Last month, we featured TIUP!, a unique wind band music festival featuring anime and idol music that’s happening this 24th and 25th August. This time, we’re taking a closer look by getting to know some of the brilliant minds behind this event! Joining us for this interview are:
Dr. Lin Ka Chun, TIUP! Programme Director, Hong Kong Wind Band Society (Flautist)
Jesse Chiu Tin Lok, TIUP! Programme Director and Guest Conductor, Hong Kong Wind Band Society (Clarinetist)
Marcus Loh, TIUP! Programme Director, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Symphonic Winds Lead* (Alto Saxophonist)
Kok Jiann Yao, Chairperson, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir (Alto Saxophonist)
Satoko Omata, Vice Chairperson, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir (Bassoonist, Percussionist)
*Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Symphonic Winds (SKSW) is the winds arm of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir (SKOC)
What is TIUP?
Jiann Yao: TIUP! is a mini festival to celebrate and promote wind band culture across the region. We created TIUP! to encourage music education in winds, brass and percussion instruments. The mini festival will feature two concerts, performing music from popular Jpop idol group AKB 48, and popular anime; as well as instrument focused workshops led by music instructors from Hong Kong and Malaysia
This mini festival is organised in partnership with members of the Hong Kong Wind Band Society. The exchange programme will allow wind band enthusiasts and professionals to share knowledge, skills and provide a platform for further research into strengthening the wind band culture across Asia.
This programme aims to improve the standards of music performance for Malaysia’s community wind band musicians, as well as establish a strong working relationship between community bands across Asia. We hope that this programme will further encourage knowledge sharing and improvements to the local performing arts community, with future plans to expand this partnership with other countries.
Could you give us a brief introduction to the Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Orchestra & Choir group?
Jiann Yao: The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Orchestra & Choir (SKOC) is a not-for-profit orchestra focused on the learning and development of musicians. We welcome musicians of all ages and skill levels to join us, providing amateur and hobbyist musicians the opportunity to develop their skills, broaden their knowledge of musical styles and share the passion for making music.
Our members actively perform in various events and competitions throughout Klang Valley, and for the past decade we’ve held annual concerts to promote the participation and enjoyment of orchestral music within the general public.
To further show our dedication and commitment to making music – majority of the music we play is arranged in house specially for our members, according to their skill levels and ability.
Our orchestra was founded by a group of highly passionate music educators, who wanted to build and promote music education and uplift the arts industry in Malaysia. Previously known as the Puchong Community Orchestra and Choir (PCOC), the orchestra was established in 2008 and officially registered as a non-profit organisation in 2010.
Could you share a little about what it’s like to coordinate a community-led orchestra?
Satoko: It is fun and tiring but oh-so-fulfilling. Unlike other community orchestras that have a minimum musical requirement for entry, our requirements are attitude and dedication. Our members range from students to working adults like myself, as well as professional music teachers and performers, as well as retirees!
Having to coordinate rehearsals and performance schedules to adjust for everyone’s time is always a challenge. It could be exam period for students, or accounting closing period, or perhaps a product launch period for working adults, sometimes it’s family commitment for those who have young children.
With everyone coming from different backgrounds, it also challenges our educators on how we tailor each rehearsal session to help our members improve their musical skills. Some came from school bands, some have not touched an instrument in 10 years before joining us, some were self taught, some are attending university for a music degree! We try to continuously have a wide range of activities that caters to the different musicians at different skill levels.
Jiann Yao: Being a non profit, we are always trying to balance between putting on a good high quality show, taking care of our member’s needs and wants, as well as maintaining the administrative health of our organisation. We are all volunteers working full-time jobs, and spend countless hours after work, late nights, weekends, managing events and preparing for rehearsals and coming up with ideas to keep the momentum going.
We are really grateful to have a bunch of members who are incredibly dedicated, coming every week for practice, as well as long time supporters and sponsors of our orchestra who provide not only monetary support, but also helps out wherever needed, whether it’s with videography, photography, design, social media, event management, logistics, ticket sales, everyone pulls their weight to help keep this community alive.
Whenever we hear our members tell us they enjoyed a performance, or that they are happy with their improvements in music skills, or that they are excited about some activities or programmes that are coming up, it makes all the long hours worth it.
How did the partnership between Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Orchestra & Choir (SKOC) and Hong Kong Wind Band Society begin?
Satoko: It started with a conversation between myself and Dr. Lin in Hong Kong. I first met him through a band exchange, and subsequently I was able to pay a short visit to his band in Hong Kong mid last year while on a work trip. We started exploring some possibility of international exchange between our bands, and decided we were going to give a shot at hosting a concert in Kuala Lumpur to start. That snowballed into more programmes, which included the workshop session the next day.
Ka Chun: The organisers from both of our organisations are well-acquainted from before and we were both eager to engage in cultural exchanges. There has been a longstanding desire to host a music concert related to Japanese culture. Given the significant influence of Japanese bands on the development of band music in both regions, as well as the familiarity of our members and audience with the genre, we were eager to make this collaboration a reality.
Are there any plans for SKOC members to be brought to Hong Kong to perform there with the Hong Kong Wind Band Society?
Marcus: We are discussing that! The initial plan was to first have players from Hong Kong perform with us, then the following year we will have a few players visit them as guest players. We are still planning the details, and really hope to continue on this partnership. So far it’s been a wild ride and we are enjoying every minute of it. Between the organising committee and the music committee, we’re already discussing other ways of collaboration and organising more knowledge exchange sessions.
Ka Chun: The exchange of band cultures between the two regions offers a fresh experience for both performers and audiences. Friends from Hong Kong have also been involved in the planning of the concert, allowing them to witness the enthusiasm of Malaysian band music enthusiasts.
What was the inspiration behind the largely Japanese-centric repertoire this time round?
Marcus: Our two concerts feature popular wind band arrangements of music by Japanese composers, by Japanese arrangers. Japan is widely regarded as a powerhouse for wind band education, largely influencing the Asian wind band landscape. We hope to promote a stronger understanding of wind band culture via music by Japanese composers and arrangers.
Ka Chun: Initially, the idea arose to kick off the concert series with a performance featuring the entire repertoire of the AKB48 series. The formation of KPL48 in Malaysia, set to commence activities in the summer of 2024, prompted us to consider the opportune moment for a band music concert centred around AKB48 themes.
Subsequently, we contemplated another concert themed around anime, given the strong ACG scene in Malaysia. From the Hong Kong perspective, the concert also aims to gather data and explore the relationship between Japanese pop music and wind band performances.
What can audiences expect from the Idol 48 Concert and The Anime Concert?
Ka Chun: Audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy two brass band performances of Japanese pop music in a single day. For existing supporters of AKB48 and anime, this concert offers a unique rendition through brass music, providing a fresh perspective on these genres. If you are not already a fan of AKB48 and anime, attending this concert may very well convert you! Most importantly, you will gain an understanding of what band music is and how it can bring joy to your life.
What can the readers expect for the TIUP Workshop? Who are the type of people that should attend this workshop?
Marcus: We will have a mix of Hong Kong instructors and Malaysian instructors leading the workshops. The workshops are targeted for beginner to intermediate players, but are open for musicians of all skill levels.
Some topics that will be covered include: breathing techniques, embouchure, intonation, tone colours, phrasing, tips for difficult skills on their instruments, ensembleship.
We will also have 4 simple pieces for the attendees to prepare, so that they can get a feel for playing together in a group, and hopefully bring that experience back to their schools or ensembles and share what they learned!
Are non-ticket holders allowed to drop by to watch the Ensemble Performance from the TIUP Workshop?
Marcus: Yes! The final performance will be open to anyone who wants to drop by and have a look. No tickets needed, but seats are first come first served!
Special thanks to the members of SKOC and the Hong Kong Wind Band Society for participating in this interview! For more information on TIUP!, follow SKOC on Facebook and Instagram – or read our article here.
