THE ACS (INDEPENDENT) SYMPHONIC BAND

The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Band is an award-winning band that serves as a platform for young budding musicians to express their talents and creativity. Founded in 1965 as a brass band consisting of 18 members, the band has grown into a full symphonic band with more than a hundred members. Its early success is due to the late Mr Lim Peng Ann, its visionary band director who opened a new vista to countless students. Mr Lim has inspired in his students a love and appreciation of music, and guided the ACS and ACJC bands successfully through the annual band competitions.

Over the years, the Band has made a name for itself as an accomplished and distinguished Symphonic Band, achieving stellar results both locally at the and internationally over a wide range of competitions and music festivals. More recently, the band achieved the Gold Award and Champion Band for 2A division at the Singapore International Band Festival in 2016, and also the Certificate of Distinction at Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging in 2017 for both the Symphonic Band (Secondary) and Wind Ensemble (IB) in the Brass and Woodwind chamber categories.

Beyond school events such as the Performing Arts Night, Band night and Thanksgiving concert, the Band performs at community outreach events and at the Istana. Besides performance, the Wind Ensemble regularly gives back to the community, such as the Very Special Arts programme at the True Colours Festival in 2018. The Band also engages in exchange programmes and masterclasses, that of the Band exchange with NJC in November 2017 with conductor Mr Seow Yibin and the clarinet masterclass by Italian

clarinet artist Massimo Mazzone for the latter in January 2018. In addition, its members attend regular Jazz and classical concerts as part of their musical training.

The Band continues to stay true to its vision of nurturing each and every student not only musically but also holistically, providing a supportive environment for students to develop themselves. The hallmark of the ACS (Independent) Band student would be one with diligence, integrity, resilience and empathy, as well as one with leadership, creativity and confidence.

CONDUCTORS Main Conductor: Mr. Francis Tan Mr Francis Tan received his Master of Music (Conducting) (2017) from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore. He obtained his Bachelor of Music from Australian National University (2003).

Mr Tan is currently Music Director of the National University of Singapore Wind Symphony, Band Director of the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble and Pioneer Junior College Symphonic Band. He also conducts the National University of Singapore Alumni Orchestra (NAO) and is Assistant Conductor of West Winds, Band of the Bukit Batok Community Club. His all-encompassing mission as a conductor is to inject classical and wind band music into Singapore's cultural DNA in varying capacities. To this end, he contributes extensively to the music field through coaching and conducting bands and orchestras at community arenas. He was guest conductor for the Orchestra of the Music Makers (OMM) (2017) and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra (2015/2017). At the national level, he has guest conducted at two Junior College-Polytechnic Band Festivals (2011-2012) and has been frequently invited as clinician for the Wind Bands Association Youth Band Festivals (2014-2017). He was also Conductor/Presenter at various outreach concerts for diverse audiences, including the ‘Nurturing with Nature: Centre for Fathering Charity Concert’ (2016) 'If Instruments Could Speak, What Would They Say?' (2016) and ‘Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Children’s Concert’ (2016). His tenure with the National University of Singapore Wind Symphony has also seen the band clinch the First Prize Gold Award in Division 2 of the 2017 World Music Contest held in the Netherlands. His passion is in developing student leadership through involvement in band programmes which emphasize on character development through music-making. His belief that each band student can be a student leader in his or her own right has fuelled his development of distinctive yet holistic band curricula which are responsive to the demands of the evolving education and music landscape.

His ongoing professional interests include participating in the Porto International Conducting Workshops (2014) and Tokyo International Conducting Seminar (2015, 2016). He is also the executive committee member of the Wind Bands Association of Singapore.

Assistant conductor: Ms. Sharon Tan Sharon's first formal encounter with music came when she started taking piano lessons privately. She was then encouraged to join the primary school choir and she found joy in making music with her school mates. However, it wasn’t until she joined the Concert Band as a flute player that sparked off her deep interest in music. After her graduation from the Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Sharon went on to pursue her undergraduate studies in music performance with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, under the tutelage of Jin Ta, Principal Flautist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Since then, Sharon has accumulated an outstanding palate of performing experience with solo, chamber, band, orchestra, Broadway, Pop and chorus performances both locally and internationally. She has also benefited from various renowned flautists including Mary Fukushima (USA), Riona O’ Duinnin (Ireland), Carla Corredu (the Netherlands), Angela Rowland (Macau Symphony Orchestra), Emer Macdonough (UK), Betsy Hill (USA), Roberto Alvarez Gonzalez (Spain), and Wang Tong (China). Just as it seemed that Sharon was set to become an instrumentalist, a performer, a flautist, God progressively revealed her deepest desire to be a band director and she delved into the art of conducting as she serves as the main or assistant conductor in various local institutions. She also enjoys sharing her love for music by giving masterclasses and clinics overseas, and as an adjudicator for music contests. A part of the American Band College, with the Sam-Houston State University, Sharon recently obtained her Masters degree in Band Conducting. Sharon's favourite hobbies include performing, anime, hiking as well as travelling and learning about the beautiful cultures of many lands.

Main Band Student Conductor: Joshua Tan Wei Wen

Joshua was introduced to music at the age of 5 when he took up piano, and has actively performed for various school functions in his primary school. As a Music Elective Programme (MEP) student in ACS (Independent), Joshua took to arranging his free time. Since 14, he has been arranging pieces from movies such as Big Hero 6 and The Greatest Showman. His arrangements have been featured in Band and school concerts such as the annual MEP

concert ACSpressivo and the Symphonic Band Thanksgiving Concert. As Student conductor, Joshua has been closely mentored by Mr Francis Tan. He also attended the MEP Conducting Workshop in 2017 by Mr Seow Yibin. He is thankful for the many opportunities given to him to hone his conducting skills, such as ACSpressivo and Founder’s Day.

Wind Ensemble Student Conductor: Genevieve Koh Kai Wen A MEP student since Year 1, Genevieve’s love for music has seen her performing on the violin in her schools’ string orchestras, external groups such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Music Makers, and at the National Gallery and National Museum. Genevieve began her journey as a student conductor in 2017. Her rich musical experiences have raised the musical standards of the Wind Ensemble. She has been conducting in school and external performances such as the Fantastic Fridays series organised by the JTC.

Wind Ensemble Student Conductor: Kim Bo Seong

A passionate member and Student Conductor of the Symphonic Band since Year 3, Bo Seong conducted the band on numerous occasions, such as the annual Thanksgiving Concert, Founders Day Parade and Band Night 2017. He received the prestigious Lim Peng Ann Award in 2018, given to one member a year for his outstanding Bandmanship and

academic excellence. He is grateful for being part of a family where he can develop his passion for music.

PROGRAMME Symphonic Band

City Of Dreams Benjamin Yeo

Taonga ~Treasure to Dream~ Daisuke Shimizu

Wind Ensemble

Molly on the Shore Percy Aldridge Grainger Percussion Ensemble

The Other Side (from The Greatest Showman Soundtrack)

H. Jackman & Z. Efron Arr. Joshua Tan

Clarinet Ensemble

The Merry Widow (Selections for Wind Ensemble for Clarinet Ensemble)

Franz Lehár Arr. Eiji Suzuki

-   INTERMISSION -

Wind Ensemble

Baby Elephant Walk Henry Mancini Arr. John Moss

Combined Band

How To Train Your Dragon John Powell Arr. Bertrand Moren

A Little Happiness 小幸运 Carpenters Forever

Jerry C 张逸帆 Arr. Dax Wilson J. Raposo, P. Williams & R. Nichols, J. Bettis & R. Carpenter, H. David & B.Bacharach, L. Russell & B. Bramlett, F. Karlin, J. Griffin & R. Wilson Arr. Toshio Mashima

Symphonic Band Band Major Chey Zhen Yu Matthew Drum Major Lee Jeong Min Student Conductor Joshua Tan Wei Wen Head Librarian Jonah Chew Yong Jie Co-Head Admin Aaron Tan, Tan Jun Rong Co-Head Logistics Hakeem Andhika, Elisha Tan Kai Yi Co-Head Recruit IC Low Wei Yang Nicholas, Yang Cheng Siang Co-Head Quartermaster Zane Chee Jun Yi, Jon Sim Zhicheng Head Welfare Zhang Runze

Wind Ensemble President Lee Jian Rong Vice Presidents Seet Xuan Yang Derek, Loh Yanlin Student Conductors Genevieve Koh Kai Wen, Chen Yan Hao Head Librarian Chua Fang Rui Ashley Head Logistics Marcus Lee Yu Ze Co-Head Quartermaster Yang Jung Woo, Wee Jinn David Head Welfare Berdjette Lau Yu You

2018 EXCO

SYMPHONIC BAND Flute Zane Chee Jun Yi ++ Zhang Runze + Low Mia Fatt Zidane Nathan Tan Chyan Hou Tan Wei Zhi Oboe Lee Jeong Min ++ Tan Ming Kai Perry John Tze-Wen Fung Clarinet Jonah Chew Yong Jie ++ Yim Kai Hum Ee Li Daniel Loh Xuan Heng Samuel Timothy Foo Jong Hong Koh Hao Jun Ryan Samuel Sim Tian Lok Tan Jen Xen Cher Zhi Rong Barnabas Bass Clarinet G Zaajfir Bassoon Ong Jit Hong Justin ++ Ng Tristan Lihong Saxophone Jon Sim Zhicheng ++ Rayne Yong Bryan Lim Seng Teck Joseph En-Yang Jasper Noor Irfan B Noor Azhar Yong U-En Ethan Tan En Lin Ansel

Trumpet Gabriel Lee Xun Zhi ++ Elisha Tan Kai Yi Dylan Tan Chung Chien Tghee Khee Tay French Horn Wong Zi Bin Matthew ++ Caleb Ho Xin Yi Shin Dong Jin Lee Wai Kin Nahum Liow Yun Che Chua Wei-ian Hansel Euphonium Yang Cheng Siang ++ Lim Xiang Jay Damien Kaden Yap Teck Wei Trombone Aaron Tan ++ Tan Jun Rong + Goh Kai Meng Timothy Luke Chaska Tan Jia Jie Noah Goh Zhu En Tay Yong Xian Tuba Chey Zhen Yu Matthew ++ Hakeem Andhika B Dharmadi + Shuan Kwek Yi Le Ryan Pang Ze Xi Yang Yi Fan Wu Zhouhan

Double Bass Ethan Wijaya Eu Guang En Joshua Percussion Joshua Tan Wei Wen ++ Low Wei Yang Nicholas + Lim Wah Jun Hugh Matthew Chin Jun Cheng Caleb Tan Wei Lee Chew Le-Kai Caius Goh Jia Hao Aaron Chin Jin Hao Gullapalli Chetan Nilay Barsainya Tan Hsiao Wei Daniel ++ Section Leader + Assistant Section Leader

WIND ENSEMBLE Flute Regina Liu Yixuan Toh Sze Min Wee Jinn David Daryl Chew Shen Yao Jiang Yuchen Samiksha Sankar Oboe Yeo Jeanne

Clarinet Genevieve Koh Kai Wen Lee Jian Rong Seet Xuan Yang Derek Muhammad Danial Aqil B Mohd F Wong Cheuk Loon Isaac Kim Bo Seong Ho Kai Yeng Samantha Bass Clarinet Isaac Ang Tze Ee Bassoon Garren Wee Qiming Seng Wei Liang, Ivan

Saxophone Chen Yan Hao Chua Fang Rui Ashley Wang Mingyang Dominic Ng Min Ann Jeremiah Tan Trumpet Loh Yanlin Ang Ing Zi Peh Jiali Kimberly Shakthi Vignesh Angou French Horn Berdjette Lau Yu You Marcus Lee Yu Ze Lu Wei Xian Euphonium Sze Jian Cheng Wang Yuxi Trombone Wang Zi Xi, Dawn Lee Yih Hung, Sean Timothy Jabez Newman

Tuba Yang Jung Woo Shaine Goh Si Hui Bass Guitar /Double Bass Kim Hwijin Elise Khor Xin Yi Percussion Goh Jing Rui Braxton Ng Teng Suan Amanda Siow Wei Hua Chiong Ming Yip, Brendan Lee Jae Geun Leow Tian Ping Tan Rui, Trina

CLARINET ENSEMBLE Genevieve Koh Kai Wen

Lee Jian Rong Seet Xuan Yang Derek

Isaac Ang Tze Ee Kim Bo Seong

Muhammad Danial Aqil Bin Mohd Fuad Wong Cheuk Loon Isaac

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Joshua Tan Wei Wen

Low Wei Yang Nicholas Matthew Chin Jun Cheng

Caleb Tan Wei Lee Chew Le-Kai Caius

Goh Jia Hao Aaron Chin Jin Hao Gullapalli Chetan

Nilay Barsainya Tan Hsiao Wei Daniel

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, God, without whom tonight’s event would not have been

possible

The Boards of Governors and Management

Senior Administration, especially Mr Patrick Soo

- for your unwavering support to the Band

Dean (Aesthetics), Mrs Chen Yi Fang

- for your invaluable guidance

Band teachers: Mr Liu Guoyi, Ms Cheng Siau Yian, Mrs Annie Tan, Mrs Arlene

Chan, Mrs Cheryl Loh, Ms Lee Suling, Ms Noh Hee Jung and Mdm Sarah

Huang

- for working tirelessly behind the scenes

Conductors: Mr Francis Tan and Ms Sharon Tan

- for your musical guidance of the Band

Estate Office, Prefectorial Board, Staff Ushers, Media Resource Department,

Media Productions (MPAC) and Photographic Society

-   For the smooth-running of our event

You, the audience

-   For taking time off your busy schedule to grace the occasion

To God be the Glory, the Best is Yet to Be!