Koh Mi Yo - trumpeter since 9 years old
Kayden Yap (SNYO Oboist) speaks to Koh Mi Yo (SNYO Trumpeter) about her likes, hobbies, as well as her musical and SNYO experiences!
Kayden: What was your first experience with music like?
Mi Yo: I can’t really remember since I was very young, but I know that I first interacted with music when I was 4 during an electone class. I always looked forward to attending the lessons every week as I really enjoyed it.
Kayden: How was your journey learning music after that initial experience?
Mi Yo: I lived overseas for a period of time, so I stopped music classes for a while, but I still played piano for fun. After coming back to Singapore, I picked up the trumpet in my primary school brass band when I was 9 years old. From then on, my passion for the trumpet grew, and I continued playing in bands and orchestras.
Kayden: Who is your favourite composer? And what is your favourite work from him/her?
Mi Yo: My favourite composer is Dvořák, and my favourite work is his 8th Symphony.
Kayden: I see. What is your favourite instrument besides the trumpet?
Mi Yo: Violin!
Kayden: Wow! Why did you like learning the trumpet so much?
Mi Yo: The trumpet can produce a wide range of timbres, and it can be found in many different genres, such as classical music, jazz, or even pop music.
Kayden: After learning the trumpet for so many years, what is the most difficult thing you find about learning it?
Mi Yo: Having a big ego when playing the trumpet. (laughs) A conductor once told me that I should have a bigger ego when playing the trumpet, and I am still working on it now.
Kayden: I can see why the conductor made such a comment though, given the common stereotypes associated with the instrument.
Mi Yo: Agreed!
Kayden: Now, let us move on to questions about your experience in SNYO. How long have you been in the orchestra?
Mi Yo: I have been in the orchestra since 2015, when I was 11 years old.
Kayden: What made you decide to join SNYO?
Mi Yo: Previously, my older brother was in the SNYO, so I attended some of the SNYO concerts. I was so fascinated by the sounds the orchestra could produce that I wanted to be part of the orchestral music-making process, hence I decided to join SNYO.
Kayden: Being in the orchestra for such a long time, what is your fondest memory of SNYO?
Mi Yo: My fondest memory would be the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) & Singapore National Youth Orchestra side-by-side concert last year, when I had the opportunity to play alongside the SSO at the SSO Gala: Ray Chen plays Sibelius concert. I am still very inspired by how Jon Dante (SSO Principal Trumpet) played the trumpet solo at the opening of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at the Exhibition. It sounded superb!
Kayden: Do you remember how you had prepared for this side-by-side concert?
Mi Yo: I am glad to have a sectional practice with SSO trumpeter David Smith who guided me. I also practiced the parts myself and kept listening to the recordings to familiarise myself with the piece.
Kayden: How about any funny moments in SNYO?
Mi Yo: I remember playing a piece where trumpets only had a total of 10 notes. For one of the rehearsals, we sat for half an hour not playing a single note, but were still diligently counting our rests. However, the conductor stopped a total of 3 times right before our entry!
Kayden: That must have been extremely annoying! (laughs) Moving on, who are some musicians that you look up to?
Mi Yo: I look up to so many musicians! One of them is my trumpet tutor Mr Kenneth Lun. I think his playing is very cool! I love listening to Wynton Marsalis as well! I attended his concert a few years back, and was very impressed by the types of sound a trumpet could make. His playing was inspiring!
Kayden: Share with us any meaningful experiences you have gained from SNYO?
Mi Yo: SNYO has really encouraged me to improve my trumpet playing. Listening back to past concerts, I would be amazed at how I am now able to play something that seemed so impossible when I first received my part. My playing has really improved by leaps and bounds because of the repertoire and the guidance we have in SNYO.
Kayden: That’s great! Share with us some happy musical moments in your life?
Mi Yo: One of those moments is when I listen back to previous concert recordings. I have a sense of satisfaction when I hear how much we have improved from the first rehearsal.
Kayden: Tell us what is something you like to eat after a day of rehearsals?
Mi Yo: Ramen!
Kayden: Interesting! How about your favourite pastimes and hobbies?
Mi Yo: I like to binge watch dramas or variety shows.
Kayden: What type of shows do you watch?
Mi Yo: My favourite drama that I have watched is Hospital Playlist! It is a rather realistic Korean Drama telling the story of five doctors who have been friends since they entered medical school. Despite not having a music related career, they still come together and have jamming sessions as a band during their free time. It is so heart-warming to see music bringing them together.
Kayden: What is one phrase that you live by?
Mi Yo: Regret is more painful than failure, so just go for it!
Kayden: Finally, describe SNYO in 3 words!
Mi Yo: Inspiring, Exciting, Nurturing!