Sat, 10 Jun 2023, 3pm and 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall Joshua Tan CONDUCTOR Janek Schergen ARTISTIC DIRECTORSee the Music, Hear the Dance George Balanchine
Sat, 10 Jun 2023
3pm and 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
SNYO in Concert Symphony of Dance Live with Singapore Ballet
Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Singapore Ballet
Joshua Tan conductor
Janek Schergen artistic director
TCHAIKOVSKY Serenade in C Major, Op. 48 32 mins
Serenade by George Balanchine, choreographer
1st intermission
RAVEL Valses nobles et sentimentales 16 mins
Emerald Blue by Janek Schergen, choreographer World Premiere
2nd intermission
TCHAIKOVSKY Excerpts from The Nutcracker, Op. 71 25 mins
Snow Scene, Grand Pas de deux, Waltz of the Flowers by Janek Schergen, choreographer with Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children’s Chorus
Lowell Chen, chorus master
Concert duration: approximately 2 hrs
3pm concert: 1st intermission (15 mins), 2nd intermission (15 mins)
7.30pm concert: 1st intermission (20 mins), 2nd intermission (15 mins)
Music programme notes by Natalie Ngai, SNYO flautist and intern
Serenade
I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina
II. Walzer
IV. Finale (Tema Russo)
III. Élégie
About the music
Composer
Music
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings in C Major, Op. 48
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is known for his 19th-century Romantic style of writing that was at the same time German-influenced and characteristically Russian. His Serenade for Strings in C Major is written for string orchestra, resulting in a soundscape grander than a string quartet but more intimate than a symphony’s. In contrast to the tiring periods working on commissioned pieces, Serenade arose from Tchaikovsky’s innate impulse to compose freely, and writing it was a welcome respite for him. After its completion, he wrote: “I love this Serenade terribly, and fervently hope that it might soon see the light of day.”
Despite being the third movement in Tchaikovsky’s piece, the Élégie is placed at the end of the ballet because Balanchine wanted to end the ballet on a somber note.
About the ballet
Choreography
George Balanchine ® The George Balanchine ® Trust
Staging
Elyse Borne
Costume design
Barbara Karinska
Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance. It is the first original ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory. The ballet is performed by dancers in blue costumes in front of a blue background. Originating it as a lesson in stage technique, Balanchine worked unexpected rehearsal events into the choreography. When one student fell, he incorporated it. Another day, a student arrived late, and this too became part of the ballet. After its initial presentation, Serenade was reworked several times. In its present form there are four movements – “Sonatina”, “Waltz”, “Russian Dance”, and “Elegy”.
The performance of Serenade, a Balanchine ® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine ® Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style ® and Balanchine Technique ® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
Emerald Blue World Premiere
I. Modéré
II. Assez lent
III. Modéré
IV. Assez animé
V. Presque lent
VI. Assez vif
VII. Moins vif
VIII. Épilogue
About the music
Composer Music
Maurice Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales
In 1911, French composer Maurice Ravel composed the Valses nobles et sentimentales (Noble and sentimental waltzes) for solo piano as a series of waltzes modelled on Franz Schubert’s Valses nobles, Op. 77 and Valses sentimentales, Op. 50. The following year, Ravel orchestrated the piece to be performed as a ballet with a plot imagined by Ravel himself and the title Adélaïde, ou le langage des fleurs (Adelaide, or the language of flowers). Unrelated to the 1912 ballet, Emerald Blue provides a fresh take on Ravel’s timeless music with original choreography by Singapore Ballet’s Artistic Director Janek Schergen.
About the ballet
Choreography
Janek Schergen
The magic of music and movement combined is the inspiration of Emerald Blue. Maurice Ravel’s composition Valses nobles et sentimentales is the catalyst of the piece with the aim to create a swirling group of dancers in rapturous movement inspired by the lush sounds of the orchestra. The dancers represent a romantic era in their overall look and mood. It is a ballet that transports the audience to a place of fantasy.
Excerpts from The Nutcracker, Op. 71
Snow Scene
Grand Pas de deux
Waltz of the Flowers
About the music
Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Music
The Nutcracker, Op. 71
The Nutcracker is Tchaikovsky’s third ballet and it has gone on to become a household name and a mainstay of ballet performances at Christmas all over the world. The ballet produced a Suite, Op. 71a, which was so well-received at its premiere that almost all its movements were encored (being played a second time at the request of the audience).
The selections in today’s performance are from:
Act 1: No. 8, Scene (Clara’s pas de deux), a grand number in Andante triple meter
Act 1: No. 9, Waltz of the Snowflakes that features the angelic voices of a children’s choir
Act 2: No. 14, Pas de deux (Andante maestoso), the emotional climax of the ballet with its descending theme and two-harp introduction, followed by a thrilling Coda
Act 2: No. 13, Waltz of the Flowers, a classic waltz demonstrating Tchaikovsky’s flair for writing beautiful melodies.
About the ballet
Choreography & Staging
Janek Schergen
Costume design
Aaron Yap
The Nutcracker turns into a handsome prince and embarks on a magical journey with Clara to the magnificent Land of Snow where they are welcomed by the Snow King and Queen and dancing snowflakes. Thereafter, they continue their journey into the Kingdom of Sweets where they are greeted by dancing flowers as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier who dance a beautiful Pas de deux.
Joshua Tan conductor
A graduate of The Juilliard School and the Eastman School of Music, Joshua Tan was Second Prize winner of the Dimitri Mitropoulos International Competition and an awardee of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Young Artist Award – Singapore, Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Award, NAC-Shell Scholarship, and the SSO/MOE Scholarship. He was the first conductor to be presented the Charles Schiff prize from The Juilliard School. His performances of Bernstein’s Mass and the opera Don Pasquale were selected as the best classical concerts of the year 2018 and 2019 by The Straits Times.
Joshua has conducted orchestras all around the world. He has studied with various eminent conductors — James DePreist, Charles Dutoit, David Zinman and Kurt Masur — and worked with many others, such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Ingo Metzmacher and George Manahan.
A versatile conductor, Joshua is at home with symphonic, operatic and ballet works. His repertoire for opera includes La Traviata, Rigoletto, Der Fliegende Holländer, Lohengrin, Carmen, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, Così fan tutte, and Turandot. He is equally adept with music for ballet, film and multimedia, having worked for Disney’s Fantasia and Pixar, BBC’s Blue Planet series, West Side Story, Jurassic Park and more.
Presently Principal Conductor of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Director of the Asia Virtuosi, he has served successful stints as Resident Conductor of the National Center for the Performing Arts (China) Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Season 21/22 saw return engagements with the Hong Kong Philharmonic and Singapore Dance Theatre as well as debuts with the Gunma Symphony and Melbourne Symphony, and a new opera premiere in Hong Kong.
Singapore National Youth Orchestra
A leading orchestra dedicated to the training of young orchestral musicians, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) occupies a special place in Singapore’s music community. SNYO alumni have gone on to become full-time musicians in Singapore and with orchestras around the world. Many are also educating the next generation of musicians and playing significant roles in the growth of Singapore’s vibrant cultural scene. The Orchestra’s roots can be traced to the early 20th century before moving within the purview of Ministry of Education in 1980. In 2015, SNYO became part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO).
Recognised by the Ministry of Education as a National Project of Excellence, members in mainstream secondary schools with sustained involvement in the SNYO will have their participation in the orchestra recognised in lieu of a school-based Co-Curricular Activity (CCA). Entry into the SNYO is by a comprehensive audition process.
The Orchestra currently comprises over 180 talented young musicians aged 10 to 21, representing more than 60 schools across Singapore. Consisting of two orchestras – the main orchestra and a junior training orchestra, the SNYO boasts a distinctive music talent development programme where members receive tutoring from professionals, including those from the SSO.
Over the years, the SNYO has performed in concert venues and music festivals across Australia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. The 2018/19 season also included performances at the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and a side-by-side concert with the SSO featuring violinist Ray Chen at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore.
At the start of the 2018/19 season, Joshua Tan assumed the position of Principal Conductor with the SNYO and Peter Stark was appointed as its first-ever Principal Guest Conductor.
Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Joshua Tan Principal Conductor
Seow Yibin Associate Conductor
Peter Stark Principal Guest Conductor
Lim Meng Keh Percussion Tutor
FIRST VIOLIN
Aidan Kwek Concertmaster – Nutcracker
Keith Ong Concertmaster – Serenade & Ravel
Jacob Cheng
Hannah Chung
Galen Gay
Colette Goh
Goh Shi Eun
Khloe Gui
Lee Seohyun
Joshua Lim
Raeanne Song
Tong Xinran
SECOND VIOLIN
Ethan Chong Principal
Chloe Chee
Kayli Choo
Tina Gao
Goh Shi Qin
Lee Donghun
Samuel Soekarno
Emily Tan
Raphael Teng
Yeo See Kang
VIOLA
Lareina Lim Principal – Serenade
Ethan Ong Principal – Ravel & Nutcracker
Elliott Chan
Skyler Goh
Hana Jang
Kuah Ying Ching
Jay Lim
Elvis Ng
Reuben Ong
Suah Zen Rong
Calista Tan
Reegan Tan
Samuel Tan
Wang Qian Hui
CELLO
Zachary Lau Principal
Timothy Chua
Ian Jang
Evan Khoo
Stanley Ngai
Dayna Ong
Stacy Tah
Ephraim Tan
Narella Widjaja
Yan Yutong
Aidan Yeong
DOUBLE BASS
Li Jiaying Principal – Serenade
Alexsalma Herbert Principal – Ravel & Nutcracker
Lim Rui Yi
FLUTE
Chan Xingwei Principal – Ravel
Justin Damhaut Principal – Nutcracker
Christie Chong
Carolynn Choo
PICCOLO
Natalie Ngai
OBOE
Tok Rei Principal – Ravel & Nutcracker
Lucas Chan
Linus Ng
COR ANGLAIS
Kayden Yap
CLARINET
Ng Zhi Jian Principal – Ravel
Darren Sim Principal – Nutcracker
Josette Hwang
Qian Wanni
BASS CLARINET
Claudia Toh
BASSOON
Mark Strange Principal – Ravel
Li Ruidan Principal – Nutcracker
HORN
Andrew Lee Principal – Ravel
Chloe Lau Principal – Nutcracker
Pia Ratnam
Ethan Chng
Chua Jia Xuan
TRUMPET
Tobias Tan Principal – Ravel
Domi Chen Principal – Nutcracker
Joshua Tan
Joshua Woodhead
Kieran Yeo
TROMBONE
Reema Chatterjee Principal – Ravel & Nutcracker
Yeo Jun Jie
BASS TROMBONE
Martin Ong
TUBA
Tan Yao Cong*
TIMPANI
Isaac Ng
* Guest musician
PERCUSSION
Mirella Ang
Gladys Chew
Amos Choo
Chloe Miranda
Kilian Muliady
Putra Syahril
HARP
Chloe Lam Principal – Ravel
Chloe Liow Principal – Nutcracker
CELESTA
Linus Ng
Janek Schergen
Artistic Director of Singapore Ballet
Janek Schergen is Swedish/American and trained by Richard Ellis, Christine DuBoulay (Sadler’s Wells Ballet/Royal Ballet) and Benjamin Harkarvy (founder/Netherlands Dance Theatre). Janek is the founding Artistic Director of The Choo-San Goh & H. Robert Magee Foundation and Chairman of The Choo-San Goh Awards for Choreography. He stages the ballets of choreographer, Choo-San Goh and has produced more than 140 staging of his ballets worldwide. Additionally, he has staged classical productions of The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppélia, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Raymonda and Paquita.
In 1988, Janek became involved with the inception of then Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) and taught the company the first ballets they presented at their 1988 debut performances. Since then, he kept an active involvement and staged 11 more of Choo-San Goh’s works for the company between 1988 and 2005. Janek was appointed the role of Artistic Director of SDT in 2008 and is responsible for daily company classes, teaching and rehearsals of the company’s classical and neoclassical repertoires as well as overseeing the artistic developments of the company. During this time, he has commissioned 41 world premiere ballets and brought in a further 20 company premieres to enrich the company’s repertoire.
Janek has been part of several panels and committees for the National Arts Council, including the Sprouts Choreographic Competition. He has also been frequently invited to judge at several international ballet competitions. In 2015 he was presented with the Culture Award given by Tatler magazine and in 2017, he was awarded the Public Service Medal as part of the National Day Awards. Janek was unanimously voted to receive the “Swede of the Year 2019” Award by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce Singapore.
Singapore Ballet
Singapore Ballet (Formerly known as Singapore Dance Theatre) was founded in 1988 by Goh Soo Khim and Anthony Then. Singapore Ballet is a homegrown premier dance company comprising 38 professional dancers, and trainees. The company produces six seasons annually, highlights of which include the widely popular outdoor dance event Ballet Under the Stars at Fort Canning Park, a selection of two full-length classics, Masterpiece in Motion, which brings together three works by international choreographers, as well as Passages, a contemporary dance showcase.
The company’s repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary ballet, with pieces created by renowned choreographers including Choo-San Goh, George Balanchine, Kinsun Chan, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Edmund Stripe, Natalie Weir, Edwaard Liang, Nils Christe, Toru Shimazaki, Christina Chan, Timothy Harbour, François Klaus, Tim Rushton, Pam Tanowitz and Loughlan Prior.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Janek Schergen, the company has made new strides in the international and Singapore dance arena, adding 41 world premieres, 20 company premieres and new productions to the repertoire.
singaporeballet
singaporeballet www.singaporeballet.org
Singapore Ballet Cast List
Serenade
Kwok Min Yi
Akira Nakahama
Chua Bi Ru
Elaine Heng
Paloma Hendry-Hodsdon
Nanase Tanaka
Yeo Chan Yee
Étienne Ferrère
Shan Del Vecchio
Beatrice Castañeda
Esen Thang
Felicia Er
Jessica Garside
Kana Minegeshi
Leane Lim
Ma Xiaoyu
My Le
Sayaka Yamauchi
Stephanie Joe
Tamana Watanabe
Theresa Tan
Teo Jun Ning
Ivan Koh
Jeremie Gan
Takeaki Miura
Zachary Healy
Emerald Blue
Chihiro Uchida
Akira Nakahama
Beatrice Castañeda
Chua Bi Ru
Jessica Garside
Kana Minegishi
Leane Lim
Teo Jun Ning
Nanase Tanaka
Stephanie Joe
Tamana Watanabe
Yeo Chan Yee
Étienne Ferrère
Ivan Koh
Jason Carter
Jeremie Gan
Joshua Lee
Kevin Zong
Satoru Agetsuma
Shan Del Vecchio
Shu Igarashi
Reo Mizuno
Takeaki Miura
Timothy Ng
Singapore Ballet Cast List
The Nutcracker
Snow Scene
Snow Queen: Chihiro Uchida
Snow King: Kenya Nakamura
Icicles:
Beatrice Castañeda
Nanase Tanaka
Joshua Lee
Takeaki Miura
Snowflakes:
Esen Thang
Felicia Er
Jessica Garside
Leane Lim
Ma Xiaoyu
My Le
Paloma Hendry-Hodsdon
Sayaka Yamauchi
Stephanie Joe
Tamana Watanabe
Theresa Tan
Teo Jun Ning
Pas de deux
Sugarplum: Kwok Min Yi
Cavalier: Satoru Agetsuma
Waltz of the Flowers
Dewdrop: Elaine Heng
Flowers:
Esen Thang
Felicia Er
Jessica Garside
Leane Lim
Ma Xiaoyu
My Le
Paloma Hendry-Hodsdon
Sayaka Yamauchi
Stephanie Joe
Tamana Watanabe
Theresa Tan
Teo Jun Ning
Singapore Ballet Staff Team
MANAGEMENT
Janek Schergen Artistic Director
Paul Ang Senior Manager
MARKETING / EDUCATION & OUTREACH TEAM
Larissa D’cruz Marketing Manager
Chan Qian Ping Marketing & PR Executive
Chang Zi Min Ticketing & Marketing Executive
Anis Qurratu’aini Senior Education & Outreach Executive
PRODUCTION TEAM
Gordon Lai Production Manager
Fae Tan Stage Manager
Edafi Johar Sound Engineer/Production Coordinator
Florence Sim Wardrobe Supervisor
Ng Yi Min Wardrobe Executive
FINANCE TEAM
Tammy Wong Assistant Finance & Admin Manager
Angela Leow Finance Executive
Sherlene Lim Senior HR & Admin Executive
The Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children’s Chorus
The Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Chorus has been a member of the Singapore Lyric Opera family since 2006, with the Youth Chorus inaugurated in 2019.
As a holistic development programme, the SLOYCC provides vocal training and performance skills for youth and children aged 6 to 25 where we aim to encourage acceptance, appreciation and enjoyment of opera – to be a Youth and Children’s chorus of quality and excellence in Singapore.
Youth and Children are allowed to work with and experience live opera performances, concerts, and outreach programmes annually with professional singers and conductors, acquainting them with opera and orchestral terminology, history and the lives of these great opera composers. The repertoire of the SLOYCC ranges from operas, oratorios, choral masterpieces and musical theatre from all periods, genres, and languages.
Our Youth and Children are also introduced to the significance of theatre, set and costume design in opera and through these activities where they discover and develop musical interests while expanding their intellectual and cultural horizons.
The Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children’s Chorus
Chorus Master
Lowell Chen
Chorus Members
Alyssa Davidson
Amanda Beh
Caitlin Eu
Chloey Tan Xi En
Lea Swampillai
Mavis Liu
Simon Hultman
Teo Xin Rui
Astrid Gueritee
Chloe Lee
Evangeline Lee
Giselle Lee
Ines Kim Yuan Xin
Kristy Lee
Pan Yu Hui
Teh Siew Qi
Vedika Fernandez
Victoria Phang
Carin Chan
Li Zhengrong Zoey
Zhou Manqi
SLO Management Team
Gena Ng Manager
Erika Kesuma Marketing Head
Gina Tai Production Executive
Christine Lim Administrative Executive
Kristy Lim Outreach & Engagement Executive
Chermaine Tan Intern
Viven Chong Intern
Schools represented in the Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Anderson Secondary School
Anglican High School
Anglo-Chinese Junior College
Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Junior College)
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Secondary)
Bendemeer Primary School
Bowen Secondary School
Bukit Panjang Government High School
Bukit Timah Primary School
Cantonment Primary School
Catholic High School (Primary Section)
Catholic High School (Secondary)
Changkat Primary School
CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School (Secondary)
Chung Cheng High School (Main)
Crescent Girls' School
Damai Primary School
Dover Court International School
Dulwich College (Singapore)
Dunman High School (Junior College)
Dunman High School (Secondary)
Eunoia Junior College
Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary)
Gan Eng Seng School
Hua Yi Secondary School
Hwa Chong Institution (Junior College)
Hwa Chong Institution (Secondary)
Hwa Chong International School
International Community School
Methodist Girls' School (Primary)
Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Nan Chiau Primary School
Nan Hua High School
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
Nanyang Girls' High School
Nanyang Primary School
National Junior College
National Junior College (Secondary)
Ngee Ann Secondary School
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
Palm View Primary School
Pasir Ris Secondary School
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School
Punggol Secondary School
Raffles Girls' School (Secondary)
Raffles Institution (Junior College)
Raffles Institution (Secondary)
Red Swastika School
River Valley High School (Secondary)
Rosyth School
School of the Arts, Singapore
Singapore American School
Singapore Chinese Girls' Primary School
Singapore Chinese Girls' School
Singapore Polytechnic
Springfield Secondary School
St. Joseph’s Institution (Junior College)
St. Joseph's Institution (Secondary)
St. Joseph's Institution Junior
St. Margaret's Secondary School
St. Patrick's School
Tanglin Trust School
Tanjong Katong Girls' School
Tanjong Katong Secondary School
Tao Nan School
Temasek Junior College
Temasek Junior College (Secondary)
Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Primary School
United World College of South East Asia
Unity Secondary School
Victoria Junior College
Victoria School
Singapore Symphony Group Administration
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kenneth Kwok
CEO OFFICE
Shirin Foo
Musriah Bte Md Salleh
ARTISTIC PLANNING
Hans Sørensen (Head)
Artistic Administration
Teo Chew Yen
Jodie Chiang
Jocelyn Cheng
Michelle Yeo
Lynnette Chng
OPERATIONS
Ernest Khoo (Head)
Library
Lim Lip Hua
Avik Chari
Wong Yi Wen
Orchestra Management
Chia Jit Min (Head)
Peck Xin Hui
Production Management
Noraihan Bte Nordin
Leong Shan Yi
Asyiq Iqmal
Ramayah Elango
Khairi Edzhairee
Khairul Nizam
Digital Production
Jan Soh
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Kok Tse Wei (Head)
Community Engagement
Kua Li Leng (Head)
Erin Tan
Whitney Tan
Samantha Lim
Terrence Wong
Choral Programmes
Kua Li Leng (Head)
Regina Lee
Chang Hai Wen
Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Pang Siu Yuin (Head)
Tang Ya Yun
Tan Sing Yee
Ridha Ridza
ABRSM
Patricia Yee
Lai Li-Yng
Joong Siow Chong
Freddie Loh
May Looi
William Teo
PATRONS
Development
Chelsea Zhao (Head)
Anderlin Yeo
Nikki Chuang
Elliot Lim
Sharmilah Banu
Marketing and Communications
Cindy Lim (Head)
Chia Han-Leon
Calista Lee
Sean Tan
Myrtle Lee
Hong Shu Hui
Jana Loh
Sherilyn Lim
Elizabeth Low
Customer Experience
Randy Teo
Dacia Cheang
Joy Tagore
CORPORATE SERVICES
Finance, IT & Facilities
Rick Ong (Head)
Alan Ong
Goh Hoey Fen
Loh Chin Huat
Md Zailani Bin Md Said
Human Resources & Administration
Valeria Tan (Head)
Janice Yeo
Fionn Tan
Evelyn Siew
Organisation Development
Lillian Yin
Acknowledgements
SNYO COMMITTEE
Ms Liew Wei Li (Chair)
Prof Qin Li-Wei
Mr Benjamin Goh
Ms Vivien Goh
Dr Kee Kirk Chin
Mrs Clara Lim-Tan
WITH SUPPORT FROM MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, ARTS EDUCATION BRANCH
Mrs Clara Lim-Tan Director, Arts Education
Mr Low Ying Ning
Deputy Director, Music & Drama
Ms Chow Pei Yan
Senior Specialist, Music
THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA WISHES TO THANK
Minister Chan Chun Sing for gracing the SNYO concert as Guest-of-Honour
National Arts Council
Singapore Ballet
Singapore Lyric Opera
Tutors of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra
Parents of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra members
Principals of the participating schools