Spread over 4 days, the Wind Bands Association of Singapore (WBAS) held their Youth Band Festival between from 13 to 17 December at NUS U-Town in Stephen Riady Centre. Ending off the event was a combined concert on 18 December at the Esplanade with guest band Windstars Ensemble.
With a faculty comprising of Professor Toru Miura, Mr Seow Yibin, Mr Masanori Fukuda and professional sectional tutors from Windstars Ensemble, the festival was opened to band students from primary school to university level who had to video audition prior to the event.
Some 200 students were divided into three bands, namely Junior Band (age 10 to 14), Intermediate Band (age 12 to 17) and Advanced Band (age 16 to 25).
The experience allowed students to develop friendship through music in a series of rehearsals, workshops and sectionals.
Students were exposed to advanced band literature, such as Dana Wilson’s Sang! and Clifton Williams’s Symphonic Suite just to name a few.
“At first, I was skeptical about joining the festival because I didn’t think my standard could match the rest of the participants. But I went ahead after my friends encouraged me and told me to go for it… I am not regretting anything now, the festival was really fun and I met a lot of new people. I must thank everyone from my saxophone section for being so warm and friendly. I’ve also learnt that band is a team effort, not just a solo task,” said Khalid, Saxophonist from the Intermediate Band.
About Wind Bands Association of Singapore
The Wind Bands Association of Singapore (WBAS) was formed in 2001 by a group of dedicated band conductors, musicians, teachers, professors and enthusiasts with the vision to promote wind band activities as well as enhance the quality of wind bands in Singapore.
Dedicated to serving the local band community, the association is open to all band members, conductors, composers, teachers, publisher, instrument makers and friends of wind music.
In line with its mission, the society has launched a slew of initiatives, which include activities ranging from concerts to workshops and masterclasses.
A contributing editor at TBP.