Pentasy, for Bass Trombone and Piano Terrence Wong 2016-10-11 | 'Pentasy', for Bass Trombone and PianoComposer: Terrence WongPerformers: Jasper Tan (Bass Trombone) and Gabriel Hoe (Piano)Commissioned by Singaporean bass trombonist Jasper Tan, Pentasy, which literally means ‘pentatonic fantasy’, brings the listener through variations on different kinds of pentatonic scales, and also contains multiple extended techniques for both the trombonist and the pianist.Pentasy was premiered by Jasper Tan and Gabriel Hoe at the Esplanade Recital Studio, Singapore on the 18th of January, 2015.
Life Terrence Wong 2025-02-25 | Lifeby Terrence Wongfor solo pianoPart I of ‘Life, Death and Everything In Between’Set Piece for the Piano Senior CategoryCommissioned for the National Piano and Violin Competition 2023Performance by Adrian Tang @AdrianTangMusic, First Prize Winner of the Senior Category (Piano) for the National Piano and Violin Competition 2023, at the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, on 3 December 2023This piece is part of a set of four pieces for solo piano and solo violin, which may be performed in any order should they be programmed as part of the same concert.You stand beside a bed; one that is situated in Kandang Kerbau Hospital, or ‘KK Hospital’ as everyone calls it. In your arms you cradle a newborn child; warm, pink, and so small that it fits in the safe grasp of both your hands. It is curled up into a tiny ball, with eyes tightly shut, wriggling about helplessly. You think to yourself – is this little creature even human?You start to imagine what the future has in store for this new lifeform; a myriad of possible life paths await this little being. Will they, like you, take a keen interest in music or the arts? Will they turn towards nursing, tending to the ailments of the masses, or will they take up banking, spending late night after late night in the office staring at figures at a computer and communicating with clients halfway around the world? Will they contribute meaningfully to society, or end up in court for physically abusing others? Will they forge many strong friendships, or will they end up dying alone in a hospital bed?You snap back to the present moment, cradling the tiny, precious little baby, who begins to cry.Video recorded by Singapore SymphonyScore video created by @AndewMole
[Performance video with score] Pentasy, for Bass Trombone and Piano Terrence Wong 2025-02-25 | 'Pentasy', for Bass Trombone and Pianoby Terrence WongPerformers: Jasper Tan (Bass Trombone) and Gabriel Hoe (Piano)Commissioned by Singaporean bass trombonist Jasper Tan in late 2014, Pentasy, which is an amalgamation of the words ‘pentatonic’ and ‘fantasy’, is a reflective piece which brings the listener through variations on different kinds of pentatonic scales. This work also contains extended techniques for both trombonist and the pianist. 'Pentasy' was premiered by Jasper Tan and Gabriel Hoe at the Esplanade Recital Studio, Singapore on the 18th of January, 2015. This work was revised in 2025 to remove the need for the pianist to have access to a sostenuto pedal.Score video created by @AndewMole
and Everything Terrence Wong 2025-01-13 | and Everythingby Terrence Wongfor solo pianoPart III of ‘Life, Death and Everything In Between’Set piece for the Piano Artist CategoryCommissioned for the National Piano and Violin Competition 2023Performance by Jared Liew Wei at the Ceramic Palace Hall, Seoul, South Korea on 27 May 2024This piece is part of a set of four pieces for solo piano and solo violin, which may be performed in any order should they be programmed as part of the same concert.You are young, at your prime, and feel invincible. No goal is too lofty, no possibility is out of reach and no adversary is too tough to defeat. “The world is my oyster,” you think, and set out to realise your dreams. You scoff in the face of naysayers who tell you that your goals are impossible to attain under ordinary circumstances. “I am no ordinary person,” you think to yourself, reaching for the skies.…and sail the skies you do, because you don’t know how to take ‘no’ for an answer, making an impact on the world in your own, personal way.Score video created by @AndewMole To purchase the score for performance, please visit terrencewong89.wixsite.com/mysite/andeverything
The Fall, and Hope Terrence Wong 2022-03-19 | The Fall, and Hopeby Terrence Wongfor Wind Band in Flexi-Band FormatPremiere performance by the Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band under the baton of Adrian Chiang at the Singapore Conference Hall as part of the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation 2021Commissioned by Adrian Chiang and the Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band, The Fall, and Hope depicts the fall of Singapore to the Japanese during the Second World War, and how the residents of Singapore stayed strong throughout the dark times that followed, never losing hope that one day, they would be free again.Permission sought and received prior to uploading on YouTube for public viewing.
I looked to the sky and saw Terrence Wong 2022-03-19 | 'I looked to the sky and saw' (2020)by Terrence Wongfor Flute, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Violin, Viola and CelloHave you ever looked to the sky and let your mind wander aimlessly?Performed and recorded at the RCM Jay Mews Upper Studio, London on the 15th of April, 2021Conductor: Nicolò ForonFlute: Beth StoneBass Clarinet: Jasper PerryTenor Saxophone: Sophia ElgerViolin: Maja HorvatViola: Elena AccogliCello: Colin Alexander
Exuberance Terrence Wong 2022-02-05 | Red Bus, Movement 3 - 'Exuberance'Music and Lyrics by Terrence Wong and Children in the Basement; commissioned for the 20th Anniversary of the Singapore Street Festival: NXT, A Virtual Music EventPerformed by Children in the Basement (with Govin Tan)Vocals: Jeron PangLead Guitar: Christian KingRhythm Guitar: Gaius GurvinderBass Guitar: Stella OngKeyboards: Chan Si YingDrums: Bryant TanAdditional Percussion: Govin TanVideo by Poco Productions
Introspection Terrence Wong 2022-02-04 | Red Bus, Movement 2 - 'Introspection'Composed by Terrence Wong (with lyrics by Elaine Chan and 2 A.M.) for the 20th Anniversary of the Singapore Street Festival: NXT, A Virtual Music EventPerformed by 2 A.M. (with Lee Ruey Xuan, Rit Xu and Terrence Wong)Vocals: Gong Meng Lian and Alysa Lee MynnXiao: Rit XuAlto Recorder: Terrence WongAcoustic Guitar: Alysa Lee MynnBass Guitar: Lee Ruey XuanVideo by Poco Productions
Visitation Terrence Wong 2022-02-03 | Red Bus, Movement 1 - 'Visitation'Composed by Terrence Wong for the 20th Anniversary of the Singapore Street Festival: NXT, A Virtual Music EventPerformed by Three Maskateers (with Colin Yong)Trumpeters: Lee Yi Terng, Tobias Tan and Sherman GohBass Guitar: Colin YongVideo by Poco Productions
Grey Terrence Wong 2021-12-05 | Greyby Terrence Wongfor Flute and PianoPremiere performance by Clement Lim (Flute) and Momoko Kimura (Piano) at the Konzertsaal der Musikhochschule Münster, Germany on 6 November, 2021 as part of the event 'NRW Flute Days'.Commissioned in 2021 by Clement Lim, a flautist friend of thecomposer, 'Grey' depicts the mental state of a person living through theCovid-19 pandemic under lockdown circumstances, journeying with hiswandering mind as he gazes blankly out of the window towards grey andforeboding skies.
Fortitude Terrence Wong 2021-10-30 | Fortitudeby Terrence Wongfor Solo Soprano/Alto Saxophone and Chamber EnsemblePremiere performance by Samuel Phua (Saxophone) and the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Adrian Chiang at the Victoria Theatre as part of the annual National Arts Council's Silver Arts 2021.Commissioned by the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra for performance with rising Singaporean saxophonist Samuel Phua in 2021, Fortitude serves as a tribute to the people belonging to the Pioneer and Merdeka generations of Singapore, acknowledging the multiple hardships they have endured for the sole purpose making life better and more purposeful for their descendants.
Ori Party Terrence Wong 2021-09-21 | Ori Partyby Terrence Wongfor Brass Ensemble in Six PartsPremiere performance by members from the Eunoia Junior College Symphonic Band under the baton of Adrian Chiang at the Nanyang Girls High School Auditorium as part of the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation 2021Commissioned by Adrian Chiang and the Eunoia Junior College Symphonic Band, Ori Party! depicts a group of newfound friends who are going for a fun-filled group outing as an ‘ori’ (orientation) group, which would have been formed at random by the school administration as part of the icebreaking process in their new phase of life as a Junior College student in Singapore.Permission sought and received prior to uploading on YouTube for public viewing.
Out-do You Do? Terrence Wong 2021-09-17 | 'Out-do' You Do?by Terrence Wongfor Alto and Tenor Saxophone DuetPremiere performance by Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson (Alto) and Bex Lycett (Tenor)Performance filmed at the Performance Hall, Royal College of Music, London on the 2nd of December, 2020Written in collaboration with the Head On Photo Festival’s Portrait Award, ‘Out-do’ You Do? was written in response to an untitled photograph by Jon Frank of a man who has placed a used fried chicken bucket over his head (picture below).Inspired by the photograph to create a fun-spirited piece, the composer has the alto and tenor saxophone duet participate in a mock competition with each other, vying to ‘out-do’ each other in various ways, such as playing louder/softer than the other player.Permission sought and obtained from the performers prior to uploading for public viewing.
Instrumental Opening from Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn (BWV 96) Terrence Wong 2021-09-04 | Instrumental opening from J.S. Bach's cantata, 'Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn' (BWV 96), arranged by Terrence Wong for sopranino, alto, tenor and bass recorders and bass tromboneThis is the first cantata by Bach that features the 'flauto piccolo', or sopranino recorder prominently, with its dazzling and virtuosic display illustrating the sparkling of the morning star.
With Glory and Honour Terrence Wong 2021-08-18 | With Glory and Honourby Terrence Wongfor Wind Band in Flexi-Band formatPremiere performance by the Convent of the Holy infant Jesus (CHIJ) Concert Band under the baton of Adrian Chiang at the Singapore Conference Hall as part of the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation 2021Commissioned by Adrian Chiang and the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) Secondary Concert Band, this piece is part of a series of compositions celebrating Singapore’s unsung heroes.This piece, whose title has been chosen by the band members of the CHIJ Secondary Concert Band, is based on the legend of Radin Mas Ayu, a lady who was the daughter of a Javanese prince named Pangeran, who had fled to Singapore to escape being murdered by his jealous brother, who was the King.Radin Mas was described as a beautiful and filial daughter who was very much loved by Pangeran but hated by her stepmother, who was jealous both of her beauty and closeness with her father. After Radin Mas’s little half-brother was injured by a broken plate dropped by her, her stepmother enlisted the help of her nephew, Tengku Bagus to plot against her, who intoxicated Pangeran and imprisoned him in an unused deep well, following which Tengku Bagus proposed to Radin Mas – threatening to kill Pangeran if she refused.Radin Mas agreed, but not long after, her little half-brother let slip that he saw Pangeran alive in an unused well, and Pangeran was rescued. Tengku Bagus feared Pangeran’s revenge, and drew his kris to kill Pangeran, but Radin Mas sprung forward to shield her beloved father, dying in his stead.Even as details of the legend remain impossible to verify, the tale of her noble sacrifice continues to live today. A shrine, known as Keramat Radin Mas, sits at the foot of Mount Faber, and there is also a primary school, community centre and an entire town named after her in the present day.Permission sought and received prior to uploading on YouTube for public viewing; video withheld at the request of the school.
Anatomy of a Teardrop Terrence Wong 2021-08-12 | Anatomy of a Teardropby Terrence Wongfor Sopranino Recorder, Alto Recorder, Baroque Cello and Chamber OrganPremiere performance by Thomas Pickering (Sopranino), Hannah Parry (Alto), Samuel Ng (Cello) and Dominika Maszczyńska (Organ)Performed at the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall, Royal College of Music, London on the 19th of May, 2021 as part of the concert 'Chamber Essentials: Voices of the Past'The first line of William Blake’s poem Auguries of Innocence states, “To see a World in a Grain of Sand”; what if we could feel the sadness of the world in a single teardrop?Anatomy of a Teardrop started off as a piece of pure process music that was based on the opening choral motif of J. S. Bach’s cantata 'Ihr werdet weinen und heulen' (BWV 103), but has since evolved into a fully emotive work that speaks of repressed human suffering.Permission sought and obtained from the performers prior to uploading for public viewing.
Force 136 Terrence Wong 2021-08-08 | Force 136by Terrence Wongfor Wind Band in Flexi-Band FormatPremiere performance by the Maris Stella High School Symphonic Band under the baton of Adrian Chiang at the Singapore Conference Hall as part of the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation 2021Commissioned by Adrian Chiang and the Maris Stella High School Symphonic Band, this piece is part of a series of compositions celebrating Singapore’s unsung heroes.The piece serves as a salute to Lim Bo Seng, who is recognised as one of Singapore’s most famous war heroes. He accomplished, among other feats, blowing up the Causeway to impede the advance of the Japanese, as well as setting up an intelligence network (Operation Zipper) in four urban areas with the aim of recapturing Malaya with British support by 1945. Unfortunately, he was caught in 1944 and died in a jail in Perak due to severe malnutrition in the same year. The title of this piece was decided upon by the band members of the Maris Stella High School Symphonic Band, and the spirited music portrays his unwavering spirit and bravery.Permission sought and received prior to uploading on YouTube for public viewing; video withheld at the request of the school.
Battle of the Houses Terrence Wong 2021-08-04 | Battle of the Housesby Terrence Wongfor Wind Band in Flexi-band FormatPremiere performance by the Eunoia Junior College Symphonic Band under the baton of Adrian Chiang at the Nanyang Girls High School Auditorium as part of the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation 2021Commissioned by Adrian Chiang and the Eunoia Junior College Symphonic Band, "Battle of the Houses" depicts the fierce (yet friendly) competition and sportsmanship at the annual “Eunoia Junior College Inter-House Games”, where members of the five houses of Akila, Eder, Isami, Ora and Uzuri give their all in various sports in a bid to win the title of Champion House.Permission sought and received prior to uploading on YouTube for public viewing.
Kueh Lapis (2021) Terrence Wong 2021-06-28 | Kueh Lapisfor orchestraMIDI realisation processed via Noteperfomer 3.'Kueh Lapis' refers to an Indonesian snack, consisting of many layers that constitute a cake, and can also be widely found in my home country of Singapore. Thinking of it helped me find a new way towards the organisation of my musical material, which is exemplified in this short orchestral Scherzo. This method involves stacking layer upon layer of the same core motif, which is constantly developed through tonal transposition and metric modulation to create an immensely colourful explosion of musical flavour that aims to surprise the listener at every turn.
Overgrowth (2021) Terrence Wong 2021-06-28 | Overgrowthfor string quartet in three movementsI. Lalang 0:04II. Sky 7:11III. Tendrils 10:55MIDI realisation processed via Noteperfomer 3.In the lonesome days of the ‘circuit breaker’ period (a partially restrictive form of lockdown) during the onset of Covid-19 in my home country of Singapore in 2020, many day-to-day services that were taken for granted by the citizenry came to a halt. As a result, the most immediately noticeable sight around the country was that of overgrown greenery; the legions of foreign labour that used to trim the grass and bushes in our public spaces were too huddled in their dormitories. My neighbourhood also became significantly quieter with less vehicular traffic, and together with the abovementioned overgrowth, I found a renewed experience with the sights and sounds of nature. Split into three movements; 'Lalang', 'Sky' and 'Tendrils', this string quartet is a musical representation of my resultant experience of nature, untampered by man, in an urban context.Note: The title of the first movement, 'Lalang', is a Malay name for the weed Imperata Cylindrica, which is a kind of grass that spreads quickly and can grow as tall as 3 meters if not gotten rid of. It is a common sight in tropical nations such as Singapore and Malaysia.Cover picture taken by Terrence Wong at Ealing Common, London.
First Flower Terrence Wong 2021-06-05 | First Flowerfor Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Violin, Viola and Cellowritten for and performed by the Explore Ensemble (http://explore-ensemble.com)conducted by Nicolò ForonWritten in two movements that are parallel in some ways, 'First Flower' dramatises the blooming of what might have been the very first flower on Earth.Recorded in the Performance Studio, Royal College of Music, London on the 5th of May, 2021.Cover picture taken by Terrence Wong along Cambridge Grove, Hammersmith, London.
I Looked To The Sky and Saw Terrence Wong 2020-08-21 | 'I Looked To The Sky and Saw'for Flute, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Violin, Viola and CelloHave you ever looked up into the sky and let your mind wander aimlessly, without a care in the world?Originally written for the Composers Studio workshop for Masters level students at the Royal College of Music, London, the live performance was postponed indefinitely due to the onset of COVID-19. Picture taken by me at the Round Pond, Kensington Gardens, London.MIDI realisation by Noteperformer 3.
Supplication (2020) Terrence Wong 2020-07-21 | Supplication for Orchestra (2020)Have you ever felt like you were all alone in the world, even when standing in the midst of a large crowd, and then prayed earnestly for the engulfing loneliness to end?Initially structured as a pure palindrome based on the idea perpetuated by Alban Berg's 'Film Music' scene from his opera Lulu, 'Supplication' constructs a short prelude out of a four-note motif that grows into an intense emotional outpouring that speaks of a innate desire to be wanted and loved by others. The music then gets smaller and smaller, ending in quiet resignation.Picture taken by me at Brighton Pier, UK, in December 2018.MIDI realisation by Noteperformer 3.
Festoso Terrence Wong 2020-03-15 | 'Festoso' for Wind BandCommissioned by the Band Directors' Association (Singapore) in 2018 for use as the theme song for the annual Festival Winds event.Created using fragments of music submitted by the music community, 'Festoso' is a lively yet empathetic celebration of the end of each Festival Winds, where all its participants both young and mature come together to make music as one.This performance was led by Dr. Leonard Tan with the Festival Winds Combined Band at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore on the 23rd of December, 2019.
Finis Terrence Wong 2019-08-09 | 'Finis' was commissioned by the Philharmonic Youth Winds, Singapore and premiered by the same ensemble under the baton of Adrian Chiang in December 2018 as part of the concert 'Classiques! Yuletide'.'Finis' – originally a Latin word meaning ‘the end’ – explores the epitome of human suffering from the Christian point of view. The work depicts how, in spite of the cruel and unjust manner in which Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for the salvation of man, human beings have thus far largely turned a blind eye upon the suffering of his fellow men and continue to contribute, to the present day and beyond, to the never-ending suffering of other human beings using all means possible. One can argue that in spite of all the technological advances that we as a species have made since the dawn of time, we are not in any way happier or more content than the time when our ancestors first roamed the earth.
...till death do us part Terrence Wong 2019-08-09 | “…till death do us part” was commissioned by the Singapore Wind Symphony in 2014 as a wedding gift for Steven & Misa Mead, and lovingly dedicated to the couple.A love song does not always have to be ‘cheesy’ or ‘clichéd’ – not wanting to create just another piece of music about love, '… till death do us part' celebrates the blossoming of feelings between two people through courtship leading up to the wedding ceremony when the sacred vows of love are exchange.
Foundation Terrence Wong 2019-08-09 | Commissioned by The Philharmonic Winds (Singapore) for its 15th Anniversary Concert, 'Singapore Compose!''Foundation' - the seed of a great civilisation, grandiose and inspiring, but not without its flaws. Will the civilisation evolve into something greater, surpassing the expectations and comprehension of its creators, or will it fall into eternal ruin?
Caffeine Terrence Wong 2019-08-09 | 'Caffeine' For Oboe and Alto Suona was commissioned for the inaugural Oboe and Suona Day 2017, Singapore, and premiered on that day by Joost Flach (Oboe) and Jacky Ng (Alto Suona).Caffeine is ingested internationally in two common forms – tea and coffee, which are often described as polar opposites in the world of beverages.The first movement, 'Tea Ceremony' portrays the mindfulness and formality in which tea is prepared, drunk and savoured as part of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.The second movement, 'Midnight Coffee 'was inspired by the composer watching a friend gulp down his expensive coffee close to midnight so that he could stay awake and continue working into the wee hours of the morning. Needless to say, the coffee made him rather cranky too…
Three Six Zero Terrence Wong 2019-08-09 | 'Three Six Zero' for French Horn, Euphonium and Bass Trombone was written in 2016, and premiered by the T.E.H. Ensemble (Alexander Ian Oon, French Horn; Kang Chun Meng, Euphonium; and Jasper Tan, Bass Trombone) in the same year at Quinnuance's annual concert, 'Maximally Minimal'.Originally titled 'Heaven and Hell', the composer decided against it and opted for a subtler one - one that also reflected the values within and the musical material used, all at the same time.The work is based on a well-known Zen parable whereby a monk shows a warrior that heaven and hell can both be found within ourselves.Just as both concepts of heaven and hell exist as states of mind within oneself, so do the different vertical and horizontal juxtapositions of Western Chromaticism - while contrapuntal movement finds consonances in the use of thirds, sixths and octaves, fluid counterpoint, which may be seen as representative of life itself, will have to first undertake paths that inevitably lead to dissonances. Using these three intervals as waypoints throughout the work (there are 12), the T.E.H. ensemble paints an abstract picture of the abovementioned Zen parable.
Monsoon Dances Terrence Wong 2019-08-09 | 'Monsoon' was comissioned by the Singapore Wind Symphony, and was premiered by the same ensemble together with Shunta Goh (Erhu), Ismahairie Putra Ishak (Oud), and Nawaz Mirajkar (Tabla) in April 2017.Before the invention of steam power, traders from faraway lands relied on monsoon winds to bring them to Singapore and back. They brought with them a myriad of unique traditions – food, religion, dress and architecture were but some of them. Over time, Singapore became a melting pot of cultures, and a wealth of new traditions unique to this land was born as a result.'Monsoon' uses instruments from four cultures; the Erhu, from China; the Oud, from the Middle East; the Tabla, from India; and the Wind Band, from the Occident. The work attempts to portray these four cultures not as individual, separate identities, but as a new and unique sound world only possible with this blend of instruments.Beginning, ending and interspersed with a recurring filler movement titled 'Winds of Change', the work is split into four distinct movements.The first movement, 'Tea', shines the spotlight on the Erhu, and reflects on the multi-cultural practice of preparing and drinking tea.'Wind' follows, focusing on the Oud, and is a dance-like movement that draws on Middle Eastern musical aspects for inspiration. Irregular meters are a regular feature in this movement.With a gentle fall of 'Rain', the third movement emulates not only the sound, but also the workings of the Central Javanese Gamelan. The wind band provides the soothing and haunting backdrop on which the Oud and Erhu weave their melodious lines upon.The last movement, 'Spice', draws upon the North Indian Kathak dance for inspiration, where a short melody is repeated numerous times (with different instrumental combinations each time), providing the base on which the Tabla constructs a long improvisatory solo. The work then ends with a bang when the wind band returns to join the festivities.
Five Images for Orchestra Terrence Wong 2017-05-31 | Commissioned by the Singapore Symphony OrchestraLive Recording from the Premiere Performance at the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, on the 16th of April 2015Audio courtesy of the Singapore Symphony OrchestraMvt. 1, 'Running' 0:00 Mvt. 2, 'Passing Clouds' 1:35Mvt. 3, 'The Atomic Bomb' 4:30Mvt. 4, 'Fresh Recruits' 6:27Mvt. 5, 'Into the Light' 8:06"Composed by Singaporean composer Terrence Wong, 'Five Images' paints seemingly random movements that are aurally connected by the continuous development of thematic material." "The first movement, 'Running' describes the composer’s feelings when going out for a run, from experiencing the cool breeze to the exhilaration of sprinting in the final lap.""The second movement, 'Passing Clouds' reflects on peaceful days when one could spare the time to gaze idly at fluffy clouds in the sky, which come in many shapes and sizes."" 'The Atomic Bomb' imagines the feelings of the scientists working on the Manhattan Project (when the first atomic bombs were created) as they realised the terrible power of the weapons they had helped to create.""Clumsy marching can be heard in the the fourth movement, 'Fresh Recruits', as they experience their first day in military camp.""The final movement, 'Into the Light' imagines the fear and eventual acceptance of a dying man."
The River at Dawn Terrence Wong 2017-04-27 | Commissioned by the School of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, SingaporeComposed for Wind Band, 'The River at Dawn' utilises a blend of impressionistic colour to portray the sparkling Singapore River as imagined by the composer in the nation’s pre-independence days – tranquil and without the mad rush of city life. Performed by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Wind Ensemble in 2015 under the direction of the Head of Winds, Joost Flach.
Morning Dances Terrence Wong 2017-04-27 | Inspired by Balinese Gamelan music, 'Morning Dances' for Oboe, Clarinet and Piano calls for complex interlocking rhythms and extra-musical effects such as foot-tapping to enhance the feel of the Gamelan principles in the music.Performed at the Esplanade Recital Studio, Singapore in 2014 as part of Quinnuance's concert, 'Stones, Sand and Light'Oboe: Leow Rui QingClarinet: Colin Tan YiliangPiano: You Yin Fen
Singapura, Oh Singapura Terrence Wong 2013-05-04 | Commissioned by Adrian Tan, Music Director of the Singapore Wind SymphonyArranged by Terrence Wong Fei YangStudio recording by the Singapore Wind Symphony under the baton of Mr. Adrian Tan on the 30th of June, 2012" The traditional tune 'Singapura' originally had Malay lyrics that embodied the values of patriotism and loyalty to the city-state of Singapore, then known as 'Singapura' or 'Lion City'. However, the song was commercialized in the 1980s and turned into a catchy pop song with English lyrics that are significantly less meaningful than the original. Taking each version into consideration, I have composed 'Singapura' to incorporate them both. The first, slow section slowly unfolds, depicting a Singapore where its people are at peace and have faith in their country, working hard to overcome obstacles. Then comes the middle section, which is quick and dissonant, depicting a nation in strife and chaos. A final slow section similar to the first but more 'lightheaded', questioning if the nation has forgotten its roots and revels only in its success and affluence, concludes the work."
Beyond Milestones Terrence Wong 2013-05-03 | Variations loosely based on a theme by Richard StraussCommissioned by the Singapore Management University Symphonia for its 10th Anniversary ConcertPremiere performance recorded at the Singapore Conference Hall, 22nd February 2013, by the SMU Symphonia led by Mr. Adrian Chiang"Commissioned by the Singapore Management University Symphonia (SMU Symphonia) for its 10th Anniversary Concert, Beyond Milestones celebrates the band's journey from a stage band created to support a school musical to one of the finest tertiary level bands in the nation.Loosely based on a theme from Richard Strauss' "Beim Schlafengehen", this piece brings the listener through a set of variations, each depicting a different era of the band's journey.Variation 1 depicts the beginnings of the university itself in the year 2000. As a two-storey building on Evans Road at the edge of the Bukit Timah Campus, the music depicts a quiet and reflective quality, but also hinting at a yet unknown potential that might be reached with age.Variation 2 has a jazz-inspired quality in which the composer attempts to depict what it would have been like when the band was incepted 10 years ago: it was formed for the purpose of supporting a school musical, and stayed on as a permanent school-based interest group thereafter.Variation 3: city sounds. This section depicts SMU's monumental move to the permanent city campus located in the Bugis-Bras Basah District in 2005, and also providing more room for the band to rise through the ranks of tertiary level bands.Variation 4 is a fughetta; it culminates the achievements and the most enjoyable moments of the band and its members in a joyous climax.Variation 5 was written with multimedia presentation in mind. A video, interviewing the past and present members of the band, will be shown during this variation.Variation 6 is the final variant of the theme, beginning with a solemn chorale-fanfare which leads to a final glorious burst of energy that looks ahead with optimistic energy into the yet-forged future of the band."
A Normal Conversation Terrence Wong 2012-12-08 | Commissioned by three crazy musician friends of mine, 'A Normal Conversation' was premiered by the same trio at The Arts House, Singapore, 5th December 2012, 8pm at their recital of the same name.'A Normal Conversation' is a comic piece for Saxophonist, Clarinettist and Pianist...and some other instruments as well.Piano: Teh JiexiangClarinet in Bb: Brent TanAlto Saxophone: Elias Arun
The Director Of Music Terrence Wong 2012-02-11 | Written by me, it is the 3rd out of a set of four marches dedicated to the SAF Band, namely, 'The Sergeant Major', 'The Drum Major', 'The Director of Music' and 'The Bandsman'. Orchestrated for Military Band.Informally recorded by SAF Band A and Band C.This march attempts to combine the composition styles of two Directors of Music in the SAF Band, namely the flamboyant orchestration of ME4 Steven Tan in the first half and the cool and impassive style of ME4 Johnson Lee in the second half. These two have inspired me much during my National Service days.
The Sergeant Major Terrence Wong 2012-02-10 | Written by me, it is the 1st out of a set of four marches dedicated to the SAF Band, namely, 'The Sergeant Major', 'The Drum Major', 'The Director of Music' and 'The Bandsman'. Orchestrated for Military Band.Informally recorded by SAF Band A and Band C.This march attempts to use the most flamboyant of harmonies, modulations and keys (up to 7 flats in Section B), portraying the ever changing and unpredictable moods of the stereotypical military sergeant major.
The Drum Major Terrence Wong 2012-02-10 | Written by me, it is the 2nd out of a set of four marches dedicated to the SAF Band, namely, 'The Sergeant Major', 'The Drum Major', 'The Director of Music' and 'The Bandsman'. Orchestrated for Military Band.Informally recorded by SAF Band A and Band C.This march attempts to use the simplest of harmonies (ie. chords I, IV and V) but stretches the melody to span many octaves in a short period of time. It also lets the drummers perform various syncopation and excerpts from well know drum patterns such as 'Drum Solo No.1' as part of the march.
(d)evolution Terrence Wong 2011-12-01 | My only electronic work so far. Created in 2009, it utilises a sample from a solo cello playing a single upward B-flat minor scale. Electronic means enhance, lengthen and change the quality of sounds heard throughout this piece.Cello: Tan Wen-Bin
Each Life Converges Terrence Wong 2011-12-01 | Composed in 2009 for solo baritone singer and string orchestra, this piece is set to one of Emily Dickinson's poems, 'Each Life Converges'. Baritone Solo: Jeremy Koh
The Bandsman Terrence Wong 2011-12-01 | Written by me, it is the last out of four of a set of marches dedicated to the SAF Band, namely, 'The Sergeant Major', 'The Drum Major', 'The Director of Music' and 'The Bandsman'. Orchestrated for Military Band. Written in mid 2011. MIDI.
March of the Ants Terrence Wong 2011-12-01 | A simple early work of mine that was inspired by all the pesky ants that went marching round and round my house everyday...Written and performed in 2007.Oboe: Jeremy Wong Kum FaiBassoon: Teo Ee WeiTrombone: Laurel Ho Chun SengCello: Chan Si-Han
Dreamscapes - Caricature of a Dream Terrence Wong 2011-12-01 | My second work for wind band. Recorded with NAFA Wind Ensemble with less than two full rehearsals, so if it sounds a little off, do forgive us! =) Dreamscapes is a caricature of a dream; this dream does not refer to aspirations or hopes but instead reflects our actual dreams (and nightmares!) we experience when we are asleep. In most of our dreams, no matter how illogical the events or the sequence of events are, they are all logical and coherent to the person who experiences them...that is, until he or she wakes up...to find that only a short period of a few hours have passed when the dream usually feels very much longer.
Ride Down The CBD Terrence Wong 2011-11-30 | This short piece by me for Brass Quintet attempts to imitate the hustle and bustle of the morning scene in the Central Business District of Singapore. Premiered 15th October 2008 by the Brass Collective. 1st Trumpet: Ray Chionh 2nd Trumpet: Christopher Yong Lin Horn in F: Edgar Teng Tenor Trombone: Laurel Ho Tuba: Teng Siang Hong
Threnody - In Memory of Thaddeus Cheong (1990 - 2007) Terrence Wong 2011-11-30 | My first work for Wind Band. Dedicated to the memory of the late Thaddeus Cheong, who died while trying his best for a triathlon selection race at the tender age of 17.Performed by the Nanyang Adacemy of Fine Arts Wind Ensemble, Singapore and is conducted by myself.
Alus Jua Dindang Terrence Wong 2011-11-30 | An arrangement of mine of a Folksong from Brunei. It is traditionally sung by a man to his lover. Premiere video from a Peranakan art show 'Peranakan IV: Piece by Piece, Thread by Thread' @ NAFA Campus 1, Singapore, 2008.. Violin I: Boo Chengxuan Violin II: Mervin Wong VIola: Hwang Jimin Cello: Lee MinJin
