For wind bands across the globe, the World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade, Netherlands, is the ultimate proving ground. Held every four years, it stands as one of the most prestigious events in the international band movement.
In 2017, the Mus’Art Youth Wind Orchestra (MYWO) took the WMC stage by storm, clinching a Gold Award with Distinction in Division 3. Now, stepping up to a formidable new challenge, the ensemble is competing in Division 2.
With a rich legacy tracing back to its parent ensemble, Mus’Art Wind Orchestra (MWO), which first graced the WMC stage in 1999, MYWO carries forward a proud tradition of musical excellence, cultural storytelling, and national pride.
Moving up to Division 2 means harder repertoire, stiffer global competition, and heightened expectations. Yet, the atmosphere within the orchestra is one of calm determination and electric anticipation.
For Horn player and Vice Preisdent Danial Matin, returning to WMC in a higher division brings both perspective and confidence:
“This is my second time participating in the World Music Contest. The first time was also with the Mus’Art Youth Wind Orchestra back in 2017, pre-COVID. Expectations now are higher as we are participating in a higher division, nevertheless the fact that it’s my second WMC puts me more at ease and ready to face these challenges.
I feel I have matured both as an individual and a musician in the past 8 years, so hopefully I’ll be a lot better at managing my nerves. It also helps that we’re going with many familiar faces, including those who have been through the previous WMC. At this level of competition, I feel able to perform my best in the music when there’s already a high level of trust and camaraderie within the band,” he shares.
While veterans anchor the ensemble, the trip is a fresh adventure for others. Trumpet player and Vice President Chan Yong Tat reflects on his debut with grounded enthusiasm:
“This is my very first time! Well, to be honest, I’m not going with the mindset of ‘doing singapore proud’ but we are definitely prepared and ready to do our best. I am very excited to partake in this and I hope we achieve something meaningful and memorable.”
At its core, MYWO’s repertoire for Division 2 reflects a uniquely Singaporean identity blended with international masterworks.
Resident Conductor Wilson Ong shares the heart behind their musical choices and the enduring tradition:
“Mus’Art Wind Orchestra has participated in the WMC since 1999. Because of the fulfilling exchanges and friendships we made in the Netherlands, our members have been longing to return.
This year, we commissioned our long-time friend Hardy Mertens to write a tribute piece about our founding father Lee Kuan Yew. Aptly titled LKY, the piece features an Indian flautist Niranjan Pandian, encapsulating the multi-cultural uniqueness of Singapore through music. On the score, the music sets an expectation, but the interpretation through a different lens of Indian ragas, we get to experience a compounding effect that touched us to the soul.”
“Satoshi Yagisawa’s Machu Picchu is part of the growing repertory from Japan that has taken the world by storm,” Ong adds.
“And with the set piece Epiphany, we lucked out. I admit I was not aware of the piece before WMC listed it. But the beautiful Swiss melody going through a masterful treatment in a very unconvincing theme and variation form by Henk Badings is the icing on the cake.”
For Danial, carrying this culture abroad is a distinct honour:
“I think it’s a huge privilege, one that I don’t take lightly. I feel excited to showcase the talent, ambition, and rich cultural diversity that Singapore has through our performances and the musicians we see onstage. I do think our local bands and orchestras have a unique Singapore sound.”
Preparing for a world-class contest in Division 2 while balancing the fast-paced reality of life in Singapore is no easy task. Band members juggle daily job commitments, university studies, and personal lives.
“Understandably, our members are also busy with work, school, and other commitments. This is the reality of a community band in Singapore,” Danial notes.
“Nevertheless, everyone has been practising hard even on their own to make sure they can be the best that they can be… Overall, it’s both a physical and mental challenge, and we’re being careful not to tire ourselves out or peak too early.”
Yong Tat highlights the rigorous preparation leading up to their departure, including ensemble performances and a recent concert at the Yong Siew Toh (YST) Conservatory of Music:
“It has been awhile, from ensemble performance to learning fundamentals as a band again. But our most recent concert in YST as part of WMC preparation proved that with the right practice and guidance from our conductor, we are prepared for WMC.”
To ensure the band is at peak performance, MYWO will travel early to the Netherlands to rehearse and acclimatise to the new environment before taking the stage at the Kerkrade Theatre.
The Division 2 competition brings together top-tier wind orchestras from across the globe, with participating ensembles hailing from Spain, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Colombia.
Among this elite lineup, the Mus’Art Youth Wind Orchestra proudly stands out as the only Asian band in Division 2. Slated to perform at the Kerkrade Theatre on Sunday, August 2 at 11:40 AM (GMT+2), MYWO will share its music as Singapore’s sole representative in this category.
As the band puts the final touches on their preparations, Conductor Wilson Ong sums up what this journey truly means for the musicians and the nation they represent:
“Years ago, people complained Singapore was a cultural desert. Increasingly, our artists are making significant contributions globally. It goes to show that the arts are an integral part of human existence, the voices from our tiny island nation have something unique to share too! We are excited to bring our presentation to the global stage of the WMC.”
We wish the Mus’Art Youth Wind Orchestra the very best as they take the stage to fly the Singapore flag high at the World Music Contest!