victoria junior college symphonic band 2006

The VJCSB was first formed in 1984 together with the founding of VJC. Despite its short history, the Band has achieved musical excellence, having been awarded the Gold medal in the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging for Bands for the 3 consecutive judgings since 2001.

In March 2006, VJCSB accepted an invitation from the organising committee of the 21st Pacific Basin Music Festival and embarked on its first overseas international competition tour to Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. VJCSB performed excellently in the festival, scoring an impressive 93% and was awarded the highest and most prestigious prize, the Gold award, earning Victoria Junior College a fine reputation in the performaing arts scene beyond our shores.

The festival was adjudicated by a distinguished panel of adjudicators who rank amongst some of the world's finest wind orchestral conductors. World famous Swiss conductor, Professor Felix Hauswirth of the Zurich Musik Hochschule, praised VJCSB for her "very musical performance, excellent tone quality and impressive technique." Dr. Glenn D. Price, Professor of Conducting at the University of Calgary in Canada and President-elect of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, was impressed by VJCSB's "very fine dynamic range and contrast of articulation." Dr. James Badnkhead, former Lieutant Colonel and Commander of the UNited States AIr Force Band, lauds VJCSB for "the energy and movement of the ensemble," praising VJCSB for being both visually and musically exciting. These excellent commentaries not only validates the band programme at VJCSB, but is also a just reward for the band's perseverance and hard work.

The Band holds two annual concerts, one of which was first held in June 1985 in the college auditorium. The first Majestia was met with overwhelming response, which prompted the members to make it an annual event. Over the years, Majestia has become and integral part of the VJCSB calendar. In May 2006, the Band presented Majestia XXI.

Our anunal Christmas concert, "Not So Silent Nite" is going to be held on the 15th of December this year. This concert was initiated in 1994 by the student conductor, and involves secondary four students from various schools coming together to perform with the VJCSB. Every year, the NSSN never fails to bring delightful entertainment.

MR LEONARD TAN

Our Resident Conductor, Mr. Leonard Tan holds a First Class Honours music degree from the University of Wales, and has been admitted Licentiate of the Royal Schools of music and Trinity College London. He studied conducting with such renowned mentors as Professor Craig Kirchhoff, Jerry Luckardt, Timothy Reynish, and conducted the Academic Orchestra Zurich, Switzerland, under the tutelage of Maestro Johannes Schlaefli.

Mr. Tan has conducted Singapore Symphony Orchestra musicians in a Singapore-Japan Composers Exchange Concert, Singapore National Youth Orchestra musicians in the prestigious “Ong Teng Cheong Concert,” and several concerts with the acclaimed Philharmonic Winds. In a professional production of Puccini;s opera Madama Butterfly, he worked with an international cast, choir and orchestra. Since 2002, he has been assisting in conducting the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

Professional appointments include resident conductor of Singapore Polytechnic Symphonic Band, instrumental tutor at NUS CFA and Australian International School, music theory tutor at SAF Bands, and part-time faculty at LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts. Mr. Tan’s scholarly interest in harmonic theories and Schenkerian analysis has led to Masters degree studies in music theory and analysis at the NIE-NTU.

Mr. Tan has performed on the tuba with the SSO, Desford Colliery Band (UK), Singapore Stompers (Dixieland Jazz), and solo concertos by Vaughan Williams, Gregson, and Bourgeois. He is the recipient of the NAC Arts Scholarshlp, Lee Foundation Scholarship, RJC Creative Arts Award, Kripalani Arts Challenge Trophy, Royal Schools of Music High Scorer’s Award, St Margaret’s Secondary School Partner-In-Education Teaching Award, CHIJ Certificate of Commendation, and WASBE Conducting Scholarship to study at the University of Minnesota, USA.

Mr. Tan joined VJCSB in October 2005, and has since then enjoyed every moment of sharing his knowledge, love and passion for music with the students.