Recognising Local Talents the Victorian Way
Combined Schools Gala Concert Pays Tribute to Local Performing Arts Scene
Nil Sine Labore Concert 06.06.09
Nil Sine Labore Concert 06.06.09
19 May 2009, Singapore – On 6 June 2009, join us in paying tribute to local performing artists at the inaugural combined Victoria School (VS) and Victoria Junior College (VJC) gala concert, directed by Cultural Medallion Winner Iskandar Ismail.
Entitled Nil Sine Labore – the schools’ motto which means “Nothing Without Labour” – this show aims to pay tribute to the years of hard work that have led to the stellar achievements by the various performing arts groups, hailing from the hotbed that has produced many local talents who have made a difference to the thriving Singapore arts scene in one way or another.
Presented by Azimuth Watch Company, and organized by the Old Victorians’ Association, the concert boasts a 260-strong cast comprising of both students and celebrity alumni, who will be taking centre stage at the Esplanade Concert Hall to present a show like never seen before.
The audience will get a rare opportunity to witness the work of three great local musical veterans: songs composed and arranged by Mr. Iskandar, and pieces conducted by VJC’s famed resident Symphonic Band Conductor, Dr. Zechariah Goh, and premier Choral Director, Mr. Nelson Kwei.
Audience will also see special appearances by presenter Joe Augustin, theatre actor Joanna Dong, the first Cultural Medallion for Literature (1980) Recipient Professor Edwin Thumboo, Singapore Idol 2nd runner up Jasmine Tye, internationally renowned bass guitarist Ignatius Bong and Singapore’s premier illusionists J C Sum and ‘Magic Babe’ Ning. In fact, J C Sum and ‘Magic Babe’ Ning will debut a new illusion, “360 Sawing”, for this special concert.
Together, they will lead the performing arts groups from both schools to present this one-night only show.
Mr. Vernon Teo, Executive Producer and President of the Old Victorians’ Association (OVA) said, “This concert aims to recognize the schools’ talents in hope to bring them to the next level. As alumni, our duty lies in helping our alma mater to give the children an all-rounded education with that edge, to succeed and do even better in years to come.”
The concert is open to the public and tickets are available at http://nsl.ova.org.sg for $25 only, to commemorate VJC’s 25th anniversary this year.
For story and photo opportunities/more information, please contact:
Carol Loo
Concert Producer, OVA
cell: +65 9222-1432
email: carol.loo@ova.org.sg
Azimuth Watch Company
Azimuth
Azimuth Watch Co. was started by two Singaporeans, Alvin Lye & Christopher Long in 2003 to showcase their uniquely Singapore watch designs which are then manufactured in Bienne, Switzerland. Azimuth is the first and only Singapore watch company which has gained recognition in the industry for creating high quality and uniquely designed timepieces, a niche which has been traditionally monopolised by established Swiss brands. Co-founder Christopher Long, a passionate old Victorian, is pleased to support the inaugural production of Nil Sine Labore, as part of their commitment to everything that is Singapore, particularly the arts scene. Through their support for such meaningful event, Azimuth hopes to inspire more young Singaporeans to develop their love for design and the arts, which can be nurtured to produce more uniquely Singapore icons in the future.
For more information, log on to http://www.azimuthwatch.com
The Old Victorians’ Association
The Old Victorians’ Association was established in 1941 as a formal channel for former students of Victoria Afternoon School, Victoria Bridge School, Victoria Pre-University, Victoria School and Victoria Junior College to continue to associate with their alma maters. The OVA is one of the few old students’ institutions with a long history and rich tradition. Support is given to activities undertaken by the academic institutions, to the assistance of needy and deserving Victorians, and to the promotion of sports, social and cultural activities amongst members. His Excellency S R Nathan, the current elected President of Singapore, is an Honorary Life Member.
For more information, visit https://www.ova.org.sg
3 Comments. Leave new
Vernon, can I clarify that this is a VJC ONLY event as there is no mention of VS participation in any of the event? Is the suggestion during OVA AGM for an item by old VS boys ever considered?
On a separate topic, can you also comment on VJC running their own VJC Alumni Newsletter but "promoting" under OVA? I see it as a separation of ways, a conflicting of association and not a unity.
Perhaps, OVA should appropriately consider herself as a "Holding Company". VJC Alumni and soon to be formed, VS Alumni, as their subsidaries?
Comments, comments??? Mr. Vernon and old boys?
As someone said, "The plot thickens".. to be continued
June 2, 2009
When friends come together
ONE of the biggest names involved in Victoria Junior College's 25th anniversary show on June 6 is not an old boy. Neither is he an alumnus of Victoria School.
Nonetheless, Victorian blood runs in Cultural Medallion recipient Iskandar Ismail's family. His father is veteran Malay singer Ismail Kassim, who died in 1994.
'My late father was from Victoria School in the 1930s and my daughter graduated from Victoria Junior College in 2004,' says Iskandar, 53, who studied at Siglap Secondary because he lived too far from Victoria School when it was located at Jalan Besar.
He is the artistic director of Nil Sine Labore, a gala concert featuring performing arts groups of both schools as well as former students, such as jazz singer and actress Joanna Dong, poet Edwin Thumboo and illusionist JC Sum.
Read the full report in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times' LIFE!.
Title : Two upcoming local gigs to look forward to
By : Christopher Toh, TODAY
Date : 04 Jun 2009 1242 hrs (GMT + 8hrs)
SINGAPORE: There’s nothing Singaporeans like better than a buffet – except a free buffet.
Since those are rare – if not near impossible to come by – most of us tend to look for the best value-for-money deals.
The same goes for music. Unfortunately, Baybeats (which is free) and Singfest (which hopefully will return this year) are still a ways away. Here are two upcoming gigs that will no doubt give you something to look forward to.
BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL
What do Cultural Medallion winner Professor Edwin Thumboo, magician J C Sum, an award-winning school choir and actor Brandon Fernandez have in common?
Well, they’ll all be appearing at the Esplanade Concert Hall on June 6 for Nil Sine Labore, a gala variety programme organised by the Old Victoria ns Association to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Victoria Junior College (VJC).
This inaugural performance will see the students – past and current – from Victoria School (VS) and VJC taking to the stage, including the schools’ choirs, dance groups, orchestras and music ensembles, and drama clubs.
However, don’t think this is just your regular school concert. Not when the school has produced choirs and dance groups that win international awards; and not when the show will be directed by Cultural Medallion-winner Iskandar Ismail. This is a big step, said Carol Loo, the show’s producer, herself a former Victoria n.
“This is the first time that we’re doing a concert combining talents from both schools to present something,” said Loo. “How do you piece together everything without making it look like a variety show? To make it worthy of being presented at the Esplanade? But the first glimpse that Iskandar gave us about what the show was going to be about, we were like, ‘Yup, we’ve got a show’.”
Nil Sine Labore – which is the Latin motto of both schools that means “nothing without labour” – will be presented in two halves said creative director Iskandar: The first half is a bit more classical or traditional, with presentations by the choir and the concert band, and so on. The second half, he said, is “when we get to rock out”.
Interestingly, Iskandar isn’t from Victoria , although his late father was from VS and his daughter was from VJC. “I’m actually doing this from a parent’s point of view! I’m coming in just to piece in all these talents together.”
Hosting the show is ex-VJC student Joe Augustin, the firebrand ex-radio DJ who now hosts the podcast, Morning Jam. “They actually wanted me to rap. Iskandar obviously has more hope in human beings than I do,” he deadpanned.
“When I looked at the list of people performing I was surprised that so many entertainers were from Victoria … and are successful in this artistic and entertainment business. But I think it’s about time that we beat Raffles at something, huh?”
Nil Sine Labore, Saturday, 7.30pm at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets at S$25. Visit nsl.ova.org.sg to purchase.