NUS Arts Festival 2017

FLIGHT OF FANCY

NUS Guitar Ensemble | Presented in-conjunction with the NUS Arts Festival

Sat 11 Mar | 7.30pm | School of the Arts Singapore Concert Hall | $18, $14

Building castles in the sky, or a house amongst the stars - everyone has whimsical dreams like these. Book your seat for this imaginative journey through wishes and dreams, as we bring you ethereal works from renowned composers such as Mozart, Joe Hisashi and Kengo Momose.

Photo Credit: SQ Photography

NUS Guitar Ensemble

Founded by Cultural Medallion winner Mr Alex Abisheganaden and currently under the guidance of music director and conductor Dr Robert Casteels, the NUS Guitar Ensemble (GENUS) is the region's first Niibori guitar ensemble, and boasts a wide repertoire ranging from major classical works to Japanese anime songs.

A fingerstyle group unique in its exploration of varying shades and tonalities through their set of Niibori guitars of varying pitches, the ensemble comprises 50 members who play differently pitched guitars to achieve an orchestra effect, with percussion added in to complete the audience experience.

GENUS aims to set a benchmark for local guitar ensembles while promoting a love for guitar ensemble music in Singapore. In order to improve itself both musically and technically, GENUS regularly participates in local and international competitions, and members often get the chance to attend masterclasses.

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Dr Robert Casteels

Music Director & Resident Conductor

Born in Belgium, Dr Robert Casteels is a versatile artist, composer, researcher, conductor, pianist and educator. Casteels has written musical works that defy classification that cross cultures, genres and disciplines. For four years in a row, his compositions were selected by the Asia Composers League for their festivals in Singapore, Tokyo, Manilla and Hanoi. As a renowned conductor, Casteels has conducted more than 50 professional orchestras in a repertoire of 600 works ranging from the early classics to contemporary music, from symphonic to vocal and dance repertoire. A passionate educationist, Casteels is also noted for his pedagogical works. Casteels holds music degrees from Royal Music Conservatories of Brussels, the Guildhall (London) and Juilliard (New York) Schools as well as The University of Melbourne. He is the recipient of several awards, most notably being the youngest recipient and the second musician ever to receive the prestigious Christoffel Plantin Prize, the Flemish Government͛s highest award for cultural achievements, in recognition of his contribution to cross-cultural research.