Organized by the Esplanade, the Limelight series provide an opportunity to the best school choirs and symphonic bands in Singapore to perform at its Concert Hall.
Coming 3 April, the Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Symphonic Band makes its appearance under the baton of resident conductor Brando Tan and assistant conductor Sebastian Koh.
“We’ll be performing a flavourful repertoire which includes pieces such as ‘Cinderella’, ‘I Need To Be in Love’ and ‘The Times’ next Monday. Our alumni wind ensemble will also be featured alongside the main band, so come join us on this great night of music at the prestigious Esplanade Concert Hall,” said band major Timothy Leow.
Other music in the program also include March Spring Breeze by Toshiaki Minami, Songs of Sailor and Sea by Robert W. Smith, and, Fields Overture by Hiroki Takahashi. The AMK Saxophone Quartet will also present their rendition of Grimm’s Old Castle by Hiroki Takahashi.
In their preparations for this upcoming concert, the band was also busy preparing for their SYF Arts Presentation which recently took place on 29 March. Despite the close proximity of both events, the band members have been putting in their best efforts to prepare for the two performances.
“To be able to perform at the Esplanade is a golden opportunity especially for school bands, and it has been very heartwarming to see our band members patronizing the band room almost everyday to practice. This really reflects on their passion for music making and determination to excel in our music. At the same time, we also forged stronger bonds by motivating each other to do better. Join us this Monday to witness an event put together through many hours of hard work, ” reflected drum major Jay Lim.
Also performing in this concert is the AMK Alumni Wind Ensemble led by Gordon Low, a current student of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. The wind ensemble provides a platform for motivation and inspiration for its main band members and always has a special place in Ang Mo Kio Secondary School.
“Every single rehearsal spent together is special… to be able to connect with one another through music; I feel that really transcends any other form of communication! For me at least, when I was still a member of the main band during my days in AMKSS; the Alumni band was always and still is a band that I really look up to.”
Conducting the wind ensemble for the first time, Gordon has specially chosen Frank Ticheli’s Angels in the Architecture and Franz von Suppe’s Light Calvary Overture as part of the music.
“It is my very first time conducting this talented bunch of individuals; I was a little nervous initially but this quickly transformed into an immense sense of pride. I wanted to juxtapose a classical work against something more avant-garde and wild. Thus in our set, I picked Light Calvary Overture for a more tame and easy listening opener, against a more wild and reckless Angels in the Architecture.”
Concert Details
Limelight 2017: Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Symphonic Band
3 April (Monday)
Esplanade Concert Hall, 7.30pm
Tickets: $13 (excluding SISTIC fee)
Available from https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/camk0417
A contributing editor at TBP.