Singapore as an international hub that has English as its main language is the most suitable country to host such a festival. Participating in GSF’s Youth Orchestra Festival in NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music will also allow these students to be acquainted with the region’s most exciting international conservatory and one of the world’s most distinctive, promoting the school as the choice university for those who will be pursuing their tertiary education in music in the near future.
The festival would also be aligned with our venue partner Yong Siew Toh’s mission, to be a focal point for musical activity, artistic development and research for Singapore, the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
HISTORY of YONG SIEW TOH CONSERVATORY
Originally designated the Singapore Conservatory of Music, the Conservatory was officially renamed the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at its opening, in recognition of a S$25 million gift by the Yong Loo Lin Trust to honour the late Yong Siew Toh who found her greatest joy teaching piano and helping others to appreciate the world through music. The Trust subsequently made another generous contribution of S$25 million in 2008, endowing YST Conservatory with a total gift of S$50 million, which was matched by funding from the Ministry of Education. The gift from Yong Loo Lin Trust, further enhanced with contribution from corporate sponsors, has enabled the YST Conservatory to offer full scholarships to a critical mass of musical talent in Singapore and the region.
Within the YST Conservatory’s first decade, it quickly established a reputation for world-class musical excellence with students gaining international recognition from leading artists and institutions. As Asia’s international conservatory, YST pioneers the possibility of a multi-national, globally relevant music education environment, situated in Singapore which is one of the world’s best-connected Asian countries. Music in Singapore and the region has evolved enormously, and YST is proud of the role it has played – through its students, alumni, staff, faculty, events, facilities, programmes, partnerships and advocacy – in inspiring this evolution.
