Band Directors' Association (Singapore)

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Festival Winds 2022

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The highly anticipated band event of the year, “Festival Winds”, organized by the Band Directors’ Association (Singapore) is back for its fourth year running from the 20th-22nd and 24 December 2022!

Festival Winds is a premier musical experience for students (10 to 20-years-old) throughout Singapore to come together and perform with one another. This year, we have expanded the age group of the student participants to include upper primary school students as well! At Festival Winds, students will participate in masterclasses with an esteemed professional faculty and rehearse as an ensemble for 3 days. At the end of the Festival, students will put up a full length concert to demonstrate their growth and development at the state-of-the-art, Esplanade Concert Hall!

Following are the details of the event:
Date: 20th to 22nd, 24th December 2022
Time: 8:30 to 6pm (20th to 22nd Dec) / 10am to 10pm (24th Dec)
Venue(s): To be announced (20th to 22nd Dec) / Esplanade Concert Hall (24th Dec)
Fee: $78 (early-bird discount before 15 Oct), $88 (normal registration from 16 Oct)

Upon application, students will be separated into 3 groups, based on their number of years of experience, and put through a series of intense ensemble and combined band training. The application fee includes provision of lunch for 3 days, dinner on concert day, Festival Winds t-shirt and soft-copy scores. Applicants will be required to bring their own instrument and make their own way to and fro from the venue(s) for the 4-day period, and to prepare the music beforehand to the best of their ability.

For more information, you may refer to the info pack. Kindly confirm your students’ participation by filling up the attached student details sheet and participation payment form. Places are limited for Festival Winds 2022, so do sign up early to avoid any disappointment.

Please feel free to contact our Admin Manager, Ms Jocelyn Cheng via email (info@bdas.org.sg) for more information. We look forward to your students’ participation!

Singapore Band Solo Virtual Championships (SBSVC) 2021

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Band Directors’ Association (Singapore) presents the inaugural Singapore Band Solo Virtual Championships (SBSVC) 2021.

The aim of this championship is to have a platform to showcase wind musicians’ instrumental skills as they continue their regular practice despite the pandemic.

“We understand that with no concerts and performances to look forward to, practices do get mundane. So we hope that wind musicians, young and old, can join us at this first ever championship as we showcase the many talents of our wind community,” said Adrian Chiang, President of BDAS.

Eligibility

  • Must be a Singapore Citizen or currently residing in Singapore
  • Open to all musicians who play an instrument in a wind ensemble
  • Each participant may perform in as many categories as they wish to register for

Classifications

  • Category A: 12 years old and below (Registration Fee: $8 per entry)
  • Category B: 13 to 15 years old (Registration Fee: $8 per entry)
  • Category C: 16 to 18 years old (Registration Fee: $8 per entry)
  • Category D: 19 to 21 years old (Registration Fee: $10 per entry)
  • Open Category: Any age (Registration Fee: $15 per entry)

Classification is based on the participant’s age as of 30th June 2021.

Instrumentation

Woodwinds:
Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Saxophone

Brasses:
Trumpet/Cornet/Flugelhorn, French Horn/Mellophone, Baritone/Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba

Percussion:
Percussion Instruments typically utilized and recognized as part of a band or orchestra.

String:
Double Bass

Performance Tuning

  • Performances must be a minimum of 2 minutes, and not more than 10 minutes.
  • Participants must introduce themselves and explain briefly the theme of their performance for a maximum of 30 seconds.
  • Official performance time shall start with the first note of music and will end with the completion of music

Video Recording & Uploading Procedures

  • Participants are solely responsible for recording their solo.
  • Participants may select from any genre of music for their performance.
  • Performances should be recorded in a single continuous take only, without cuts and unedited.
  • The full body and face of the participant has to fit into the video frame throughout the video.
  • Piano accompaniment/ accompaniment tracks are allowed.
  • Video frames must be in landscape screen only.
  • The video production should be saved in MP4 format, with a maximum image resolution of 720 pixels and a maximum file size of 100MB.
  • Participants are responsible for trimming the beginning and/or end of their video (e.g. walking away after pressing the record button). Videos will not be edited in any way after they are submitted.
  • Participants must create an account with BDA(S) Official Web-Server in order to upload their official video entry.
  • Each participant is only allowed a single time to upload their video production, it cannot be replaced/overwritten once submitted. The deadline is on 31 July at 11:59 pm! Please avoid uploading your video at the last minute to avoid issues arising from web congestion.
  • Upon account activation in BDA(S) Official Web-Server, participants must make payment, log in and upload their videos in the official designated video uploading section.
  • Participants who did not upload in the official video uploading section and/or failed to provide a shareable link for back-up of their videos will forfeit their entry.
  • The provided email account of the participants in the online registration form will be used to give access to the BDA(S) Competition System for score recap and commentary file.
  • Participants are responsible for any music copyright. (Be careful in the selection of music that contains copyright).
  • SBSVC organizing committee has the rights to cancel or delete a participant’s video if it contains inappropriate or restricted content.
  • The video recording should be made for the sole purpose of SBSVC’s adjudication and it must not be shared or used for any other purpose. This means that the video recording must not be shared with any other person or uploaded to file sharing or social media websites such as Facebook or YouTube etc. If the recording is shared with anyone other than for SBSVC’s adjudication purposes, the candidate may be disqualified.
  • By signing up for SBSVC, you are consenting to have your videos be seen by the public and for BDA(S) to use your videos for publicity and marketing related purposes.

Judging

  • Only appointed BDA(S) judges will adjudicate the competition.
  • A commentary file will be made available for all participants via BDA(S) Automated Competition System.
  • Overall ratings will be awarded to each participant, and a “Most Outstanding” performer award will be identified by the adjudicators.

Payment and Registration

  • Registration fee is to be paid via the following website
  • Select the category that you wish to compete in. Fill in all required information of the participant and proceed to make payment. Please ensure all information provided is correct as you will NOT be allowed to make any amendments upon submission. All forms of communication from the organizer will be done via email, so please ensure that your email is active.
  • Take note of your order number as you will be required to provide it when BDA(S) requests for it for verification purposes.
  • Upon successful payment, you may then proceed to register and upload your video at the event website.
  • Order number needs to be entered at point of video submission for the video to be considered for the adjudication.

Prizes and Awards

  • Performers in all event levels will receive a virtual certificate indicating their rating via email after the announcement of results at the end of August 2021.
  • Performers will be awarded the respective awards: Gold Award (above 80%) | Silver Award (66-80%) | Bronze Award (65% and below) | Most Outstanding Award (highest ‘Gold’ score in the respective categories).

Adjudicators Panel

Dr. Leonard Tan | Joosh Flach | Zhang Jin Min | Dr. Brett Stemple | Adrian Chiang | Brando Tan | Jovan Neo | Joseph Teo | Tarun Jayaram | Gavilan Neo | Shaun Leoi | Yeo Jie Yuan | Samantha Chong | Richard Png | Jacintha Tan

SBSVC 2021 Information Pack available here

[CANCELLED] Asia Pacific Band Festival

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4th & 5th April 2020
Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall

The Asia Pacific Band Festival (APBF) is a platform to promote wind ensemble music in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region. We also aim to promote and cultivate the international wind music scene. The stimulation of talent of all ages, the strive for renewal and the support of a worldwide quality development of musicians and orchestras are all common targets in the APBF philosophy.

Information Pack here

Adventure Band Camp 2019

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Following a successful run of our inaugural “Adventure Band Camp”, the Band Directors’ Association (Singapore) will be organizing our 2nd Adventure Band Camp this coming September holidays and we would like to cordially invite your School’s band students to be part of this exciting event!

This upcoming 4-day event, targeted at students aged 9-13 years old, is helmed by some of the top local professional directors with the following objectives:

  • To provide a platform for band members from different schools to interact in a learning and performance environment
  • To introduce ensemble playing and full band training to participants
  • To create opportunities to foster camaraderie and teamwork
  • To equip student leaders to be role models in discipline and skills to lead and assist other band members in music matters

Event Details
Date: 11th to 13th, 15th Sep 2019
Time: 9 to 6pm (11th to 13th Sep) / 2 to 10pm (15th Sep)

Venue(s): St Joseph’s Institution (Junior) (11th to 13th Sep) / Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, NUS (15th Sep)
Fee: SGD78.00 (early bird, register on and before 31 July), SGD108.00 (register 1 August or later).

Upon application, students will be separated into 2 groups, based on their number of years of experience, and put through a series of intense ensemble and combined band training. The application fee includes provision of lunch, participation certificate, adventure band camp t-shirt and soft copy scores (which will be provided to applicants 2 months before the start of the camp).

Applicants will be required to make your own way to and fro from SJI (Junior) / YSTCM for the 4-day period; and to prepare the music beforehand to the best of their ability.
(SJI Junior: 3 Essex Rd, 309331 / YSTCM: 3 Conservatory Drive, 117376)

Clinicians for this camp include Mr Quek Boon Hui, Mr Faizal Othman, Mr Philip Han, Mdm Tan Soh Hwa, Mr Jason De Hamel, and other professional musicians, who will be bringing your students through the 4 days of music learning and fun.

The camp will culminate in a concert at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall on 15th September (Sunday) at 7.30pm. Concert tickets may be purchased separately at $18 each.

Kindly confirm your students’ participation by filling up the registration form.

Do feel free to contact our event secretariat, Ms Jocelyn Cheng via email (admin@bdas.org.sg) for more information.

We look forward to your band’s participation!

BDAS Festival Winds Honour Band

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12- 15 Dec 2018

Greetings from the Band Directors’ Association (Singapore). This year, we are pleased to present the inaugural BDAS Festival Winds Honour Band, happening from the 12th-15th Dec 2018. Supported by the Singapore Polytechnic and ABRSM, this event aims to provide a premier musical experience for students throughout Singapore from Secondary School and above. The goal is to enhance the opportunity students receive from their school band program by allowing them to meet and perform with other students. At the event, students will participate in masterclasses with an esteemed professional faculty and rehearse as an ensemble for 4 days.

At the end of the festival, they will present a full length concert that demonstrates their growth and development. Band Directors across the island will also be coming together to perform together as a band for the concert finale. This will be an opportunity to catch YOUR Band directors in action!

The Festival Winds Honour Band Concert will be conducted by 2 of BDA(S)’s esteemed advisors, Dr Leonard Tan from the National Institute of Education, and Mr Joost Flach from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

HIGHLIGHTS

AUDITIONS

No auditions! Yes, you saw it right! Festival Winds is an encouraging and inclusive platform for like-minded individuals to come together to share musical ideas, make friends and promote musical growth. Applications are open to ALL secondary and tertiary students. Interested applicants will however be required to have playing experience in a concert / symphonic / wind band as the entire Festival Winds experience will culminate in a concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 15th December 2018. In order to enjoy the full Festival Winds experience, successful applicants are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals and activities.

Upon receiving the applications, applicants will be allocated into 1 of 2 ensembles of different age groups and difficulty levels of music.

Festival Junior Winds (13 – 15 years old)

Festival Senior Winds (16 and above)

THEME SONG

Be part of the Festival Winds Theme Song 2018! Unleash the Mozart in you when we call for inputs for the Festival Winds Theme Song. If you have an idea, inspiration or even something as simple as a nagging rhythm or melody in your head, we want to hear from you! This is your chance to hear them come to life as it will be performed during the Concert. More specific details on this will be available at a later date.

DATES

12 – 14th December 2018 (rehearsals)

Venue: Singapore Polytechnic

15th December 2018 (concert)

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Check in will begin at 8.30am on 12th Dec (wed) with masterclasses and rehearsals. Daily schedule ends at 6pm from 12th to 14th Dec. Dress rehearsal on 15th Dec (sat) will take place from 1pm onwards with the concert starting at 7.30pm.

SIGN UP

SUPER Early Bird – $68 (before 31 Oct)

Early Bird – $78 (before 30th Nov)

Normal – $88 (after 30th Nov)

Fees include: Festival Winds T Shirt, Participation Certificate, Lunch from 12-14th and Dinner on concert day.

Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and fro from the rehearsal / performance venue. Sign up now at https://tinyurl.com/bdasfestivalwinds2018

For further enquiries, please write in to us at secretary@bdas.org.sg

Download the Info Pack here

Singapore Band Clinic 2018

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Singapore Band Clinic 2018 – The Joy of Band and Beyond!

The Band Directors’ Association (Singapore) is proud to present our inaugural Singapore Band Clinic 2018. With the kind support of e2i Singapore, and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YSTCM) NUS, this clinic would see Band Educators, Students and Teachers from Singapore and the region come together to explore new dimensions of Wind Band pedagogy and curriculum development. This clinic also aims to improve the quality and experiences of a wind band program. 

Themed “The Joy of Band and Beyond!”, this clinic is catered to all who have a passion in anything related to the wind band. There will be 3 tracks to this clinic, and they include:
1)     Band Student track – Sep 7 to 9 (9am to 6pm daily)
2)     Band Teacher track – Aug 29 (9am to 5.30pm)
3)     Band Educator track – Sep 7 to 9, optional Aug 29 (9am to 6pm daily)

This clinic will see an extensive list of renowned clinicians, both local and foreign, who are leaders in their respective areas of specialty. Some of our esteemed speakers include:

1)    Prof. Giorgio Versiglia, Bergamo Conservatory of Music
2)    Associate Prof. Chan Tze Law, YSTCM National University of Singapore
3)    Associate Prof. Jeffrey Boeckman, University of Hawaii
4)    Associate Prof. Brett Stemple, YSTCM National University of Singapore
5)    Associate Prof. Shane Taylor Constante, YSTCM National University of Singapore
6)    Associate Prof. Tony Makarome Yue, YSTCM National University of Singapore
7)    Dr. Leonard Tan, National Institute of Education
8)    Mr. Joost Flach, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
9)    Mr. Zachary Bond, YSTCM National University of Singapore
10)  Mr. Adrian Chiang, YSTCM National University of Singapore
11)  Mr. Chong Wai Lun, YSTCM National University of Singapore
12)  Mr. Able Cheong, Leadership and Management Specialist
13)  Mr. Gerald Leow, Dalcroze Specialist
14)  Mr. Benjamin Yeo, Music Composer
15)  Mr. Alvin Arumugam,  Conductor, / Educator

This clinic will also feature a Gala concert performance by the “YST Winds Consort” to end off the clinic on 9th September 7 30pm, at the YSTCM Concert Hall. More information on the clinic topics, speakers, costs and registration can be found in the information package attached in this email. 

[BDA(S) MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE!] 
BDA(S) members are entitled to e2i subsidies of 50% off the Band Educator fees and NTUC members will get a further 50% off the remaining unfunded fees from the UTAP funding. To understand more on the subsidy, funding and eligibility conditions, please refer to this link

As registration slots and fundings are limited, we strongly encourage you to send in your registrations as soon as possible via this link

For more information on SBC 2018, please visit this link