Dear Dr. Stanley,

I apologise for my late reply as I was away with the Central Band in
Canada for the Quebec City International Festival of Military Bands.

The conducting workshop organised in Jul in conjunction with the SIBF
by WBAS was a great success and the participants went away, in my
opinion, refreshed and rejuvenated. What I plan to do is to set a
workshop for amatuer conductors. To get participants from the region
would be great but not in the initial plans as yet. Singapore lacks
such programs and I hope starting small will eventually lead to
something bigger. The demo band is still relatively young but has
tremendous potential. Being housed at the Republic Polytechnic
Cultural Centre means that rehearsal and performance venue is not a
problem. The hall has a capacity of 1300 seats and is the cultural
hub of the North of Singapore. I am grateful for your offer and will
definitely consider it for the future. Your experience and work in
the field is admirable.

I am also grateful for your foresight in setting up the WASBE
Conducting scholarship program. I have been given an opportunity to
participate in the Columbus State University workshop in Georgia this
fall. I am looking forward to that tremendously.

Tim Reynish is simply great! He has helped me in my training and
linking me up with so many fine conducting teachers and programs. I
believe that there is no end to the learning of conducting and
knowledge can come in many ways and forms. I am continously seeking
to improve myself. I try to participate in at least one workshop a
year until I find a school to pursue the masters program. The NTU-NIE
here in Singapore offer an MA in Music but its research based and not
what I am looking for. Thus, my search is for a school overseas.

I will keep you posted on developments. I am sure with advise and
guidance from colleagues and teachers in this forum, I will be able
to set up a small but refreshing workshop for amatuer conductors here
in Singapore.

Best wishes from Singapore

Muhamad Yusri





--- In wasbeschools@yahoogroups.com, John Stanley <john@...> wrote:
>
> Muhamad Yusri,
>
> I know it is a problem with so many WASBE conducting seminars being
in the
> USA when it is so far. Your festival held this past month must
have helped.
>
> It is gratifying to me to know the WASBE Conducting Scholarships
are being
> effective because I set up the program more than 8-9 years ago. To
have
> representatives from Singapore would be wonderful, of course.
>
> I am aware that my name is among the finalist being considered by
Rebecca
> Davidson and her committee. (It would, indeed, be a treat and honor
to
> accept this position.) The WASBE conference there was such a
success that
> none of us can ever forget the great organization and the very warm
> hospitality.
>
> Tim Reynish is the best. Hešs been a close friend since we worked
together
> from the earliest years in WASBE and in BASBWE. I am trying to get
him to
> extend his stay in the US this next Jan-April to work with us here
in
> California.
>
> Again, please let me know what we can do to provide more direct
assistance
> with your programs. It would also be great to hear more about your
fine
> wind ensemble.
>
> Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
>
> Courage Conquers,
>
> John
>
> ====================
> John Alden Stanley, EdD
> Professor, Music Education
> Sonoma State University
> WASBE Special Projects
>
>
>
> From: Muhamad Yusri <myusri9@...>
> Reply-To: <wasbeschools@yahoogroups.com>
> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:28:47 -0000
> To: <wasbeschools@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [wasbeschools] Conducting Masterclass in Asia?
>
>
>
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> If we look at the list of conducting masterclasses available in the
> WASBE list, we would notice that they are all mostly held in the US
> with a few in Canada and Europe. Would it be an idea to have one in
> the Asia-Pacific region? This will make it more accessible for the
> band directors in this part of the world to gain insights into the
> Art and be better at our work.
>
> There is one coming to Singapore this July. The Singapore Conducting
> Workshop will be led by Douglas Bostock and done in conjunction with
> the Singapore International Band Festival. You can find more
> information about this course at http://www.sibf.sg/Events-
> Highlights/Workshops-Masterclass.html
>
> I am thinking of hosting one next year with the Republic Polytechnic
> Wind Symphony as the demo band. I will also be sourcing for suitable
> tutors for the course. Can I seek your advise on when this activity
> can be organised please?
>
> I look forward to your replies and advise on how we can be better
> for our students' benefit.
>
> Best wishes from Singapore
>
> Yusri
>