Enriching your life with the arts as a PVA scholar

The Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) Scholarship has afforded many Freshmen who have strong interests in the arts opportunities to further their pursuit. Various students from our arts excellence groups at NUS Centre For the Arts have benefited as recipients of this scholarship. 

Lau Yun Xi (from NUS Symphony Orchestra) and Ong Weida (from NUS Chinese Orchestra), our 2019 scholars, share what they have gained, both technically and personally, and how this scholarship has given them invaluable experiences that have further augmented their arts journey and enriched their undergraduate years at NUS.

Yun Xi

My involvement in the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO) has shaped my growth as a musician―beyond the technical aspects of a performance, the experience has helped me take a step back and see the bigger picture.

In NUSSO, our professional tutors, many of whom are from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), guide us with professional standards in mind. Beyond that, my involvement in the NUSSO EXCO this year has provided me with valuable insights into the entire planning process of a concert, from the conceptualisation of the music, management of the event (logistics, publicity, etc), to the final performance that is borne out of the cumulative efforts of everyone on stage, and the purpose behind each of our orchestral activities.

Weida

It was definitely having the opportunity to attend the ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum in 2019 which was held in Laos. Attended by over 100 youth delegates, all leaders in their own right, our team of 4 artists represented Singapore and NUS, showcasing our creation: a multi-disciplinary work combining EDM, dance and Chinese instruments. Aiming to depict the Singaporean cultural landscape, we wanted to highlight the elements representative of each art form and integrate them into a coherent piece, which required many discussions to improve our understanding of each other’s needs and requirements when it came to our technical limitations (e.g. musicians usually don’t play above 180 bpm, but EDM music is typically around that tempo.) The wide array of cultures that these nations showcased was certainly a learning experience as well, but what was most valuable to me was the way the other delegates jumped into other art forms without hesitation. As a musician, it changed my perspective on how to “play music” and, by extension, inspire others to have fun while still aiming for excellence.

Yun Xi

As a PVA scholar, I was given the opportunity to perform a solo together with the Berlin Konzerthaus Audience Orchestra (KAO) as part of a series of orchestral exchange concerts, which has been instrumental in my growth as a musician. I was very grateful to have the opportunity to travel to Berlin―a richly cultural city with an extensive history of classical music―to perform. The process of preparing to perform the piece led me to improve as a musician through extensive consideration of various interpretations and approaches to the piece―something vitally important as a soloist. Along the way, I was fortunate to have the support and guidance from my tutor, and the advice from the Music Directors of both NUSSO and the Berlin KAO, who were all very willing to draw upon and share about their past experiences.

(To read more about NUSSO’s experience with KAO, please click here.)

Weida

I was given the opportunity to stage a local premiere of a yangqin concerto with the NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO), which was an experience that was highly reflective and collaborative. When I am first approaching a piece, I tend to base my musical style upon prior interpretations. Hence, I felt lost at the beginning because there weren’t many points of reference―apart from the world premiere recording and I did not want my performance to be an exact replica of it. This made me question my approach towards music, and on a more personal level, whether this was an honest expression of my own feelings towards music. Ultimately, I concluded that the original intention of the composer is important, but music gains meaning when one injects their own thoughts into the piece―after all, the intangibility of music causes it to gain meaning from people’s feelings. Advice from my tutor and our Music Director definitely pushed me to dig deeper, making the piece feel more organic and refreshing, and I have learnt a great deal from and am very thankful for this experience. Of course, a concerto would not be possible without the orchestra itself, and NUSCO’s support and unwavering determination in perfecting this piece stands testament to their high professionalism towards the art form, which I am constantly inspired by.

Yun Xi

Being awarded this scholarship has had a big influence on the activities I have been involved in during my university journey so far, and there are definitely challenges that come with choosing to pursue my interests in the arts on top of my existing academic responsibilities, but I think one thing that has helped is to be consistent in my work and be clear about my priorities.

Weida

Apart from being consistent about work and having clear priorities, I think it is important to set reasonable and achievable goals for yourself both academically and artistically, so as to not overtax yourself. With so many activities that might interest you in university, setting reasonable goals allows you to better manage the limited time and energy you have while ensuring you complete the required tasks on hand, which makes it easier for you to balance!

Yun Xi

My experience as part of NUSSO, and as part of CFA, has encouraged me to reflect on music has had an impact not only my university life, but my personal life as well, and to think about what I can do to make the arts more accessible to others.

Weida

NUS CFA has provided me with an entirely immersive experience―from being on stage, to the backend preparations, and even people management, there’s a wealth of knowledge to be acquired from your time here. I think you’ll find yourself questioning what it means to be an artist, which I think is important for everyone involved in the arts, so as to understand one’s role in Singapore’s larger cultural landscape.

Yun Xi

I think that this scholarship has really provided us scholars with opportunities to hear leaders in many different communities share about their experiences and insights, as well as meet other scholars who have similar interests, but also different outlooks and perspectives. The NUS PVA Scholarship is great in that it provides a lot of flexibility and freedom to pursue your passions and spend your time meaningfully, so if that aligns with what you envision university life to be, go for it 🙂

Weida

This scholarship has definitely provided many outlets for us to lead and collaborate with many other students to kickstart the projects they find meaning in, enriching your university life beyond just academics. I’ve certainly grown a lot from it, and I’m sure you will too! 🙂

Freshmen who have been enrolled into an undergraduate programme at NUS in the new 2020-2021 Academic Year, and who have made the arts a strong part of their student years are eligible to apply for the NUS PVA Scholarship. Applications close on 19^th March 2020. More information about the scholarship and its application process can be found here.