KUCHING: More than ever this year, St Joseph`s School band will be giving back to the community through music at its annual fund-raising concert this Sunday.
The concert, which celebrates the school`s 131st anniversary, is not only an occasion to showcase the band members` musicianship but to acknowledge the support they have received from the community.
“This year, we are giving back in the sense that the community will have the chance to enjoy the level of performance and music that the students have come up to.
“We are bringing in international artistes that they might not have the chance to meet. And we are inviting children from the Salvation Army as well as Brigade bands to attend our full-dress rehearsal on Saturday,” band director June Ling said.
She added that this year`s concert was also special as the band`s instructors, who are also professional musicians, will be playing along-side the members.
“Our students will have the opportunity to play with expert musicians and this will bring up their own level of performance.
“For us, it`s not just about staging a good show but training our members and taking them to the next level.”
Programme coordinator Jonathan Fox said each year the aim was for the band to continue growing in their performance and reaching out to more people in gratitude for their support.
“Everything we do is with an eye to the future, to take another step up. It`s not good enough to stand back and satisfied with where we are.
“None of this would be possible without the community support, so every time we perform to give back to our supporters. But this year we`ve extended it to invite less fortunate children from Salvation Army who might otherwise go through life not having attended a concert,” he said.
On the concert, fox said the band would be taking a more orchestral approach for the first time.
“By no means does this mean boring, but a more refined, precise and sophisticated approach to music. What`s most important is that this allows us to bring to the audience works of much greater musical depth, as well as guest artistes of high musical caliber,” he said.
And what can the audience look forward to?
“Expect the unexpected,: he said with a smile.
Fox, who is the principal percussionist of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, will give a solo timpani performance at the concert.
Other band staff who will be performing are music director Anthony Wong on the alto saxophone and wind coach Yap Thien Soo on the trumpet.
Also making a special appearance is the BAM! Percussion Trio, comprising Shi Boya from Malaysia, Singaporean Joachim Lim and Vietnamese Nguyen Duy Anh.
Their diverse repertoire of solo and ensemble works are sure to wow the audience.
The concert will be held at Trinity Methodist Church at Ellis Road here. Tickets are priced at RM50, RM100, RM200 and RM500.
For enquiries or reservations, call SMK St Joseph at 082-240 885 or St Joseph`s Private School at 082-414 575.
(Taken from The Star)