Singapore, 29 August 2005 - The internationally-recognised SYC Ensemble Singers, Singapore’s most traveled and awarded choir, known for exploring “virgin” musical territory, will be conducted by esteemed Swedish conductor Gary Graden for this one-night concert sponsored by Singapore Press Holdings as part of its SPH Gift of Music series.

The title work of the concert, Anders Hillborg’s Muoayiyoum, will lead the audience through new and unexplored areas of vocal and choral expression, including the conscious use of overtone singing.

Other equally colourful works include the herding calls in a specially commissioned work – Bo Hansson’s Ett Tacksamhetsljud (A gratitude’s sound), a deconstruction of Bach’s Lobet den Herrn by Sven-David Sandström and the melodramatic minimalism of Thomas Jennefelt’s Claviante Brilioso.

Balancing out the programme in an evening of Swedish sonorities are two romantic settings of Ave maris stella (Otto Olsson, Michael Waldenby), Steve Dobrogosz’ Gospels, and an arrangement by Gunnar Eriksson of Lars Jansson’s jazzy To the Mothers in Brazil, setting the text of Salve Regina.

A student under the legendary Eric Ericson and a former member with the Eric Ericson Chamber Choir in Stockholm, Gary has led his renowned St Jacob’s Chamber Choir to first prizes at numerous competitions, including the European Broadcasting Union’s Let the Peoples Sing (1989) and the prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing (1992).

Gary Graden is much in demand as a guest conductor, lecturer and adjudicator, and has conducted the World Youth Choir, Jauna Muzika (Vilnius), SWR Vocal Ensemble (Stuttgart), among others. In 1997 he received the Johannes Norrby Medal for his contribution to Swedish choral music.
Tickets at $16, $21 and $27 (inc. SISTIC fee) from SISTIC

For more information, call 6332-5815 or email enquiries@syc.org.sg.
Website: www.syc.org.sg

About SPH Gift of Music
SPH Gift of Music is a series of concerts presented by SPH to the people and the nation. The series features over 20 concerts covering different genres of music, from pop, Latin and R&B, to jazz, Asian percussion, Western classical, Chinese opera and children’s puppets, promises to be wholesome and entertaining, with something for everyone.

The key partners collaborating with SPH in this series are the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and a host of individuals and groups representing some of the most recognised names in Singapore music, as well as accomplished overseas acts.

Most of the SPH concerts at the Botanic Gardens fall on the first Sunday of every month. SPH is also bringing concerts to the community with performances in the heartlands, public areas and parks as part of its outreach efforts to connect with the community.The SPH Gift of Music series is one of many outreach events which SPH supports as part of its broadening corporate social responsibility to foster community spirit.

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Co. Regn. No: 198402868E