Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra
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Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra (BHSO) is an amateur orchestra founded in 1986 based in Singapore. The music director and conductor is Yan Yin Wing who prepares musicians from all different backgrounds for concert around four times a year. The BHSO's many guest performers have included conductors Christopher Fifield, Ha Sung Ho; cellist Pal Banda; er-huist Wang Gui Ying; and pianists Albert Lin, Elena Metodieva and Michelle Seah Lai Kuan. Upcoming performances by solo artists include Sim Keng Boon, Cristine Coyiuto and Catherine Lan.
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History
The Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra (BHSO) was formed in 1986 as part of the Braddell Heights Community Club’s multi-faceted cultural activities. Since 1989, the orchestra has been led by Music Director and Conductor Yan Yin Wing.
The Orchestra’s emphasis on classical orchestral music has not only given more than 60 public concerts to-date but graced many prestigious functions. Noteworthy concerts and events include combined performances with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Penang Symphony Orchestra and the Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino Boys’ Choir from Belgium not to mention gracing The Debutante Ball held at the Ritz Carlton, Singapore.
Besides Singaporeans ranging from students to professionals, the Orchestra has attracted the local expatriate communities from Malaysia, Japan, China, England, Australia, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Indonesia, India, Canada and Finland where all share the love for classical music making and performing.
A “Gifted Young Musicians’ Concert” in April 1998 jointly organised with the Rotary Club of Singapore East featured three exceptionally talented young soloists from Singapore, Japan and Belgium. Proceeds of that concert went to start a fund for the “Gifted Young Musicians’ Bursary”. This Bursary is a first of its kind and is open to talented and deserving young musicians under the age of 18 who are pursuing music studies overseas. The Bursary is administered by the National Arts Council of Singapore.
BHSO started off the New Year in 1998 & 1999 with special concerts featuring familiar favourites. Special engagements include performances with Hungarian-born cellist Pal Banda and British guest conductor Christopher Fifield. Other successful events include “An Evening of Asean Music” and “Beethoven Night”, where the latter featured three talented young Singaporean musicians in a rousing performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.
A music exchange programme between BHSO and Korea Symphony Orchestra was initiated by Yan in 1999. He was invited to guest conduct the orchestra in Korea and similar return invitations were extended to the conductor of the Korea Symphony Orchestra. On top of that, BHSO Musicians were also invited to perform with the Korea Symphony Orchestra in Korea.
Despite facing many difficulties with regards to resources, participation and funds, the Orchestra has garnered much support from both members and audience where their performances have won extremely favorable comments. Opportunities to perform with foreign musicians have not only encouraged fruitful cultural exchanges but also attained marvellous orchestral standard reflected by recent positive reviews.[1]
Music Director & Conductor
Yan Yin Wing
Yan Yin Wing pursued his music studies between 1976 to 1978 in London and obtained the Associate of the Royal College of Music (ARCM) in violin teaching. During that period, he also studied conducting and was awarded a scholarship to attend a Summer Conductors’ Course in 1978 organised by the Ernest Read Music Association.
In 1984, Yan was awarded a grant from the Singapore Cultural Foundation to pursue a one-year Advanced Orchestra Conducting Course at the renowned Sweelinck Conservatorium Amsterdam. During that year, he also attended a Master Class (Orchestra Conducting) at the International Sommerakademie of the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.
Yan has always been very much involved with the promotion of classical music and encouraging local talents in Singapore by bringing people from all walks of life and of all ages together to make music. Since 1989, Yan has been the driving force behind Singapore’s only community-based Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra (BHSO). Not only does he conduct and direct the orchestra but he also plans and organises their concerts and gathering and encouraging participation and support. Whenever opportunity arises, he will showcase local music talents and also invite overseas musicians and conductors to perform with the orchestra. This has resulted in positive feedback from the community and greater participation.
In 1986, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994, Yan has represented Singapore to lead the delegation at both the ASEAN Youth Music Workshops and the Composers’ Workshop.
A keen composer, Yan’s composition “SALUTE” was premiered at the National Tribute Dinner for former Senior Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Some of Yan's other compositions for full orchestra, string orchestra, chamber works, songs and choruses have also been performed in Singapore and Malaysia. One of Yan's orchestral work "ASCENT" was also performed in China by the National Opera and Ballet Symphony Orchestra of Beijing. A recent composition that was performed was a forty minute Operetta titled "Jonah". Other significant projects include getting the community involved in orchestral and choral music. In 1990,a highly successful concert was performed together with the Belgium Boys’ Choir in celebration of Singapore’s 25th anniversary where one of Yan’s composition “5-Star Medley” (based on five popular community songs) was sung in four languages together with the audience. Other special engagements include Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's Inauguration Dinner, the Esplanade's Orientation & Trial Concert, the Debutate Ball held at the Ritz Carlton Singapore and the People’s Association’s 40th Anniversary held in 2000.
Since initiating an exchange programme with the Korea Symphony Orchestra in 1999, Yan has been invited regularly to conduct their concerts in Seoul. More recently, Yan has also initiated exchange programmes with Japan's Suginami Philharmonic Orchestra and Malaysia's Penang Symphony Orchestra.[2]
External links
- Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra - Official Website
