Let’s address an age-old question: Is a formal music education a prerequisite for a position at the Singapore Symphony Group? In the scope of the organisation’s community outreach work, Whitney Tan, Assistant Manager, Community Engagement, said otherwise.
“I'm a business management major, though having some form of music knowledge and background would help tremendously in making sound decisions,” the plucky programmer revealed. “Regardless, there is still a wealth of experience one can only gain on the job.”
Whitney’s tenacious and determined personality, along with a fiery passion for the arts, are perfect for her role in the Community Engagement department. From large-scale community concerts to engaging in-school programmes, she and a team of programmers develop a slew of live and digital musical experiences with the well-meaning intention of impacting diverse communities deeply through classical music. Our perennial series SSO Concerts for Children and Babies’ Proms, the annual SSO National Day Concert and the biennial National Piano & Violin Competition are also thanks to the team’s tireless efforts.
A language enthusiast and a self-confessed ‘drink goblin’ (she is sustained by three different drinks at one time), Whitney shared more with Bravissimo about her foray in community engagement work, which stemmed from her desire to bring the SSO and its affiliated performing groups closer to the masses.
What are your favourite aspects of your role?
I'm a programmer — not in the IT sense, but as an arts administrator who coordinates the when, where, what, and how of selected concerts as part of SSO’s 44-week calendar of live events. I enjoy being hands-on with every aspect of a concert, from collaborating with conductors and artistes to managing productions. This includes everything from onstage setups to fringe activities at the front of house. While some days require longer hours, I love how the work keeps me on my toes, both creatively and physically!
Is there an initiative that holds a special place in your heart?
It will definitely have to be our school programmes as I believe that it is important to offer students quality opportunities to engage with classical music. Whether it is through pre-concert workshops or music excursions, we hope that their encounters with our musicians ignite a spark within them.
Share a moment that made you feel most rewarded by your work.
We spent some months revamping our Orchestra Guide to make it a more engaging and encompassing introduction to classical music and orchestral instruments for different age groups whilst drawing greater relevance to our performing groups – the national orchestra, youth orchestra and choruses. It was incredibly rewarding seeing families and students poring through the Orchestra Guide during our events, and even more so when they tackled the included puzzles and quizzes enthusiastically.
How has these in-person programme compared to simply listening to classical music on streaming platforms or radio?
Our community programmes encourage active participation from our audience members. We attempt to offer an all-rounded concert-going experience through fringe activities such as the Instrument Petting Zoo, where young attendees can get up close with various instruments. Usually, the programmes are led by a presenter who guides the audience members through a concert. They simplify the complex bits of a piece and share fun facts relating to the music.
Share tips for newbies who would like to start understanding and appreciating classical music?
Many pop songs have sampled from or incorporated classical music. Chances are, your favourite anime or movie soundtracks feature orchestral arrangements too. You do not need to know exactly why a piece resonates with you right away, but staying curious can lead to new discoveries.
I also recommend attending SSO concerts to deepen your relationship with classical music. You can enhance your knowledge with our original resources, such as RhapSSOdy, a magazine that introduces composers, genres, and more to young audiences. We also upload videos into our Musical Soundbites playlist on YouTube, which breaks music down into easy, bite-sized segments.
The next time you attempt the puzzles in our Orchestra Guide, remember our educational resources are thanks to dedicated arts administrators like Whitney who seek to expand the reach of our music in both significant and subtle ways.