"What are your plans after graduation?" "What kind of work can you apply for with a Music Degree?" "You Play a What?" These might be some infuriating and intimidating questions for any aspiring musician. If you are looking for some relief, join Vincent every Wednesday, as he finds out from his guest their inspiring stories, grit, graft and all that it takes for them to succeed in the music industry.
YPAW 63: Christoven Tan - Being Perfect vs Being Yourself, Relating to New Music, Practicing other Art Forms, Approach to Curation
This week I am joined by the enigmatic Christoven Tan. Christoven is a champion of new music for viola and in recent years, he has been pushing the possibilities and boundaries of viola playing. Apart from music, he is a practitioner of multiple art forms and doing remarkable work that is that is true to himself. I am really glad to have the opportunity to speak to him.
In this episode, we spoke about:
1. His upcoming show Apollo which is happening on Saturday, 09/10, where he performs alongside percussionist Derek Koh the music of Emily Koh and Bertram Wee. A number of former guests on YPAW, so if you’ll like to find out more about them, do check out the show notes!
Christoven shares in depth about his creative process in this project and what you can expect from the show.
To find out more about Apollo you click HERE and for tickets you can fill up THIS FORM.
2. Having a clear idea and approach towards new music
3. The timing of this project
4. Finding like minded collaborators and what does he look for in a fellow collaborator?
5. Having a curious and open mind
6. “Being perfect vs Being Yourself”
7. Relating to New Music
8. Starting his art studio and practicing other forms of art
9. Teaching philosophy
10. Future Artistic project
11. Music for “enjoyment” vs Performances that is relevant and thought provoking
To find more about Christoven and his art works:
Website
Xi Jie's film "Singapore Minstrel"
Website
Episodes of former guests:
Emily Koh
Derek Koh
29 Sept 2021
YPAW 62: Mervin Beng - Objectivity vs Subjectivity in Music Review, Origin of Resound Collective, Breaking Grounds in Concert Presentation with Technology and The Idea behind Music Patronage
This week I am joined by Mervin Beng, Chairman of Resound Collective, an arts charity organization that promotes chamber music in all its glory. Mervin wears many hats, apart from his role with Resound Collective, he is a music reviewer with The Straits Times, involved previously with music organizations driven by educating young aspiring musicians such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
With his professional expertise in technology coupled with his deep passion for music, saw the creation of 2 ground breaking projects entitled re:Sound is Live and Concordia Quartet @ Home. Both projects were performed in real time remotely, where musicians are playing from their respective homes or separate rooms. Distanced but at the same time maintaining the spontaneous element of music making.
In this episode, we spoke about:
1. How he navigates objectivity vs subjectivity in writing music reviews.
2. The origin story of Resound Collective.
3. The challenge of introducing chamber works to the wider audience.
4. His musical journey.
5. How Music Camps/Festivals has allowed him to open his eyes to a higher level of music making.
6. Breaking new grounds at the height of the Circuit Breaker.
7. How his expertise in technology and music inspired creative ways of concert presentation.
8. Music patronage and the recent creation of the OKK Wind Prize at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Do check out Concordia Quartet's upcoming concert "Soaring with the Wind" HERE, featuring the works of Mozart and Greig.
Tickets are available for puchase in HERE
Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!
22 Sept 2021
YPAW 61: Kevin Loh - "There is more to life than music", The Importance of Family Support, Performing in a Refugee Camp, Fortunate to have music as a career, Identifying one's motivation
I am back after a 3-week hiatus with superstar guitarist, Kevin Loh. Kevin was spotted at the age of 12 by the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK through his YouTube channel which he still keeps up to date till this day with over 300 videos and over 4 million views! He has since went on to win competitions, premiered concertos and has garnered international repute within guitar scene. Kevin is currently a student at the University of Cambridge is one of the leading young guitarist in the international guitar scene. He was generous enough to take time out to speak with me and in this episode we spoke about:
1. Performing for a learned audience and revisiting Concierto de Aranjuez
2. Moving to the UK at the age of 12 to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School
3. Defining family support in his early musical developments and how music became a family bonding activity.
4. The importance of consistency and compounding progress.
5. Performing alongside his father and how it helped to working through his performance anxiety.
6. His time spent in the refugee camp in Calais, France and the profound impact music has on people and different communities.
7. His quote “There is more to life than Music” and how it has informed him on his decision making.
8. His hopes for future contribution towards the Singapore guitar development.
9. How we are fortunate to be working as musicians.
10. Identifying the motivation behind music.
Find out more about Kevin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!
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