The Singapore Saxophone Symposium marks its 7th anniversary this year with a full program, in a bid to foster and encourage interest and passion for music and the saxophone.
Held annually at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) since 2010, this year’s symposium will feature concerts and masterclasses by a stellar line up of international and local artistes, as well as various ensemble groups.
Such artistes include, Chik Chi Him (Hong Kong), Alain Crepin (Belgium), Joseph Lallo (Australia), Shyen Lee (Taiwan/Thailand), Lars Mlekusch (Switzerland), Timothy O’Dwyer (Singapore/Australia), Leslie Wong (Singapore), Wong Tak-Chiu (Hong Kong), Ding Zhang (China) and Nikita Zimin (Russia). Featured ensembles include the Keuris Quartet, NAFA Saxophone Octet, and Singapore Saxophone Symposium Ensemble.
“We have established several initiatives for this symposium since its initiation – to premiere new works for Saxophone; to feature a Saxophone concerto in its original instrumentation; and to feature at least 8 concerts at every symposium that showcase the saxophone as a solo performing instruments as well as a collaborative instrument in a chamber music setting,” explained Dr Zechariah Goh, who is the artistic director of the symposium.
“We have also introduced the Saxophone Play-off concert in our program for student performers, with the aim of giving them a platform to perform alongside other aspiring young musicians in their age group.”
Since 2015, the Saxophone Composition Workshop and Masterclass for composers was started, to encourage more composers to write for the saxophone. By working with the resident saxophone quartet, it was hoped that the young composers will be able to get the sound experience they need to further enhance their composition skills.
“This year, we have invited Nikita Zimin, a very well known saxophonist from Russia to perform the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble which I wrote in 2013. He will be accompanied by The Philharmonic Winds under the baton of Belgium conductor, Alain Crepin.”
“We have also engaged famous saxophone pedagogue Lars Mlekusch, to conduct the NAFA Saxophone ensemble and the Saxophone Symposium attendees in a Saxophone ensemble performance at the Gala Concert on 14 August!”
Singapore Saxophone Symposium 2017
12-14 August
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Ticketing Information:
All-day pass: $150 | One-day pass: $100 (except 14 August – $50)
Gala concert: $30 | Individual concerts/masterclass observations: $15
Composition workshop: $500 (inclusive of all-day symposium pass)
Discounted rate of $30 of all-day pass for students (primary/secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics, SOTA, NAFA) and full-time national servicemen (NSFs), under the age of 25
Register now at http://sgsax2017.peatix.com
Email info@singaporesaxophonesymposium.com to sign up for the composition workshop and / or masterclasses as an active participant
A contributing editor at TBP.