One of the international school musical highlights of the year was the symphonic band concert hosted by AMIS (Association for Music in International Schools) on 21 March at Singapore American School.
AMIS sponsors a number of annual music festivals for MS and HS students throughout Europe and Asia. These festivals allow students from different countries and schools, who’ve learnt music in different styles and methods, to play as a group and over a period of 2-3 days work out their stylistic and musical differences and find a common ground. Some students have never had the opportunity to play in an ensemble with other students who play the same instrument. Other students have leadership opportunities as they are invited to lead their section. Top student performers from international schools around the world are invited to participate in the AMIS Festival concert following a lengthy audition process.
Alexander and Minori
Gifted CIS high school student musicians, Minori Dehara and Alexander Gunn, both in Grade 11, were selected to perform their instruments on stage among the best. The concert was the culmination of a two day camp in which students rehearsed over and over as an orchestra with their experienced conductors, James Tapia of Syracuse University and Jeffrey Grogan of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, who flew in from the United States.
Student musicians worked hard to follow melodies, adapt their tune, and achieve a cohesive sound. The final concert demonstrated, to a mix of audience of friends and family, the talent and professionalism of the young performers.The final product was an ensemble of tremendously high quality and students had acquired a greater understanding of music and succeeded in blending and working together with other students. The AMIS festival once more reinforced the idea that music is indeed an international and universal language.
When Minori and Alexander shared their AMIS experience, they agreed that playing “in sync” was the greatest challenge they faced. Alexander, who plays tuba, said that playing with other tuba players and sounding like only one tuba was harder than he could have imagined. Yet they accomplished this hard task after listening, playing and echoing their parts numerous times. Alexander was happy that he improved his technique and lip muscle endurance after long hours of tuba rehearsals.
Violinist Minori was impressed that the conductors used colours to describe different sounds, making musical notes more visible with the help of colours. This colour analogy gave student musicians a better grasp of the same sound and slightly different tones. Minori felt that performing with professional conductors outside the school was a whole new experience that she greatly enjoyed. Minori, who is a DP Music student, dreams of performing on stage with David Foster one day!
This inspiring concert is just the beginning of the exciting musical journey that lies ahead for these skillful musicians.
