 |
| Back row from left: Franklyn, Ji Eun, Incheol; Front row: Stephanie, Christina, Ji Young, Eriko |
With WAB's new membership of APAC, HS students are receiving even more opportunities to participate in sporting and cultural activities with other high caliber students from across the Asia Pacific region. Music is one of the major components of APAC, offering three conferences each year for Choir, Strings and Band. This year, the APAC Choir and Strings events will take place in November, and the Band event will be held next February in Shanghai.
Congratulations to WAB's first group of HS students who were selected through auditions to participate in the 2008 APAC Choir event which will be hosted by ISB. A total of 33 Grade 9 - 12 students auditioned for the 16 available places, including six Grade 9 students, all of whom were involved in WAB ensembles in their Middle School years. String auditions are underway and places will be announced soon.
The musical component of APAC, unlike sports, is non-competitive. "APAC music is all about collaboration," Judith Mann, HS Music Teacher explained. "The events have a real festival feel and involve intensive rehearsals which lead up to a final Saturday evening concert. APAC music provides an amazing opportunity for students to really extend themselves and perform alongside peers of their caliber while representing their school."
Each of the six participating schools may send up to sixteen students to each of the three musical events which take place during the school year. The APAC concert performances therefore feature ensembles of up to 96 HS students from the participating schools, either singing as a choir, or performing as a string orchestra or concert band under the baton of an internationally renowned guest conductor.
WAB’s involvement in APAC music conferences is an extension of what's already happening in the ensembles here at school. APAC Music is an ideal opportunity for our more experienced singers and players to be challenged and to add to the wide range of performance opportunities they have here at the school.
"One of the spinoffs of APAC is that we're looking to build our concert band and strings programs. As a department, we're really trying to encourage our MS and HS students to join ensembles. They're such a great way for students to gain the experience of playing with a group," Judith said.
WAB offers a range of choir, band and string ASAs. Students don't have to be taking music lessons at WAB to join these after school groups. In fact all students who sing or play string (violin, viola, cello), woodwind or brass instruments at any level are encouraged to get involved and join an ensemble.
MS students interested in playing in or singing with a WAB ensemble are especially encouraged to join a group. The MS Choir and the Intermediate Band meet every Wednesday at 3:30pm in the HUB. Wednesday afternoons are reserved for cultural activities therefore MS students who also play sports don't have to worry about conflicts with sports practices. MS students are our future APAC players and singers, so they should think about joining an ensemble this year. Any interested students can drop by the Music rooms in the HUB for more information.
Congratulations to the following students who will make up the WAB
APAC Choir this year:
Ji Eun 9-3
Stephanie 9-1
Eriko 12-5
Ji Young 9-3
Christina 9-4
Annie 12-2
Rachel 12-4
Cathy 10-1
Tai 9-4
Caleb 10-4
Franklyn 9-6
Kiwon 12-2
Brian 10-6
Jason 11-5
Incheol 12-2
Eric 12-5
Choir Director: Ms Hannah Quinn