This would be the last rehearsal session before the orchestra goes for a short break to welcome the holy month of Ramadan.

And so, I managed to finish up all the orchestral arrangements that is needed for the IRIRHN show and the orchestra have gone through the parts and sight reading during last week and tonight’s rehearsal session. All was good to go. The rest of the music was either composed/arranged by the music director of Orkestra Melayu Singapura (OMS) or the music director of Orkestra Melayu Singapura Belia (OMSB).

We had to prepare a list of repertoire just to play safe during the show as we might need to play through till the end of the event. However, it is all up to the stage manager whether it will be cut short or it long. It is always better to prepare extra repertoires rather than nothing at all. This is very important when you are dealing with large ensemble/orchestra as there are many parts to prepare as compare to a three to five piece band where they can be “auto-pilot” with just little chord charts.

So here are the list of repertoires that the orchestra will be playing. 

1. A Place In Our Hearts (IRIRHN Theme Song)
2. Gagasan Irama Melayu
3. Jinkli Nona*
4. Munnaeru Valliba*
5. Yoroshiku Aishu – Sejak Mengenal Cinta*
6. Stand Up For Singapore*
7. Teresa Teng Medley*
8. Yesterday Once More*
9. Menjelang Hari Raya

*Music arranged by Yours Truly

The next Orkestra Melayu Singapura Belia (OMSB) rehearsal will resume on 21 June 2018.

I have started some of the music arrangements and managed to test run with the orchestra during rehearsal. Rehearsal was as usual on every Thursday night, weekly at 8pm to 10pm. Musicians usually come down early to get ready their scores and warm up before the rehearsal session starts promptly.

This was the 2nd session of rehearsal.

The Orkestra Melayu Singapura Belia (OMSB) is invited by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society (THKMS) to perform at the Inter Racial Inter Religious Harmony Nite 2018.

This is the third time where the youth wing of Orkestra Melayu Singapura (OMS) being invited to perform for the President. This year, the event will be held at Singapore Expo on the 14 July 2018.

The Inter Racial Inter Religious Harmony Nite (IRIRHN) is organised by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society (THKMS) and co-organised by 7 partners; Yayasan Mendaki (MENDAKI); Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA); Eurasian Association (EA); Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC); Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO); Chee Hoon Kog Moral Promotion Society (CHKMPS) and Chee Hia Kog Moral Society (CHKMS).

The orchestra has started it’s new season and rehearsal are coming on the way. For now, I am in the midst of arranging new songs that is more into culture and songs of Singapore. Hence, I am looking into music arrangements that are traditional, nostalgic and fusion of different languages which consists of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Eurasian.

Here are some photos taken during the first session of rehearsal with the Orkestra Melayu Singapura Belia (OMSB) musicians.