MAKING MUSICAL WAVES

Major (MAJ) (NS) Adrian Tan switches careers to pursue his passion for music and is now one of the most reputable figures in the local classical music scene.

He began playing music at the age of 13 when he joined the school band as his Co-Curricular Activity. Then, he only treated it as a pastime that let him hang out with his friends. But as the years passed, his passion for music grew and his musical repertoire expanded.

Today, the 36-year-old is recognised as one of the most promising classical musicians in the community, and has worked with several big names in the local arts industry, including the likes of Dick Lee and Hossan Leong.

While he currently serves as the conductor and music director of the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra (BHSO), Singapore's longest-running community orchestra, he also leads the Singapore Wind Symphony and Saigon Philharmonic as their music director.

Pursuing his passion

Unlike most modern-day musicians who started learning music since young, MAJ (NS) Tan did not have a musical background.

"When I started playing, some of my schoolmates already knew so much about music and played musical instruments expertly, while I was just learning from scratch and I couldn't even read notes," said the artiste.

He only truly started to pursue his musical interests when he joined a community band at the age of 18. From there, he went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from the National University of Singapore.

In 2009, he applied for and received scholarships from the National Arts Council and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to do his Masters in Conducting. Since completing his studies in 2011, MAJ (NS) Tan has been actively involved in conducting concerts in the region.

"Most Singaporeans think that music is for those who started young, but my experience has convinced me that it's never too late to start. At the end of the day, it's all about the pursuit to excel in your own art, and that s what matters most."

Bringing classical music to the masses

As music director of BHSO, MAJ (NS) Tan has set two visions for the community orchestra: To reach out to every Singaporean and introduce them to classical music and to give non-professional musicians a chance to make music together.

"Many people think that classical music is only for the elite, but it's not. The truth is you need to spend time to listen to it and get exposed to it, and only then can you appreciate it That's what we, as a community orchestra, aim to do for the Singaporean public."

To achieve this, MAJ (NS) Tan introduces to the audience the origins of the music they're playing, its composer and the parts to listen out for so that they can understand the music better.

In their December concert, the BHSO will be inviting the audience to sing along as they perform Handel's Messiah with a full symphony orchestra. MAJ (NS) Tan explained: "As a community orchestra, we'd love to get everyone excited and enthusiastic (so that) they'd do this Messiah with us It s an excellent opportunity for them to get to know and indulge in classical music."

Navy experience

With all his musical accomplishments, no one would have thought that his first career was in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

When asked about his most memorable incident in the Navy, the musician cited the SilkAir crash on 19 Dec 1997, when he was still a junior naval officer and was called to respond to the crisis. He also recalled his deployment during the Boxing Day Tsunami.

"Those were the moments that really shot up my belief in the armed forces and the work that we do. And believe me, when the SAF soldiers feel a sense of mission, they are invincible. They will work day and night, and put in 200 percent effort to make a difference."

Having served as the Officer Commanding of the former Basic Military Training Centre in the Institute of Maritime Operations and the General Naval Training Centre, as well as Executive Officer of missile corvette RSS Victory, the former RSN officer feels that the leadership lessons he learnt from the SAF have served him well as a music director and conductor.

"In the orchestra, there are 80 people of different ages and nationalities. Each of them has a different perspective of music. So, as a conductor, it is important to convince everyone to work together for a common goal," he explained.

"As a music director, you have to set a vision for the group and work towards making it come true And that's similar to what we do in the SAF as leaders."

"As a music director, you have to set a vision for the group and work towards making it come true And that's similar to what we do in the SAF as leaders."
- Major (NS) Tan