SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) is a National Project of Excellence and is a non-profit organisation and is funded entirely by the Ministry of Education, (MOE). The orchestra comes under the management of the Arts Education Branch, MOE. Members of the SNYO come from primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, international schools and tertiary institutions.
The aims of the SNYO are to
v Provide each student with an exemplary orchestral experience and the highest quality professional music education and training.
v Inspire and nurture career-minded musicians, enthusiastic amateurs and dedicated music lovers.
The SNYO benefits from the extensive training it receives from professional tutors from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. SNYO has a record that includes an impressive repertoire, overseas guest conductors and performers as well as collaborations overseas with international youth orchestras. Many SNYO outstanding musicians have passed through the ranks of the orchestra and have become prominent professional musicians in their own right.
Over the years the SNYO has participated in several international music festivals. In the recent years the tours were:
v 2008 – Florence International Music Festival, in July
v 2011 – The 39th Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF), in August
v 2012 – Young Euro Classic Festival, Berlin, in August
The SNYO is supportive of WFAO activities. Two SNYO students participated at the 1st Asian Amateur Orchestra Festival in Fukuoka, Japan from 18 – 22 August 2011.
SNYO is active in promoting works by Singaporean composers. The orchestra has commissioned and premiered numerous works by Bernard Tan, Er Yenn Chwen, Ho Chee Kong, John Howard, Leong Yoon Pin, John Sharpley, Joyce Bee Tuan Koh, Kelly Tang, Philip Tan, Phoon Yew Tien, Robert Casteels, Tsao Chieh and Chen Zhangyi.
The LANXESS SNYO Classic is a mentorship and cultural exchange programme developed by German specialty Chemicals Company, LANXESS and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. Conceived as a platform to support and nurture local young talents, the programme – the most extensive of its kind in Singapore – was launched in May 2010. The collaboration continues till 2015.
Mentorship Programme
The mentorship programme provides a unique opportunity for SNYO’s young musicians to learn from and perform with world-renowned classical musicians. To date the following artists have mentored and performed with the SNYO in Singapore:
v French horn player Stewart Rose, November 2010
v Violinist Lara St. John, April 2011
v Flautist Andrea Griminelli, December 2012
v Conductor David Commanday and soloist Max Mandel, in November 2013
v Cellist Natalie Clein in November 2014
Cultural Exchange Programme
Under the cultural exchange programme, LANXESS sponsors three top SNYO student-musicians to attend overseas study tours with established artists each year. The cultural exchange programme’s aim is to provide a valuable platform for budding musicians to sharpen their skills through learning from the world’s top musicians.
v The first study tour was in 2011 where three SNYO flautists were tutored by acclaimed flautist Maestro Andrea Griminell during the week’s residency from 13 – 18 March, 2011 in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
v In 2012, from March 17 – 24, Miao Kai Wen (clarinet), Melody Teoh Jin Xuan (viola) and Lau Wen Rong (trumpet) joined established American orchestra the Knights on tour in Ludwigsburg and Munich, Germany. They attended individual master classes, observed rehearsals and performed with the Knights while experiencing the life of professional musicians on tour.
v In 2013, three SNYO cellists attended master classes with Natalie Clein in London from 21 – 25 May.
The SNYO 2013 concert season programme:
v March – SNYO & SNYS “Mezzo-forte”
v July – SNYO “A Kindred Spirit”, with guest conductor, Richard Chester
v August – Chamber Music Evening
v November – LANXESS SNYO Classic Concert with guest conductor David Commanday and soloist, Max Mandel (viola)
SNYO OFFICERS:
Mrs Olive Kan,
SNYO Manager / Public Relations and Member of WFAO
Email: olive_kan@moe.gov.sg
DID: +65 6813 9817
Miss Wang Siao Hua,
Manager / Orchestra Affairs
Email: wang_siao_hua@moe.gov.sg
DID: +65 6831 9804
SNYO website: www.snyo.org.sg