Welcome!

Welcome, and thanks for allowing me to share my passion and my music with you!

Please feel free to access any links that interest you on this site and do send me an e-mail or leave a comment on the “CONTACT” page if you have any queries/feedback. You can also follow me on Facebook by clicking on the link below the site under “Blogroll”, where all other related-links may be found.

Click on the ReverbNation icon below to listen to some of my music (a few may be in MIDI preview):

“The moment you pen that very first note, the empty score springs to life like some voracious beast, and devours you whole. It drags you in with the powerful vortex that spins within the infinite vacuum of its belly. Once trapped, the hungry staves suck every ounce of artistic nutrient from your being. And when its pages are finally gorged with music, the finished score spits you out into the cold, drained & depleted.”
- Dr. Kelly Tang

“Too many perfect cadences in life would be a bore; too many imperfect cadences would be miserable; some deceptive cadences would make life more interesting; approach a plagal (Amen) cadence if you need enlightenment; a mix of all would be the balance.”
- Benjamin Yeo

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music”
- Aldous Huxley

“In music the passions enjoy themselves”
- Friedrich Nietzsche

“Without music, life would be a mistake”
- Friedrich Nietzsche

“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy”
- Ludwig van Beethoven

“Everywhere in the world, music enhances a hall, with one exception: Carnegie Hall enhances the music”
- Isaac Stern

JUBILANCE (Overture for a Celebration)

Previously the third movement of a major symphonic band work commissioned by the Xinmin Secondary School for their 65th Anniversary celebration concert, titled “Kaleidoscope”, this movement has been re-titled “JUBILANCE” (Overture for a Celebration) in its published version by Beriato Music.

The music is divided into three short episodes:
(i) Fanfare for a Celebration
(ii) Song of Hope
(iii) FINALE: A Glorious Future

Duration: 6’04″
Level of Difficulty: Grade 3-4
Publisher: Beriato Music - http://www.beriato.com/music/en/shop-detail.asp?ProdID=2722

Listen to full audio clip, performed by Rundfunk Blasorchester Leipzig, Timor Oliver Chadik, conductor:

Exuberante! (Concert March)

EXUBERANTE! (Concert March)

Previously the first movement of a major symphonic band work commissioned by the Xinmin Secondary School for their 65th Anniversary celebration concert, titled “Kaleidoscope”, this concert march has been re-titled “Exuberante!” in its published version by Beriato Music (Belgium). The march opens with a less conventional introduction from the traditional march music form. The slow and lyrical beginning marked “Andante Cantabile”, brings us back in time to the beautiful memories we have with our friends from school. A distant approaching drumbeat is then heard as it brings us back to the present. This is announced by the trumpeting fanfare statement at the start of the fast section. The rest of the march is characterised by a playful and cheerful theme, peppered with little hints of humour, portraying the traits of a happy youth.

Duration: 3’44″
Level of Difficulty: Grade 3
Publisher: Beriato Music - http://www.beriato.com/music/en/shop-detail.asp?ProdID=2679

Listen to full audio clip:

FLIGHT: ADVENTURE IN THE SKY

Title of Music
FLIGHT: ADVENTURE IN THE SKY

 

Composer
BENJAMIN YEO

Duration
c.a. 6’50”

Key
Eb, F, G, D (and dorian-mode), Bb

Meter
3/4, 4/4, 5/8, 7/8

 

 

Programme Notes

“FLIGHT” is a programmatic piece of work that describes a young pilot’s adventure up in the air. Written in six short movements, his journey begins as he takes flight from the ground. The start of jet engine can be heard as the propellers spin and lift the plane into the sky for an exciting adventure. The inevitable turbulence destabilizes the jet as the young pilot fought for his balance. The challenge did not cease when it was compounded by the approaching storm that hindered not only his stability but also his vision. The struggle however was offset by the spectacular view aloft of the cascading mountain ranges after the storm. The breath-taking landscape left him a sense of reluctance to return as he faces the reality to land!

The piece explores some interesting use of unconventional instruments such as the whirlies or air-hose. Whirlies are flexible, corrugated rubber or plastic tubes/hoses with an average diameter of about 2.5cm to 5cm and a length of approximately 1m. These whirlies, to be located on the stage left, right and centre as indicated in the score, are held by one hand and twirled above the player’s head to produce a series of harmonics that will atmospherically create some kind of a wind-effect. It is also very effective visually to the audience, as it resembles the spinning of the propellers.

A “propeller” part is also written and the performers have the option of creating the propeller-effect manually using drum-skin and stick; or having the effect played using multimedia (audio-CD). The coordination of the effect is assisted by the 5 cues indicated in the score. It is hoped that the audience can enjoy the adventurous experience as the band brings them on an exciting journey up in the sky even they are just seated in the concert hall!

This piece is dedicated to and performed by the Music Talent Development Centre (MTDC) Concert Band for their Inaugural Concert 2010, conducted by Music Director, Mr. Brando Tan at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore.

Listen to an audio recording by the Royal Band of the Belgian Guides: