Singapore to tune into city's melody

Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) is Singapore's premier independent school. A commitment to excellence is a hallmark of the institution whose mission is to develop leaders for its nation.

Bangkok's Harrow International School is one of Thailand's top international schools. Its graduates go to famous universities worldwide. Harrow cites the broad spectrum of extra-curricular activities on offer at the school as the key to its success in turning out balanced, interesting, knowledgeable and talented young men and women.

What would happen if students from these two institutions met to perform in an orchestral collaboration? It would mark a rare and exciting musical event.

Indeed, Hwa Chong String Ensemble will be making a trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai to perform a repertoire of classical and romantic compositions. In Bangkok, it will perform with select students of Harrow and other members of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (BSO) School at Harrow on June 2. This also represents Singaporean-Thai collaboration at school and orchestral level. 

"Every Hwa Chong student follows a rigorous curriculum that emphasises leadership, character building, academic excellence and creativity. The school also places great emphasis on providing an enriching environment in culture, music and the arts," Hwa Chong Institution's director of communications Melvyn Lim says.

Last year, Hwa Chong's performing-arts groups did the school proud by garnering 12 Gold and Gold with Honours awards in the prestigious Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) competitions. Since 1999, the Hwa Chong String Ensemble has bagged the Gold Award at every SYF Central Judging (instrumental ensembles) competitions, held every two years. The last two times, in 2005 and last year, the ensemble went on to earn the highest distinction: Gold with Honours.

According to Harrow headmaster Dr Mark Hensman, students do not just aim for academic excellence but also pursue extracurricular activities that enhance their leadership qualities. "We are an international school and it will be a tremendous opportunity for students in Singapore and here, at Harrow, to communicate with each other through the powerful medium of music," Hensman says.

"Harrow has a strong body of music scholars and [they] will host our friends from Singapore. They will be joining members of the Thai Youth Orchestra and members of the BSO School in workshops at the Thai Cultural Centre. These will culminate in a joint concert at Harrow on June 2 at 2.45pm in the Drama Studio. We warmly invite young musicians, teachers and parents to attend what I think will be a memorable concert."

Hwa Chong Institution's Lim says the school is privileged to be able to collaborate with Harrow, as it wishes to learn from and form constructive overseas relationships with talented young musicians through collaborative performances. The school would also like to train its ensemble members through a variety of experiences and public performances at the regional level with an international audience. Most importantly, it will also seek to improve musical literacy and performance charisma befitting a premier string ensemble.

Hensman says universities are increasingly looking beyond the classroom and academic results. "Yes, they are important, but only in balance with the many other things that turn our young minds into well-rounded human beings who have a great deal to offer the world and the communities in which they live," he says.

"It is also important that students know how to unwind from the pressures of academia by taking part in a sporting or musical activity. Our core values within the extracurricular activities programme are charity, community, team building, leadership and resilience," he says.