Soirée 2016 In Commemoration of Mr Lee Kuan YewNUS Harmonica Orchestra A member of NUS Centre For the Arts 25 March 2016, 7.30pm Victoria Concert Hall

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About NUS Centre For the ArtsEstablished in 1993, NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA) is a vibrant space for the appreciation of the arts and nurturing of the creative and inquiring spirit. It supports student engagement with the arts and the integration of the arts into the life of the University.

NUS CFA encompasses the NUS Museum, NUS Baba House and a Talent and Development arm that oversees 22 student arts excellence groups. Through its myriad of programmes, practices, exhibitions, workshops and outreach, such as NUS Arts Festival and the ExxonMobil Campus Concerts, the Centre enhances and augments the university experience and contributes to the building of knowledge and transfor-mation of students.

CFA also manages facilities such as the University Cultural Centre, with its 1600-seat Hall and 450-seat Theatre, and rehearsal spaces in Runme Shaw CFA Studios and University Town.

For more information, visit www.cfa.nus.edu.sg.

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A Commemorative ConcertMusic is a powerful language that communicates sentiments, thoughts and emotions beyond words. The month of March in 2016 marks the first anniversary of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s passing. It is most apt to dedicate Soirée 2016 to commemorate the contributions of Mr Lee. As our nation’s leader and politician, he is also remembered as a caring husband and father. There are many life lessons and values for all Singaporeans, the young generation and future generations. We invite you to contemplate how individual citizens can contribute to nation building, as we stand on the shoulders of giants that are our pioneer generation.

Soirée 2016 is structured in 2 parts: the first half of the programme portrays Mr Lee’s early life and his political career; the second half focuses on his passing and how the spirit of Singapore rises anew after its painful loss.

From the vibrant SG50 Tribute Medley specially orchestrated for this concert to Arturo Márquez’s fiery Danzón No. 2, we recount the story of Singapore, of the leader who led the country to independence, and Singapore’s miraculous growth into a world class economy. The legacy of Mr Lee lives on for all of us.

Thus, tonight’s concert ends on a note of optimism, in remembering Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister.

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About NUS Harmonica OrchestraFounded in 1981, NUS Harmonica Orchestra (NUSHO) began as an instrumental ensemble – the NUS Harmonica Band (NUSHB). With the inauguration of NUS Harmonica Orchestra in 2005, Ms Josephine Koh, who served as the group’s pianist and lead music tutor, was appointed the Conductor and Music Director in 2006. Working closely with harmonica tutors, music arrangers and Resident Lecturer Mr Yasuo Watani, Ms Koh has since led NUSHO’s progress and developed it into a unique orchestra that fully integrates with other orchestral instruments – cello, bass, guitar, woodwinds, brasses, percussion and piano. The orchestra’s repertoire comprises a wide spectrum of works, ranging from traditional tunes and folk music to large scale classical symphonic works, opera, popular, jazz and film scores.

In the annual Soirée concerts of the recent years, NUSHO has been innovative in featuring works transcribed and arranged by talented members of the group. Works of professional composers, such as Dr Mui Kwong Chiu’s (Hong Kong) River of Clouds 天上雲河 and 黄金海岸的长堤 and Martin Bills’ (UK) arrangement of America have also been performed. In more intimate settings, the annual Impressions concerts provide undergraduates with a platform to nurture them as soloists; ensemble groups would also showcase their playing skills. As part of the university’s outreach efforts, members of NUSHO also perform regularly for various organizations in Singapore.

NUSHO offers a comprehensive and progressive musical education for its members, regardless of their prior music background. With a structured training programme and graded examination, there is always a place for every interested individual. While new members are taught and equipped with a firm foundation in harmonica techniques, senior members advance to develop higher performance skills, study music theory and score arrangement. Outstanding and promising members are given the opportunity to present themselves at recitals, masterclasses and competitions, including the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival and World Harmonica Festival.

Outstanding milestones and achievements:• Performed in Japan, Germany, Italy, China and Malaysia• Won CFA’s Group of the Year in Tan Eng Kiam Awards Ceremony 2011• Won 19 medals at Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2012 including 7 for individuals and ensembles and 2 Gold Medals in the Orchestral Category• Won 11 gold medals at Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival 2014 in solo, ensemble, and creative categories

For more information, visit their Facebook page: https://fb.me/NUSHarmonicaOrchestraor email them at: nusharmo@gmail.com

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Music Director and Resident ConductorMs. Josephine Koh is a Bösendorfer concert artist, theorist, conductor and music author. She received her profes-sional training in piano performance in Milan, Italy under world-renowned adjudicator-pianist, Maestro Vincenzo Balzani in the 1990s. In 2006 she took up orchestral conducting under Denise Ham of the Royal Academy of Music and attended the Canford Summer School of Orchestral Conducting led by the late George Hurst. In 2011–2012, she

represented Singapore at the International Conductors Institute of USA to conduct the Bacau Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania, under the mentorship of Ovidiu Balan, Charles Gambetta and Robert Gutter.

A graduate in English and Professional Management from the UK Open University, Ms Koh is the director and principal of Josephine Koh Music Studio. As an interna-tionally renowned author for her Practice in Music Theory series, her latest works published by Wells Music Publishers include Teachers’ Choice, Selected Repertory and Studies (based on ABRSM piano exams syllabi) and Understanding Orchestration, the Orchestra and its Instruments.

As the Music Director and Conductor for NUS Harmonica Orchestra since 2006, she has actively guided the orchestra through its various stages of progress and development. Under the CFA’s Talent Development Programme, she structures effective courses and training programmes for NUSHO’s members. The most innovative transformation for the orchestra is in its expanded repertoire of com-missioned works and large-scale score arrangements. From concert hall settings to multi-media and operatic productions, NUSHO’s performances in recent years have taken the family of harmonica instruments far and beyond.

Programme SG50 Tribute Medley

Those Years 那些年 Kimura Mitsutoshi

“March” Dmitri Shostakovich from Suite for Variety Orchestra

Caprice No. 24 in A minor Niccolò Paganini Soloist: Ranjit Gulvady Pianist: Joy Chua

Scheherazade, Op. 35 (abridged) Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov I. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship III. The Young Prince and Princess IV. Festival at Baghdad The Sea

Intermission

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Viva La Vida Coldplay Lim Zikai, Budi Santoso, Young Jie Yu Cellist: Liscoln Quah

Adagio for Strings Samuel Barber

The Prayer David Foster et al. Soloists: Wang Jun, Luo Lingcheng

Rhapsody in Blue George Gershwin Soloist: Liu Ziyan Pianist: Elijah Chew

Danzón No. 2 Arturo Márquez

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Programme NotesSG50 Tribute MedleyArranged by Ng Cheeyang & Debbie Tjong, orchestrated by Ng Ee Xien & Low Teng Yong

SG50 Tribute Medley was originally arranged by Ng Cheeyang and Debbie Tjong, who were born and graduated from Singapore and now studying contemporary music in Boston, USA. The Medley comprises popular National Day Parade songs among which is the famous Home by Kit Chan. Through this work, the Orchestra celebrates the success of Singapore’s nation building as a city-state that strives towards excellence and the spirit of Singaporeans as “one”.

Those Years 那些年Composed by Kimura Mitsutoshi, arranged by Luo Lingcheng & Qiang Xiang

Those Years is the original soundtrack from You are the Apple of my Eye, a well- received movie directed by Taiwanese director Giddens Ko. The piece is an affectionate reflection of the life of teenagers in high school – their romance, friendship and joy. In Soirée 2016, our screenplay traces Mr Lee’s early days and his love story with Mdm Kwa Geok Choo. Through the clean and pure timbre of harmonicas, the ensemble presents a sweet retrospection of the past.

March from Suite for Variety OrchestraComposed by Dmitri Shostakovich, arranged by Lim Zi Kai

The Suite for Variety Orchestra comprises eight movements. Dmitri Shostakovich is known for his wit and satire in his works. March, the first movement of the work begins with a bright, lively tune. Military and comical elements are presented with an exuberant spirit.

Caprice No. 24 in A minorComposed by Niccolò Paganini, adapted for harmonica and piano

This is the final caprice of Niccolò Paganini’s famous 24 Caprices for Solo Violin. With highly advanced techniques such as parallel octaves, extremely fast scales and arpeggios, the piece is widely considered as one of the most difficult pieces ever written for the solo violin. In Soirée 2016, this piece is specially adapted for solo harmonica, performed by one of the Orchestra’s soloists Ranjit Gulvady who will amaze the audience with the vast capabilities of this small instrument.

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Scheherazade, Op. 35 (abridged)Composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, arranged by Koh Yung Hua

Scheherazade, Op. 35, is a symphonic poem composed by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, inspired by the exquisite fantasies from the familiar tales One Thousand and One Nights (sometimes known as the Arabian Nights). With its quiet beauty and captivating modal melodies woven from the music, the first, third, and fourth movements of the piece are arranged by Dr Koh Yung Hua, a senior arranger of NUS Harmonica Orchestra. The tender, sensuous, winding solo melody, with fresh orchestral colours, mild oriental flavour, and a rhythmic vitality create a magical realm, signifying the stunning transformation of Singapore.

Viva La Vida Composed by Coldplay, arranged by Lim Zi Kai

Inspired by an uplifting painting of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, who endured extreme physical chronic pain throughout her life due to polio and a broken spine, Viva La Vida was written by the famous British rock band Coldplay. The song was released in 2008 as the second single in their fourth album “Death and All His Friends”. Since then, it has become one of the trademarks for the British alternative rock band. The name “Viva La Vida” is a Spanish phrase which carries the meaning of “Live the life”. Over the years, the song has sent out messages to the world and has empowered generations of people with courage and perseverance in life’s vicissitudes. In our screenplay, this piece accompanies the various photos of Mr & Mrs Lee’s happy times together in the later years.

Adagio for Strings Composed by Samuel Barber, arranged by Ng Ee Xien

Adagio for Strings is arguably the best known work by American composer Samuel Barber, arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11. Alexander J. Morin, author of Classical Music: The Listener’s Companion, has commented that this piece was “full of pathos and cathartic passion” and that it “rarely leaves a dry eye.” Like a sigh which brings out a heavy, sombre mood, this piece captures the emotion of listeners and evokes a sense of lament. However, with the quiet ending, we also see glimpses of hope and a limit to delving in grief. On 29 March 2015, the piece was the opening piece for the state funeral of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew at University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore.

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The PrayerComposed by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa, and Tony Renis, arranged by Lim Zi Kai

A heartfelt duet premiered by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song from the film Quest for Camelot (1998). This piece is aptly played to signify sense of loss. The lyrics go:

I pray you’ll be our eyes And watch us where we go And help us to be wise In times when we don’t know

Rhapsody in BlueComposed by George Gershwin, adapted for harmonica and piano

An impressive composition by the prodigious American composer George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue was a revolutionary work that successfully combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. The piece was premiered in an afternoon concert in 1924 in New York City. The piece’s opening trill followed by a 17-note rising diatonic scale has become one of the most famous melodic openings in American music. The piece displays both rhythmic innovation and melodic inspiration with themes that signify Singapore as a metropolitan city.

Danzón No. 2Composed by Arturo Márquez, arranged by Low Teng Yong

Danzón No. 2 is of Cuban origin, developed from the Habanera rhythm that creates a dichotomy of triplets in duple time. This work is built first on a beautiful, elegant main theme. It soon develops and erupts into a more passionate and exciting dance that is composed as a tribute to popular music. The sense of vibrancy and youthful spirit reflect the assured future and spirit of Singaporeans.

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way Lead us to a place Guide us with your grace To a place where we’ll be safe

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Music ArrangersLow Teng Yong joined NUS Harmonica Band (the predecessor of NUS Harmonica Orchestra) in the 1990s and studied music theory from Ms. Josephine Koh. He has arranged music for the orchestra for almost 20 years ranging from classical genre to contemporary movie soundtrack. He orchestrated Libertango (2013), transcribed Theme from Schindler’s List (2014), and arranged 渔舟唱晚 (Notturno on the Fishing Boat) into concerto for solo harmonica and orchestra (2015). Graduated from NUS with B.Sc (Hons 1st Class) in Mathematics in 1992, he is currently a Senior Vice President of Post Trade Services at Singapore Exchange Limited.

Lim Zi Kai joined NUS Harmonica Orchestra in 2006. A disciplined, passionate and dedicated member, he served as the president for the orchestra in 2007. Since his graduation, Zi Kai continues to be actively involved in the orchestra as a chromatic tutor and resident arranger with ABRSM Grade 8 in piano and music theory. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education specializing in Primary level Music track, and is a music educator with the Ministry of Education. His orchestral arrangements include Spring Festival Overture (2015), Joyful Night (2015), Star Wars Theme (2014), Overture & Humming Chorus from Madame Butterfly (2012), and Bolero (2013).

Koh Yung Hua joined NUSHO in 2004. Over the past twelve years, while studying and eventually earned his doctorate degree in Pharmacology from NUS in 2012, he has become proficient in playing the chromatic harmonica, bass harmonica and horn harmonica. In recent years, Dr Koh has ventured into the field of musical arrangement for the NUS Harmonica Orchestra. His works include Theme from Madame Butterfly (2012), Finlandia (2013), Unfinished Symphony (2014), and Nutcracker Suite (2015). In 2014, Dr Koh also completed ABRSM Grade 8 in Music Theory under the guidance of Ms Josephine Koh.

Ng Ee Xien is currently a third year Ph.D. student in NUS Biomedical Engineering. He joined NUS Harmonica Orchestra in 2009 and has since performed regularly in the Orchestra’s annual concerts. One of the lead chromatic soloists in the orchestra, Ee Xien expanded his interest in music by learning music theory and music arrangement under the orchestra’s music director and conductor Ms Josephine Koh. He started his journey in music arrangement with ensemble pieces Chinese New Year Medley for Soirée 2015 and Frozen: Let It Go for Impressions 2015. For Soirée 2016, Ee Xien took the next step and arranged two orchestral pieces Adagio for Strings and SG50 Tribute Medley.

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Soloists Ranjit Gulvady is currently a final year PhD student at the Mechanobiology Institute in NUS. Having grown up in a musical family, he was inspired to pursue music as a hobby. He learnt the harmonica for 2 years in India before joining NUSHO in 2012. Since then, he has regularly performed in the Orchestra’s annual concerts. In August 2014, Ranjit participated in the 10th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival and clinched 3 Gold awards in the Solo, Ensemble and Creative categories. He also presented his award- winning solo piece at A Harmonica Fantasy concert at the Esplanade Recital studio.

Wang Jun is a final year student majoring in Chemical Engineering in NUS. Having learnt the instrument in Raffles Institution (Junior College), she became a member of NUS Harmonica Orchestra (NUSHO) in 2012. A talented harmonica soloist, Wang Jun proudly clinched 3 Gold Awards at the 2014 Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival. She also served as the president for the orchestra in academic year 2013/14 and continues to perform with the orchestra throughout the years.

Luo Lingcheng is currently an NUS Master student in mathematics. He joined NUSHO in 2012 and played the served as concert manager for Soirée 2013. With due diligence, Lingcheng won the Gold Award in both the solo and ensemble categories at the 10th Asia Pacific Harmonic Festival in 2014. He also gave a solo performance at Esplanade Recital Studio. In 2015, as part of the Kent Ridge ensemble, he premiered Hong Kong composer Dr. Mui Kong Chiu’s masterpiece, Embankment of Gold Coast (黄金海岸的长堤).

Liu Ziyan is currently a year 4 undergraduate majoring in Physics and Materials Engineering. He learnt to play violin during his childhood and picked up the harmonica in high school. He joined NUSHO, served in Executive Committee and soon rose to be an outstanding soloist. Under the guidance of our musical director Ms. Josephine Koh and continued support from the orchestra, Ziyan clinched Gold Awards in Solo and Ensemble categories in 10th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival.

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PerformersFirst HarmonicaConcertmaster Jonathan Phoon Ngok Jun Co-concertmaster Ng Ee Xien Assistant Concertmaster Wang Jun

Fang Ruoming Jonathan Irvin Gunawan Qu Xiaojie Ranjit Gulvady Samuel Wirajaya Steven Harta Prawira Koh Yung Hua Wang Wanli

Second HarmonicaPrincipal Lim Zi Kai Section Leader Luo Lingcheng

C. Vignesh Subramaniam* Charlotte Koh Tze Jia* Hsu Myat Noe Jeremiah Riker Lang Man Li Shuang Li Yu Matthias Lim Siong Gie* Soong Yun Ting Xu Shaoqing Yu Caiyan

Tenor CPrincipal Liu Ziyan

Section Leader Chua Boon Lee

Cheong Guang Jie Dong Wei Gabriel Pik Liang Marini Jaclyn Mah Jia Jun Shen Mingyang Veenod S/O Sivan* Young Jie Yu

Chord HarmonicaQiang Xiang Xiang Cihan

Bass HarmonicaPrincipal Budi SantosoLi Yu

Horn HarmonicaPrincipal Koh Yung Hua

Budi Santoso Le Ngoc Ha Nhu

PianoEvelyn Goh Yan Hua* Elijah Chew Shaun Young* Chua Yun Hui Joy* Joshia Seam*

PercussionPrincipal Siew Chi Yung

Feng Xiao Lang Man Luo Wanyue

Wang Wanli Xu Shaoqing

PiccoloKoh Pek Song Andy*

FluteDavid Tao Chen Ming*

OboeChua Liang You*

ClarinetGerald Lim Chong Hwee*

Bassoon Lim Sze Ai*

HornMuhammad Afiq binMohammad Akhtar*

Trumpet Muhammad Matin bin Maslan*

TromboneMuhammad Farhan bin Jamaludin*

TubaHo Law Wei*

CelloLiscoln Quah* Sandy Soh Hui Shian*

HarpCharmaine Teo*

GuitarJia Haolin*

Double BassSong Jun Jie Edmund*

*Guest performers

Executive CommitteePresident Xu ShaoqingVice President Li YuSecretary Le Ngoc Ha Nhu

Concert Manager Chua Boon LeeTreasurer Luo WanyueScore Administrator Steven Harta Prawira

Immediate Past President Tan Zheng Hao

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CreditsMusic Director & Resident ConductorJosephine Koh

Resident Harmonica LecturerYasuo Watani

Group AssociateDr Chua Chee Yong

Music TutorsLim Zi Kai (Chromatic Harmonica) Wong Swee Meng (Chromatic Harmonica) Ngoh Kheng Seng (Percussion) Budi Santoso (Bass and Horn Harmonica)

Music ArrangersDr Koh Yung Hua Lim Zi Kai Low Teng Yong Ng Ee Xien

Group ManagerSee Yanhong

Stage ManagersSong Cheng Jun Zhong Keyi

Graphic DesignerSamuel Wirajaya

Screenplay ProducerChua Boon Lee

Screenplay EditorLi Yu

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