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:

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:

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:

by Benjamin Yeo

KALEIDOSCOPE is a three-movement work written for Symphonic Band, Choir and the GuZheng Ensemble, specially commissioned by the Xinmin Secondary School for their 65^th Anniversary Celebration Concert series, “Kaleidoscope II”. The unique involvement of the different musical groups in this work showcases the thriving performing arts culture in the school throughout the past decades. The fusion of western and eastern musical styles also signifies harmony across cultures through the powerful language of music.

I. MARCH

The march features the symphonic band 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.

II. SONG

The second movement, “SONG” featuring the Choir and the GuZheng, is based on the beautiful text set by lyricist, 施于淳:

新月光芒綿延長    點亮了黑暗

民居磚瓦承載多少重量    就承載多少希望

中途幾許徬徨    沿路幾經風霜

學無止境    書海無涯    培育之路卻不曾斷

永生化作晨光    將學子路照亮

垂範這份力量    為仁愛    為信義    勇敢奮戰

不論天搖地動    風刮雨刷    信念都堅固頑強

朽不去這風範    寫成一篇雋永詩章

Inspired by the first line of the text, which translates “the warm glow of the new moon illuminated the darkness”, the music paints a musical picture of a calm and peaceful night setting with the moon glowing in the night sky. The music transforms itself from a pentatonic (Eastern) to a more diatonic (Western) realm, and eventually ending off with a tint of the popular blues. This transformation depicts both diversity and versatility of the school from past to present. Do listen out for the moonbeam played on the vibraphone as it opens and closes the entire movement.

III. CELEBRATION

The final movement, “CELEBRATION” combines and displays the harmony of the performing arts groups. The music is programmed into three short episodes:

(i)           Fanfare for a Celebration

(ii)          Song of Hope

(iii)         FINALE: A Glorious Future

“Fanfare for a Celebration” opens with the recognisable introduction motif from Xinmin Secondary’s very own school song, which can be considered the main drive for the entire movement. The Olympic theme-like treatment in this episode represents other aspects of the school’s achievements such as in the area of sports. This episode therefore aims to celebrate the all-roundedness of the school.

“Song of Hope”, as the name may suggests, marks the entry of singing voices, together with the GuZheng. Aurally, the entry is hinted by a familiar choral motif taken from the second movement, “SONG” played by the solo Euphonium. This song of hope can be considered one of the most expressive and emotional theme I have ever written. It begins sensitively with the voice and clarinets before it grows into a chorusing climax. The episode then tapers off with a delicate GuZheng solo. The values of hope and optimism of the school and its students are represented in this episode.

The optimism in the previous episode leads well into the finale segment, “A Glorious Future”. The Xinmin-fanfare motif is sounded again, and this time echoed by an off-stage trumpet. This aims to remind the students that it is their school, which lays the seed to their bright future ahead of them. The percussion solo now leads the whole ensemble into a celebrative mood recapitulating the different thematic materials heard previously. The peak of the composition is felt as the Symphonic Band, Choir and GuZheng contributes their part together as one heart, one voice. This movement marks the end of the whole work as it closes with a rousing finale!

It is indeed my pleasure to write this meaningful work for the school. I would like to wish the performers all the best for the world premiere of “KALEIDOSCOPE”, and hope that you, the audience will enjoy their performance of the music. Finally, I would also like to congratulate and wish Xinmin Secondary School a very happy and meaningful 65^th anniversary!

- Benjamin Yeo

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

FLIGHT: ADVENTURE IN THE SKY
by Benjamin Yeo

(Manuscript – unpublished)

Many thanks for your outstanding performance!

PHOENIX OVERTURE
by Benjamin Yeo

Wind Band version published by C.L. Barnhouse Company 2010
COMMAND Band Series
Grade 2 to 2.5
Approx. 3’40″

The following is one of my favourite quotes that put across the idea clearly to all who’s living in the 20th century where atonal works, chance or experimental music, etc. is common. There are of course many fantastic music of such nature, and I’m proud to be one of those listeners. The main idea I want to put across is that the most difficult thing to do is actually to craft a good tonal composition!

“I think it is funny; if you write tonal music, it is called shameless. But if you write the most atonal rubbish, the word “shameless” is never used. I think a composer should use the language in which he communicates best. It is especially hard to write good tonal music because if you are not skilled, it will be immediately clear to all.” (Johan de Meij, 2004)

So can you find the tonal centre of the quote?

Benjamin Yeo

http://www.reverbnation.com/benjaminyeo

Cheers,

Benjamin Yeo

Midwest Clinic 2008

It was indeed an extremely valuable experience for me to be able to attend the annual Midwest Clinic 2008 in Chicago. Not only it was the first time I experienced extreme chill and snow (at least for me), most importantly I was honored to be able to meet fantastic new people and friends.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the staff of C.L. Barnhouse Company who have made me feel very welcomed throughout my stay at Midwest. I have also made some very good friends, mentor composers and conductors whom are indeed very valuable to me. It was amazing to meet them face-to-face when I could only recognise their name printed on my score in the past!

I look forward to the next Midwest Clinic and hopefully the experience would be as great, if not better than the first!