Arts non-profit The Teng Company unveils 10 musical pieces showcasing ‘the Singapore sound’
The event raised more than S$600,000, and the amount will go towards funding the group’s giving back programmes and operations
THE night’s entertainment, performed with gusto by a musical ensemble equipped with both classical Chinese and Western instruments, begins with Kallang Uproar – a lively piece inspired by Singapore’s famous Kallang Roar.
Kallang Uproar is part of The Singapore Composers Series, a set of 10 musical compositions commissioned by non-profit arts organisation The Teng Company to explore and celebrate Singapore’s musical identity. These were created in collaboration with 20 creatives from various ethnic and professional backgrounds, from composers and producers to filmmakers.
The works were performed in concert for the first time by The Teng Company’s performing ensemble on Friday (May 24) at a fundraising gala night commemorating its 20th anniversary. A total of S$641,625 was raised from the concert, and will go towards funding the group’s programmes and operations. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was the guest of honour at the event.
In commissioning the pieces, Dr Samuel Wong, co-founder and creative director of The Teng Company, asked the collaborators to consider “a Singaporean identity that can be expressed through sound”. He noted that common themes that emerged during interviews with them included “hybridity”, “multiculturalism” and “innovation”.
He added: “The fact that hybridity is so prevalent in all the works is quite reflective of The Teng Company, which is a hybridised example in and of itself as well.”
A Singapore sound
Originally composed in 2010 by Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Kelly Tang, the rendition of Kallang Uproar at the gala night, however, carried an innovation: Brazilian rhythms were incorporated into the piece, infusing it with an added sense of youthful vigour.
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Producer Joel Nah, who worked with Dr Tang and percussionist Joachim Lim on the new rearrangement, mentioned that people often associate local soccer matches at the former Kallang National Stadium with “Brazilian football and samba rhythms”.
Discussing the fusion sound, Dr Wong, speaking on behalf of Dr Tang, said: “There is no sound set in stone that represents the Singapore sound. It needs to always be a hybridity that is changing and constantly evolving.”
Yang Ji Wei, co-founder and executive director of The Teng Company, said: “As we continue to challenge and expand the boundaries of music together with our collaborators, we hope to develop more opportunities for local talents to grow, while building upon our Singapore identity to forge meaningful connections within and beyond Singapore.”
Music for good
Well known in the local arts scene for its fusion music incorporating both Eastern and Western instruments, The Teng Ensemble has been described by former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong as having “created something uniquely Singapore” by “injecting new elements into traditional culture”.
The Teng Ensemble first performed together in 2004. The following year, a few of its members, including Dr Wong and Yang, founded the Teng Company, allowing the group to expand its range of activities. Besides performing and releasing albums, the group has published educational material and organised initiatives to support Singapore’s musical heritage and champion the use of music for social impact.
The Teng Company’s programmes include the Mapletree-Teng Scholarship (provided to young aspiring musicians) and performances for terminally ill beneficiaries in hospices and hospitals. The group also recently collaborated with SMRT to release a series of train chimes to support visually handicapped commuters.
“Over the last 20 years, we have embarked on many initiatives that have harnessed the power of music and innovation to uplift Singaporeans of different walks of life. We are looking forward to breaking new ground and expanding our music for good initiatives in the next 20 years and more,” said Dr Wong.
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