Alumni of AJCO - Arranger-in-Residence of SCO...

The conceptual and multifaceted composer/arranger Kah Yong has made an indelible mark on the Chinese Orchestral scene with a creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical, Anime soundtracks, Eastern and Western musical traditions. A recently appointed Arranger-in-Residence of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), his music has been played throughout the world by professional, semi and non-professional orchestras and ensembles including the SCO, Kaoshiung City Chinese Orchestra (KCCO), People's Association Youth Chinese Orchestra (PAYCO), Kent Ridge Xin Yun (心韵) Quintet, River Valley Chinese Orchestra, National University of Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Ruan Xian (阮咸) Ensemble and Ding Xiao Yan Ruan Ensemble.

Kah Yong's persistence and hardwork in recent years earned him a quick rising reputation in the musical field, even as he is undergoing his Licentiate in Music Composition from the Trinity College of London. His portfolio had boardened rapidly to comprise of Choral Works, Symphonic Bands, Multi-Ethnic Orchestra and many others. Several upcoming projects in the pipeline include new orchestral theme song for the Ministry of Education (MOE) Music Camp 2009; "Kitchen Utensils" Percussion and Orchestra; as well as Hip-Hop Suona and Kaqiang with the Orchestra.

Having been studying piano since the tender age of four, Kah Yong’s contact with the Chinese Orchestral circle began in 1997 when he joined the Anderson Junior College Chinese Orchestra as an Erhu player, thereafter picking up sanxian and has been the Principal sanxian player of PAYCO since 1999. He later studied orchestral composition and arrangement under the tutelage of renowned composer Law Wai Lun and had received guidance from Sim Boon Yew as well as the late Yeo Puay Hian.

A highly sought‐after orchestrator for his uncanny ability to capture the essence and ideas of music and write in perfect harmony to the most stringent demands of Music and Production Directors, Kah Yong has scored for huge productions like Mediacorp Capital Radio 95.8FM with the SCO concerts in January 2008 and 2009. KCCO commissioned and premiered his Soprano‐Tenor plus choral and Orchestra The New Taiwanese Tunes Medley at Kaohsiung Chiang Kai Shek Cultural Centre in May 2008.

In February 2006, his mentor Mr. Law and himself became pioneers to pen music for the newly formed SCO Pop Ensemble in the Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts concert – SCO Goes Pop!, which featured a collaboration between both of them. Together, they fused traditional Chinese music with pop and successfully revolutionised the way a pure Chinese instrumental ensemble play pop music. Their ensemble rendition of One Night in Beijing was later rearranged for the full orchestra when SCO toured around China in late 2007.

Later in December the same year, the People’s Association Cultural Troupe (PACT) appointed Kah Yong to orchestrate for the highlight of PAYCO annual concert – Japanese Korean Potpourri. His emotive Chinese orchestration of the Erhu‐Piano Concerto Theme to Shenmue won the most rousing applause for that night and garnered many accolades from loyal fans of the smash hit Sega® Dreamcast game Shenmue, which the music was scored for, after the concert video clip emerged on YouTube™. Owing to the huge success, PACT continued to commission him to write for their other regular multi‐ethnic Soundwaves series concerts. PAYCO most recent performance in August 2008 premiered his Fairy Garden Fantasy as their opening piece, as well as their concert highlight, Disney Princess Medley.

Versatile in his arrangement, Kent Ridge Xin Yun Quintet first approached and commissioned him in 2003 to explore and pen for the then newly formed ensemble. His innovative rendition of Londonderry Air was featured in their South African inaugural concert in mid 2004 and later recorded into an album featuring the group.

A pianist himself, Kah Yong had been a resident arranger for MusicNet Pte Ltd and had published several piano song books such as the popular Romantic Contemporary Hits, TV & Movie Themes and Mega Starz Hitz series.

AJCAACO: WE LOVE (MR) TAN KAH YONG (LAOSHI)
@@Liang Ah Lucas@@