First established in 2014, New Gen Wind Symphony (NGWS) is an interest group of Taman Jurong Community Club (TJCC), a community band born from the regular gatherings of twelve passionate youths.
“We invited like-minded friends to come and play music together, and it took us some time to mould the group into a full-fledged band in the competitive band scene,” said Ethan Peck, its Founder and current President.
Supported by TJCC and its Community Arts and Culture Club (TJCACC), part of the band’s primary focus (other than performing) is to be the collaborator and coordinator for the various school bands in the Taman Jurong estate.
“We aim to give students further exposure into the band scene and to build up their interest in performing music for the community at large, who would otherwise be solely restricted to the activities within their own school,” Ethan raised.
In its debut concert this Saturday, NGWS will collaborate with Jurong Secondary School Symphonic Band (JSSSB) and their conductor Mr Erik Tan in a concert titled “Beautiful Tunes: A Community Concert”, as part of its community outreach plans.
Apart from providing an opportunity for the secondary school band members to perform in front of the general community and their family, this series seeks to raise the awareness of wind band music in the Taman Jurong estate.
The audience can look forward to the Singapore premiere of Hiroki Takahashi’s Toy Box Fantasy, familiar tunes from Prince of Egypt, Beauty and the Beast, and AKB48, as well as band classics such as Jacob de Haan’s Oregon, and Steven Reineke’s Heaven’s Light. The bands will also perform March: Sunny Island by Singapore composer Wong Kah Chun together.
Currently led by their Music Director, Miss Dorean Tan, and resident guest conductor Mr Vincent Lee, the band wishes to inspire and nurture young musicians and dedicated music lovers alike, by bringing music to the community.
“My lifelong wish is to instill confidence and inspire all students to develop their artistic aspects. I would like to believe that all things are possible, when we set our mind to it”, said Miss Tan.
In the near future, New Gen Wind Symphony hopes to have more collaborative opportunities in its upcoming projects.
“We hope that with Miss Tan’s passion in character building, it will encourage our members to develop respectful and caring attitudes towards music and the community. Our motto – Forging Friendships Through Music, is the exact reason why we will continue to create and sustain friendships through our platform.”
Beautiful Tunes: A Community Concert
Saturday, 10 March 2018
Taman Jurong Community Club Multi-Purpose Hall, 7pm
Tickets: $5
Available from http://www.tinyurl.com/ngws-concert
A contributing editor at TBP.