Making Chinese music more accessible and engaging

Dr Samuel Wong, Creative Director of TENG
Mr Chua Hong Koon, Publishing Director of World Scientific Publishing
Distinguished Guests

1. Good evening. My heartiest congratulations to TENG on the launch of its latest publication, The TENG Guide to the Chinese Orchestra. This book is testament to the hard work and research by its co-authors – Mr Wang Chenwei, Mr Chow Junyi and Dr Samuel Wong – into their shared passion for Chinese orchestral instruments, and how these instruments come together to create art that all of us can enjoy.

Making Chinese music more accessible and engaging

2. The members of TENG have demonstrated great entrepreneurial spirit and resilience since the group’s establishment in 2004. This was evident from how they responded to possible plans to shut down the Chinese Orchestra CCA at their alma mater, a year after TENG had been established. They swung into action to persuade the school to keep the CCA going. Not only did they help to restructure the CCA, but they offered to coach their juniors, and worked extensively to interest new students in Chinese music and gain new members for the CCA. The fruits of their enthusiasm and tenacity were reaped when they led the team to a gold at the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging (now known as the SYF Arts Presentation) in 2005.

3. In this endeavor, TENG’s founding members were not only driven by their passion for Chinese music, but also their recognition of the power of music to bring groups from different backgrounds together – including schoolmates who may not be familiar with Chinese orchestra and instructors who communicated mainly in Mandarin. These beliefs have continued to shape TENG’s contributions to our local music scene. In fact, Samuel’s first book on Chinese orchestral instruments was published in English in 2005 so as to interest a wider audience in this art form – today, it is one of the resources that teachers teaching H2 and H3 music may choose to refer to.

4. The TENG Guide to the Chinese Orchestra is another innovative initiative to make Chinese music accessible to a wider audience. Also written in English, it builds on the foundations of Samuel’s first book but is even more ambitious. In the first part of the book, Chenwei examines individual instruments in meticulous detail, from the history of their invention, physical construction and variations, to techniques of playing, as well as composing. This depth of research will help Chinese orchestra practitioners capitalise on the unique strengths and expressions of each instrument, and enhance the understanding of their role in a Chinese orchestra.

5. The second part of the book examines how these instruments work together. Junyi analyses excerpts from 18 pieces of music to highlight the complexity, precision and artistry with which each piece was crafted. This gives composers of Chinese orchestra music an insight into multiple approaches to orchestration. Artists from other musical backgrounds can also learn from this window into the Chinese orchestra.

Injecting energy into the Chinese music scene

6. Drawing inspiration from Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage, TENG has grown from strength to strength over the years. After receiving NAC’s Seed Grant from 2015 to 2017, TENG is now a critically acclaimed company that has contributed to our Chinese music scene, and multiplied its impact through research work and the TENG Academy.

7. Today, members of TENG are not only instructors in MOE schools, but TENG also partnered the Confucius Institute at NTU to conduct the Chinese Music Instrumental Grading Examinations for Chinese instruments in 2018. This plugs a gap in the landscape by introducing a structured examination system that will be recognised by music institutions in Singapore and abroad. The examinations have given a large base of amateur Chinese music students from Singapore and other ASEAN countries the opportunity to gain accreditation, as well as foster a greater appreciation and deeper understanding of Chinese music. To date, more than 1,500 students have been accredited.

Conclusion

8. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my congratulations to TENG on its latest publication. I am confident that TENG will continue to be an example and inspiration for future generations of artists and musicians, regardless of art form or discipline.

9. Thank you, and enjoy the rest of the evening.