The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to many. Large-scale events have been cancelled and projects have been halted temporarily. The pandemic has also affected NUS King Edward VII Hall’s annual bilingual songwriting competition, The Dream Composition.
The Dream Composition, organised by students from NUS King Edward VII Hall, provides a platform for youths in the region to nurture and showcase their songwriting talents. For the past 22 years, The Dream Composition has succeeded in providing a platform for many talented youths to share their stories through their original compositions.
23rd The Dream Composition’s “Call for Entry” took place last June has attracted 180 song entries from songwriters over seven countries across the Asia Pacific region - Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Australia, among others - to submit their original songs in one (or both) categories: English and Chinese. The show must go on(line).
Due to the pandemic, 23rd The Dream Composition was pivoted online. Music masterclasses were held over Zoom and live performances were replaced with song covers publicised on The Dream Composition’s social media platforms. The organising committee also transformed the Grand Finals entirely, bringing it online for the very first time to a wider virtual audience across the region.
The Top 10 finalists who emerged from the Preliminary Round had the opportunity to pre-record their song entries in a recording studio, where their performing pieces were professionally recorded and mixed, before the broadcast date of the Grand Finals on 6 February 2021.
Broadcasting “live” at the Grand Finals
On the day of the live broadcast, finalists, emcee and judges gathered at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. Performances were live-streamed, followed by judges' real-time feedback on their performances and compositions. Finalists from Malaysia were also virtually connected to the broadcast.
Right: Judges from Touch Music Publishing
Bottom: Connecting our Malaysian finalist to the broadcast
The virtual 23rd The Dream Composition aims to bring greater exposure and publicity for the finalists by broadcasting the Grand Finals on online platforms. The public could watch the competition for free and show their support in the comfort of their homes. The live broadcast has reached over 2,700 views and can still be viewed today on The Dream Composition Facebook page and Youtube channel. The audience expressed their satisfaction with the quality of performances and commended on the smooth running of the live broadcast.
For Jenny Lee, Chairperson of 23rd The Dream Composition, she was impressed with the total reach and credited all parties involved who made 23rd The Dream Composition possible in these unprecedented times.
Jenny said: “This year marks the 23rd anniversary and it is extremely heartening to continue seeing the number of aspiring songwriters who have chosen to embark on this journey with us, especially during these trying times of COVID-19. Over the past 10 months, the team has worked relentlessly. We would like to thank our hall, partners, sponsors, participants and the audience for making the show possible.”
Special thanks go to Hall Master A/Prof. Lee Kooi Cheng and Resident Fellow A/Prof. Liao Wen-Chi for their constant guidance and support to The Dream Composition.
And the winners are...
Wong Yijuin, who is currently studying at the Institute of Music at UCSI University, emerged as Champion of the English Category for her song “A Cinderella Story”. Yijuin started composing back in junior high school for an event and it was then it piqued her interest as she was able to incorporate her imagination into her composition.
“The song describes the emotions a teenage girl experiences in her first love, and the inspiration behind the song title came from my parents. I hope that one day in future, more people are able to relate themselves to the story of my songs,” said Yijuin.
Coming in second is the youngest participant, 17-year-old Jayne Peh with her song ‘ezlink’, followed by Year 2 FASS student Tan Lay Chun with his song ‘Feelings’.
The champion of the Chinese Category, Li Yifei, is also a student at the Institute of Music at UCSI University. Yifei had participated in the previous season of the competition and came in second for the Chinese Category. She mentioned, “This year I’m back again to challenge myself and meet more like-minded individuals who enjoy music and composing like myself!” Her song “Egg” left listeners with a deep impression with its catchy melody and unique lyrics.
Coming in second for the Chinese Category is YST Music, Collaboration & Production student Likie Low, followed by Electronic Engineering graduate Han Wei Tong.
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Geena Goh, Year 2, FASS, CNM
23rd The Dream Composition Public Relations Director
