Promise of a Future
NUS Symphony Orchestra & The NUSChoir
26 Mar | 5pm | UCC Ho Bee Auditorium
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MESSAGES
Lim Soon Lee
Music Director
I remember my first encounter with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, I was struck by how vivid the music could convey the imagery of the sea, and the sound of the waves. In addition to heart-wrenching melodies and unforgettable tunes, the way music from various sections of the orchestra entwined together with distinct textures yet perfectly balanced left a deep impression on me.
The first encounter with the same music quite a few years later, as a conductor, and the experience was indeed firmly etched as one of my most endearing moments I have shared with the wonderful NUS Symphony Orchestra. I was struck by the sheer dedication and passion of our students who openly shared with me through their playing the same emotions and affectations for the music, the very same sentiments for various reason I felt compelled to harbour and keep only to myself. Music is indeed a language and a medium which can bring all people together, across all ages, and even across “faculties”!
It is a pleasure and an honour for me to revisit Scheherazade again with the NUSSO for this concert. More than before, I am moved by our young musicians’ passion for music, and in particular, how much more this present cohort of NUSSO Musicians are motivated by the love of music, and how each one of these wonderful musicians are expressing this love and passion through the amazing romantic writing of Rimsky-Korsakov.
It has been an honour for me to have been part of the NUSSO Family these past three decades. It is my privilege to share the stage with these wonderful musicians tonight. I look forward to a wonderful and truly enjoyable evening with my friends in the NUSSO, and I hope that it will be as meaningful to you as it is already to me.
Nelson Kwei
Chorus Master
With a collaboration between two established NUS Arts Group, the NUS Symphony Orchestra and the NUSChoir, the Coronation Mass by Mozart is a very grand piece that suits the occasion of the NUS Arts Festival.
Looking back at our collaborations, back in 1981, both groups performed the exact same piece. On top of that, the first ever NUSChoir overseas trip to England also brought along the magnificent work. The collaboration provides opportunity for musicians to perform different high-level repertoire and develop their musical aptitude. Though Mozart’s choral works are atypical in Singapore, we hope that the audience comes to enjoy the performance by the orchestra and choir.
Programme
Mass No. 15 in C major, K. 31
Coronation mass
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
I) Kyrie
II) Gloria
III) Credo
IV) Sanctus
V) Benedictus
VI) Agnus Dei
Intermission
Scheherazade
Rimsky-Korsakov
I) The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship
II) The Story of the Kalendar Prince
III) The Young Prince and the Young Princess
IV) Festival at Baghdad. The Sea. The Ship Breaks against a Cliff Surmounted by a Bronze Horseman
NUS Symphony Orchestra and The NUSChoir, together with soloists from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, close the 2023 Festival with two distinct musical interpretations of the triumph of hope over uncertainty.
SYNOPSIS
Mozart’s Mass in C Major K317, or “Coronation Mass”, is a soaring choral masterpiece conceived following a period of doubt and irresolution in his own life. Featuring The NUSChoir led by Chorus Master Nelson Kwei and soloists from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, the piece reflects Mozart’s experiences at the time, and his appreciation of the stability that followed.
In Scheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov’s masterful orchestration breathes life into the Middle-Eastern folktale. The eponymous heroine’s brave ingenuity despite imminent peril is mirrored in the heroic motif that runs through the music.
Programme Notes
Mass in C Major, K. 317/Coronation Mass
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Scheherazade
Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
LYRICS
Kyrie
Choir, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass solo
Gloria
Choir, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass solo
Credo
Choir, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass solo
Sanctus
Choir
Benedictus
Choir, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass solo
Agnus Dei
Choir, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass solo
Conductors
Lim Soon Lee
Music Director
Nelson Kwei
Chorus Master
Francis Tan
Guest Conductor
Soloists
Val Chong
Soprano
Zoe Hong
Mezzo-soprano
Ngoo Tien Hong
Tenor
Jason Suryaatmaja
Baritone
MUSICIANS
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Flute
Clarinet
Oboe
Bassoon
Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Tuba
Harp
Percussion
Choir
Soprano 1
Soprano 2
Alto 1
Alto 2
Tenor 1
Tenor 2
Bass 1
Bass 2
NUS Symphony Orchestra
The NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO) is a youth orchestra comprising musicians from all faculties, united in their love of music and will to share it with audiences. As an education-centric youth orchestra, it strives to cultivate a culture of excellence amongst members to making classical music more accessible and relevant. Ultimately, the Orchestra aspires to create a community of orchestral music advocates who will contribute to the sustainability of our art form.
NUSSO can trace its humble beginnings to the 1920s as a chamber ensemble. It was formally established in 1979 as the NUS Concert Orchestra under the directorship of Paul Abisheganaden, before being inaugurated as the NUS Symphony Orchestra under current Music Director and Resident Conductor Maestro Lim Soon Lee.
NUSSO provides accessible and relevant orchestral music through our regular free outreach concerts, including performances held at Singapore Botanic Gardens and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. NUSSO has also performed extensively overseas, embarking on tours and festivals in Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The NUSChoir
Formed in 1980, The NUSChoir is an award-winning youth choir. Through performing and competing annually in a wide spectrum of events, the choir brings their music to audiences, both local and foreign, committed to promoting excellence in choral music.
The choir has participated in international competitions overseas and garnered numerous gold awards across various categories, such as those from Fiesta Choralis, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and World Choir Games.
Most recently, The NUSChoir returned to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2018 and competed for the title of ‘Choir of the World’ as a finalist for the Pavarotti Cup. This time, it successfully clinched the title and became the first choir from Singapore to be crowned ‘Choir of the World’. Under the baton of Nelson Kwei, Singapore’s premier choral director, The NUSChoir continues to scale greater heights of musical excellence, expanding its repertoire to encompass more diverse and challenging choral works.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 22/23
NUS Symphony Orchestra
Wong Ting Feng - President
Wong Yii, Ethan - Vice President for Music & External Affairs
Damien Chew - Vice President for Operations & Internal Affairs
Tan Yuxuan - General Secretary
Lian Ko-Shyan - Treasurer
Chloe Toh Shuen Yee - HR and Welfare Manager & Logistics Manager
Chua Xin Yi - Public Relations Manager
Ong Min Xian - Public Relations Manager
Ng Tze Yang - Resource Manager
The NUSChoir
Kow Chin Tat - President
Tng Hao Kiat - Vice President
Ng Li Yen - Secretary
Wong Yut Yeng - Treasurer
Tan Geng Suen Agabus - Publicity Head
Teng Min Qi Jacelyn - Publicity Head
Brenden - Resource Head
Seow Mao Yu - Student Conductor
Goh En Qi - Student Conductor
Acknowledgements
Lim Soon Lee
Music Director
Nelson Kwei
Chorus Master
Francis Tan
Guest Conductor
Sing Moh Li
NUSSO and The NUSChoir Group Manager
Michelle Lee
The NUSChoir Group Manager
Our tutors
NUS Symphony Orchestra Tutors
Foo Say Ming
Violin
Lim Chun
Viola
Ong Shi Ching Melissa
Cello
Li Yongrui
Double Bass
Carolin Ralser
Flute/Piccolo
Tay Kai Tze
Oboe
Chow Mun Keong Desmond
Clarinet
Emerald Chee
Bassoon
Lau Wenrong
Trumpet
Gao Jian
Horn
Samuel Taylor Armstrong
Trombone
Yong Junn Wei Aaron
Tuba
Joachim Theodore Lim
Percussion
Huang Yu-Hsin
Harp
THE NUSChoir tutors
Reuben Lai
Kane Teo Yude
Other credits
Professor Alan Bennett
Head of Voice, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music
Koh Kai Jie
Rehearsal Pianist
Steven Cheong
Sound Engineer
