Congratulations to our YST Conservatory Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Jason Lai, for their passionate performance in Intersections – in Singapore (Esplanade Concert Hall, 9 April) and Seoul (KNUA Hall, 13 April)! The pair of concerts brought to a full circle the partnership between YST Conservatory and the Korea National University of Arts, which we are thankful for.

Intersections recognised connections between not only institutions, but also cultures. The programme brought together British dimensions as well as Singaporean resonances, in a nod to Singapore’s bicentennial commemoration and ties between the two countries. Opening and closing the concerts were Vaughan Williams’ homage to Thomas Tallis and British composer William Walton’s Violin Concerto (with a dazzling violin solo by Head of Strings Prof Qian Zhou).

The programme also saw the premiere of a newly-composed triple concerto by Composition faculty member Asst Prof Chen Zhangyi, featuring three students as Chinese instrumental soloists: Likie Low (Year 1, Composition) on erhu, Sulwyn Lok (Year 4, Audio Arts & Sciences) on zhongruan, and Yuru Lee (Year 2, Percussion) on percussion. The work lent new resonances to both the triple concerto form as well as the Chinese instruments, and showcased the vibrant musical identities of our students.

We were honoured to have the British High Commissioner to Singapore HE Scott Wightman and his wife Mrs Anne Wightman, as well as Singapore Ambassador to Republic of Korea Mr Yip Wei Kiat attend the concerts in Singapore and Seoul respectively. It was also a pleasure having colleagues from higher music education in Seoul, as well as YST alumni based in Korea, join us at the KNUA Hall!