About Republic Polytechnic Wind Symphony (RPWS)
The Republic Polytechnic Wind Symphony (RPWS) began its humble musical path on 1st August 2003 as part of the school’s Centre for Culture and Communication’s multi-faceted cultural activities by their own RP students.
Shirley Tong
Rhapsody for Flute by Stephen Bullar ( Viva La Symphonie II – 26 April 2008)
Shirley has a passion since she was toddler when she attended music classes in her kindergarten school. As the youngest child, her influences came from her loving siblings who frequently played beautiful piano pieces since she was born. She then start to learn piano at the age of 8 and achieved certificates from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Piano Practical Grade 1 – 8 and Theory grade 5.
Little Shirley attended Mee Toh school and joined the Chinese Orchestra playing various instruments such as ‘yang qin’, ‘xiaoruan’ and ‘zhongruan’.
Shirley decided to join the Symphonic Band in Seng Kang Secondary School, taking up the flute and piccolo, under the baton of Ms Ariel Wong in 2003. With the strong musical knowledge through her learning of piano, she was the best flautist in her years of secondary school.
In order to continue her passion for music, she got the chance to join the Singapore Wind Symphony Youth band in 2005 when she was 15. Through her efforts of self tutoring, she passed through the audition for the Main band and was promoted in 2007.
After graduating from her secondary school, she enrolled in Republic Polytechnic, Diploma in Sonic Arts in early 2007. Actively participating in band affairs, she joined the Wind Symphony in her polytechnic (RPWS), under the baton of CPT Muhammad Yusri.
As a potential flautist, she was given a chance to perform a solo piece : Rhapsody for Flute by Stephan Bullar, in the 2008 concert series of Viva La Symphonie II.
Keeping in mind of continuous effort a musician needs in order to succeed, she took part the Junior College & Polytechnic Band Festival 2008 and passed through the audition for the Honor Band Category, performed under the baton of Dr Eric Hammer from California.
She also passed through the auditions for National Youth Winds 2009, organized by the Band Directors’ Association, under the baton of renown composer and Maestro Jan Van Der Roost from Belgium.
In her plans of going overseas to study Music to fulfill her dream as a musician, she has been under the coaching of Mdm Wang Tong from the Singapore Symphonic Orchestra since September 2009. Shirley wishes to express her gratitude to CPT muhammad Yusri for the opportunities given, as well as guidance all these while in RPWS. Shirley believes that dream is the food for our soul, and with that belief she aspire to bring along music in her life, till death do them apart.
