Music for everyone

The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM) at NUS celebrated the Conservatory building’s 10th anniversary with an eclectic mix of over 250 performances by global artists and partners. As part of the music festival from 25 October to 1 November, the Conservatory opened its doors to the NUS community on 28 October and the general public on 29 October.

Some 600 music lovers turned up for the YST Open House, attending programmes featuring internationally renowned classical musicians Sir András Schiff and Mr Gábor Takács-Nagy; local sensation and YSTCM alumni Lorong Boys; masterclasses; guided tours of the Conservatory; and more than 20 pop-up performances. The Conservatory building was also transformed by coloured lighting and illuminated furniture, complete with a pop-up cafe and mobile bar.

One of the pop-up performances featured Jonathan Dove Creative Project

Mr Takács-Nagy, YSTCM’s 2016/17 Ong Teng Cheong Visiting Professor in Music, shared his vision and experience with the attendees, “I am really happy and motivated to be here in this dynamic institute, inspiring my young musician friends. Bravo to the Conservatory and its teachers because the Conservatory students are very talented youngsters.”

Other crowd-pleasers during the event were the electone orchestra accompanying Head of Piano Professor Thomas Hecht, and pianist Mr Melvyn Tan performing in his 60th birthday recital as well as in a concert with YSTCM students.

For Lorong Boys, half of whom flew in from the US for the festival, it was like coming home. “Returning to Singapore, and being able to perform in my alma mater, has been a deep honour and privilege,” said percussionist Joachim Lim. “Our homecoming concert was a particular highlight, with the jam-packed audience surrounding us, and it felt like a reunion for our family of five.”

Lorong Boys performing to an appreciative audience

The festival culminated with a rousing concert by the Conservatory Orchestra, which performed with both Sir András and Mr Takács-Nagy to a full house at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Guests included NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS Deputy President (Administration) Mr Don Yeo and Professor Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-at-Large and NUS Trustee.

By Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music