You Play A What?

YPAW 63: Christoven Tan - Being Perfect vs Being Yourself, Relating to New Music, Practicing other Art Forms, Approach to Curation

Vincent Tan — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:08:10 +0800

This week I am joined by the enigmatic Christoven Tan. Christoven is a champion of new music for viola and in recent years, he has been pushing the possibilities and boundaries of viola playing. Apart from music, he is a practitioner of multiple art forms and doing remarkable work that is that is true to himself. I am really glad to have the opportunity to speak to him.

In this episode, we spoke about:

1. His upcoming show Apollo which is happening on Saturday, 09/10, where he performs alongside percussionist Derek Koh the music of Emily Koh and Bertram Wee. A number of former guests on YPAW, so if you’ll like to find out more about them, do check out the show notes!

Christoven shares in depth about his creative process in this project and what you can expect from the show.
To find out more about Apollo you click HERE and for tickets you can fill up THIS FORM.

2. Having a clear idea and approach towards new music

3. The timing of this project

4. Finding like minded collaborators and what does he look for in a fellow collaborator?

5. Having a curious and open mind

6. “Being perfect vs Being Yourself”

7. Relating to New Music

8. Starting his art studio and practicing other forms of art

9. Teaching philosophy

10. Future Artistic project

11. Music for “enjoyment” vs Performances that is relevant and thought provoking

To find more about Christoven and his art works:
Website

Anna Quenlin Speech
Website

Xi Jie's film "Singapore Minstrel"
Website

Episodes of former guests:
Emily Koh
Derek Koh

YPAW 62: Mervin Beng - Objectivity vs Subjectivity in Music Review, Origin of Resound Collective, Breaking Grounds in Concert Presentation with Technology and The Idea behind Music Patronage

Vincent Tan — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:07:39 +0800

This week I am joined by Mervin Beng, Chairman of Resound Collective, an arts charity organization that promotes chamber music in all its glory. Mervin wears many hats, apart from his role with Resound Collective, he is a music reviewer with The Straits Times, involved previously with music organizations driven by educating young aspiring musicians such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

With his professional expertise in technology coupled with his deep passion for music, saw the creation of 2 ground breaking projects entitled re:Sound is Live and Concordia Quartet @ Home. Both projects were performed in real time remotely, where musicians are playing from their respective homes or separate rooms. Distanced but at the same time maintaining the spontaneous element of music making.

In this episode, we spoke about:

1. How he navigates objectivity vs subjectivity in writing music reviews.

2. The origin story of Resound Collective.

3. The challenge of introducing chamber works to the wider audience.

4. His musical journey.

5. How Music Camps/Festivals has allowed him to open his eyes to a higher level of music making.

6. Breaking new grounds at the height of the Circuit Breaker.

7. How his expertise in technology and music inspired creative ways of concert presentation.

8. Music patronage and the recent creation of the OKK Wind Prize at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Do check out Concordia Quartet's upcoming concert "Soaring with the Wind" HERE, featuring the works of Mozart and Greig.
Tickets are available for puchase in HERE

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

YPAW 61: Kevin Loh - "There is more to life than music", The Importance of Family Support, Performing in a Refugee Camp, Fortunate to have music as a career, Identifying one's motivation

Vincent Tan — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 12:22:22 +0800

I am back after a 3-week hiatus with superstar guitarist, Kevin Loh. Kevin was spotted at the age of 12 by the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK through his YouTube channel which he still keeps up to date till this day with over 300 videos and over 4 million views! He has since went on to win competitions, premiered concertos and has garnered international repute within guitar scene. Kevin is currently a student at the University of Cambridge is one of the leading young guitarist in the international guitar scene. He was generous enough to take time out to speak with me and in this episode we spoke about:

1. Performing for a learned audience and revisiting Concierto de Aranjuez

2. Moving to the UK at the age of 12 to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School

3. Defining family support in his early musical developments and how music became a family bonding activity.

4. The importance of consistency and compounding progress.

5. Performing alongside his father and how it helped to working through his performance anxiety.

6. His time spent in the refugee camp in Calais, France and the profound impact music has on people and different communities.

7. His quote “There is more to life than Music” and how it has informed him on his decision making.

8. His hopes for future contribution towards the Singapore guitar development.

9. How we are fortunate to be working as musicians.

10. Identifying the motivation behind music.

Find out more about Kevin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

YPAW 60: Jonathan Shin - People-Centric Approach to Music and Life, Piano and The Cane, Tips on Improvisation, 200 Years of Singapore History in The 1819 Suite, Approach to Mentorship

Vincent Tan — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 11:41:28 +0800

This week I am joined by Jonathan Shin, pianist, composer, hardcore bookworm and a fantastic guest!

In this episode, Jonathan and I spoke about:

1. Pursuing his doctoral studies remotely

2. Developing his people-centric approach to music and life in general

3. His relationship with practice, piano and the cane

4. His tip for getting into improvisation
5. His creative process behind The 1819 Suite commissioned by Resound Collective

6. Composing fast music vs slow music

7. Who are the Lorong Boys and what do they do?

8. Creating music that represents the personality of the group

9. Their approach to being the ensemble in residence at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory

10. Writing text and music for operas and musicals

11. His fiction reading list

The 1819 Suite is commissioned and presented by Resound Collective, produced by Chamber Music and Arts Singapore, and is available in The Glasshousewith FREE access for a limited time: 7 Aug – 19 Sep 2021 in celebration of Singapore's 56th National Day.

The 1819 Suite can still be accessed in The Glasshouse after 19 Sept, with their membership subscription.
The Glasshouse is offering a National Day discount of 20% off the first month of subscription with the code "NationalDay20".

YPAW 59: My Motivation Struggles - Lack of Motivation, Detaching my views from my Identity, Defining my personal values, Rethinking how to live a value driven life

Vincent Tan — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 01:00:37 +0800

This episode is a riff on the ups and downs that I have felt in the last few months.
About six months ago, my motivation was at an all time low. Practice has become labourious and requires large amount of effort. But it was rather helpful to have some space to think about what my life and work would look like if everything was based on my value rather than my belief and views. I am interested to hear what all of you have to say about this episode!

The Knowledge Project Podcast:
Website
YouTube
Spotify

YPAW 58: Lau Wen Rong - Love for Trumpet, Hating Classical Music, Impact of being in a Youth Orchestra, Coping with Self-Imposed Pressure, Perfection VS Excellence, Staying in the Present

Vincent Tan — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 19:53:09 +0800

This week I am joined by Lau Wen Rong, Wen Rong is a prize winner in multiple competitions and is currently part of the trumpet section in the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Apart from his busy performance schedule and his ability to rise up against any high pressure situation, Wen Rong is an active teacher and have been inspiring students of various age group.

1. Our Chung Cheng stories

2. Why he was a vegetarian for such a long time

3. His musical and career developments

4. The impact of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) and the former Singapore National Youth Training Orchestra on him

5. Coping with self imposed pressure

6. Perfection VS Excellence

7. Audition Preparation Tips

8. His time in The Julliard School

9. Tips to staying in the present and so much more

To register and find out more about THE 4TH NEW TALENT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION
Website

YPAW 57: Benjamin Yeo (Part 2) - Development of Intangible Qualities from Music, The Importance of Youth Development Programmes, Finding his Artistic Identity and Creative Process, Passion for Teaching

Vincent Tan — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0800

This week we pick up from where we left off from my conversation with Benjamin Yeo. Benji is an avid contributor to multiple facets of the local music and band scene taking on roles as an educator, composer, conductor.

In this second part of a 2 part episode, we spoke about:
1. The impact music and arts practice and the development of intangible qualities in a young person.
2. What is the former Music Talent Development Centre (MTDC) and the importance of programmes designed to develop the youths.
3. The importance of composing music that is true to him.
4. Composition is a bespoke "service".
5. His creative process, using City of Dreams as an example.
6. How his love of teaching made him walk away from an overseas scholarship.
7. The changes in Music curriculum in schools.

And much more about his love for teaching, current career and the guiding principal that he believes in.

Find out more about Benjamin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

To register and find out more about THE 4TH NEW TALENT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION
Website

YPAW 56: Benjamin Yeo - Learning about Thai Culture & Language, Challenges Faced in Music Education and Performance Arts, Finding His Tribe, Inspiration from Mineral Water

Vincent Tan — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0800

This week I am joined by perhaps the most prolific contributor to the Singapore Wind Band Repertory, Benjamin Yeo. Benji is an avid contributor to multiple facets of the local music and band scene taking on roles as an educator, composer, conductor.

In this first part of a 2 part episode, we spoke about:

How it is perfectly ok to call him Benji instead of Benjamin
His obsession with the Thai culture
Challenges he faced over the last one year being a Music Teacher and the Dean of the Aesthetic Department
The Music Elective Programme vs the IB music syllabus
How he never intended to join the school band
How he fell in love with the art form that is Concert Band
How a particular brand of mineral water jump started his composition career

And much more about his musical journey and thoughts regarding music education and band programmes in Singapore.

Find out more about Benjamin's work
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

To register and find out more about THE 4TH NEW TALENT BRITISH INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITION
Website

YPAW 55: Andy Sim (Part 2) - Building resilience, The Heart and Brain relationship, Deep-Light-Paced Breathing, Fight and Flight

Vincent Tan — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 20:46:23 +0800

Welcome back to this part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Andy Sim we spoke about:

A quote that has significant meaning to him

Building resilience

Addressing the fear of failure

The Heart and Brain relationship

ANTS vs APES

Fight and Flight response

The power of Deep, Light and Paced Breathing

The importance of staying in the present

To find out more about Andy and his work you can visit the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/Embodied-InPsych-2112377532140176/

https://embodiedinpsych.wixsite.com/website

YPAW 54: Andy Sim - Music to Psychology, Navigating Stress, Contributors to Burnout, Why we fall out of love with what we love in the process of pursuing it

Vincent Tan — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0800

This week, I sat down and spoke to conductor turned psychologist, Dr. Andy Sim. A practitioner of the HeartMath System.

We talked about his career in music and how it eventually transformed into psychology.

Navigating stress

How did stress come about if we are pursuing something we love

The 3 main contributors to burnout

This was a highly informative session that I really enjoyed! Tune in to find out more!

To find out more about Andy and his work you can visit the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/Embodied-InPsych-2112377532140176/

https://embodiedinpsych.wixsite.com/website

YPAW 53: Ron Tan - Restoring Dignity, Practicing Music 80% Deaf, Responding to Negativity, Seeking Long Term Happiness

Vincent Tan — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 13:07:20 +0800

This week's episode, I'm joined by Ron Tan, the founder of the Inclusive Arts Movement, an organization that aims to inspire and promote equality between the differently & generally-abled through the performing arts. Ron himself is a self taught pianist and he is 80% deaf, but it hasn’t stop him from performing and composing. I really enjoyed this chat and the energy and passion Ron brought to the conversation. In this episode we spoke:

The work and services provided by the Inclusive Arts Movement which includes performances, team building workshops and pivoting into a more digital landscape.

His motivation to provide differently – abled performers a platform to showcase their talent and to perform

What music means to him and why he chose to be a practitioner despite his aural impairment, and how music helped him build up his self-esteem.

Responding to negativity with an open mind and calmness.

Restoring dignity to the differently-abled community and providing avenues for social integration.

Collaborating and interacting with differently – abled persons in a sensitive and empathetic manner.

The future for Inclusive Arts Movement.

For the videos mentioned in the episode:
Rueben's feature - Friends – Sasha M (feat. AngelK & Reuben Khanal)
Workshop Introduction
A Million Dreams

Find out more about Inclusive Arts Movement below:
https://www.inclusiveartsmovement.com/
Facebook

YPAW 52: Adrian Chiang (Part 2)

Vincent Tan — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:35:21 +0800

Continuing from the previous episode, in this second part of the conversation with Adrian, we spoke about:

His decision to take on leadership positions with BDAS and NICA, the difference these organizations seek to create.

The launch of the Singapore Band Solo Virtual Championships by BDAS

Creating environment for like-minded students to meet each other.

How assuming these leadership roles have impacted his life.

Where and what does Adrian invest his time and energy in.

What this 3 groups mean to him:
The Philharmonic Winds, The Philharmonic Youth, Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra

The most important tip with regards to having a freelance career.

YPAW 51: Adrian Chiang (Part 1)

Vincent Tan — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:47:34 +0800

I should have had this guest on way earlier but I finally set it up and its with Adrian Chiang. If there is ever a Singapore Band Director’s Hall of Fame, he would definitely be in it. Adrian is a well-known figure in the Singapore Music scene and has a portfolio that encompasses music education, conducting and management roles.

In 2017, he took on leadership roles and became the President of Band Directors’ Association Singapore and the National Instructors and Coaches Association know as (NICA) founded by NTUC. Providing a voice to freelance instructors and coaches, restoring dignity for freelancers.

In this first part of a 2 part conversation, Adrian and I spoke about our unusual first encounter (at least for it was unusual), his decision to lead a healthier lifestyle and how it impacted his work, his thought process behind commissioning 17 new works for each his band performing at the SYF 2021 and his musical journey and career developments.

Tune in to this upcoming episode, plenty of laughter in this one!

YPAW 50: Dawn Wong

Vincent Tan — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:11:39 +0800

This week on YPAW, I am joined by Jazz songstress, Dawn Wong. Dawn is no stranger to the spotlight, appearing on prime-time television as a participant of Project Superstar 2. Since then she was continued to take her career on an upward trajectory, receiving the Music Scholarship offered by the Jazz Association (Singapore) and graduating top of class at La Salle College of the Arts. The work that Dawn has created and put up over the years have been truly remarkable and adding on to her already diverse portfolio, Dawn took on the role of Project Director of The One Million Towards Utopia campaign by The Foundation.

In this episode, we spoke about performing on live television and dealing with negative feedback, her role as Project Director of the One Million Towards Utopia movement by The Foundation and what is it about, the difference that The Foundation seeks to make.
The relevance of the arts in our daily lives, her musical journey and career developments, creating her own musical identity and style.
Keeping her creative muscle working in tough times, the creation of Jazz for Kids, the creative process behind her album, Marco Lopo.
Growing your work/career as an artist/musician.

To find more about Dawn:
Instagram
Facebook

Listen to Marco Lopo:
Spotify

Listen to Delivery:
Spotify
YouTube

YPAW 49: The Freelancer's Workshop

Vincent Tan — Fri, 28 May 2021 11:15:06 +0800

I have recently enrolled myself in a Freelancer's Workshop, a part of a series under the Akimbo Workshops. I have found this course to be extremely helpful in allowing me to distill my thoughts regarding my work and redefining what freelance work is all about.

In this episode, I share what this course is about, how it works, a particular story that really resonated with me, working through why I have always felt stuck with my work and some takeaway from the course that I think everyone will benefit from!

My apologies on the late release this week!

Check out the Akimbo Workshops here: https://akimbo.com/

YPAW 48: Benjamin Thia

Vincent Tan — Wed, 19 May 2021 12:07:51 +0800

This week on YPAW, I am joined by Benjamin Thia, rugby fanatic, drummer, teacher, percussion repair technician, custom drum maker. I have known Ben for a number of years but never had the chance to speak to him about his career developments over the years and how he now has his hands in almost all aspects of percussion.

In this episode, we discussed his love for rugby, entering fatherhood, his love for all things DIY including renovating his current workspace, his musical journey, how he started his repair services from his own home, Colbern drums and what they offer, his thoughts about the increased number of school percussion ensembles due to the new SYF regulations and some of his thoughts about the development of the jazz music scene in Singapore.

To find more about Ben:

His work at P.Works
His work at Colbern Custom Dums

YPAW 47: Loh Jun Hong

Vincent Tan — Wed, 12 May 2021 10:00:00 +0800

This week, I am joined by violin extraordinaire Loh Jun Hong. Jun Hong is the co-founder of More than Music, More than Music is a concert series that aims to revolutionize the classical music concert experience by bringing both the music and the performers to the audience in an informal and intimate manner. More Than Music concerts present the top young classical music talents in the region, bringing world-class chamber music performances to new audiences, up close and personal.

Jun Hong has a long list of accolades which includes first prizes in international and local solo competitions, appeared as concertmaster at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland allowing him to work the likes of Charles Dutoit and Valery Gergiev and was featured as soloist with numerous orchestras around the world. And now you might be thinking, why is someone like him speaking to someone like me… I wonder too.. But nonetheless, I had a fantastic time as usual.

We spoke about his recent involvement in the recording of the Utopia Symphony organized by The Foundation and what is his definition of utopia, his thoughts towards music competition, his mentality and relationship towards music and performance as the years go by, his time as a military musician, deciding to have portfolio career, going away from the traditional path, the challenges in starting a new performance project and “is good, good enough?”

To find out more about Jun Hong and his work:
https://junhongloh.com/
More Than Music

To find out more about The Foundation and their One Million Towards Utopia campaign:
https://www.thefoundation.sg/towardsutopiasg

YPAW 46: Lee JinJun (Part 2)

Vincent Tan — Wed, 05 May 2021 11:09:52 +0800

Welcome back to the second part of my conversation with Jinjun, in this episode, we picked up where we left off regarding some of his thoughts about the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation. We spoke about an alternative to the current festival and question and if things can be changed to assess the band programme apart from just performing two pieces.

We spoke about competitiveness in music, his job as a teacher in School of The Arts and what its all about, how blue tack helped him cope with his braces when he was 15 and his thoughts about self publishing and writer's block.

The find out more about Jinjun's work visit his website at:
www.leejinjun.com

YPAW 45: Lee JinJun

Vincent Tan — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 14:06:53 +0800

This week on You Play A What? I'm joined by fellow Liverpool supporter, Lee JinJun. JinJun is current a teacher in School of the Arts and is well-known name in the Singapore Band scene, having composed the set piece ‘festival on earth and Party in Space’ for Concert Band for the 2019 Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation.

On this first part of the conversation, we spoke about some of his favourite pastime, his involvement in other arts group apart from being performer and composer, his career development over the years. His creative process behind the set pieces he wrote and some of his thoughts about this year’s SYF.

The find out more about Jinjun's work visit his website at:
www.leejinjun.com

YPAW 44: Useful Feedback

Vincent Tan — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:58:48 +0800

What is your relationship with offering and receiving feedback? Do you enjoy the process of it? Some questions for all of us to think about regarding feedback:

What kind of feedback are you looking for from this community?
What kind of feedback are you not looking for from this community?
What kind of feedback do you commit to giving others?
What kind of feedback do you not want to give?

YPAW 43: Placebo VS Nocebo

Vincent Tan — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 16:15:32 +0800

On this episode we speak about the relationship between the mind and the body. The effects of Placebo and Nocebo and how it affects our ability to get into peak performance mode.

Does chicken essence make you feel more alert and energetic for your exams? Does a $200 bottle of wine taste better than a $20 bottle?

YPAW 42: Athletes VS Nerds

Vincent Tan — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 03:18:54 +0800

Apologies on the delay this week, but there is going to be an episode!!

From last week's episode with @cokohnut where we spoke briefly about career burnout, made me think about "serious" hobbies or a side hustle and how it can help us with our primary pursuit.

On this episode we will talk about what is considered a serious hobby, the difference in mentality between an Athlete and a Nerd, and how the choice of hobby can help us do our primary job better.

YPAW 41: Koh Min Hui

Vincent Tan — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:57:56 +0800

In this episode of YPAW I spoke with Singapore Chinese Orchestra's 阮 (Ruan) musician, Koh Min Hui. One would argue that Min Hui's career trajectory is as smooth as it can be, winning her job with the orchestra at the age of 21, straight out of her Bachelors degree course at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Apart from her work with the orchestra, Min Hui is also a passionate teacher that works with students of various age groups and is a tutor for the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra.

We spoke about:
1. Some of the non-music related skillset required for one to survive a job in the orchestra
2. Her thoughts and observation regarding suffering from burnout as a professional musician
3. The advice she will give to a student looking to pursue a career in music
4. What it means to be part of a generation of exception Chinese Music Instrumentalist

To find out more about Min Hui's work, you can find her information below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cokohnut/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minhuiuhnim

YPAW 40: Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation

Vincent Tan — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 12:44:28 +0800

It is the event that keeps my job relevant, the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation just around the corner, I have decided to dedicate this episode of YPAW to all my students who are participating in SYF AP 2021. Due to the pandemic, the SYF this year is unlike any of the previous SYF, and I hope to share with all participants that it is usually unlike it this year.

In this episode, I spoke about the changes that I have observed in the Singapore Youth Festival over the years, my personal experiences of participating in the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging and finally some tips to prepare for these final few weeks of SYF!

YPAW 39: Amos Chiya

Vincent Tan — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0800

My guest today is indeed the man that puts on his pink uniform every morning and delivers your favourite bubbletea or McGriddles. Yes, it’s the Famous Amos, the man himself, Amos Chiya (probably enough food items for now).

Prior to his return to Singapore in the late 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic, Amos was living in Russia and was working as a guest conductor with several orchestras in the region. Having spent a good number of years away from Singapore, he has found it challenging to navigate a volatile arts scene and has started working as a food deliveryman. His video and article on TODAY has been shared across many countries and by many. But it seems like his days as a food deliveryman are numbered, as he has confirmed his trip to Japan to work with Maestro Riccardo Muti and a return to Russia for some conducting work.

On this episode, we talked about his time living in Russia, his thoughts about conducting symphonic repertoire, operas and ballet. We also spoke about the frustrations that a young music graduate might face in Singapore, his pep talk for a young person planning to pursue music professionally, and his intended outcome behind his article. This has been a great conversation that took me by surprise!

Website: https://amoschiya.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amoschiya/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqMUjhqNDJFVDeBiXVrBvJA
His Article: https://www.todayonline.com/gen-y-speaks/gen-y-speaks-i-was-conductor-opera-houses-around-world-till-covid-19-hit-now-i-deliver

YPAW 38: The University of the Arts

Vincent Tan — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:52:07 +0800

This is yet another rant, and today it is regarding the recent announcement pertaining to the formation of the first ever Singapore university of the arts. In this episode, I am not discussing what sort of curriculum will benefit the students because I feel like at this point in my life I am still figuring this out.

What I would address in this episode is how we react to negativity that surrounds our work, such as internet trolls, people with conflicting ideologies to you, people who do not understand what is it that you do and why you do what you do. Having a new university centred around the arts is fantastic, but it is important for students to not treat this university as a career centre for arts. That if you enrolled into the school you are guaranteed to get a job and be successful.

Emma's article: https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/features/juilliard-modernize-classical-music-education-1134208/?fbclid=IwAR0sHfby9ieZeBxm5bdQh8xBjfIC0BYokhkUMp5UxESkMS2zsSntWx9lVXI
Will's Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamFed/posts/10158617398236154
The Entrepreneurial Musician: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nIrJVCNKtsdFnMYjcQ8bH?si=zur3cUNQQj6mwPuJr_A-cw
Crushing Classical (with Brian O'Neill): https://open.spotify.com/episode/1P0gMyIpLjtr4bvCQvMJ7r?si=0BVXx_98RLqYaA9BngRKOQ

YPAW 37: Clement Lim

Vincent Tan — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 10:00:00 +0800

This week on YPAW, I am joined by long time friend Clement Lim who is currently based in Berlin, Germany. The relationship between Clement and I haven't always been cordial, he have had our differences when we were a few years younger. But I would say it is mostly me who took offense to his words and actions...

Fast forward a couple of years, loads has happened and we continued to stay in touch whenever we can. Clement has spent the last 6-7 years in Germany, living in Hannover, Nurnberg, Essen and recently relocated to Berlin. In this episode we spoke about his year trips to Taiwan, the decision to move to another city in the middle of his Bachelor's Degree course and his mindset shift on approaching music and work after living abroad for a few years and the reason why he started his 100 days challenge....

YPAW 36: Lim An Chun

Vincent Tan — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:54:44 +0800

This week on YPAW I am joined by long time friend, Lim An Chun. A larger than life character that seems to draw people to him, An Chun possess fantastic rapport with most people. He might even bump into a friend in London, that is how far his network would stretch.

An Chun has had a really interesting musical journey that is full of ups and downs, but for those who know him well, one thing is for sure, and that is he is not one to give up easily. He has suffered plenty of setbacks, but I am happy to say that things seems to be on the upward trajectory except that he was tested positive for Covid-19 towards the end of 2020 but I am happy to say that he is close to 100% now and all seems well!

On this episode, we spoke about his experience and the recovery process after being tested positive for Covid-19, spending Chinese New Year abroad, the difficulties he faced when auditioning for music college, the key mentors in his life and some of his pedagogical concepts.

YPAW 35: Fear of Failure

Vincent Tan — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 10:00:00 +0800

On this episode, I talk about the topic of regarding Fear of Failure in students that we interact with on a regular basis. How did this mindset of fear (in general, not just in failure) manage to get instilled into us? As CCA instructors and coaches, what can we do to add value into the student's lives and allow them to explore these other skill sets that are not always required in the world that judges student on individual performance in an exam? Happy to hear from my fellow coaches and instructors!

Stop Stealing Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpbONjV1Jc&t=499s
Report on Fear of Failure from PISA: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/2f9d3124-en.pdf?expires=1612312397&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=D870756E3E2641547D0E084FAA357F02
Seth's Book: https://seths.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/stop-stealing-dreams6print.pdf

YPAW 34: Nicholas Ong & Terrence Wong (Part 2)

Vincent Tan — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 10:54:20 +0800

Welcome back to the continuation of my interview with Nicholas Ong and Terrence Wong, co-host of the Crafting Musical Lives Podcast. In the previous episode, we spoke about the the living situation in the UK and how it has affected the arts and their day to day life. They also shared their musical journeys and the difference between university and conservatory education.

On this episode we spoke about detaching ourselves from our work, how they conceived Crafting Musical Lives and the work that goes on behind each episode, interacting with experts in a subject matter. Finally, can music be deemed as a universal language? Tune in the find out!

Do check out their podcast below:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2UXIZR4BBD3Vg9jbMHtylR?si=4KiJilbOQbKb12EQqtT6iQ
Website: https://www.craftingmusicallives.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftingmusicallives/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CraftingMLives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftingmlives/

YPAW 33: Nicholas Ong & Terrence Wong

Vincent Tan — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 13:33:47 +0800

This week I am pleased to be joined by Nicholas Ong and Terrence Wong, co-host of the Crafting Musical Lives Podcast. Both of them are currently based in the UK, Terrence in London and Nicholas in Oxford. Amongst the three of us we share a good amount of similarities as alumni of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, having furthered our studies in respective cities in the UK and of course podcast host.

On this first part of a two part interview we spoke about how they have been coping with current situation in the UK, their individual musical journey, and what it means to embark on the path of music academia. Enough from me now, please enjoy this episode of you play a what with Nicholas and Terrence.

YPAW 32: Sanche Jagatheesan

Vincent Tan — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 10:18:29 +0800

On this episode of YPAW, I am joined ME2 Sanche Jagatheesan from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Band. Sanche currently serves as the Principal Bassist of the SAF Band and occasionally dabbles on the electric bass as well as percussion and has been in service since completing his studies.

Join us on this episode, as Sanche shares his work as a military musician, how the SAF Band continues to engage with the general public when live performances are put on hold, his experiences abroad with the SAF Band and some tips for student bassist.

Videos by the SAF Band
Reach Out For the Skies, One Singapore!
“One People, One Nation, One Singapore”

YPAW 31: Daniel Bonventure Lim (Part 2)

Vincent Tan — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 11:51:14 +0800

This first episode of YPAW for the year of 2021 is the second part of my interview with Daniel Bonaventure Lim! If you have not listened to the first part of this interview you can find it here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bwPVgnKeBdBmb7Y1wy0sj?si=JQFldVaqS6Cf-Pddtew3KA

Daniel and I spent 3 years living in Manchester in close vicinity as students of the RNCM. Since returning to Singapore, Daniel has kept himself involved and active in various music activities and organizations, he brings along a refreshing take on the music industry. On this episode, we spoke about how has 2020 been for himself, his thoughts on digital concerts and engaging music communities as well as his musical journey.

We begin this episode from where we left off from the previous. On this episode, we discuss the idea of sunk cost, building up a resume/CV, his entrepreneurial ventures in college and the challenges of self-publishing.

YPAW 30: Daniel Bonaventure Lim

Vincent Tan — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 11:01:43 +0800

Currently working as a Management Consultant, I am joined by Daniel Bonaventure Lim on the first part of a two part episode that brings us into the new year! Daniel and I spent 3 years living in Manchester in close vicinity as students of the RNCM.

Since returning to Singapore, Daniel has kept himself involved and active in various music activities and organizations, he brings along a refreshing take on the music industry. On this episode, we spoke about how has 2020 been for himself, his thoughts on digital concerts and engaging music communities as well as his musical journey.

The fact that he composed a euphonium quartet my for me might or might not have played a part in me asking him to come on the podcast....

YPAW 29: The Worst Boss

Vincent Tan — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0800

I am lucky to the worst boss, I would not trade it for most things in this world. On this episode of YPAW, join me as I go on a riff to talk about the reason I would congratulate you for being the worst boss, poor manager of career and the inability to organize your day. Trust me, you might not be in such a bad situation as you think!

Time Ferris Show feat. Seth Godin: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Z7zsYnjFDxGDNWFYlW0sB?si=W5ynhDabTLO_CBmT5KLvsg

Akimbo: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50bncfjgbSd3hNyq5bssHB?si=I55tntMHQOyqZ4h26GP8tg

YPAW 28: Wang Chenwei

Vincent Tan — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 10:30:00 +0800

Composer, Polyglot, Multi-instrumentalist are just some of the words you would describe my guest, Wang Chenwei. Chenwei is currently based in Singapore, he is currently the Composer-in-Residence with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the co-author of "The Teng Guide to the Chinese Orchestra" the only comprehensive Chinese Orchestra text that is in English.

Chenwei's skillset as a musician is a unique combination of composition, ethnomusicology and audio engineering, making him a thoughtful musician that tries to use his art to engage others to understand and learn about other cultures through music. We also spoke about exam grading and music competition for music and of course his strong interest in computer programming!

To find out more about Chenwei and his work, you can visit the links below:
https://wangchenwei.wordpress.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/wangchenwei
https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/10808

YPAW 27: $4 Haircut vs $70 Haircut

Vincent Tan — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 12:34:51 +0800

On this episode and I breaking out norm of YPAW, this particular topic that I am addressing today has been on my mind for quite some time. Tune in to this episode as I share my story of a $4 haircut and a $70 haircut. What I thought was an act of generosity and the reflection on the 3 courses I completed over the last 14 days.

YPAW 26: Koh Cheng Jin

Vincent Tan — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 10:21:20 +0800

Well versed in both Western and Chinese musical language and performance, I am joined by Cheng Jin on this episode of YPAW. She uses her compositions to tell a rendition of Asian mythology and fables with a vivid soundscape. In this episode we spoke about her relationship with music from a young age. We spoke about her passion to bring music to the less privileged communities, her emotional struggles as a composer and the different roles in music that she has explored over the years. And of course, what is it like to be a foster cat owner for the very first time.

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

YPAW 25: Lee Jia Yi

Vincent Tan — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 11:45:48 +0800

Fellow coffee lover Lee Jia Yi, is my guest for this episode of YPAW. Currently a student at the Peabody Conservatory and based in the USA, spending her first semester break abroad with the short days and cold weather that is associated with winter. Join us on this episode as Jia Yi paints us a image of Baltimore, she speaks about her compositional process, her thoughts on appealing to the mass media and what is she truly passionate about as an artist.

Check out her work here: https://soundcloud.com/lee-jia-yi-composer

YPAW 24: Likie Low

Vincent Tan — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0800

On this episode of YPAW, I am joined by Likie, a current student of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore and have been composing and producing her own music (she even sang!!!) over the last few years! A musician that takes on multiple roles and is never afraid to wander in to the unknown, one can only imagine what is her future beholds! On this episode we spoke about her idea of what makes a good EDM track, the importance of putting her work out there and her unique way of designing her biography!

You can check out Likie's work on the links below:
Website: https://www.likielow.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likie.low/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/40yOU7yi0blllPSKvALemv?si=s4SstrC2Q8yGz_eKGwSGXQ

YPAW 23: Emily Koh

Vincent Tan — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Have you ever spoken to someone for the first time thinking that you would be quite far apart in terms of the way you think about your work and life but it turns out not to be the case and you end up being pleasantly surprised? This is what I felt before my chat with Emily, although in our brief Zoom calls she was very warm and friendly in our discussion, I've learnt to never assume. Turns out we have more in common than we thought...

We spoke about Emily in Atlanta (not Paris), which was the first city I travelled to on my own. I was there for the International Euphonium Institute (now called the IET Festival) organized by Adam Frey and held at the Emory University, which is apparently not to far away from where she lives! In terms of music, it is no surprise that for a composer like Emily is, she is constantly pushing boundaries and generating new repertoire for different people/groups. I particularly like her take on staying current and relevant in the progressing art scene and perhaps romanticizing in music written 300 years ago might not be ideal, which I agree! Below is a quote from one of her recent Facebook post "We cannot just twiddle our thumbs and wait for the day we can go back to the same old ways again. This is not how an artist or creative community works. We adapt, we change, we try new things, we work and we reinvent. In doing so, we stay relevant. Sometimes we fail spectacularly, but maybe, just maybe, we will discover new paths to similar goals."

So you can imagine, the rest of the conversation was absolutely brilliant! Tune in to find out more!

YPAW 22: Michellina Chan

Vincent Tan — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Back when I was studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, I was in a Euphonium Quartet (I am also wondering how is this a thing...). We were called The Brass Compass Euphonium Quartet, the name came about as the quartet is made up of members of different nationality, Australia (South), Latvia (North), UK (West), Singapore (East). The quartet started out because of a compulsory chamber music module for all second year, but things escalated quickly. Fast forward a couple of months, we were 1st Place in the Chamber Music Category at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference held in Tennessee, USA. That year, we won everything we took part in except for the overall chamber music price at the RNCM, where we came in with an honourable mention behind a piano trio (of course). The group is now inactive, in fact it has been inactive since my final year of study if not for my chamber music assessment, we would have folded even earlier.

So you might ask what made it all fall apart if the group was successful? The answer is simple, different priority, different commitment level. Since then, I had seen the sustainability of a chamber group differently. The most important thing, all members of the group need to strive towards the same goal and to want to achieve the same outcome. And if you happen to all get along with each other, that would make life a little more enjoyable.

Since returning back to Singapore, I am fortunate to be in a quartet with some colleagues and friends that I hold in high regard. Out of the 3 of them, I had knew Michellina for the shortest amount of time, but what is evident is her is the positivity and dedication to her craft that is a source of inspiration!

Find out more about Michellina with the links below:
Website click here
YouTube click here

YPAW 21: Charity Kiew

Vincent Tan — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Playing the euphonium has made me missed out on meeting people. Don't get me wrong, I love playing the instrument and because of that, I have managed to pick up on a few life long friends throughout this time. I am very grateful for the friendships and laughter. But what was lacking in my social circle were the string players (violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, you get it...), the true representation of high culture. To be honest, I am not sure this is a bad thing... But I did miss out on knowing a particular Charity, which when I was growing up was the Harpist at the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

In my conversation with Charity, what was evident for her love for music and her love for life in general. It is easy to see someone like Charity as a bit of an overnight success, because so much of what we see of her is revolving around her success, such as winning awards or performing with the quite possibly the world's most famous orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. However, after listening to her musical journey, what we see as success is no doubt being earned by her putting in the work to be a better version of herself everyday. Tune in to find out why she decided to overhaul her playing in the middle of her studies in New York and how that decision has paid off.

Check out The Harp Hitch by the legendary Charity and find out more about her work at Rave Harps!

YPAW 20: Teng Siang Hong

Vincent Tan — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:23:11 +0800

"The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives", you might recognize this quote from a particular HBO series, Game of Thrones. You might find it strange, what has this quote got to do with my guest today? As humans, like many other species, we are herd animals who are trying to fit in and earn the respect of others. How we decide our behaviour is based on the degree that it allows us to fit in to your environment and social circle. I am lucky to be surrounded by extremely passionate band members during my time in school and at the centre of it all is Siang Hong. The band major that shows up at 2pm every single day (apart from exam periods) to the band store and starts practicing and we would leave school between 530-6pm. After 2 years of observing his dedication, I felt like I had to do the same when I assume a similar position and I was more than happy to do so!

On hindsight, if there is a word that can be used to describe him will be "consistent". Apart from the band room, him and I spent a bulk of our free time at the basketball court. Even the way he played basketball was the same, he does the same thing time and time again, he keeps scoring and there is nothing you could do.. During our years in NAFA, he would have absolutely no issue going to the same Nasi Lemak store just next to school every single day. Perhaps that is the secret to his life. On this episode, we speak about the travelling woes of a tubist, how chamber music has helped him develop as a musician, auditioning at different countries.

Check out Concerts go Online organized by the Wind Band Association of Singapore to see Siang Hong in action along with other Singaporean talent!

YPAW 19: Ray Chionh

Vincent Tan — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0800

It is fascinating for me to observe the growth and development of a peer, you will have to spend a substantial amount of time apart in order for you to measure the difference. Its a bit like weight lost/gain, you don't tend to realize it yourself but someone that sees you for the first time in months will be able to tell the difference immediately. In the case of Ray, it has been wonderful to have someone to share ideas and struggles with. Throughout our time abroad, whenever we see each other, we would talk about the hindrance in our playing and how we wished we went to a teacher at younger age! But at this point, I start to realize that the learning and growing never stops and that we can never truly master an instrument but each day when we pick the instrument we learn to cope and negotiate with the instrument for the most optimal end product. More awareness and less mindlessness.

Ray has been a good friend to bounce off ideas with and perhaps it is time for us to finally go on an artistic collaboration and venture together... On this episode, we speak about the confusion that is brought upon by his surname, how he celebrates his birthday with a fireworks display every year, his thoughts on the pros and cons of music school, the local trumpet scene and his idea of musical excellence.

Check out The Trumpet Studio
Check out Wind Band Association of Singapore for Ray's upcoming performance

YPAW 18: Daniel Yiau

Vincent Tan — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0800

My first dealings with Daniel was definitely a case of his reputation preceding him. I have never performed or worked with Daniel closely until 2017 for the performance of The Queen Symphony featuring Orchestra Collective and The Graduate Singers. The prior meeting with him was at a hotel lobby in Chiayi City in Taiwan where we were there at the World Association of Symphonic Band and Ensemble (WASBE) Conference representing different ensembles. Everything else that I have heard about this man has been hearsay from the experience of others and they do not paint him in the best light. I have heard that he is angsty, short-fused, and able to weaponize his words to inflict serious damage...

Fast forward to February of 2018 I find myself on a flight to Amsterdam from Manchester to perform for Master's recital which included Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe, Mashima's Le Trois Notes du Japon and some new commissions. Bearing in mind, at this point in time, I still did not know Daniel very well so I really did not know what to expect. Turns out he was a fantastic host and showed some of the warmest hospitality that anyone would for a fellow Singaporean visiting him. Out of rehearsals, he went to craft beer tap rooms, endless amounts of specialty coffee cafes (even thought he is not a coffee drinker), Indonesian food, fantastic frites, herring sandwiches and copious amount of home cooked food by him. What I experienced certainly goes against what I have heard about him. It certainly has been an interesting few years knowing him. Now, we are working together in a quartet, is there disagreement? Of course, but nothing that can't be solved through a proper discussion!

Check out Daniel's YouTube Channel below:

Daniel's YouTube Channel

YPAW 17: Teo Yu Yao

Vincent Tan — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0800

As a music conservatory trained musician, I sometimes find myself in a dilemma, if I were to tell you that I never once doubted my career choice, I would be lying. A career change away from music can be deemed by our colleagues in the music industry as so and so can't quite "cut it" as a musician so he /she needs to pivot to something that is unrelated. Comparing this to say an accountant who decides to go into digital marketing is probably less likely to be judged by his/her colleagues as incompetent. That being said, I do believe that competency on our respective instrument(s) is no longer a selling point like in the 1800-1900s. I explained it a little more in depth in the episode.

Yu Yao decided that after returning from London, he was not going to stay in the music industry but he began to build up his corporate experience and portfolio. Some might say that he took the easy way out, but I beg to differ. As a music graduate, I understand how under appreciated this 'nicely framed piece of paper' is when it comes to job application out of the music industry. More often than not, I think employers are more curious than genuinely thinking that you might be up for the job. However, it is not all doom and gloom, gaining this financial stability has allowed Yu Yao to participate in performances and gigs that is true to his artistic belief, something that many musicians yearn for.

Check out Yu Yao's recent performance below:

Crossing Borders | An Evening of Turkish Delight with Teo Yu Yao and Serhad Sarica

YPAW 16: Bernice Lee

Vincent Tan — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0800

After 16 episodes, I finally interviewed a guest whom I have never interacted with prior to our conversation, but lucky for me, this was a classic case of preceding reputation. I first came across Bernice when she won the President’s Young Performers’ Competition in 2016, which resulted in her concerto debut with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength, spending 2018 as Guest Co-Principal Oboe with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and currently based in London and earning positions in Academy programme organized by the London Sinfonietta and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Accolades aside it was no surprise that Bernice deserved every ounce of success that she is enjoying at the moment. Many points that she brought up during the interview resonated with me - such as creating your own luck, sustaining her productivity during these difficult times and how she is providing value through her tireless work online. These are some of the primary ingredients to building up a successful career as a musician. We also spoke about the common dilemma musicians face with self-promotion. In this conversation with Bernice, she exudes a devotion to her craft, continuous pursuit of excellence and painstaking diligence in practice that is found in a great musician. This conversation has left me inspired and energized!
To sum it all up, what a remarkable musician!

To find out more about Bernice, visit her website here.
Subscribe to Bernice's YouTube Channel to stay updated with her amazing content!

YPAW 15: A COVID-19 Retrospective (6 Months)

Vincent Tan — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0800

This episode is a brief reflection of what has been going on in my life since I was told not to work for the sake of my own safety. And I think I have gotten quite good at that... A month by month outlook between my last rehearsal to my upcoming rehearsal that is happening then this episode goes online. Coincidence??

YPAW 14: Mindy Chang

Vincent Tan — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Some words that comes to mind when we describe Western Classical music, Sophisticated? Elitist? Snobbish? Atas? Chim? Whatever the word might be for you, as musicians trained in the discipline of Western Classical music, we tend to go into a rabbit hole and tunnel vision, believing the pastures over in the Western world is greener, better and guarantees improvement in your craft to a level you can only dreamed about. I do agree that the western world includes nations that is considered the classical music mecca and schools of playing that appeals to you and it is always a good idea to broaden your own horizons by spending an extended period of time in such places. But ultimately, the idea of improving our craft comes from a dedication and eagerness from within. We could only wish that all we needed to attain performance enlightenment is a visa and an air ticket to the country of your choice. Therefore in any given situation, it is important that we find opportunities to learn, in respect of music, culture, social interactions, language just to name a few.

At first when I heard that Mindy was going to Thailand as part of her exchange programme, I was shocked. Did she mistake her exchange for a holiday? The idea of moving west was so strong that I fail to see the other possibilities, more importantly understand one's decision. On hindsight, I believe that going to a country near home for exchange might not be all that bad after all. Tune in to find out what is going on in Mindy's life and why she made the decisions she did!

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

YPAW 13: Don Kow

Vincent Tan — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0800

Its always interesting to talk to a close friend, especially one that you have worked closely with over the past year and lives just a few minutes car ride away. Apart from his impressive collection of printed t-shirts, Don is 2 things, a fiercely loyal friend and a dedicated musician to his craft. A friend that can be relied on in times of need, I have seen Don go above and beyond for friends and loved ones. However, this trait of his is also a double-edged sword, once you cross him, you will feel his wrath just as strongly as his loyalty. Professionally, he has always been dedicated to his practice and honing his craft for most parts since I met him.

Impressed by the Dutch Trombone School of playing spearheaded by the New Trombone Collective (consisting the likes of Jorgen van Rijen and Brandt Attema to name a few), Don embarked on his post-graduate studies in the Netherlands, spending time in Rotterdam and The Hague. It was during this time where he experienced a new way of looking at music/performance and ultimately his career. Relocating and embarking on creative endeavours back in Singapore is not easy and can often be met with resistance, kindred spirits can be hard to come by and I am glad that I have made the cut to be part of a quartet (an idea that has taken up different forms and morphed many times) with Don since 2019. Apart from his work ethics, tech expertise, brain storming and jokes, what is shared between us is the constant pursuit of excellence, originality and relevance that we hope we had and always will be our shown through our work.

YPAW 12: Teng Xiang Ting

Vincent Tan — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 12:00:00 +0800

From the age of 15, I could be deemed as a "band geek", I was listening to the trendiest pieces in the Wind Band repertory and I was mad about the euphonium. I scour the forums for hours on end, reading up about new developments and what sets different model of instruments apart. I purchased study books and etudes thinking that these texts has all the answer to make me a great euphonium player. During this time I could engage in conversation with anyone about music and my interest, I would say I had an obsession which till this day, I am not quite sure what to make of it. Fast forward a few years, I had become less "geeky" and I am now able to draw a clear line between work and play. Especially during my time in the UK, where I rather drained from what was happening in my area of study.

In come Xiang Ting, when she and I spoke about music, I see very much of what I used to be in her. (Of course, I am talking about the passion for music, back in the day, I believe I wasn't saying anything that was substantial.) It was comforting to hear her speak so eagerly about the nuances, expression and power of music yet at the same time I do reflect on what has happened to me and why have I let things go so far and if I am really cut out for this. It was a really great catch up over this episode and I am glad to hear that many things hasn't changed!

Catch Xiang Ting and Jade in action as she teams up Pauline for the final episode of Kopi and Songs Series produced by the The Opera People.

YPAW 11: Vincent Tan

Vincent Tan — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:00:00 +0800

I has been difficult for me to come out and talk about what has happened in my education journey because of the potential ramifications of my words. Whilst it is not in the recording itself, I was the receiving end of statements like "This is £20, or you could just send me a few pictures of your girlfriend." "Since we are performing a Japanese piece, why don't you go on and speak in a foreign language, it doesn't have to be Japanese and then we can break you up and you can introduce the piece in English. It will be quite funny." Is it really funny though? All these statements coming from someone you had for many years admired and respected. How would you respond to that? How would you respond when you request for a change and what you got in return was an email filled with hate asking you to reflect on your laziness and lack of motivation for your inabilities.

For me, I started to see people for who they really are. Strip away everything and see a person for who they are. It is extremely unfortunate that what could have been the best four years of my life has been so badly tainted by the actions of a single person. It is scary how much we empower others to have control over us, so much control that we allow them to destroy and take away what we hold so dear to us. To anyone that is feeling this way, I encourage you to take back your dignity and control of your life. Get rid of negativity, get rid of toxicity.

The Brass Junkies - Click here
IET Festival - Click here
David Childs Recital at IEI- Click here

Thank you so much for tuning in to this episode of the podcast! You can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

YPAW 10: Pauline Lee

Vincent Tan — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Every now and then, this question will float up amongst my musician colleagues "If given a choice now, would you still choose to do what you do?". Over the years, I found myself giving different versions of my answer, this answer is usually informed by the current state of my life. If you asked me the question now, as compared to June - July 2019 (a time where I had no work engagements) or the second year of my studies in the UK (probably the worst year of my life) I would have answered the same question differently and with differing level of conviction. I personally have a limited pool of friends that are non-arts practitioner and I wonder if people working in different industries will contemplate on their career choice like we do. What I do know is that you can be an amateur musician and have incredible proficiency on your instrument. This was shown evidently in the British Brass Bands where majority of the musicians hold a day job unrelated to music or in music education in secondary schools. It takes a great amount of courage to decide that you will leave your career progression behind, get enrolled into a Master's Degree Course half way around the world in Music Performance and at the end of it all, return to Singapore and build a career as a portfolio musician. Pauline took the risk, she left behind her well-paying job, jumped on a flight and began her career as a professional musician.

Based in Singapore, Pauline is a regular performer as well as an educator, collaborating with musicians of different levels and working with organizations such as The School of The Arts and The Opera People. Catch Pauline in action as she teams up with different singers for the Kopi and Songs Series produced by the The Opera People, a 10-episode live streamed recital series.

YPAW 9: Placida Ho

Vincent Tan — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 11:01:51 +0800

I don't know what to feel when I hear from fellow musicians that they started learning their instrument at 3 years old. Part of me feels that if I had done the same I would be a more holistic musician and perhaps more proficient in the instrument if we are talking about the 10 000 hours rule. The more skeptical side of mind thinks that I might grow to hate practicing and never take on this profession... Perhaps sometimes parents do not know what they are truly signing up for when they put their children through music education from an early age. The child might grow to love music performance, and parents might hear the sentence "Mum/Dad, I want to enter music school" that they would most likely object. Placida is a perfect example of someone who has received music education from an early age. She has went on to the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (Singapore) graduating with a Bachelor's in Violin performance and the Royal Conservatory in The Hague (Netherlands) with a Master's in Music Education and a Bachelor's in Baroque music performance. She is part of Singapore's Baroque ensemble, Red Dot Baroque, an organization that is bringing baroque music to their audience in a refreshing way.

On this episode of You Play A What? I learnt about all things baroque, from performance practice to the spirit of baroque music. There were some pretty eye opening revelation.. Join us and decide for yourself, is it Buh-rock or Br-Rowk and vibrato in baroque music! Check out Placida's YouTube Channel for some top quality violin/violone performance!

YPAW 8: Derek Koh

Vincent Tan — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0800

I have so much respect for fellow musicians who decides to pick up a new instrument. In these situations, more often than not, the musician will be adding on to their skill set by picking up an instrument that is either quite close to the principal instrument (eg. euphonium and trombone) or the piano (normal/compulsory amongst European conservatories). It is quite rare to switch to another instrument that is wildly different. I would be almost inconceivable when I tell you that my guest today gave up his career as an award winning Yangqin (扬琴, Chinese Dulcimer) player and is now a freelance Percussionist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. The success that he has managed is down to his drive for excellence, dedication to his craft and passion to music, which proves that no learning curve is too big for you to overcome. Apart from a strong local presence, Derek has also received fellowship positions from Oprheus Chamber Orchestra (New York), Aspen Music Festival (Aspen, Colorado), Miami Music Festival (Miami, Florida), and PRISMA Festival, (British Columbia).

Since his return to Singapore, rumour has it that his DOTA2 MMR has been on a decline but what I can say for certain is that Derek has started to establish his unique voice as a performer, most recently composing a brand new work, "Flushing Chinatown", to be premiered by Ding Yi Music Company with him as the soloist. The concert was unfortunately called off due to the Covid-19 situation. But you can hear short snippet of this piece along with the explanation of the piece HERE.

YPAW 7: Mervin Wong

Vincent Tan — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0800

I had knew my guest on this episode for more than 10 years, we entered the same school after secondary school and were school mates for 3 years. And yet for some strange reason, I have hardly interacted with him or knew him at a personal level. I blame this on my larger than usual brass cohort when I first entered Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. That being said, I could tell that Mervin is an extremely diligent and dedicated musician that really took pride in his work. More often than not, I will bump into him at the lift lobby of the music building right before the guard makes his last round and he wears that "violin hickey" like a badge of honour.

Fast forward a number of years, we had went on our separate path. I moved to the UK and he started at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of music in Singapore. Observing his career from a far, I begin to see a shift in the type of work he was putting up, from a performer with a rather traditional approach focusing on musical excellence to an artist that is slowly finding his voice which led to the formation of The Empty Blue Sky Productions, founded by Mervin. His latest EP, Perihelion was produced under the name Planeswalker and is available here. One other production that really struck me was the short film Later, directed by Sal Seah with all the sound work done by Mervin. I highly recommend you to have a look at this wonderful film! And we are only scratching the surface of the work he has been involved in. If you would like to find out more about Planeswalker/Mervin you can follow him on his Instagram and Facebook.

YPAW 6: Alexander Oon

Vincent Tan — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0800

As though life as a musician isn't tough enough, you have to operate your instrument with your non-dominant hand and use the other hand to complete the instrument. No wonder the the French Horn is dubbed as the most difficult brass instrument but apparently according to Alexander(Alex), none of the above reasons are the real culprit behind this unforgiving instrument. Alex is someone that is deeply passionate about music and has been this way ever since he picked up the horn at a tender age. His achievements includes being selected for the Pacific Music Festival and Lucerne Festival Academy. He currently holds the position of Principal Horn at The Sun Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi, Vietnam and has made performed with the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, to name a few!

Apart from being an experienced orchestra musician, Alex is equally comfortable with contemporary music performance as well as his multi track horn arrangement videos and the occasional video filled with satirical humour with witty music accompaniment. You can check out all these fantastic content at his Facebook and Instagram. Alex is also a founding member of the newly revived TEH Trio, do head over to their page and show them your support!

YPAW 5: Melvin Tay

Vincent Tan — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0800

A man that could literally never stop eating, gatherings in Manchester was always a spectacle, although we had lesser to eat, but seeing Melvin devouring everything on the table (except the table) was worth every sacrifice. He is the first Euphonium Graduate from Singapore but it is his perseverance and tenacity that eventually allowed him to embark on his professional music journey. Having been turned away by the Singapore Armed Forces Band to serve his National Service as well as a Full-Time musician, it would have been easy to accept that fate was not on your side and move on other discipline of study. Not only did he not give up, Melvin managed to secure a place in the Euphonium studio at the Royal Northern College of Music. Currently, embarking on his Post Graduate Diploma in Conducting, Melvin has made the switch rather successfully, not limiting his conducting experiences only to wind and brass bands.

Unlike me, Melvin has taken a liking to the city of Manchester (I'm sure its not because of the weather) and has been living and working around the North-East region of the UK with various orchestras/opera company/wind bands/brass bands, you name it. Often unable to comprehend why he decided to continue to stay abroad, I sit down with him as we speak about his thoughts on returning home. To find out more about ConductIT, you can visit the website. You can also visit Melvin's website to find out more about what is has been up to and have access to his other social media accounts. Twitter / Instagram

YPAW 4: Jasper Goh

Vincent Tan — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Do you have one of those friend that does everything that they set their minds to at a very high level and even though you are happy for them that they are doing so well. You ask this question to yourself, "why can't I do the same?" My guest makes me question my life decisions all the time!!! Jasper has become a good friend over the last few years, apart from having the opportunity to share the stage with him since 2012, him and I would partake in leisure activities together which very often results in him having the upper hand. A particularly skilled DOTA 2 player who have racked up an insane amount of hours perfecting the play style of a single hero (Nature's Prophet / Furion) and someone who takes the time to understand the nuance of any task. I can safely say that when committed to a task, how Jasper does something is how he does everything (hyper focused)!

From a music point of view he has performed at an exceptional level and enjoyed success in his career since an early age. But like the saying "What is life, without a few ups and downs?", his career posted challenges for him. Join us, as we speak about the motivation behind practicing, the subjectivity of music competition and auditions. We hope that this session will provide you some insights to the very real world of music! Subscribe to Jasper's YouTube Channel to listen to some top notch playing!

YPAW 3: Tan Yao Cong

Vincent Tan — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 09:00:00 +0800

A common question that you might encounter when meeting someone for the first time is "SO.... What do you do for a living?" But for my guests today, it goes a little different. The question is "What does he NOT do?" in the realm of Singapore music scene. Yao Cong joins me on this episode of You Play A What? as he shares the insights to navigating the gig economy. He is currently living what I deemed as the "Freelancer's Dream". His diverse portfolio of work includes Performance, Education, Conducting, Management, Production and being a Highly Efficient Mobile Gamer. He has recently began his journey as a content creator, publishing weekly videos on his YouTube Channel with awesome video thumbnails and sound advice. Whilst, he is reaping the fruits of his labour now, the seeds did take its time to sprout. As he has never pursued his musical studies in Singapore, his return back home after completing his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London), he faced a number of challenges trying to find a foothold. Hit subscribe on his YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt6ob8zXxZJXntrNDIi_-eg) to be updated on his latest videos and give him a follow on his Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tubbyyao/)

YPAW 2: Yvonne Tay

Vincent Tan — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 11:00:00 +0800

Long time friend and bubble tea fanatic Yvonne Tay joins me on this episode of You Play A What?, Yvonne is the winner of the National Chinese Music Competition held in Singapore in all Junior, Youth and Open Category. Currently a full-time musician with the Ding Yi Music Company (鼎艺团) in Singapore and a highly sought after performer and educator, her path towards being a professional musician was not as straight forward as you will imagine! Stay tuned, as Yvonne and I reminisce on our days in school (which one?), her preference of bubble tea (she is quite a connoisseur) and how the Circuit Breaker (CB) has taught her some new dance moves! With plenty of recognition for her talents at a very young age, Yvonne shares the influences that affected her choice she made for her education and the overall rise in appreciation of Chinese Music in Singapore over the last few years. If you are curious about some of the work (or the dance that I mentioned) that Yvonne has been up to, do check out her social media pages on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/yvonnetayguzheng/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/yvonnetay.guzheng/) Leave a review and let us know what you think of the TikTok video!

YPAW 1: K口U

Vincent Tan — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0800

For the FIRST EVER episode of You Play A What?, I welcome my friends from K口U, a mixed instrumental quartet that I have been part of since the later half of 2019. K口U comprises of Daniel Yiau (Clarinet/arranger/composer/ and the producer of the best "TSK!" you'll ever hear), Michellina Chan (Saxophone extraordinaire and the most senior member group), Don Kow (My top 27th trombonist) and myself (insert whatever you want). We sit down to talk about what we play, my first interaction with the each of them and their experiences during their stint overseas. Whilst living abroad and studying in a place that is miles away did create many fond memories as well as personal developments, it is not always sunshine and rainbow living overseas alone.
On a collective front, we addressed some FAQs of our group name, K口U, how to say it, how it came out and what does it mean. As well as why the group was started and why we love our working relationship! To find out more about K口U, you can log on to https://www.koumusik.com Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/koumusik/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/koumusik/ to receive the latest updates.

Thank you so much for tuning in to the first episode of the podcast! I am excited to launch this new project and I understand there are definitely room for improvement, you can get in touch with me through https://www.youplayawhat.com . Subscribe and share this podcast with your friends if you enjoyed the episode. Feel free to leave a rating and review on which ever platform you choose to listen to your podcast!

Trailer!!

Vincent Tan — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +0800

Its finally here, this is a sneak peak into the BRAND NEW podcast hosted by Vincent Tan.

Vincent is a professional musician based in Singapore that happens to play the Euphonium.

Each week he will be speaking to some of his friends and colleagues that are "living the dream". So give this trailer a listen and feel free to subscribe and leave a comment while you're at it!
New episodes will be available every Wednesday.
Log on to https://www.youplayawhat.com to find out more!