“An Uncommon Journey 2022” was a labor of love and massive undertaking by like-minded music educators and musicians to reconnect after two years, to share and learn and to make music together. Over 50 musicians, some traveling from out-of-state, gathered weekly at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) over a period of 13 weeks in the collaborative project. They worked alongside the klpac Symphonic Band members, and performed two sold out concerts, under the baton of three esteemed guest conductors.
And we are back again for “An Uncommon Journey II”: Malaysia’s premiere youth wind ensemble, a comprehensive music education youth project. The Outreach Band provides an opportunity for the country’s outstanding 16-22 year old musicians to gather for an enriching and inspiring musical and cultural experience. It is an outstanding opportunity to perform under the leadership of guest conductors and to collaborate with a featured soloist. The Outreach Band experience also provided each of these young musicians the chance to network with some of the finest instrumentalists from across Malaysia.
Our Vision and Purpose Entry is by audition. The band performs advanced music and receives the highest quality artistic direction and teaching. This develops our young members as musicians to grow the next generation of outstanding winds, brass and percussion players, teachers, and music leaders.
Our Philosophy We aim to offer talented young wind band musicians an outstanding musical experience. We do this through:
World-class teachers: We work with some of the best tutors in the country, as well as guests from around the world
Lifelong friendships: Our inspirational courses support the development of new friendships with amongst young people with a shared love of music
Innovative music: We perform some of the traditional pieces whilst challenge and extend what we can play and so commission new pieces from composers
Equal opportunities: We aim to be a diverse and inclusive organization. We keep costs for participation low and provide financial support for those who need it
Team 2023 Music Director and Resident Conductor: Cheryl Mah Guest Conductors: Joost Flach, Raja Muzafar Raja Abdullah Featured Soloist: Chew Sze Gee, sponsored by Muramatsu Flute Malaysia Project Manager: Dr. Low Chee Meng and the collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) team
Language of instruction English
Timeline Sunday February 1st – Announcement Monday May 1st 00:00 – Last day for audition recording submission by clicking here (make sure to check out the USEFUL HINTS FOR MAKING AN AUDITION RECORDING) Monday May 15th – Name list announcement (on this website, and through email for those admitted to the program) Sunday May 28th – Online registration due Monday May 29th – Receive digital copies of the music
Rehearsals (make sure you are able to attend ALL scheduled activities. Cancellations or missed rehearsals mean that the opportunity to play in this band is taken away from another deserving student) Sunday June 11th, 10am – 1pm, klpac Sunday June 18th, 10am – 1pm, klpac Sunday June 25th, 10am – 1pm, UCSI University Instrumental clinics Flute: Foo Chie Haur (National Symphony Orchestra Malaysia) Clarinet: Chris Bosco (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra) Oboe: Yong How Keen (Radio Television Malaysia) Saxophone: Low Chee Meng Trumpet: Mohamad Firdaus Bin Zainal (Radio Television Malaysia) Horn: Eric Tiow (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra) Trombone: Marques Young (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra) Euphonium/Tuba: Bruce Lee Double Bass: Yukari Sasada Percussion: Antti Olavi (Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra) Sunday July 2nd, 10am – 1pm, klpac Tuesday July 4th, evening, klpac Pentas 1 Wednesday July 5th, evening, klpac Pentas 1 Thursday July 6th, evening, klpac Pentas 1 Friday July 7th, evening, dress rehearsal klpac Pentas 1
Performances Saturday July 8th, 8:30pm klpac Pentas 1 Sunday July 9th, 3pm klpac Pentas 1 AND a potential concert at a nearby city in the following weeks.
Repertoire Divertimento for flute by Alfred Reed (1921 – 2005) Little Studies On a Folk Song – Henk Van Lijnschooten (1928 – 2006) Voyages (1, 3, 4) – Jan Bosveld (b.1963) Rasa Sayang – traditional, arranged by Wong Chee Yean Spring Arrives – Yuka Yamashita Olympica by Giovanni Orsomando (1895 – 1988) Eternal Blossom Overture – Lim Yu Yao (b.1997) Flashing Winds – Jan Van der Roost (b.1956) Traffic – Thomas Doss (b.1966) Rifted Wed – Julie Giroux (b.1961) Tight Squeeze – Alex Shapiro (b.1962)
Fees RM175 What do you get? 30 hours of engaging learning fun time!
MULTIPLE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE, THANKS TO THE KIND SPONSORSHIPS!
Thanks to the kind sponsorship, we are able to offer scholarship (participation fees waived) for the following position (NOT April fool!):
Flute section leader Oboe section leader and (1) tutti player Bassoon section leader and (1) tutti player Saxophone section leader Trumpet section leader Horn section leader Trombone section leader Euphonium section leader AND Tuba section leader