Wikipedia

Draft:Choy Siew Woon

Choy Siew Woon is a Singaporean choral conductor and co-founder of the a cappella group 1023 and the choral chamber group MI6. She also founded The Chorallective, an adult volunteer choir. She is known for her contributions to the development of choral music in Singapore and her leadership of several school and community choirs.

She has led both school and community choirs, actively participated in various choral events and competitions. In addition to her conducting work, Choy has contributed to the development of choral music in Singapore by conducting workshops for students and directing performances. Her involvement in these initiatives reflects her dedication to nurturing choral talent and advancing the local music scene.

Early Life and Education

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From a young age, she actively participated in various choirs, developing an early interest in choral music.[1] This passion would later influence her career in conducting. In 2003, Choy completed her secondary education at River Valley High School.[2]

She later pursed a Bachelor of Communication Studies at Nanyang Technological University's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, and graduated in 2010.[3] During her final year, Choy and her team collaborated with Simmons (SEA) Pte Ltd and wrote a dissertion titled "Simmons Good in Bed: A Health Communication Campaign Seeking to Educate Youth in Singapore on Junk Sleep.".[3]

In 2010, Choy received the Kodály Certificate in Music Education, further establishing her expertise in music pedagogy and choral leadership.[4]

In 2020, she was the recipient of the National Arts Council Arts Scholarship (Postgraduate), enabling her to pursue a Master of Music in Conducting at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.[5] At the same time, she received the Trailblazer Foundation Study Grant, and she graduated from Westminister Choir College (USA)'s Master of Music Educaton (Choral Emphasis) programme.[6]

Early Musical Influence and Mentorship

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During her school years, Choy was actively involved in choir singing, an experience that laid the foundation for her future in conducting. Her pedagogy was influenced by prominent Singaporean conductor Jennifer Tham and Director of the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music, László Nemes.[4] She was also an under-study for English choral conductor, Maria Guinand, and German choral conductor, Volker Hempfling.[4]

This strong foundation in choral conducting paved the way for her later career, where she continued to foster musical talent and enhance choir programs.

Singing Career and Performances

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Asia Pacific Youth Choir

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Choy was selected as the Singaporean representative for the Asia Pacifc Youth Choir twice, first in 2011[7], and again in 2014.[8]

Singapore Youth Choir (SYC) Ensemble Singers

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Choy was a member of Singapore Youth Choir (SYC) Ensemble Singers, under the lead of Jennifer Tham. Choy was the choir's Vice-Conductor from 2009 to 2018.[9]

Conducting Career and Leadership

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Choral Conducting

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Choy's conducting career began while she was still a university student, leading a community club choir.

School Choirs

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Choy has gained extensive experence conducting school choirs, both as Assistant Conductor and Conductor, including (in alphabetical order):

Choral Music Education Programmes - [to be updated]

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Programmes
Name of workshop Name of Organiser Year Participants involved References
Sing! Temasek Junior College 2017-2019, 2022-Present Temasek Junior College, other schools [12]
Chorus Sing-Along Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay 2018 Members of the public [13]
Choral Workshop for Student Leaders Choral Directors' Association, Singapore - CDAS 2023 Student Leaders from schools [14]

University Teaching

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Choy served as part-time lecturer at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at National University of Singapore, where she taught two modules, Orchestral Pedagogy and, Leadership & Guiding.[6]

Notable Achievements: Choral Conducting for schools

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Choy has brought school choirs for both national and international choral competitions.

Choral Competitions
Competition/ Event Level/ Category School Involved Repeteriore Location Year Achievement References
Singapore Youth Festival National/ Secondary, Junior College NIL School Of The Arts (SOTA) Biannual Multiple distinctions across various schools [to be updated]
Singapore International Choral Festival International/ A2: Equal Voices - 16 Years & Below PL One Voice (Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)) NIL Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall 2014 NIL [10]
Singapore International Choral Festival International/ B1: Mixed Voices - 19 Years or Below River Valley Chorale (River Valley High School)
  1. Norveg Leanyok by Zoltan Kodaly
  2. As Torrents In Summer by Edward Elgar
  3. Ri Wang Du Za (日翁独咱) (Simplified Chinese: (日 /ʐɚˋ/, /miˋ/ )(翁 /ʊŋˉ/, /ʊŋˇ/ )(独 /tuˊ/ )(咱 /tsanˊ/, /tsaˊ/ )) by Phoon Yew Tien
 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall 2015 80.47 (Gold) [15][16]
Singapore International Choral Festival International/ A2: Equal Voices - 19 Years & Below PL One Voice (Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary))
  1. Pueri Hebraeorum by Giovanni Pierlugi da Palestrina
  2. Táncnóta by Zoltán Kodály
  3. 小小羊儿要回家 (Simplified Chinese: (小 /ɕjɑʊˇ/ )(小 /ɕjɑʊˇ/ )(羊 /jɑŋˊ/ )(儿 /aɻˊ/, /aɻ˙/ )(要 /jɑʊˋ/, /jɑʊˉ/, /jɑʊˇ/ )(回家 /xweɪˊ tɕjaˉ/ )) by Americ Goh
 Esplande - Theatres on the Bay Concert Hall 2016 76.60 (Silver) [17][18]
Singapore International Choral Festival International/ A2: Equal Voices - 19 Years & Below PL One Voice (Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary))
  1. Satakieli by Pekka Kostiainen
  2. Mian Yi by Americ Goh
  3. Lauda Sion by György Orbán
 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall 2018 79.82 (Silver) [19][20]
Singapore International Choral Festival International/ A2: Equal Voices - 19 Years & Below St. Anthony's Canossian Secondary School
  1. Regina Caeli by William Hawley (USA)
  2. Dulce Decus Wirginum by Americ Goh
  3. Søk by Knut Nystedt
 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall 2018 74.00 (Silver) [21][20]
Singapore International Choral Festival International/ B1: Mixed Voices - 19 Years or Below River Valley Chorale (River Valley High School)
  1. 米农 (Mi Nong) (Simplified Chinese: (米 /mi˨˩˦/ )(农 /nʊŋ˧˥/ ) by Zechariah Goh
  2. Lo Son La Primavera by William Hawley
  3. Mundi Renovatio by György Orbán
 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall 2018 80.07 (Gold) [22][20]
Belt & Road World Choir Competition International/ B3: Youth Choir (SATB Mixed Voices) Temasek Junior College Choir NIL World Youth & Children Choral Artists' Association 2018 Champion,

Cash Prize HKD 3,000

[23]
School Choral Concerts & Performance
Title of Concert/ Performance School/Organisation involved Year Venue References
National Day Observance Ceremony Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) Choir 2013 The Istana [24]
Sing! Temasek Junior College 2017-2019, 2022-Present Temasek Junior College [12]
An Evening with Voices: Moonlight Hwa Chong Institution, Hwa Chong Voices 2023 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, National University of Singapore [25]
L'Aurore River Valley High School/ River Valley Chorale 2023 River Valley High School Auditorium [26]
Kaleidoscope: Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children's Chorus Concert (SLOYCC) First half (1100-1230)
  1. SLOYCC
  2. North Vista Primary School
  3. CHIJ (Katong) Primary School

Second half (1700-1830)

  1. SLOYCC
  2. Temasek Junior College
  3. Saints Alumni Choir
 2024 Victoria Concert Hall [6]

External Projects

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1023 A capella Group

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In 2015, Choy co-founded 1023, a local A capella group with original members Ang Yi Feng, Cherie Chai, Dionne Lim and, Hewlett Chew (in alphabetical order)[27]. The group made its debut at the 8th Asean Para Games that same year.[27] They gained further prominence by performing in Volkswagen's Singapore 50th birthday celebration video, singing a medley of local songs, including several well-known Singaporean tunes[28]:

  • Home
  • Majulah Singapura (Singapore's National Anthem)
  • One Singapore
  • Our Singapore
  • Reach Out For the Skies
  • Singapura Sunny Island
  • Tomorrow's Here Today
  • We Are Singapore
  • Where I Belong

MI6 [to be updated]

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MI6, also known as Musicians' Inc. 6, is a collective of six Singaporean choral conductors and music educators who have built a close bond through their shared passion for music. The group, comprising Cherie Chai (1023 member), Choy, Dawn Yin, Low Xu Hao, Terrence Toh, and Yong Chee Foon, brings together diverse backgrounds. Each contribute their unique choral backgrounds and are involved in conducting choirs across various educational levels in Singapore. The group frequently collaborates, offering young choristers diverse choral experiences and contributing to a balanced and thriving choral community. [29]

The Chorallective [to be updated]

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In 2021, Choy founded The Chorallective, an ad-hoc volunteer-based adult chorus made of singers and performers.[6]

Esplanade - Theatres on the bay [to be updated]

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Choy has also ben involved in various projects at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, Singapore's performing arts center.

Limelight

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Limelight is a performance series, hosted by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, that offers school choirs and symphonic bands in SIngapore a chance to show their talents at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. This platform aims to encourage schools to strive for excellence in their musical performance while providing them with an opportunity to present their skills to a wider public audience.[30]

  • River Valley High School (2024)
  • Temasek Junior College (2023)
  • Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (2016)
Limelight
Name of School/ Name of group Name of Concert Year References
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School NIL 2016 [31]
Temasek Junior College A Little Light Magic 2023 [32]
River Valley High School Choir/ River Valley Chorale limelight. 2024 [26]

Festival of Song

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Choy has also participated in Esplanade's Festival of Song, which brings together youths, ages 15 to 25, who display passion for choral singing. It is a yearly affair and it occurs in December of every year.

Gendered Expectations in Conducting

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Attire and Professionalism

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Female conductors often face scrutiny over their choice of attire, with concerns that clothing choices might affect how their professionalism is perceived.

Choy has experienced comments suggesting she should adopt more form-fitting outfits. Likewise, her counterpart, Gail Tay, has expressed uncertainty about whether wearing suits or dresses might impact how conductors aer viewed. These concerns reflect broader challenges female conductors face in navigating societal expectations within the industry.

Respect for Female Conductors

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While challenges regarding attire and physical gestures exist, female conductors like Choy emphasise that respect in the profession is ultimately earned through competence and dedication. Choy believes that commitment to one's craft and the quality of work should transcend gender in determining professional respect. Other conductors, such as Vivien Goh, share the view that respect is based on skill and professional merit rather than appearance.

References

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  1. ^ "Schubert Fest!" (PDF). 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  3. ^ a b Ho, Ying Yi; Lum, Dawn Aiyi; Razali, Nur Raihana Muhammad; Choy, Siew Woon (2010). "Simmons good in bed : a health communication campaign seeking to educate youth in Singapore on junk sleep in collaboration with Simmons (SEA) Pte Ltd". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "2018 Belt & Road World Choir Festival". WYCCAA. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  5. ^ "National Arts Council" (PDF). Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b c d "Kaleidoscope: Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children's Chorus Concert" (PDF). Kaleidoscope: Singapore Lyric Opera Youth and Children's Chorus Concert. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Archives - Asia Pacific Youth Choir 2011 in Macau". jcanet.or.jp. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  8. ^ "Archives - Asia Pacific Youth Choir 2014". jcanet.or.jp. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  9. ^ "Participants to the competition". © Feniarco. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  10. ^ a b "Singapore International Choral Festival" (PDF). Singapore International Choral Festival. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Chorale". virtualcampus.tp.edu.sg. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  12. ^ a b "OUR PERFORMANCES". Ourchoirpage. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  13. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  14. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  15. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2015" (PDF). Singapore International Choral Festival. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2015". Facebook. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2018" (PDF). Singapore International Choral Festival. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2016". Facebook. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2018" (PDF). Singapore International Choral Festival. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ a b c "Singapore International Choral Festival 2018". Facebook. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2018" (PDF). Singapore International Choral Festival. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Singapore International Choral Festival 2018" (PDF). Singapore International Choral Festival. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "2018 B&RWCF: Choral Competition". WYCCAA. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  24. ^ "The Paya Lebar Methodist Girl's School (Secondary) Choir …". www.nas.gov.sg. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  25. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  26. ^ a b "River Valley High School Choir - Esplanade". www.esplanade.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  27. ^ a b "1023 A Cappella performance group | About Us | Singapore". 1023sg. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  28. ^ "How many Singapore songs can you name in this medley?". Yahoo News. 2015-08-09. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  29. ^ "Voices Festival Choir - Esplanade". www.esplanade.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  30. ^ "Limelight - Esplanade". www.esplanade.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  31. ^ "Choir". plmgss.moe.edu.sg. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  32. ^ "Temasek Junior College Choirs - Esplanade". www.esplanade.com. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
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