SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AT THE LAUNCH OF THE WASBE CHAPTER IN SINGAPORE AT THE MITA ARTRIUM ON FRIDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2002 AT 7.O5 PM

Ms Ho Ching, Patron of WASBE Singapore Chapter,

Mr Lee Tian Tee, President, WASBE (Singapore),

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

1       I am pleased to be here this evening to launch the Singapore Chapter of World Association for Symphonic Wind Ensembles. I am also happy that WASBE (Singapore) will be hosting the international WASBE conference in Singapore for the first time, in the year 2005. This international conference is organized biennially by the WASBE Council, and this is only the second time an Asian city has won the bid to host this prestigious conference, the first being Hammamatsu, Japan, in 1995. This has been made possible by the combined efforts of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, National Arts Council, Ministry of Education, Singapore Tourism Board and The Esplanade Company.

2       Approximately 300 delegates and 1000 musicians from all parts of the world participated in the last WASBE Conference held in California in July 1999. 40 companies from around the world also took part in the trade exhibits, bringing to the participants an eye-opening selection of music literature, music instruments and equipment. World-renowned composers and conductors held master classes and seminars that enabled the participants to engage in musical, educational and intellectual discussions with the presenters. Singapore would undoubtedly benefit from all these activities when it is our turn to host the International Conference in 2005.

3       WASBE (Singapore) is part of the World Association for Symphonic Wind Ensembles, an international organization that comprises wind band conductors, composers, performers, publishers, teachers and friends of wind music.

4       I am also pleased to note that the objectives of WASBE (Singapore) are in line with the Ministry of Education's objectives of promoting and developing our school band programme to provide a well-rounded and holistic education for our students. Co-curricular activities are an integral part of our wholistic education system which aims to maximize the full potential of our youths. The school band is an important CCA as it provides an excellent platform for cultural bonding, and for developing resilience, loyalty, self-discipline, esprit de corps as well as a sense of national identity.

5       WASBE (Singapore), will provide local conductors and teachers opportunities to meet and interact with world-renowned clinicians and conductors of wind band music. This sharing of ideas and knowledge will benefit all musicians immensely.

6       We now all look forward to the WASBE International Conference in Singapore in 2005. This will indeed be a significant milestone for the band scene here in Singapore as it will be the first time a band event of such magnitude is held here. At the 2005 WASBE International Conference, there will be seminars, exhibitions, concerts and master classes for the participants. The expected size of the audience for the event is about 50,000. This event will provide an excellent channel for our teachers, band conductors and composers to acquire new knowledge and skills through professional sharing and networking.

7       In closing, I would like to commend WASBE (Singapore) for its efforts in promoting the growth and development of Symphonic Band and Ensemble activities in Singapore. I wish WASBE (Singapore) every success in its endeavours.