A MUSICAL DISPLAY OF CULTURES

Uniquely Singaporean

As dim blue rays focused on the centre of Jiangxi Province Stadium, the SAF Central Band moved in a procession towards centre stage while playing a soft and mysterious beat, before transiting into a spirited performance of Rasa Sayang ("To Feel Love" in Malay).

Performing an array of songs that included Dayung Sampan ("Rowing A Boat" in Malay), Munneru Valiba ("Progress, Young Man" in Tamil) and Singapore Town, the band also had the 10,000 spectators at the military tattoo chorusing along as it played the Chinese folk song Mo Li Hua ("Jasmine Flower" in Chinese).

The SAF Central Band's Director of Music Captain (CPT) Muhamad Yusri Bin Mohamed Ali, who conducted the band, said: "The whole idea behind the choice of different cultural songs is to show that a society with many cultures is possible and Singapore is a great example of this idea."

More than just music

Besides enhancing the visual effects for the spectators by taking various positions on stage to form displays such as a sail boat and Changi Airport during the performances of Dayung Sampan and Singapore Town, the band whipped out Gujarati sticks (Indian percussion sticks), Kompangs (Malay percussion hand drums) and Chinese fans to perform a fusion of cultural dances.

Further entertaining the crowd were dancers from the SAF Music and Drama Company (MDC), who complemented the bands display with their elaborate costumes and mix of cultural and contemporary dances.

"We wanted the audience to see that we are versatile performers by showcasing both cultural and contemporary dances," said Mr Aidil Bin Amin, MDC's dance captain.

Stealing the show was drum major 1st Sergeant (1SG) Muhammad Hafis Bin Amron, who had the audience spellbound each time he threw and caught his mace with precision and confidence, despite nursing a tendon injury in his right hand.

"Hearing the audience cheer and clap for me...gave me the strength to press on," he said.

Heart-warming performance

Efforts from the band and the dancers were certainly met with deafening cheers and the applause rang loud throughout the stadium.

Raved Ms Daisy Shen, an interpreter: "I loved it when the band pulled out sticks and fans from their pockets and started dancing! The whole performance had Chinese culture infused into it, which endeared the audience to it...and everyone was singing along to the familiar tunes."

Mr James Leung, Deputy Director of Music of the Hong Kong Police Band, whose band also performed at the tattoo, said: "I found it very new and innovative that the SAF Central Band merged different elements of music and dance... The band may be young, but their techniques, ensemble and design of the performance showed that the band has got a very good future."

Besides taking part in the street parade and military tattoo, the SAF Central Band held a concert for students at Jiangxi Agriculture University, with a repertoire of pieces such as Country Gardens from acclaimed Australian-born composer Percy Grainger, Malay song Dikir Puteri ("A Place Where The Gods Dwell" in Malay) and Chinese song Feng Yang Hua Gu ("Flower Drum" in Chinese).

Major Tim Arnold, Director of Music of the Royal Artillery Band of the United Kingdom was thoroughly impressed: "It was a real pleasure for me to see the band playing quite substantial wind band works.

"The woodwinds sounded strong and the whole performance of Country Gardens was excellent!"

Perhaps the best affirmation came from the Chairman of the SAF Music Board Brigadier-General (NS) Tsoi Mun Heng, who said: "I felt the band won the hearts of the crowd in Nanchang."