The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) started the year with the successful performances by the SNYO Percussion Ensemble in the Victoria Concert Hall as part of the heritage district’s Light To Night Festival in January.

However, since February all in-person activities of the Orchestra has been suspended following the country’s response to the pandemic situation. Our rehearsals, concerts, and tours have been cancelled. Individual lessons were moved online. Exchange visits from our youth orchestra partners have also been deferred to a future date.

In April, further measures were taken by the Singapore Government to curb the spread of the coronavirus with school and non-essential workplace closures. Movement and gathering were further restricted for a two-month period. During this period, the SNYO launched our weekly “Hang Out With” series inviting guest speakers to share their musical journey and experiences with our members online. The speakers came from various professions including conductors, professional musicians, arts managers and impresarios, music therapist, etc.

We also had our first online assessment for our junior orchestra, the Singapore National Youth Sinfonia through video submissions. Everyone then came together virtually for an assessment debrief where our Associate Conductor Lin Juan shared some of the common mistakes made by the members as well as tips to improve for their practice and playing. The members also had the opportunity to share what they have learnt from this online assessment with their peers.

Earlier in the year, we posted the SNYO’s performance of Bartók Dance Suite on our YouTube channel. After the suspension of rehearsals, we created watch parties for our members to further release two other past concert performances: Elgar’s Enigma Variations and Cello Concerto.

On our Facebook page, we released video recordings of Harold Arlen’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ and Francis McBeth’s ‘Let’s Give Them A Hand’ in solidarity and with gratitude to the frontline workers of the pandemic. It was a new experience for all of us as it was our first time producing a video with individual recordings made at home. Click on the images below to watch the videos.

We are looking forward to possible small ensemble rehearsals as well as other enrichment workshops in the coming months. We cannot wait to be able to meet our friends from all around the world and make music together again!

Take care and stay safe.

Let’s Give Them a Hand

Over the Rainbow

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  Hang out with SNYO Principal Guest Conductor Peter Stark

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  Hang out with Singapore Symphony Orchestra Percussionist Mario Choo – Mario showing us his collection of handmade mallets!

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  SNYS Assessment Review with Associate Conductor Lin Juan

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  ‘Let’s Give Them A Hand’, a body percussion piece by Francis McBeth was performed by the SNYO Percussion Ensemble

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  ‘Over the Rainbow’ performed by SNYO members’