By Nicholas Kim (Chairperson) and Isabelle Loh (Vice-Chairperson)
As of 2025, Chamber Ensemble and Piano Ensemble will be merging into one combined CCA: Chamber and Piano Ensemble. This article will take you through what each CCA used to be, as well as our combined direction moving forward.
Piano Ensemble: Our Past
Piano Ensemble may have been one of the most misunderstood CCAs. FAQs included: whether we all played on the same piano at once; whether we played individually; whether we had 10 pianos in a single room (though that would have been nice), to which our answers were all “No”. We used the piano in a unique way by playing pieces as duos, trios or even quartets, with members spread across one or two pianos. This is something our combined CCA will continue to explore, in addition to other new and exciting ventures we will introduce later.
Some of our highlights included our annual concert; this year, the theme was “Reverie”. Held in April at the Esplanade Recital Studio, our CCA members showcased the piano pieces that they had tirelessly prepared for the Rafflesian community and beyond.
Chamber Ensemble: Our Past
Chamber Ensemble is led by our conductor Mr Lin, where we played a wide range of works ranging from classical staples such as Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings to familiar tunes from films such as Phantom of the Opera and My Neighbour Totoro.
However, Chamber is not just about music. Despite our small size, we work together to create something larger than ourselves, and this teamwork brings out the best in each of us. Our performances, like those at school concerts and special events, not only showcase our music but also celebrate our hard work and passion as a team.
Chamber and Piano Ensemble: Our Common Past
Chamber and Piano Ensemble have collaborated in recent years to bring captivating, exhilarating performances to audiences. In 2024, their dedication and combined efforts culminated in the memorable Reverie concert, held at the Esplanade Recital Studio. This event showcased a wide range of repertoire from the expressive romance of Tchaikovsky to the intricate compositions of Brahms. The evening was a celebration of musical synergy and skill, reflecting the ensembles’ commitment to excellence and passion for their craft.
Chamber and Piano Ensemble: A Combined Future
Chamber and Piano Ensemble will continue to offer our musicians many valuable intangible skills besides their technical skills: take for example the sensitivity and responsivity required to collaborate with a partner or chamber music group, or the musical judgement required to constantly make interpretive decisions throughout the course of preparing your piece.
Now that our CCAs have officially merged, more breathtaking collaborative performances are sure to come your way!
Join us!
Did that make your heart skip a beat? Palpitate excitedly? Perhaps even light a spark in you? If the answer is yes, we are pleased to have you!
“Great! Can I join now?” you might ask. Well… not yet: we do expect two things of you.
Firstly, the ability to play a string instrument or the piano is instrumental (pun intended) to joining our CCA. Secondly, a passion for music-making! Things can get tough during the two hectic years here in RI, and this passion is what will carry you through despite the challenges you’ll face!
Kudos to you if you’ve made it this far: we hope that we’ve earned ourselves a new member of the ensemble. See you at the auditions!
P.S.
Knock-knock
Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
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Who’s there?
Philip Glass
