Doctoral Music Composition: Singapore Symphonic Rhapsody for Wind Orchestra

Abstract

This creative article explores the history, styles and diversity of folk songs of the four ethnic groups living harmonizely in Singapore. Each of these racial groups brought with them their own racial identities, including songs folklore of each racial group. Therefore, it has been inspired to create a composition for wind orchestra to being represented Singapore to be more widely known.

Musical compositions in the style of wind orchestras are very popular in Singapore. This is because it is government policy that wants Singaporean youth to have access to aesthetics and the value of music at both the primary and secondary levels. and developed continuously until the present. There's a wind orchestra at every level of every educational agency Including association groups in various districts as well, to being aware of the importance and benefits that will be received from this activity. For example, using free time after studying to your advantage, developing the quality of the wind orchestra's abilities, and creating discipline for both the audience and the players. The researcher sees that the composition of wind orchestras is a creative research project that has paramount and there are also songs written that can convey the identity of Singapore in There are few standard forms of wind orchestra. Therefore, saw the benefit of using this topic to write a creative academic article.

The interesting thing is that the researcher would like to present it in the form “Combining the diversity of cultures that Different into one” in the form of wind music. It is the creation of literary works that Bringing the original folk songs to reinterpret and develop while still maintaining the identity of the folk songs of each racial group. It is about creating academic research in art that can reflect the image. and cultural identity Society and racial concepts in the art of music. This composition consisting of 6 movements,

1. Introduction: Introduces all the four folk main melodies of four groups briefly
2. Movement 1: Rasa Sayang, It is a piece created from the folk melody of Rasa Sayang song, which is a Malay folk melody.
3. Movement 2: Munnaeru Vaalibaa, It is a piece created from a melodic line. The folk song Munnaeru Vaalibaa is a folk melody of the Tamil Indians in Singapore.
4. Movement 3: Jinkli Nona, It is a piece created from the folk melody of Jinkli Nona, a Eurasian folk melody
5. Movement 4: Dayung Sampan, It is a piece created from a folk melody of the song Dayung Sampan, which is another Malay folk melody but is very popular a lot among Chinese people The lyrics are written in Chinese and have become very popular in general. It can also be considered a folk song of the Chinese people in Singapore.
6. Ending: It is the last part of the composition that takes some of the parts in the introduction part returns again to show the unity of the composition. including folk melodies all that has been presented in various parts. It will be included in this final piece for perfection.

This piece is 30 minutes duration, incorporates significant Singaporean folk songs. The creative process revealed that composing music for wind orchestras requires a blend of theoretical musical knowledge and sound orchestration. It involves utilizing the rhythmic structure of folk songs to assign roles to each instrument in the wind orchestra. Additionally, composers must understand sound ranges, chords, rhythmic patterns, composition styles, and expertise in orchestrating harmonies.

Techniques used in this work Various compositional techniques were used, including musical form, which was used in a free form, making this composition able to be played both as a whole from beginning to end. or can be played separately into different songs in each movement. The composition techniques include the following examples:

1. Repetition is the repetition of the main rhythm back and forth, emphasizing the progression of the musical style of the composition that has been created. It occurs in many parts in every line in the composition. Some verses will be repeated throughout the entire verse. Some parts will be repeated only in parts. In the repetition of some parts, even though the main melody is the same, there will be differences in other aspects such as dynamics and sound articulation
2. Unison is playing the same melody of the same group of instruments or different groups of instruments. Including in the direction of the impact machine as well. It is a technique used to emphasize the melodic line of a composition. Make the melody have a strong tone more powerful and important. Also using the same note playing technique. It also adds another kind of dynamics to the composition.
3. Polyrhythm is the playing of more than two rhythmic styles at the same time. It may be rhythms from the same meter but with different proportions, or it may be rhythm patterns from different meters but occurring at the same time. It is a creative technique that will create a syncopation that proceeds together
4. Sequence is a repetition technique that is repeated immediately but at a different pitch. It is the repetition of a motif or melodic line, which repeats the melodic features in a higher or lower pitch but still maintains the octave pattern of the melodic line go up or down in order according to your creativity. Using this technique lengthens the lines of the melody and moves the song forward without needing new material make the composition connected and can develop the creativity of the composition's melodic and harmonious lines to be more complex. This technique of using sequences is a technique commonly used in classical music composition.
5. Polyphony is the playing of more than two melodies simultaneously. It might be the main melody from two songs playing together. Or there is one main melody and another melody is used as a counter Melody, or different melodies can be mixed and played together. It is a creative technique that creates interesting harmonies and a variety of melodic combinations.
6. Improvisation In music, no matter what type Improvisation is an immediate demonstration of the instrument's solo ability. It shows the knowledge and abilities of the performer. It also communicates the feelings, emotions, and thoughts of the performer at that time to the audience. Each improvised performance will be different according to the mood and creativity of the performer at that time too

The results of this creative work were found to be innovative composing technique written for wind orchestra. Moreover the knowledge in both intergrated music theory and harmony were applied. Whereby the sound classification bringing the rhythms of folk songs to play an impressive role on each instrument in a wind orchestra. Understanding the tone, chords, rhythms, and composing style and harmonies are needed for appreciation.