10–26 March 2023 // National University of Singapore

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

Nelson Kwei

Chorus Master

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

LYRICS

Conductors

Soloists

MUSICIANS

Choir

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

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

10–26 March 2023 // National University of Singapore