellist James Ng has performed in concerts across Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom and United States. As a founding member of Bossa Celli, Singapore’s premier cello quartet, he has recorded for their debut album The Bossa Collection, and his arrangements for cello quartet have also been premiered by the ensemble.

James has been featured as a soloist with the Orchestra of the Music Makers (OMM), OMM-SOTA Orchestra, Penang Philharmonic Orchestra and Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2019, he performed the Brahms Double Concerto alongside violinist Andrew Ng with the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra, and Joe Hisaishi’s Departures with the OMM in 2021. His recordings as solo cellist with the OMM have been released in their digital concert Classics Restrung and recently in 2022 have been aired on Singapore Airlines’ KrisWorld.

Committed to performing regularly as an avid chamber and orchestral musician, James has had the opportunity to work alongside esteemed colleagues at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, New Opera Singapore, Orchestra of Music Makers, Resound Collective, Singapore Lyric Opera, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonic Orchestra, Wayfarer Sinfonietta and Ensemble Virama. He has also recorded contemporary music scored for various local short films, movies and game music.

At the age of seven, James started learning the cello with Chan Ling Chee and subsequently with Laurentiu Gherman, Simon Cobcroft and Csaba Koros. He also served as Principal Cello of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He has performed in masterclasses with Alexander Boyarsky, Alban Gerhardt, Louise Hopkins, Ralph Kirshbaum, Shmuel Magen, Philip Sheppard and Wen-Sinn Yang.

James graduated from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, with full scholarship under the tutelage of Qin Li-Wei. He also studied at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University with Alison Wells for a semester abroad.

He then went on to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education, Singapore. In addition to his concert performances, James is also a dedicated educator with more than ten years of teaching experience, sharing his passion for cello playing with young learners and adults.

FEATURED MUSICIANS CHRISTOPHER WONG ORGAN

Dr. Christopher Wong is a Clinical Laboratory Director who balances his career in healthcare with his love for music. He commenced his organ ministry in 1980 at OLPS Church, later earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Beloit College (USA), where he studied piano with Prof. Renato Premezzi and organ under Prof. Max Yount. Following a seven-year tenure as organist for St. Agatha–St. James Church in Philadelphia, Dr. Wong returned to Singapore.

He continues his passion for sacred music by serving regularly as an organist at both St. Joseph’s Church (Victoria Street) and the Church of St. Alphonsus (Novena Church). He also enjoys playing chamber music and sings regularly with the Vocal Associates.

RIT XU FLUTE

Rit Xu is an internationally acclaimed flautist, composer, and educator from Singapore, celebrated for his lyrical tone, improvisational brilliance, and artistic versatility across jazz, contemporary classical music, and commercial performance. Recognized as one of Singapore’s most multifaceted musical voices, he combines refined classical technique with a bold post-bop sensibility, establishing himself as a leading advocate for the flute in jazz.

Since 2023, Rit has performed across major arenas in Asia as principal flautist on Jacky Cheung’s 60+ World Tour, earning personal praise from the legendary singer for his “extremely remarkable” artistry. His distinctive sound is also featured in collaborations with top Mandopop artists including JJ Lin, Tanya Chua, Angela Zhang, and Joi Chua.

Rit made history in 2014 as the first Singaporean and first Asian to win the National Flute Association Jazz Artist Competition in the United States. With his ensemble, the Rit Xu Vortet (formerly Rit Xu Group), he has represented Singapore at international festivals including the Vientiane International Jazz Festival, Singapore International Festival of Arts, Taiwan International Flute Festival, and Papandayan Jazz Festival. His recordings This Too Shall Pass (2019) and Scenes and Stories (2021) showcase his fresh and narrative-driven compositional voice.

As a concerto soloist, Rit has appeared with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, and the Busan Maru Festival Orchestra. In 2021, he became the first artist globally to adapt Jacques Ibert’s Flute Concerto for Chinese orchestra. In 2023, he won First Prize at the London International Concerto Competition, performing the Ibert third movement with the London City Philharmonic to critical acclaim.

Rit currently serves as Assistant Music Director of the Jazz Association Singapore and is on faculty at LASALLE College of the Arts and Singapore Raffles Music College. He is also a member of the Ensemble-in-Residence at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

In 2022, he was awarded the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council Singapore, Singapore’s highest national honour for young arts practitioners, recognising his artistic achievements and contributions to the country’s cultural landscape.

LAU WEN RONG PRINCIPAL TRUMPET

Lau Wen Rong joined the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as Section Trumpet in 2016. A versatile performer, he has appeared frequently as a soloist with the orchestra, most recently delivering a joyful rendition of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto 3rd mvt at the 2025 SSO Symphony Ball. In 2021, he was the featured soloist in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, a work widely regarded as one of the most demanding in the trumpet literature.

A prizewinner at the 2013 International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Solo Competition, Wen Rong was the first Singaporean brass player to be accepted into the Master’s program at The Juilliard School. He studied there under Raymond Mase as a recipient of the Frieda and Harry Aronson Scholarship. He previously earned his Bachelor of Music with full merit scholarship from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, studying under Jon Dante.

His competition successes include top prizes at the Pan-Asian Soloist Competition (Brass Explosion) and the Norman Cooper Chamber Music Competition in Scotland. Internationally, he has performed at the Berlin Philharmonie and participated in prestigious festivals including the Aspen Music Festival (USA) and the Pacific Music Festival (Japan).

In addition to his orchestral career, Wen Rong is a dedicated educator, serving on the faculty of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. He is an active chamber musician and a founding member of the award-winning ensemble, Brass Polish. Lau Wen Rong is a Yamaha Artist.

DANNY TEONG TRUMPET

Danny Teong is the first Singaporean musician to devote his artistic practice to the historical trumpet. His work centres on the trumpet as a rhetorical and expressive voice, shaped by speech-like articulation, nuanced phrasing, and a wide palette of tone colours. Through this approach, Danny seeks to reveal the instrument’s many identities across repertoire, context, and ensemble.

He has appeared with a wide range of early music ensembles in Europe, Japan, and Singapore, including Le Concert des Nations (Spain), La Sorpresa (Netherlands), Elbipolis Barockorchester Hamburg (Germany), Les Inventions (France), Red Dot Baroque (Singapore), and OAK Early Music Ensemble (Japan). Chamber music lies at the heart of his musical life, particularly through InDigo Baroque, which he co-founded to explore intimacy, dialogue, and historical imagination in performance.

Alongside historical instruments, Danny maintains an active practice on the modern trumpet and currently serves as a trumpeter with the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band. His musical versatility allows him to move fluidly between historical and contemporary sound worlds.

As an educator, Danny is increasingly engaged in sharing historical performance practice.

He has given masterclasses in Singapore and Japan, several hosted by the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, and also teaches privately. His teaching reflects the same artistic values that shape his performing: curiosity, rhetoric, and a close relationship between sound and gesture.

Danny studied historical trumpet with Susan Williams and modern trumpet with Gertjan Loot at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, where he completed a Master’s degree in Historical Trumpet Performance (2017, supported by the Adriana Jacoba Fonds) and a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Trumpet Performance (2015, supported by the National Arts Council of Singapore). He also studied with Willem van der Vliet and other influential teachers including Arto Hoornweg, Jun Ikebe, and Samuel Hyken.

In recent years, Danny has begun exploring the cornetto, the Renaissance predecessor of the trumpet, as part of his evolving artistic practice.

FEATURED MUSICIANS

SNG YIANG SHAN PRINCIPAL PERCUSSION

A visionary artist who continues to push boundaries and break new ground in the world of music, Yiang Shan is a highly accomplished percussionist with a passion for interdisciplinary arts. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, conferred by the Royal College of Music, London; and a Master of Music degree from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Yiang Shan’s exceptional talent as a percussionist has led her to perform with several renowned ensembles, including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Lyric Opera, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Dingyi Music Company, The Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Philharmonic Winds Orchestra. Her passion for interdisciplinary arts has inspired her to explore new ways of combining different art forms to create a unique and captivating experience for audiences where she has also collaborated with esteemed artists such as Maxine Peake in The Nico Project at Melbourne International Arts Festival 2019, Peggy Ferroa, and The Arts Fission Company.

Outside of performance, Yiang Shan also holds a multi-faceted career in the music industry as a pedagogue and arts administrator. She shares her knowledge and expertise through teaching percussion in both school and private settings. Through organizing many productions and events, being in arts administration and productions has given her a well-rounded perspective on the music industry.

Throughout her studies, she has been fortunate to work with many great teachers, including Mark Suter, Robert Cossom, Guy du Blêt, Robert Clarke, John Arcaro, Angeline Wee, and Trivandrum D. Rajagopal, who have helped shape her into the musician she is today.

TAN LEE YING PERCUSSION

Tan Lee Ying is a Singaporean percussionist and music educator whose work bridges performance, education, and community engagement. She has appeared in numerous international festivals and competitions, including the prestigious World Music Contest in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, where she showcased her artistry as part of Singapore’s vibrant percussion community.

Alongside her performing career, Lee Ying is deeply committed to music education. She has contributed to curriculum development and early childhood music programmes, inspiring young learners through creative and meaningful musical experiences. Her dedication to teaching reflects a belief in the transformative power of music to nurture confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Whether on stage or in the classroom, Lee Ying continues to champion the growth of percussion arts and music education, enriching the cultural landscape while fostering a lasting appreciation for music among audiences and students alike.

JULIA TAN PERCUSSION

A recipient of the 2021 National Arts Council (Singapore) Arts Scholarship (Postgraduate), Julia pursued her Master’s degree at the New York University (Steinhardt), where she was awarded the Steinhardt Music Talent Graduate Scholarship and the Outstanding Artistry in Percussion Studies award. Prior to her postgraduate studies, Julia earned a Bachelor’s degree with Honors from the Mannes School of Music in New York on a full scholarship and graduated with her Diploma at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). During her studies, Julia has received numerous awards such as the Mannes Dean’s Award, George and Elizabeth Gregory Award for Excellence in Performance, Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award and the Best Graduate Award (NAFA).

As a distinguished soloist and percussionist, Julia won the SSO President’s Young Performers 2020, captivating audiences with her rendition of Emmanuel Séjourné’s Marimba Concerto.

Prior to that, she made her debut performing Anders Koppel’s Marimba Concerto No. 1 after clinching the top prize in the Mannes Concerto Competition 2019. In addition to her solo successes, Julia has appeared as a guest percussionist and timpanist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, Ding Yi Music Company, Singapore Lyric Opera, and The Philharmonic Orchestra.

Beyond her performances, Julia is deeply committed to music education and outreach. With a passion for inspiring others and fostering musical connections, she actively engages in educational initiatives. Julia’s profound interest in pedagogy drives her to nurture young talents and promote the exploration of contemporary percussion literature.

TAMAGOH

GUEST PERCUSSION

Tamagoh, a member of the Jeremy Monteiro Jazz Band since 1989, performed in countries like Japan, Moscow, the U.S.A, Canada , New Zealand. Together with Jeremy Monteiro, he worked with Terumasa Hino , Carmen Bradford and Eldee Young since 1994.

He has also performed with pop artiste like Ronan Keating, Frances Yip, Maria Cordeiro, Eric Moo, Coco Lee, Anthony Lun, Sarah Brightman , and Sandy Lam. Tamagoh has performed in Jakarta Jazz Festival, The 2010 London Jazz festival in Pizza Express Jazz Club, Frankfurt’s Jazz Keller, and the Wellington Arts Festival 2004.

Tamagoh was conferred the COMPASS ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD 2005 for his outstanding artistic contribution to Singapore, and he was recipient of the SOKA Association GOLDEN LION AWARD for his contribution to WORLD PEACE movement.

In June 2005 he received SINGAPORE STREET FESTIVAL TRIBUTE AWARD. Tamagoh performed with Chris Brubeck in the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

In 2010 he had the honor to perform with the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra featuring the Jeremy Monteiro Trio.

Together with Jazz Legends Jon Faddis, Paquito D’Rivera, Roy Hargrove, Russel Malone, Renee Rosnes, Dennis Mackrel, Jeremy Monteiro, Jon Hendricks, and Todd Coolman, Tamagoh was part of James Moody’s Scholarship Fund concert in New York City’s B. B. Kings Bar and Grill in 2008.

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EARS OF 2014 - 2016

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

Our Journey Through the Years

VA 12 Y

EARS OF 2017 - 2018

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

Our Journey Through the Years

VA 12 Y

EARS OF 2019 - 2020

Vocal Associates performing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (June 2019)

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

Our Journey Through the Years

Opening Ceremony of Federation of World Cultural and Art Society (Singapore) on 26 Aug 2018

Vocal Associates Concert Tour to Okinawa, Japan (December 2019)

VA 12 Y

EARS OF 2021 - 2023

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

Our Journey Through the Years

VA 12 Y

EARS OF 2024 - 2026

The Little Prince

21 July 2024 (Sun) | 7.00pm Alliance Française de Singapour

VOCAL ASSOCIATES

Our Journey Through the Years

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THANK YOU Artistic Director & Conductor Director

Khor Ai Ming Tamagoh

Soprano Muezzin Musicians

Kira Lim Rudy Djoe Bertrand Lee Christopher Wong Danny Teong James Ng Julia Tan Lau Wen Rong Rit Xu Sng Yiang Shan Tamagoh Tan Lee Ying

VA Solo Artistes

Fan Mun Hoi Ong Jean Wei Samuel Yuen Stephanie Leong Stephanie Lim

Chorus Assistants

Christopher Wong Fran Ho Ong Jean Wei

Chorus Manager

Chris Joslin-Kelly

Chorus Administrators

Ong Jean Wei Stephanie Leong Stephanie Lim

Orchestra Administration

Edwin Chee Tan Yao Cong

Production Assistants

Eva Chen Jayne Lee Melissa Jong

Photography Videography Graphic Designer

Alfred Phang Cino Chee Ong Jean Wei

WITH HEARTFELT APPRECIATION

This evening’s performance of Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace has been made possible through the generosity and unwavering support of our sponsors.

Your belief in our vision and commitment to the arts have enabled singers, musicians, and our community to come together in a shared journey of reflection, hope, and peace. Your generosity is more than a gift—it is an investment in the transformative power of music to inspire, unite, and uplift.

On behalf of everyone at Vocal Associates, we extend our deepest gratitude for your kindness, encouragement, and trust. We are truly honoured to have you as part of this journey, and we hope tonight’s performance stands as a meaningful tribute to your generosity and support.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Vocal Associates

OUR SPONSORS & DONORS Tamagoh Productions

$8000

April Tan

$5000

翰美麟

$1000

SAVE THE DATE VOCAL ASSOCIATES SOLO ARTISTES CONCERT 4 AUGUST 2026 (TUE), 7.30PM

SONGBIRDS SERIES IX

14 - 15 AUGUST 2026 (FRI-SAT)

VOCAL ASSOCIATES CHRISTMAS CONCERT 14 DECEMBER 2026 (MON), 7.30PM

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Vocal Associates is a vibrant and inclusive community of singers from diverse cultures and backgrounds, ranging in age from 6 to 86. United by a shared passion for music, our members come together to rehearse, perform, and grow as artistes.

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