A Showcase of Music and Dance

A Showcase of Music and Dance

Musicians and dancers shared the stage in an unprecedented collaboration between the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Singapore Ballet.

By Elliot Lim

Jun 2023

The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) and Singapore Ballet jointly presented SNYO in Concert: Symphony of Dance, which showcased an enchanting line-up of performances by dancers and our young musicians. Held over two concerts on 10 June, the production went down in history as the first-ever collaboration between both performing arts organisations.

Singapore Ballet performers: (L-R) Satoru Agetsuma, Principal; Kwok Min Yi, Principal Photo: Singapore Ballet/Bernie Ng
The SNYO performed under the baton of its Principal Conductor Joshua Tan. 

With over 2,000 concertgoers in attendance at the Esplanade Concert Hall, the 90-member strong orchestra, ages 13 to 19, brought forth symphonic music through the works of Tchaikovsky and Ravel. The Singapore Ballet’s dancers performed in graceful unison with the orchestra onstage, giving movement to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade in C Major, and the world premiere of Ravel’s Emerald Blue with its inspired ballet to the music Valses nobles et sentimentales, choreographed by the dance company’s Artistic Director Janek Schergen.

Joining the concluding piece in excerpts from The Nutcracker were the voices of the Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children's Chorus. The beloved Christmas suite selections featured the Snow Waltz, Grand Pas de Deux and Waltz of the Flowers.

quote

The SNYO is all about nurturing our young talents and widening their artistic experiences. With the orchestra and choristers onstage with dancers, both the youth musicians and audience will be able to experience the excitement and energy of the music’s synchronicity with the movements of the dancers.

Joshua Tan
Principal Conductor, SNYO

Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, graced the musical occasion as the Guest-of-Honour. He met with SNYO Principal Conductor Joshua Tan, and young performers, including three musicians from the SNYO.

Minister Chan with members of the SNYO, comprising (L-R) Claudia Toh, Bass Clarinet; Keith Ong, Concertmaster, Violin; Justin Damhaut, Flute.
Minister Chan with members of the SNYO, comprising (L-R) Claudia Toh, Bass Clarinet; Keith Ong, Concertmaster, Violin; Justin Damhaut, Flute.
(L-R) Mr Kenneth Kwok, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Symphony Group; Mr Joshua Tan, Principal Conductor of Singapore National Youth Orchestra; Ms Yong Ying-I, Deputy Chair, Singapore Symphony Group; Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education; Mr Janek Schergen, Artistic Director of Singapore Ballet; Ms Lena Ng, Ambassadors’ Council, Singapore Ballet; Mr Paul Ng, Board Member, Singapore Ballet
(L-R) Mr Kenneth Kwok, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Symphony Group; Mr Joshua Tan, Principal Conductor of Singapore National Youth Orchestra; Ms Yong Ying-I, Deputy Chair, Singapore Symphony Group; Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education; Mr Janek Schergen, Artistic Director of Singapore Ballet; Ms Lena Ng, Ambassadors’ Council, Singapore Ballet; Mr Paul Ng, Board Member, Singapore Ballet
SNYO in Concert: Symphony of Dance was a historic collaboration between SNYO and Singapore Ballet (far right), featuring members of the Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children's Chorus (middle).
SNYO in Concert: Symphony of Dance was a historic collaboration between SNYO and Singapore Ballet (far right), featuring members of the Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children's Chorus (middle).

SNYO in Concert: Symphony of Dance was the second ticketed concert of the youth orchestra this year, and The Straits Times praised the music as ‘an orchestral showpiece’. We are delighted to have collaborated with arts groups to provide a platform for our young performers to perform with professional dancers, showcase their high level of musicianship, and uplift the performing arts scene as one.

Congratulations to all performers!

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