YST Orchestral Institute x NUS Symphony Orchestra

YSTOI NUSSO

SHARINGDECADESOFMUSICALSPIRIT BRINGINGTHEARTSTOTHEWIDERSTAGE CELEBRATINGCLASSICALMUSICONCAMPUS

Just by looking at the repertoire, can you spot the theme of our performance?

Welcome to an erudite musical expedition through the corridors of academia, where four masterpieces await to captivate and inspire your minds. Let’s begin our exploration through the timeless treasures of classical repertoire, each piece a testament to the enduring power of scholarly pursuit and artistic expression!

HO CHEE KONG

Fanfare

A fanfare is a brief and lively piece that serves to signal the arrival of an important person or the commencement of a significant event. It’s designed to conjure a sense of celebration and festivity, marking pivotal moments in ceremonies or formal introductions.

1920s

Birth of NUS Chamber Ensemble

1979 Establishment of NUS Concert Orchestra

This work, Fanfare, was written to mark YST's very first orchestral concert in 2003 – its first year in NUS. This concert was an important milestone presenting the Conservatory as a new faculty in NUS, as well as Singapore's first to offer a Bachelor’s degree in music awarded by the top local university. Since that first concert, YST has since mirrored NUS’ own trajectory and grown in stature and global influence. 20 years on, the Fanfare marks another momentous occasion in this evening's performance, celebrating a collaboration between the YST Orchestral Institute and NUS Symphony Orchestra. It is a clarion call heralding more exciting artistic possibilities for all at NUS.

Then-DPM Dr Tony Tan envisioned a conservatory thriving within a university

1999

YST welcomes its first student intake with majors in orchestral instruments, piano and composition

2003

1995

Renamed as NUS Symphony Orchestra

JOHANNES BRAHMS

Academic Festival Overture

Brahms incorporates excerpts from four student drinking songs into highly individualised variant of the sonata form. The overture opens with a quiet yet energetic statement from the strings accompanied by a hushed percussion section. This is followed by a sequence of dramatic ideas which culminates in a soft drumroll.

Listen to a trio of trumpets present the first of the traditional student songs, “Wir hatten gebauet ein stattliches Haus” (We have built a stately house).

Following a dramatic buildup, the orchestra presents the first theme which is formed from ideas presented in the introduction.

The excitement temporarily subsides as the violins and violas present the sweeping, lyrical second theme based on the student song “Der Landesvater” (The father of our country).

Opening

2006

YST sees its inaugural graduating class. Today, YST alumni are visible as industry leaders within and beyond Singapore.

2007

The mood becomes animated once again for the third theme, based on the freshman’s song known as The Fox-Ride (“Was komm dort von der Höh?” – What comes from afar). Presented by the bassoons and accompanied by off-beat violas and cellos, this section adds a touch of humour.

Using ideas from the introduction, Brahms builds up to a joyous climax featuring a return of the first theme which is then followed by reprises of the other two. Not forgetting to add one final surprise, the work ends in a triumphant and majestic concluding section featuring “Gaudeamus igitur” (Therefore, let us be merry), a song popular in graduation ceremonies of the time.

TEN:

e

W. A. MOZART

Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds in Eb Major

Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds has long been a subject of rigorous academic discussion, or controversy. Composed in 1778 while Mozart was touring in Mannheim, Sinfonia Concertante was originally intended for flute, oboe, horn and bassoon. Yet, the work failed to premiere as scheduled and resurfaced in 1869 as an anonymous s manuscript in the collection of Otto Jahn.

AUTHENTIC OR NOT?

Removed from the Kochel catalogue and dubbed as ‘spurious’, much doubt has been cast over errors in copying and composition especially prominent in the orchestral portion. Most notably, the flute part has been replaced by a clarinet, but appears astonishingly vernacular, almost as if it was meant for a flautist.

Yet, others have postulated that the solo lines reflect Mozart’s fine sensitivity to the qualities of wind instruments - the oboe is strident and expressive, the bassoon functions naturally as a bass and the horn traverses familiarly through upper registers.

2014

2013

2016

As the orchestra negotiates through this undoubtedly brilliant work, do pause to consider the decades-long question that has plagued listeners and academics alike: so, was this written by the prodigy we are so familiar with? Or were we familiar with him at all?

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK

Symphony No. 8

I. Allegro con brio

II. Adagio

III.

IV.

Allegretto grazioso

Allegro ma non troppo

nducted into Emperor Franz Josef’s Academy of d the Arts, for which he drew up this work over soká country house. As opposed to the stormy and complex 7th symphony, the 8th is of genial joy, a seeming call to Dvorak’s fond love of Vysoká and its lush communion of nature and life.

The 1st movement opens with a sombre chorale, intruded by the birdcall of a solo flute:

This ebullient motif functions as a thematic backbone together with other varied themes.

The melancholic music of the introduction returns with greater development, as Dvorak tempers the unerringly bucolic spirit.

YST

2020

2021

YST expands into Continuing Education & Training courses, opening up avenues for adult learners to hone professional skillsets and pursue further qualifications.

launches the Master of Music Leadership programme

The Adagio opens with luscious string sequences that occasionally give way to a foreboding sombre rhetoric reminiscent of a march. Perhaps as Dvorak drew away from structural rigour in favour of more impressionistic elements, the articulate juxtaposition of major and minor served as an alternative tool of framework.

The Bohemian spirit is well encapsulated in the third movement - a pensive waltz at the beginning serves to open the more lyrical folk dance in the middle.

Following a bright trumpet fanfare, the dance-like finale begins in a sonorous melody delivered by the cellos and derived from the original motif from the 1st movement. It develops as a series of clever variations on a G major triad, through which Dvorak wittily tunes down into a peaceful statement, before erupting in a zenith of dancing Bohemian euphoria that finishes brilliantly.

YST celebrates its 20th anniversary, raising over $1.4M in donations as it advances its artistic and educational mission.

2023

2023

NUS Arts Festival, Collaboration with the NUSChoir

The NUS Arts for All framework is launched. This evening’s concert embodies some of the resonances that we can look forward to at NUS!

2024

2024

NUSSO becomes part of a course offered to all NUS students under CFA

ABOUT ASSOC PROF CHAN TZE LAW

CONDUCTOR

Singaporean conductor Chan Tze Law is Associate Professor, Vice Dean and founding faculty member of the YST Conservatory. Chan lectures in conducting and music leadership and oversees YST’s Masters and Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses, as well as Career Orientation and Community Engagement and Student Life dimensions. He concurrently serves as Vice Dean at the Office of Student Affairs overseeing the newly-reorganised NUS Centre for the Arts.

Chan is founding chief conductor of the Australian International Summer Orchestral Institute and has taught conducting masterclasses, appeared at major festivals, as well as led orchestras and soloists internationally. He also presents music-based leadership programmes and workshops for NUS faculties and major Singapore and international business organisations.

In 2020, Chan made history when he conducted Singapore’s first-ever production of a Wagner ring cycle opera, Die Walküre, to critical acclaim. His concerts and CD recordings has been featured on Singapore Airlines’ KrisWorld in-flight classical music selection, broadcast on Australia’s ABC Classic FM, UK’s BBC Radio 3, and can be heard on Spotify and Apple Music.

ASSOC PROF HO CHEE KONG

COMPOSER, FANFARE

Dr. HO Chee Kong is Associate Professor, Vice Dean, founding faculty member and founding Head of Composition at YST Conservatory. He has previously taught at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the University Scholars Programme before joining the Conservatory in 2002. He was appointed Master of Raffles Hall in 2010 following his appointment as Resident Fellow and Deputy Master at Eusoff Hall, and is now Master of Tembusu College.

Ho’s commissioned works for both Western and Chinese ensembles have been performed in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. His music has been described as “evocative and lyrical”, “distinguished by a strong power of the narrative and exotic instrumental colours” and “exuding a distinct impression of Asian sounds” and can be heard on Apple Music and Spotify. As an educator, his other domains include cultivating university residential living and learning and exploring cultural issues related to Asian music in modern society.

Ho founded the Composers Society of Singapore in 2007, and has served on the Board of Directors of the International Computer Music Association (as Vice-President), the School of the Arts, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, and Ding Yi Music Company.

ABOUT THE SOLOISTS

Sho Yong Shuen Oboe Chen inet

Penang-born Sho Yong Shuen is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Oboe Performance at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore under Rachel Walker and Carolyn Hollier, oboists of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Yong Shuen began learning the violin at the age of 5 and the oboe in her high school wind orchestra at the age of 13.

Upon graduating from her high school, Yong Shuen’s love for the oboe blossomed, which led her to study under Lee Chun Howe. Her devotion to the oboe has opened doors for her to perform with the Penang Philharmonic Orchestra, the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the YST Orchestral Institute. Besides playing the oboe, her passion for music education has led her to be part of the core team of The Rondo Production, one of the leading arts organisations in Malaysia.

Hailing Yan-Rung discovered her love for the clarinet at 11.

Now, she's pursuing her passion at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music under Professor Ma Yue, Principal Clarinetist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Chen Yan-Rung has also attended masterclasses with renowned clarinetists such as Florent Héau and Romain Guyot.

She has performed with the YST Orchestral Institute and the Asian Youth Orchestra, sharing her passion for the clarinet with audiences worldwide. In her free time, Chen Yan-Rung enjoys participating in sports such as table tennis and swimming.

Shi Jia Ao enrolled into the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at 18 via their Early Admission Programme, and has since been studying bassoon performance under the mentorship of Professor Zhang Jin Min. His time at YST has been enriched by engaging masterclasses with distinguished bassoonists such as Georgio Versiglia, Marc Engelhardt, and Christian Kunert.

With deep fondness for orchestral music, Jia Ao actively participates in diverse performances in Singapore and abroad. Some of his favourite concerts include playing as principal bassoonist with the YST Conservatory Orchestra in their 20th-anniversary gala performance of Haydn’s The Creation, and playing in the bassoon section of the Orchestra of the Music Makers in their production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold. Besides performing, Jia Ao is an enthusiastic promoter of music education, believing that learning and playing music can foster mutual understanding and connect people across geographical and generational divides.

Yen Shih-Hsin, French Horn

Yen Shih-Hsin pursuing his Bachelor’s tutelage of Jamie Principal of Singapore Symphony Orchestra) and Hoang Van Hoc (Section Horn of Singapore Symphony Orchestra) at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore.

During his study at the conservatory, aside from his two main teachers, Eric has also honed his skills through masterclasses led by musicians such as Bill VerMeulen and David Palmquist of the Carion Quintet. Eric began learning the French Horn at the age of nine. With a decade of performance experience on the Horn, he is well versed in a wide variety of repertoire and can be seen freelancing with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and performing regularly with the Yong Siew Toh (YST) Orchestral Institute.

ABOUT

YST ORCHESTRAL INSTITUTE

Founded in 2003, YST has quickly established a distinctive reputationinAsiaandtheworld.Itbringstogetheraworldclass faculty and facility, nurturing student capacities in performance, composition, production and engagement. It offersacontinuumofundergraduate,graduate,continuing educationandyouthpathways,aswellasavibrantconcert calendarandcommunityoutreachprogramme.

The YST Orchestral Institute (OI) is a creative musicians’ laboratory and innovative forum for conservatory-level orchestraltraining.Firstconceptualisedin2018asawayof revitalising learning and teaching within large ensembles, the OI has emerged as a dynamic platform in which aspirational orchestral musicians work collaboratively alongside professionals drawn from Conservatory faculty, staff,alumni,andoverseaspartnerinstitutions.

NUS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO) is a youth orchestra comprising musicians from all faculties, united in their love of music and will to share it with audiences. As an education-centric youth orchestra, it strives to cultivate a culture of excellence amongst members to make classical music more accessible and relevant. Ultimately,theOrchestraaspirestocreateacommunityof orchestral music advocates who will contribute to the sustainabilityofourartform.

NUSSOcantraceitshumblebeginningstothe1920sasa chamberensemble.ItwasformallyestablishedastheNUS Symphony Orchestra in 1995. NUSSO has performed extensively in Singapore and overseas, including in Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea,Thailand,andMalaysia.

MUSICIANS

ViolinI

Ma Qicong, concertmaster

Chan Yun Kai, asst. concertmaster

Ang Zien Xu

Chen Shu-Yu

Gum Seng Aung Du

Jiang Xing Kai

Komila Izatulloyeva

Leonid Datsiuk

Loi Zi Xian

Tricia Ng En Lin

Tsao Wei-Chun

Viktoria Ivaylova Marinova

Wong Yii, Ethan

Yee Wan Yike, Natalie

Zera Te Yingrui

Zhang Tian

ViolinII

Megan Low Shuen Wei, principal

Andrea Lin^

Chan Wai Mun Joanne

Du Yunzhou

Chia Foong, Timothy

Jolie Loh

Jung Yun Seo

Kimberly Tsai Wenxi

Phua Lock Hian

Wu Tsai-Jou

Xu Zhuorui

Zhang Yuxiang

Viola

Pao Yu-Lin, principal

Caitlin Chin Kai Li

Chan Shee Ann Shannon

Cheng Wei Ler

Erica Loh E-Wen

Lim Jun Han, Alvin

Liu Wei-Jia

May Loh^

Xiao Lei

Zhang Shufang

Cello

Cao Huiying, principal

Chang Jia-yun

Eugene Wang

Guo Mingai

Jiang Yutong

Lin Ruo Xuan, Ashley

Ng Xing Yu

Rex Low Jia Le

Zhang Tianyuan

Zhu Zeyu

DoubleBass

Hibiki Otomo, principal

Goh Yu Yan

Julian Li^

Khee Yu Hang

Lee Zi Xuan

Wang Mingyuan*

Flute

Lee Minjin, principal

Jin Sungpil

Sim Kee Pang

Oboe

Ng Wei Xiang, principal

Chia Min Shen

Deng Huiru

Clarinet

Zheng Shanxi, principal

Jade Foo Man Ling

Chua Jay Roon

Bassoon

Xu Zixuan, principal

Liu Jiayu

Zhong Tianai Horn

Kalia Diane Craig, principal

Allard Quek Jie Yong

Chew Liang Zachary

Lau En Qi Chloe

Phang Jun Leng

Trumpet

Loi Chiang Kang, principal

Aw Ping Hui

Sun Yu Pei

Trombone

Ong Aun Guan, principal

Wong Ji Wei Xylia

Lim Yu Long

Tuba

TanJingHanJordan

Timpani

WongTingFeng

Percussion

Chen Yi-Chung, principal

Evelyn Kuo Chan

Isabel Chin Chun En

Harp

VanessaJazzyWahyudyIrwanto

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

YSTOIMentors

BrettStemple

ZhangJinMin

YangShuxiang

ZhangManchin

WangZihao

MarioChoo

YSTOIAdministration

KennyOoi

YapZiQi

WangMingyuan

YSTOIProduction

BennyLimWeiCheah

MikeTan

YSTAudioArts&Sciences

CallaLim

DominikStreicher

AlvinTanJiangMinn

ChanChen

ChayapolWannatipyaporn

LiMingxuan

TanJunHeng

Ong Shu Chen

Faezah Zulkifli

CFAMentors

SingMohLi(GroupManager)

FrancisHuanChunTan

NUSSOTutors

FooSayMing

LimChun

OngShiChingMelissa

LiYongruiJulian

CarolinRalser

TayKaiTze

BenjaminWong

EmeraldChee

GaoJian

LauWenrong

SamuelTaylorArmstrong

TengSiangHong

MarioChoo

NUSSOEXCO

ZhangShufang

ZhangTianyuan

ZhangTian

JolieLoh

RexLowJiaLe

LoiZiXian Publicity

JolieLoh

ZhangTianyuan

KimberlyTsaiWenxi

WongJiWeiXylia

ProgrammeBooklet

ZhangTianyuan

JolieLoh

LoiZiXian

MessagefromNUSSOPresident

Thankyoutoallthosewhohave helpedusalongtheway and to our family and friends who supported us through this journey to celebrate classical music in NUS! A big thanks to you our lovely audience for partaking in the commemorationofthismilestonewithus!

Zhang Shufang

On Behalf of AY23/24 NUSSO EXCO

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