 |
| Thursday, August 14, 2008
Divine Composition : Dr Kelly Tang Writer : Dawn FungDr Kelly Tang is highly prolific. His many hats include music director of Eagles Communications, and composer for the soundtrack of the film, Feet Unbound. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at the Nanyang Technological University - National Institute of Education.  Dr Kelly TangKT : I became a Christian as a secondary one student in Anglo-Chinese School. It was during the annual Religious Emphasis week. I realised at that point that Christ had to be the answer for the questions that perplexed me. In subsequent years, performing and listening to the wonderful music of gospel artistes of the period, such as the Imperials, Andre Crouch, the Continental Singers and Amy Grant, helped deepen my understanding of the Gospel. Dawn : I spoke with Michael Tan the other day and he passed me the CDs "Once Again 1 & 2". I note in disc 2, you wrote "each song is an original which represent a unique musical statement boldly transcending the Gospel music conventions of its times." From our article on the brief history of CCM in Singapore, I assume that Eagles pioneered the CCM or Christian songwriting through their musicals and singing groups in the 70s - 80s. Could you comment or shed some light on that part of history? KT : Eagles Communications was one of the major pioneers of massive evangelistic musicals in the 1970's, along with larger churches such as Wesley Methodist (the Victory concert series), Paya Lebar Methodist (the Apostle) and Kampong Kapor Methodist. These used to be held at venues such as the National Theatre and Victoria Theatre. I remember feeling inspired when I attended those these concerts as a young student. Little did I know I at the time would be involved in organising such concerts a few years later when I was invited by Eagles to serve as its music director in 1980. This was incredibly thrilling for a young Christian musician. At that time, Eagles was moving towards small portable vocal ensembles that could go on concert tours overseas. I began with the Eagles Singing Team which served throughout the 1980's and continued with the Eagles Voices in the 1990's. The Crosswinds, formed in 1994, is still performing on the Eagles platform today. While Eagles continued to produce massive musicals during my time as music director, these smaller ensembles formed the backbone of our music ministry, performing evangelistic concerts in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, Ipoh, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai as well as locally. The music albums recorded over the last three decades are the legacy of these ensembles. Today, the Eagles Communications continues to spearhead evangelistic initiatives in fields of music not explored by churches, such as Jazz, Blues and Avante-Garde Classical styles. We are focusing on nurturing a team of promising young musicians who bring the Eagles music ministry into its next phase. Dawn : As musical director of Eagles and composer of many works, what continues to motivate you to write or direct? KT : Since starting in the music ministry, I have expanded my scope of composing to large scale serious musical forms for orchestra, choir, symphonic band and chamber ensembles. I continue to open my mind to a diversity of influences including Indian rhythm, Latin, Chinese folk song, Avante Garde techniques, classical approaches and Jazz. I try always to expand my pool of compositional tools, vocabulary and resources. While there is a major role for contemporary Christian songs, there is so much more to be expressed about life that goes beyond the standard form of songs used in churches today; articulations requiring a wider range of rhythms, textures, timbres, styles harmonies and structures. Dawn : As Christians in the arts, we are often called to be salt and light. Who, in your mind, has been 'salt and light', or effective, as an influence in the arts? KT : I continue to play for my church band and to lead the Crosswinds in concert performances. These are important facets of my music ministry. Beyond this, most of the music I have composed in the last decade has been in the realm of classical music concerts. It is my goal for my music to permeate the world that lies beyond the church gates. While a number of my choral works use biblical and Christian texts, the most spiritually significant aspect of the compositions is the musical structure itself. Although Composing for me is a very technical activity, it all stems from a sacred dimension. Forging the shape of good music involves creating pathways of light, truth, meaning, organisation and beauty, while forcing back the chaos, darkness and futility that oppose the act of creation. Composing is the process of discovering the secrets of how to create something beautiful, in the footsteps of God when He created this universe. Artistic activity essentially involves us putting together little creations that point to God's big Creation. To compose is to unlock the divine image God has implanted within all of us. I attempt to be as conscientious and honest as I can to produce music that exemplifies the artistic values embedded in Creation. Beautifully wrought music serves as a light that invites listeners to embrace God in a way no other mode of communication is able to do so. It serves as "salt" in that it demonstrates to humans that, not only does a God of beauty exist, His spirit of artistry lies deep within each of us, not just those who compose, but those in whom the beauty of the music resonates deeply. Beautiful music is living proof of a God who celebrates beauty. Dawn : Are there any disciplines besides film, musicals and orchestra that you would like to experiment with? Or, what is your current research or work on? KT : I am currently working on a new orchestral work commissioned by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. I am also composing some new works for school symphonic bands, as well as a new composition commissioned by the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band to commemorate 50 years of military band music in Singapore. As I said, I aim for my music to permeate various levels aspects of society where God's light is needed most urgently. You can read more about Dr Kelly Tang at http://www.vpa.nie.edu.sg/music/kelly/index.htm
|
|
|
 |
 |