SEC 2016 – Bringing Ensemble Music to Life!

Organised by Rave Group and supported by the National Arts Council (NAC), the Singapore Ensemble Competition 2016 happening between 17 to 19 March at The Republic Cultural Centre (TRCC) is a premier platform for the outreach and development of musicians of all ages, from Singapore and South East Asia.

This year’s event sees an outstanding number of 46 groups, who will participate in the competition through the Open, Senior or Junior Divisions.

For each division, there is no required piece for the performance, but they are advised to perform contrasting works that has a significant level of technical difficulty and musical depth that can best display their ensembles’ performance ability.

The Open Division however sees more requirements, such as the need to submit a good-quality recording of two contrasting pieces for a preliminary round selection, and a limit whereby only up to 20 ensembles will be selected to participate in through ‘blind’ audition by the SEC Council.

What also varies for each division are the choice piece and duration, and the restrictions on the performers’ ages despite the fact that between 3 to 23 musicians are allowed for all divisions.

• Open Division: 18 minutes / No restrictions in age
• Senior Division: 10 minutes / Age 19 and below (as on competition day)
• Junior Division: 6 minutes / Age 15 and below (as on competition day)

 Each ensemble will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Sound
  • Intonation
  • Tone Quality
  • Balance
• Technique
  • Technique
  • Articulations
  • Ensemble Musicianship
• Rhythm
  • Musical Performance
  • Phrasing
  • Dynamics
  • Interpretation
•  Choice of Literature (Open Division only)

Panel of Adjudicators

Chen Zhangyi / Composer
Dirk Wucherpfennig / Percussionist & Conductor
Eric Lee / Principal Trombone, Malaysia National Symphony Orchestra
Patrick Zylka / Assistant Dean, Chicago College of Performing Arts

SEC Artistic Board

Rodney Winther / Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music
Chien-Kwan Lin / Associate Professor of Music, Eastman School of Music
Zechariah Goh / Head of Composition; Senior Lecturer, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Chen Zhangyi / Composer
Lin Shih-Wei David / Assistant Professor, National Chiayi University
Eric Lee / Principal Trombone, Malaysia National Symphony Orchestra
Alvin Seville / Band Director
Lim Yean Hwee / Music Director

Written By Editor

A contributing editor at TBP.