On Sunday afternoon (28 June 2026), I had the pleasure of being invited to the Gala Concert and Award Ceremony of the Singapore Performers Festival (SPF) 2026, organised by the Singapore Music Teachers Association (SMTA). Held at the Lee Foundation Theatre of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, it provided yet another encouraging look at the state of Singapore and the region's young musicians.
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| The Junior Ensemble performed a cute simple work called Fruit Salad. |
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| The Senior Ensemble led by Chan Wei Shing performed works by J.S.Bach, Respighi and someone modern. |
Unlike many music festivals organised along the lines of music competitions (no doubt a cash cow for many a music school), SPF is a non-competitive event. Young musicians are encouraged to perform for a small and friendly audience, heard by international professional musicians and pedagogues, and given advice on the finer points of music-making and performance. Scholarships are given to the most promising musicians, as well as opportunities to perform in international music festivals.
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| Raphael Tan performed the opening movement from Saint-Saens' Violin Concerto No.3 |
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| Chloe Lee played the finale from Brahms' Viola Sonata Op.120 No.2 |
Instead of spending a lazy Sunday afternoon in slumber, I got to chill and relax in the company of some of Singapore most talented youths making music. And the shared pleasure of seeing them receive acclamation and encouragement.
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| Edward Fang plays Liszt's Mazeppa |
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| Ethel Poh and Abigail Lim had fun with America from Bernstein's West Side Story |
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| Goh Kai Cheng gave a most accomplished reading of Chopin's Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise Op.22 |
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| Concert pianists Shaun Choo and Churen Li awarded prizes for contemporary piano music |
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| Australian cellist Simon Cobcroft awarded the prizes for young cellists. |
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| All the prizewinners with the judges. |
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| Piano students of Susan Lai with judges Toh Chee Hung & Thomas Rosencranz |
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| The Singapore-Poland connection. Prizes for best performances of Chopin and Liszt were given by Agnieszka Kowalczuk from the Polish Embassy in Singapore. |
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