Expect a ‘Kaleidoscope’ of brass tonal colours, as Lion City Brass Band explores different sounds in brass music, ranging from orchestral transcriptions, solo features and also, a world premiere of an overture about Singapore this evening.
“It is an absolute honour to be able to work with this group of musicians. On behalf of the musicians, I guess I can say that being in a brass band can be very challenging and yet fulfilling – due to the technical demands and the versatility required of every instrument, from the solo cornets right down to the basses,” said Ignatius Wang, the band’s resident conductor.
“Generally, the conducting technique remains the same across brass band, symphonic band or orchestra. Just as a conductor of the string orchestra is expected to understand the inner workings of the string instruments (e.g. different types of bowing), a brass band conductor needs to understand the intricacies and different possibilities of the brass instruments, so that he or she can get the best out of the musicians,” he continued.
Featured in the concert are brass band transcriptions of well-known orchestral overtures, such as Ruslan and Ludmilla, with its challenging passages played mainly by cornets and euphoniums.
The band will also perform Stabat Mater Suite, which is based on a 13th-century Roman Catholic poem, and originally written for full orchestra and choir. In this work, the band will take on a different seating arrangement to present the antiphonal writing by Welsh composer, Karl Jenkins. It will also feature a quartet during the second movement, made up of Alvin Quek (cornet), Ruth Lin (tenor horn), Andi Shafiq (flugelhorn) and Kang Chun Meng (euphonium).
LCBB will also present a specially commissioned work for the local brass community, titled ‘Of Orchids and Crimson Sunbirds: Sights of the Lion City-State’. This overture by Singaporean composer Dax Wilson depicts his impression of the iconic sights of the nation. The work is part of the band’s long term aim to encourage local composers to write for the brass band and promote their works to the international brass band community.
The rest of Sunday’s music will see the appearances of two soloists, Kang Chun Meng on the Euphonium, and Tan Yao Cong on the tuba. Conductor Ignatius expressed his gratitude towards his musicians for the opportunities to feature local talents for the program.
“I am very thankful that I have an incredible group of talented musicians to choose from. While it can sometimes be challenging to decide who to feature, it is always done in the spirit of what the programme requires.”
“In this concert, audiences can expect to witness the virtuosity and versatility of the Euphonium, as well as the beautiful singing qualities of the bass tuba, that is often neglected.”
Lion City Brass Band
10 June (Sunday)
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Hall, 5pm
Tickets: $20, $25
Available from lioncitybrass@gmail.com
A contributing editor at TBP.