GRAND FINALE

BEST AND BRIGHTESTIT’S A CELEBRATION OF CLASSICAL’S

SATURDAY25THAUGUST

5PM

VICTORIA CONCERT

HALL

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WELCOME TO A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND TALENT

Welcome Message

found the experience enriching and fun. For us, it has been an absolute treat to hear their inspired playing.

We thank our judges Dr Leonard Tan, Ms Lynnette Seah and Ms Tang Tee Khoon, our main sponsor ABRSM and our partner VCH – Home of the SSO, for joining us in this celebration of music and talent.

To our young talents, break a leg! And to all – an enjoyable, heartwarming evening!

Warmest Regards,

Irene MK LimChief Customer OfficerMediacorp Pte Ltd

Welcome to Symphony 924’s Young Talents Project 2018 Grand Finale! This year marks the seventh edition of the annual competition we hold to celebrate the love of classical music and the incredible talent of young musicians in Singapore.

The search for this year’s talents began in April and reaches its exciting conclusion this evening. Narrowing the competition to our final ten – aged seven to 17 – has been a challenge because of the amazing talent they each possess. All our young talents have had the chance to be heard by our esteemed judges and there have been so many outstanding performances. We hope they’ve

BREAKFASTwith Andrew Lim

Weekdays, 7am to 10am

LUNCH TREATSwith Koh Chieng MunWeekdays, 10am to 2p

THE DRIVE HOMEwith Gerald Wong

Weekdays, 5pm to 8pm

SMOOTH CLASSICS8pm onwards

CONCERT CLASSICS with Serene Lim

Sunday, 12pm to 2pm

Congratulates all the finalist of the YOUNG TALENTS PROJECT 2018

We would like to thank all sponsors, partners and participants for their support.

SATURDAY LUNCHDATE with Khim Oei

Saturday, 12pm to 2pm

In partnership with

Programme Outline

7:00pmAnnouncement of results

6:15pmIntermission

6:30pmGuest performances

Jem Zhang Yi Fan (Piano)SENIOR CATEGORY 2017 WINNER

Renee Yadav (Harp)JUNIOR CATEGORY 2017 WINNER

Chloe Chua (Violin)2018 MENUHIN INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION JUNIOR WINNER

4:50pmGuests to be seated

5:00pmArrival of Guest of Honour

JUNIOR CATEGORY

Koh Li XinCharissa OoiCasey Li Wei XiKayden YapNg Ee Oon

SENIOR CATEGORY

Adrian Tang Zhi Feng Alyssa GohLeong Kim YangJoelle ChiamLim Shi Han

Official hair & make up

Sponsored by

Official F&B partner

Piano partner

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Tan’s Violin Concerto at SSO’s 27th Anniversary Concert. She was also the Guest Concertmaster for the Macau Symphony for its 2007 China concert tour.

Her group, the Jade Quartet, has performed in Shanghai and Hangzhou, and for visiting heads of state at the Istana, the Emperor and Empress of Japan (2006) and the Prime Minister of Australia (2008).

Other factoids about Lynnette Seah: • As a student she performed twice at Mediacorp’s Talentime.• On YouTube, you can see her performing, at the request of Steve Jobs, Bach Concerto A Minor to showcase the Next computer’s innovative musical software.• She received personal congratulations from the late Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and his wife at the Methodist Girls’ School Founders Day Dinner.

Our Judges

A founding member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and

currently its Co-Concertmaster, acclaimed violinist Lynnette Seah was conferred the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest arts award, by President S R Nathan in 2006. In 2009, her album A Musical Odyssey was released to critical acclaim. In March 2014 she was honoured with the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame Award. The following year, at Singapore’s 50th birthday celebrations, she was gifted a bow specially designed for her by Singapore’s premier bow luthier.

Throughout the course of her career, Ms Seah has performed not just with the SSO but also with orchestras in Europe including the Zurich Symphony Orchestra, Orebro Chamber Orchestra and Teplice Symphony Orchestra. She was also invited to perform at the Bergen International Music Festival in Norway and represented Singapore in the World Philharmonic Orchestra in Bangkok, Thailand, for the King’s 50th Anniversary of his ascension. In 2006, she gave the world premiere of Singaporean composer Bernard

Lynnette Seah Mei Tsing

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Our Judges

Dr. Leonard Tan

Dr Leonard Tan is Assistant Professor of Music at the National Institute of Education,

Nanyang Technological University. A prolific conductor, he has conducted the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore National Youth Orchestra, The Philharmonic Winds, Royal Hawaiian Band, and Ensemble de la Belle Musique. Singapore newspaper The Straits Times has praised his “masterfully helmed” performances of “rare blazing intensity,” while the American press has lauded his “artful conducting.” Dr Tan earned his doctoral degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he conducted the Indiana University Orchestras. In addition to his work as a conductor, he is also an internationally renowned scholar in music education, having published his research in leading academic journals and presented/lectured at universities around the world.

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Violinist Tang Tee Khoon first made her concerto debut with the NUS Symphony

Orchestra in Singapore at age 12 and has since performed as a soloist with the SSO, the Singapore Arts Festival Orchestra, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, and other orchestras in the US, Europe and Japan. She was also the second-ever violinist to be awarded the loan of a J.B. Guadagnini violin by the Singapore National Arts Council.

Over the years, she has won numerous awards, including Winner of the 2004 East and West international Artists Auditions, 2nd Prize at the Klein international Competition USA, 1st Prize at Kocian international Violin Competition Czech Republic, the Myra Hess Award UK, the Martin Musical Scholarship UK, and the Singapore Shell-National Arts Council Arts Scholarship.

Ms Tang has also performed at Kioi Hall Tokyo, Banff Centre for the Arts Canada, St. John Smith’s Square London and at Singapore’s celebration of 40 years of diplomatic ties with the Philippines.

She has also collaborated with members of the Emerson, Takacs

Tang Tee Khoon

and Borromeo String Quartets, Wu Han, Colin Carr, Midori, and Ian Swenson. Her appearances at chamber music festivals include Seiji Ozawa’s international Music Academy in Switzerland; Open Chamber Music Sessions at Prussia Cove, UK; and the Chamber Music residencies at Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada.

Ms Tang mentored with Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory in Boston and David Takeno at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, UK.She directs a chamber music series in Singapore that works actively to maintain an international level of chamber music performance in her home country, while presenting important educational and experience-centred events in the community. She also maintains a private teaching studio in Singapore.

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Junior Finalists

A Primary 6 student at Maha Bodhi School, Koh Li Xin began her musical journey at age seven, learning the Yangqin under the tutelage of Tan Mo. As a talented member of the Maha Bodhi School Chinese Orchestra, she was often selected to perform at major school events and was appointed sectional leader in 2018. To date, she has participated in three Singapore Youth Festivals with her school’s Chinese Orchestra, clinching outstanding results every time. Li Xin has achieved excellent results in graded examinations organised by the Central Conservatory of Music (China), and took part in the 2016 National Chinese Music Competition organised by the National Arts Council. In 2017, she became a protege of the SCO Yangqin musician Ma Huan and has had the privilege of attending master classes by renowned Yangqin virtuoso Professor Wei Yan Ming.

KOH LI XIN 12 years old

Yang QinPiece: 节日的天山

(Jie Ri De Tian Shan)Composer: 许学东

(Xu Xue Dong)

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Junior Finalists

Despite her tender age, Charissa Ooi has impressed many with her talent and musicality, mastering a wide repertoire and winning piano awards since the age of five. At age six, she made her Carnegie Hall debut and has since travelled the world, performing in the UK, Budapest and Tokyo, and has attended master classes with renowned pianists.

Her international accomplishments include coming in 1st (with Judges Distinction Award) at the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition, First Absolute Prize (100/100) and Exceptional Young Musician Special Prize at International Music Competition ‘Salzburg’ Grand Prize Virtuoso, and 3 Golds at the 7th Singapore Performers’ Festival & Chamber Music Competition. More recently, she was the only Singaporean finalist at the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia.

Charissa, who’s a Primary 1 student at CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, enjoys sharing her passion for music and inspiring others by performing at charity events such as the Steinway Music Marathon and IJHCC Charity Concert.

CHARISSA OOI 7 years old

PianoPiece: Waltz in C# Minor,

Op. 64 No. 2Composer: Chopin

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A Primary 3 student at Raffles Girls’ Primary School, Casey Li started her piano journey at the age of four and is currently studying with Mr Benjamin Loh.

At age five, she took part in the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition – her first piano competition – and placed 2nd. In 2015, she performed at Carnegie Hall, New York. Last year, she played with the Emmanuel Symphony Orchestra as its youngest performer. Just this year, she won the 1st Prize at the Piano Island Festival Competition held in Singapore.

CASEY LI WEI XI9 years old

PianoPiece: Variations on a Theme

of PaganiniComposer: Berkovich

Junior Finalists

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Kayden Yap began his piano studies at age six. He is currently a student of the Gifted Young Pianists course at NAFA School of Young Talents under the tutelage of Ms Lena Ching.

He obtained his ABRSM Grade 8 practical with distinction in March last year and is currently pursuing his Diploma.

Kayden, a Primary 6 student at Kong Hwa School was a Gold Prize winner in the Junior B category at the Singapore-Asia Piano Competition 2017 and won an opportunity to compete at the 22nd Japan PIARA Competition in Hamamatsu, Japan this July. He also won 2nd Prize in the Junior category at the 1st Nanyang International Music Competition 2017.

KAYDEN YAP 12 years old

PianoPiece: Golliwog’s CakewalkComposer: Claude Debussy

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Junior Finalists

‘Oon’ means musical tone in the Chinese language and Ee Oon was born with music in her. Ee Oon is pursuing her ABRSM Grade 8 studies under Ms Elizabeth Tan at NAFA School of Young Talents. Her achievements include the Platinum Award in the 6th Singapore Performers’ Festival & Chamber Music Competition 2016, 2nd Prize in the Junior category of Singapore National Piano Competition 2017, 1st Prize and two 2nd Prizes in the 2018 Singapore International Piano Elite Invitational Competition. Ee Oon aspires to become a world-class pianist and inspire people with her music. The Primary 5 pupil at Cedar Primary School also likes to help people understand and appreciate music.

NG EE OON11 years old

PianoPiece: Toccata

Composer: Paul Constantinescu

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Senior Finalists

Adrian Tang is currently a student of the Gifted Young Pianists course at NAFA School of Young Talents under the tutelage of Principal Mdm Fang Yuan. He has attained his ABRSM Grade 8 practical with distinction and is currently awaiting the results of his Diploma ABRSM examination.

Adrian has won numerous awards, namely 1st Prize in the 4th Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2018 (Category 2), 1st Prize in the Singapore International Festival of Music 2017 (Young Talents category), Gold in the Singapore-Asia Piano Competition 2017 (Junior category) and 3rd Prize in Nanyang International Music Competition 2017 (Junior category). He has just returned from Japan early this month after participating in the PIARA International Piano Competition, where he won three prizes, namely the Grand Prix Prize, the Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Award, and the First Prize for the Senior A category. A Secondary 1 student at ACS (Independent), Adrian was also recently selected as a Yamaha Young Artist.

ADRIAN TANG ZHI FENG 13 years old

PianoPiece: Variations Brillantes

(Variations on a theme from Ferdinand Herold’s Ludovic, in

B-flat major)Composer: Frederic Chopin

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Secondary 3 student Alyssa Goh is a member of the Methodist Girls’ School String Ensemble, and has been a member of the Singapore National Youth Sinfonia / Orchestra (SNYS/SNYO) for the past three years.

Alyssa started learning the violin under Ms Sylvia Khoo at age three. She completed her ABRSM Grade 8 violin practical examination in 2014, and the Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL) violin diploma in 2016, obtaining distinctions in both. She has competed in various competitions and festivals, most notably in the biennial National Piano and Violin Competition, in 2013 and 2017.

Aside from the violin, Alyssa also plays the piano and in March this year, obtained a distinction in her ABRSM grade 8 piano practical examination. Apart from music, she also enjoys gymnastics and her favourite local band is The Sam Willows.

ALYSSA GOH15 years old

ViolinPiece: Violin Concerto in E minor, op.64, 3rd MovtComposer: Mendelssohn

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Senior Finalists

At age eight, Leong Kim Yang joined the Evergreen Primary School Chinese Orchestra under the tutelage of Mr Ng Hsien Han (Manager of Dicapella Dizi Ensemble) and Maestro Zhan Yong Ming.

Kim Yang took part in the National Youth Competition with his school orchestra and obtained Distinctions in 2014 and 2016.

In those two years, Kim Yang also clinched 3rd and 1st Prize respectively in the National Chinese Music Competition junior category. He was also invited to perform as a soloist during the event’s prize presentation ceremony in 2016.

Kim Yang has also amassed much experience performing with Dicapella Dizi Ensemble at the Esplanade and during the China-ASEAN music week in Guangxi as well as during immersion in a Shanghai music school.

Currently, Kim Yang is a Secondary 2 student at Dunman High School where he is a member of the Chinese Orchestra.

LEONG KIM YANG 14 years old

DiZiPiece: 绿洲 (The Oasis)

Composer: 莫凡 (Mo Fan)

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Senior Finalists

Lim Shi Han was admitted to NAFA School of Young Talents Gifted Young Pianists course in 2014. She has since attained her Diploma ABRSM and is currently preparing for her LRSM exam under the tutelage of Ms Lena Ching.

Shi Han has multiple awards to her name: 1st Prize in Category 2 of the 3rd Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2016, 1st Prize in the Intermediate Category of the 1st Nanyang International Music Competition last year, and 2nd Prize in Category 3 of the 4th Steinway Youth Piano Competition this year. The Secondary 4 student at Raffles Girls’ School was recently selected as a Yamaha Young Artist.

LIM SHI HAN, 16 years old

PianoPiece: Miroirs No. 4,

“Alborada del Gracioso”. Composer: Maurice Ravel

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Joelle Chiam has played the violin for 14 years and currently studies with Mr Chua Lik Wuk. She has participated in many local violin competitions and was awarded 3rd Prize at the Chamber Music Competition of the 3rd Singapore Performers’ Festival 2010, as well as a Silver Award for violin at the 4th Singapore Performers’ Festival 2012. In the 2017 National Piano and Violin Competition, she was one of five semi- finalists of the Violin (Senior) category. Joelle, who is home-schooled, attended the Meadowmount School of Music in the summer of 2016, and has played in master classes for Peter Danis, Siow Lee-Chin and Ray Chou Chang. Since 2014, she has played with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) where she has served as Principal Second Violin and is currently Concertmaster. She was also selected to represent the SNYO and Singapore at the 34th Toyota Youth Orchestra Camp in Japan in March this year.

JOELLE CHIAM17 years old

ViolinPiece: ‘Nigun’ from Baal

Shem Composer: Ernest Bloch

Our guest Performers

CHLOE CHUA Piece: Variations on An Original Theme Op.15Composer: H. Wieniawski

JEM ZHANG YI FANPiece: L’isle Joyeuse (Joyful Island)Composer: Claude Debussy

RENEE YADAVPiece: Impromptu-Caprice Op.9

Composer: Gabriel Pierne

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