Singkap Siaga - Tracy Wong - Harmonium Choral Society Chamber Singers

Описание: A Child's Christmas - December 2022
Under the direction of Dr. Anne J. Matlack
Harmonium Choral Society Chamber Singers
The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, Morristown, NJ
Solo: Elizabeth Engelberth

Dr. Tracy Wong hails from Malaysia and is a choral conductor, music educator, composer, vocalist, and pianist. She currently resides in Ontario, Canada where she is the assistant professor of choral studies at the University of Western Ontario. She holds a DMA and MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Toronto. She provides the following notes:
Singkap Siaga was commissioned in 2020-21 by Sonic Timelapse Project and members of its Conductors Commission Club. As a partner composer of the Project, I had the immense privilege of reading and absorbing the content submitted by the choral communities in Canada who were experiencing the global COVID-19 pandemic. This piece is based on my reflections of these submissions, as well as my own experiences.
I drew inspiration from the almost-extinct Malay tradition of shadow puppet theatre and its music - Wayang Kulit Kelantan. I remember learning how to make these puppets in school in Malaysia. This artform reminded me how light and shadow are equal in beauty, thus shifting my perspective of “shadow” and “darkness” having negative connotations. I have been drawn to a scene in the show where the Dewa Panah (two Arrow Gods), one good and one evil, descend from the sky and battle each other. Neither wins. Life goes on in a balance.
The piece is 5% text and 95% vocables, based on the pre-existing vocal equivalent of the stylings and tone of the traditional instruments used in the Wayang Kulit Kelantan shadow puppet theatre practice – gong, dak, ding, dong, tsak, tsng. The rhythmic elements and patterns are also inspired by the music accompanying the Dewa Panah scene. Together with body percussion, this piece has a gutsy and fiery energy that hopefully brings singers to a positive headspace, especially when practicing alone.
https://tracywongmusic.com/
Singkap = to open, to reveal, quick change
Siaga = ever ready

Full program notes available on our website: http://www.harmonium.org/
Video/audio production: http://www.showfocused.llc/

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