“Let Nature be your teacher.” ~Wordsworth
Weeks have flown by and the Singapore Youth Festival 2024 #syf2024 has come to a spectacular conclusion. Being part of SYF these past few years brings me back to my childhood-- starting a decades-long journey of singing in church and primary school, a succession of choirs, vocal ensembles and co-founding an a capella group as a young adult. I'm so grateful to mark this enriching milestone in my pilgrimage as a chorist, poet, lyric-writer and intercultural artist. This year I had the privilege to watch some of the 135 primary school choirs in action at the SYF ('live' and on video), and I must say I enjoyed every moment! I loved the children's pure and exuberant voices in harmony, their colourful costumes and choreographed presentations, and especially how they showcased traditional folk songs and "new" songs from Singapore and the "global neighbourhood" such as Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hawaii, the US and the African continent. The cherry on top was all the choirs presenting "First Light", a festival set piece commissioned by the Singapore Academy of the Arts and co-composed by Dr Kelly Tang and me. The song is about a child who awakes and starts the day in the early morning with a sense of great possibilities. My collaborator Kelly (he is a master of the resplendent musical line) and I worked on this #ecopoetics song over many months. Of the song's imagery Kelly says "there is a tranquil wisdom in the trees who simply ARE". We were so glad to offer this song as our heartfelt gift to the children of Singapore, our "City in a garden" and urban kampung that we call our HOME. It is gratifying to hear that "First Light" has been received into the hearts of many Singapore student chorists and become one of their favourite songs. Even before the festival was over, some parent friends reached out to share with me about how choral singing has enriched their child's personal life, character and education journey. To all the SYF student chorists, conductors, musicians and music educators, cheerleaders, families and school communities represented: you were simply wonderful! Thank you for your beaming smiles, for lifting your voices in unity, for your sense of wonder and kindness to one another! Each and everyone of you is a testament to the SYF's raison d'etre-- children getting to celebrate and be themselves, while we are reminded of our inner child – the essence of who we are: "Who do you see when you look at me?If I had one wish, what would it be?" Hearty thanks and kudos to the Ministry of Education's SYF organising team -- you lead the way for all of us with your sense of mission, your ethos and always serving with the spirit of excellence. See you next year! More pics of #syf2024 at the SYF Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SgYouthFest
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