On 12th November we set off for the first ever FOBISIA orchestral festival.
This was a new initiative by FOBISIA aimed at the highest standard of students within the school, having reached grade 5 or above on their respective instruments. We all rehearsed our parts individually and at school in preparation as the music chosen was extremely challenging.
After welcome games and a chance to meet other students on the first evening, we started rehearsals on the following morning. The conductor, Mr Jonathan Mann was an inspiration to us all as he coaxed wonderful performances out of the students.
The main repertoire chosen was Bizet’s ‘L’Arlesienne Suite’ and also Mozart’s 40th Symphony. Our days consisted of full orchestra rehearsals, section rehearsals and also a chance to participate in String Orchestra, Jazz Band, Flute Choir or Samba Band.
On Sunday we performed a final concert to a large audience and also a live feed to families and friends all over the world.
The standard achieved by the students was stunning and all have improved as musicians over the festival.
Marwin wrote of his experience:
“Music FOBISIA was an amazing experience where musicians from international schools all over Asia came together and made a connection through music. We were able to get together for a short amount of time and performed in a closing concert. I think that this event has emphasized even further that music is a universal language where anyone from different backgrounds and nationalities can come together and create stunning pieces of work. I made a lot of new friends who shares a similar interest in music which I think was one of the greatest thing about the event.”