Kelly Tang’s compositions have been performed by renowned ensembles including the Russian National Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines (UK), “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Republican Guard Orchestra of Paris and the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra. His chamber works have been performed by the Coull Quartet (UK), Minguett Quartet (Germany), Gaia Philharmonic Chorus (Japan) and Ensemble Contemporain of Montreal.
Tang’s music has been presented worldwide at the Berlin Konzerthaus, Vienna Musikverein, Sydney Opera House, Suntory Hall (Tokyo), Shanghai Concert Hall, Auditorium di Milano (Italy), Tokyo Opera City, the Palais de l’Élysée (Paris), St. Paul’s Cathedral (London) and Carnegie Hall (New York). In Singapore, his works feature regularly in the repertoire of both the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
Tang’s works have been commissioned in commemoration of significant national events such as the 10th anniversary of Esplanade Theatres By The Bay in 2012 (Two Symphonic Dances: Radiance & Spark), and the re-opening of Victoria Concert Hall in 2014 (Capriccio for Orchestra). Tang’s compositions for school bands and choirs, commissioned for the Singapore Youth Festival, are performed annually by all bands and choirs in schools. Tang’s Concerto In Three Movements was commissioned to mark Singapore’s 50th anniversary in 2015, and premiered by international pianist Lang Lang and the Metropolitan Festival at the National Stadium in August 2015.
Tang’s compositions have been performed at prestigious venues worldwide including Carnegie Hall (New York, USA), Vienna Musikverien (Austria), Berlin Konzerthaus (Germany), Palais de l’Elysée (Presidential Palace, Paris), Auditorium di Milano (Italy), Museum of Musical Instruments (Brussels), The Rodahal (Netherlands), St. Paul’s Cathedral (London) and Sydney Opera House. In Asia, his music has been presented at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Tokyo Opera City, Suntory Hall (Tokyo), Hanoi Opera House, Aksra Theatre (Bangkok), Cultural Centre of the Philippines, Esplanade Concert Hall (Singapore), Suzhou Arts & Culture Center, Zijing Grand Theatre (Nanjing), Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Shanghai Concert Hall.
In 1996, Tang scored the music for the Australian feature film “Feet Unbound: Women Of The Long March”, which has screened at major film festivals across Europe, America and Asia. His Jazz compositions have been performed by pianist Jeremy Monteiro with Grammy® recipients Ernie Watts (saxophone) and Randy Brecker (trumpet). Through commissions for the Singapore Youth Festival, Tang’s music is performed annually by thousands of young musicians in schools.
Tang received his undergraduate music training at York University (Toronto). He was awarded his master’s degree in Composition by Northwestern University in 1991, and received his PhD in Music at Michigan State University in 1995. From 1996 to 2011, Tang served as Associate Professor of Music at Nanyang Technological University – National Institute of Education. From 2011 to 2017, he served as Dean of Arts at School Of The Arts (SOTA), Singapore. Tang currently holds the appointment of Senior Academy Officer at the Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts.
In 2008, Tang was bestowed the COMPASS Artistic Excellence Award by the Composers’ and Authors’ Society of Singapore. For his contributions in the arts, Tang was conferred the Cultural Medallion (Singapore’s highest arts award) by the President of Singapore in 2011.