MUSIC, DRAGON BOATS AND LIGHTS AT NDP SHOW

Through a musical dialogue, dragon boat displays and mass displays using brightly-lit torches, National Day Parade (NDP) organisers hope to encourage Singaporeans to celebrate who we are, what we are made of and to celebrate our love for Singapore.

Split into a prologue, three acts themed Identity, Spirit and Love and a finale, the 45-minute Show segment will feature larger-than-life props and mass displays that are integrated with multimedia projections.

Describing the three acts of the Show as colourful, impactful and beautiful respectively, Colonel (COL) Clifford Keong, Chairman of the Show committee and Commander, 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, said: "We want to take every Singaporean through an emotive journey on what Singapore truly means to them We hope that all Singaporeans watching the parade will reflect on what the Singapore identity, spirit and love mean to them."

For example, in Act Three, performers from the Singapore Soka Association and Singapore Chinese Girls' School will form a heart shape which represents love for our neighbours, community and the nation.

This will be followed by 60 large flowers, dragonflies and butterflies, together with 10 mobile stages and multimedia displays that will transform the stage into a Garden City.

The visual impact of the show has been on Creative Director Fan Dong Kai's mind since work began on the Show last year.

"I wanted to highlight the costumes and props, and make it more elaborate From the beginning, we decided that the props must be at least larger than the human body," said Mr Fan, who has been directing Singapore's Chingay Parades since 1993. He also choreographed NDP from 1998 to 2005.

One of the performers bearing the load of the prop is 24-year-old Lance Corporal (LCP) How Wei Liang. Together with his peers from the 41st Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (41 SAR), LCP How will hold up large butterfly wings, weighing close to 11kg, for up to 45 minutes during Act Three of the show.

Comparing the wings to a kite, LCP How said there was some getting used to at first as the wings would catch the wind. When this happened, the wings would be dragged backwards and to prevent himself from toppling, LCP How would have to push himself forward.

But he said practice makes perfect and despite the challenges, he was looking forward to putting on a good show this year.

When asked how confident he was about his performance, he said: "100 percent. I'm prepared to go up anytime."

Renowned local composer Iskandar Ismail returns to NDP for the fifth time this year as the Music Director. Apart from composing, producing and arranging the music for the show, he also composed the melody for this year's theme song Love at First Light, which will be performed by home-grown singer Olivia Ong and eight-year-old Natanya Tan.

On how this year's experience differs from his previous NDP experiences, Mr Iskandar said: "At previous NDPs, we had a lot of theatre directors... Mr Fan comes from (a background of) mass displays so everything is larger-than-life. The music has to complement the displays and the multimedia."

Highlights of this year's show include:

• a musical dialogue in Act One between a Tabla (a pair of small hand drums attached together used in Indian music) player, a Gambus (a lute used in Malay folk music) player, a Chinese opera singer and a pianist,

• a dragon boat procession rowing towards the floating platform in Act Two. Performers on stage will complement the procession by forming a giant lion's head with brightly-lit torches; and

• a stage transformation into a Garden City in Act Three with the use of large flower props and multimedia displays.

Five minutes with Olivia Ong

How do you feel about being the theme song singer this year?

This is our country's big day, a very important event of the year and to be part of it is a big deal for me!

Which is your favourite NDP song and why?

Home. This song never fails to tug at my heartstrings.

What is your favourite NDP memory?

It was in 1998. I was in Secondary One and the entire cohort from my school was chosen to participate in National Day. We were part of a huge mass of choreographed movements... and we had to perform to the beat of the music. I remember nearly losing my spot during one of the transitions into a different shape! It was fun. Everyone was excited and happy albeit a little exhausted and sweaty by the end of the whole show!

How did you prepare yourself before recording the theme song?

I listened to the demo a couple of times to familiarise myself with the lyrics and melody and met with Iskandar and Dong Kai who shared their vision of the song with me. The theme song... talks about the familiar things of Singapore but it also speaks of the determination of Singaporeans in this young nation, building their dreams. I'm fortunate to work with some of the best music talents in Singapore for this project. We hope to make proud!

When you are overseas, what do you miss most about Singapore?

Family and friends, food, and the city skyline at night.

Win Tickets To The National Day Preview on 4 August!

cyberpioneer has one pair of NDP Preview tickets to give away! The Parade will take place at The Float @ Marina Bay on 04 Aug 12. Just answer the question correctly by 17 Jul 2012 and stand a chance to win!