Zechariah Goh Toh Chai
Guest
Conductor, "A Survey of Wind Music"
19 August 2001, Singapore Conference Hall
Zechariah
studied piano under Ong Lip Tat, harmony from Phoon Yew Tien and counterpoint
from Leong Yoon Pin while working on his Diploma of Music from the Nanyang
Academy of Fine Arts. In addition to receiving the Hiebert and Gunda Scholarship
award to work on his Master of Piano from the University of Kansas, Zechariah
was also appointed a graduate assistant by the university to teach undergraduate
music theory. He worked on his Doctoral degree in Composition under the guidance
of Dr. Charles Hoag, as well as orchestration and arrangement for band under
James Barnes. Zechariah was awarded the prestigious Anthony Cius Prize for
outstanding student composer from the University of Kansas for the Academic year
of 2001-2002. That was the second time he has been awarded the Cius prize.
Before
embarking on his studies in the United States, he was a familiar face in the
local music scene, teaching bands and choirs in Singapore. He has been appointed
as lecturer in composition, orchestration, aural and sight-singing and keyboard
harmony since July 2002 at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
As
a composer, he has been commissioned to write music for symphonic band and
choir. Some of his prize-winning compositions include eBurong Kakak Tuaf,
commissioned by the Victoria Chorale in 1992,fDayong Sampanf,
commissioned by the Temasek Junior College choir in 1993 and eReminiscences
of Hai Nanf, commissioned by the Tampines Junior college choir in 1995.
The Victoria Chorale chose this piece, eReminiscences of Hai Nanf,
when they participated in the Llangollen International Musical Eistedfod, which
was held in Wales in 1996. In addition, the Victoria Junior College Choir
commissioned two works eLuo Shui Tianf and eKucintaf for
the SYF Choral Competition in 1997.
In June 1998,Victoria Chorale sang three of his
compositions in the prestigious Musica Mundi held in Pohlheim, Germany. In May
1999, Zechariahfs Choral work, eCounting Frogsf, commissioned by
the Victoria Junior College choir, received its world premiere in Germany. eRemembering
Nanjing 1937f, a piece commissioned by the Victoria Chorale, was written
especially for the Choral Olympic Competition held in Austria 2001. fGuessing
Songf, commissioned by the Tanjong Katong Girls fSchool Choir, received
its world premiere in Athens, Greece in November 2000. The choir who sang eGuessing
Songf was also awarded first prize in the recent Singapore youth festival
choral competition, 2001.fDona Nobis Pacef, written for the
University of Kansas Chamber Choir received its first performance in Brazil,
2001. The Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band under the baton of Zechariah
himself performed eElegy for a Rosef (a tribute to the late Mother
Teresa) and e1 177155 4 (I miss U)f.
*
profile correct as of 13 Sep 2002
Back
to Philwinds' Guests