As young musicians across Singapore prepare for the upcoming Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation, the COMWORKS concert has emerged as a valuable platform for students to enhance their musical journey.
Organized by the Singapore Wind Symphony (SWS), the initiative provides students with the rare opportunity to hear their competition pieces performed live by experienced musicians and gain insights from accomplished conductors.
This year, all COMWORKS conductors are active SWS members who also serve as band directors in their respective schools.
Gabriel Song, Chairman of SWS and also one of the participating conductors emphasized the importance of seeing conductors remain active performers.
“It is very important to see our conductors still playing at a relatively high level to inspire the students,” said Song. “With guidance from our Music Director, the conductors are able to pick up rehearsal techniques that are applicable to their schools.”
Live Performances Offer a Fresh Perspective
One of the key benefits of COMWORKS is allowing students to hear their pieces played by a community ensemble, giving them a new perspective on the music they have been practicing for months.
“COMWORKS gives students an opportunity to hear their set and choice pieces from another perspective, performed by more experienced musicians,” said Mohamad Rasull, an longtime SWS musician. “Sometimes, watching a live performance of a piece they have invested so much time in can serve as an out-of-body experience, helping them understand how their part integrates into the bigger picture.”
For students who lack access to personal tutors or sectional coaches, this experience is even more significant. “They benefit from hearing demonstrations of their own parts being performed, which can greatly aid their understanding,” Rasull added.
Nigel Leong agreed, emphasizing the impact of live performances. “Through the performance, students will be able to assess their own progress and get ideas or be inspired by the playing, and perhaps apply it to their own practice,” he said.
A Platform for Growth and Support
Beyond performance exposure, COMWORKS also fosters a collaborative learning environment where students and conductors exchange feedback.
“As part of our mission to give back to our community, we provide students with the skills and experiences our members have gained over the years of practicing, performing, and teaching,” explained Daniel Yiau, SWS music director. “It’s always a different experience when students watch a live performance of their choice pieces compared to a YouTube video.”
Yiau also highlighted the importance of this shared learning space. “We take this opportunity to create a support system for both students and conductors, exchanging feedback and critique during rehearsals. It is important to hone our craft as conductors while also doing our best for the students, empowering them to create higher-quality musical experiences.”
Careful Selection of Repertoire
The selection of pieces for COMWORKS is a meticulous process, designed to maximize student learning while challenging them musically.
“For me, I choose the piece based on the students’ capabilities and how I can add value to their learning journey,” said Chia Jun Cheng. “I consider what they can learn from the piece.”
Nigel echoed this sentiment, noting that repertoire selection is influenced by both student abilities and broader musical exposure. “The pieces have been selected with the students’ abilities in mind—where they are currently at and how much further we think they can be pushed. Exposing them to varying genres, styles, and musical colours was also a factor when selecting the repertoire.”
Inspiration for the SYF and Beyond
The conductors agree that participating in a community-based concert like COMWORKS before the SYF provides numerous benefits beyond technical proficiency.
“Students will have a better idea of how their piece should sound as a whole and how their instrument should blend,” Jun Cheng explained. “If they feel inspired to strive for improvement after listening, they could influence the rest of their band as well.”
Hendrik Kwek highlighted the concert’s role in motivating young musicians. “Students have the chance to perform in a more experienced band and learn from skilled musicians,” he said. “They also have the opportunity to engage with the music at a deeper level, which is expected to inspire them to work harder and improve as musicians.”
As SYF preparations intensify, COMWORKS continues to be a vital experience for young musicians, bridging the gap between school bands and the wider musical community while fostering a lifelong passion for music.