-
Hello everyone, I am Howard Ng, an oboist currently residing in Singapore.
Typically, when most people decide to learn a musical instrument, the oboe is not their first choice, and many may even be unaware of its existence. However, on my musical journey, I decided to take up this unique and challenging instrument, embarking on an extraordinary musical adventure.
I firmly believe that music is not merely an art form; it conveys life's rhythms and connects with our emotions. Each instrument has its unique language, and the oboe is the medium through which I tell my own story.
The expressive power of this instrument enables me to express the deepest emotions, conveying a unique resonance and incomparable experience.
-
大家好，我是旅居新加坡的的双簧管演奏家，吴书琪（Howard Ng）。
一般而言，大家若选择学习乐器，都不会优先选择双簧管，甚至不知道“双簧管”是什麽。然而，在我学习音乐的路上，却选择了这独特又高难度的乐器，从此走上了这不平凡的音乐之旅。
对我而言，双簧管仿佛与我融为一体，并成为我情感和灵魂的延伸。
我深信音乐不仅仅是一种艺术形式，它承载着生活的韵律和情感的共鸣。每一个乐器都有着独特的语言，而双簧管正是我用来述说自己故事的媒介。
通过它，我能够表达内心深处的情感，传递给大家一种独特的共鸣和体验。
-
Apart from being considered a "niche" instrument, the oboe is known as one of the most challenging instruments to master.
I grew up in Kota Kinabalu, a city surrounded by mountains and the sea. Playing the oboe allowed me to find a state that resonated with my true self: confident, individualistic, vibrant, and versatile.
The oboe, with its bright and prominent sound, plays a prominent role in the symphony orchestra. Many classical symphonic pieces feature the oboe as a primary and important solo instrument, such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake, Op. 20" and Johannes Brahms’ "Violin Concerto in D major." These musical excerpts, among many others for the oboe, drove a deep excitement in me to learn the instrument.
After a few years of teaching myself, unsuccessfully, to play the oboe, I decided to pursue a music degree. In 2006, I travelled to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to receive a formal music education. Since then, I have been inspired by many great mentors, and have embarked on a professional music career in Southeast Asia.
-
从小在一个背山望海的沙巴亚庇长大，让我对音乐存有不同的想象空间。吹奏双簧管的当下，仿佛找到自我本质的状态：自信、特立独行、闪亮、多面。
双簧管除了作为“冷门”的乐器之外，还以最具挑战的乐器之一为名。
虽然双簧管按键密集，但因响亮、突出的声音，在交响乐团中总是扮演着亮眼的角色。许多交响乐经典曲目，都以双簧管为主要、重要的独奏乐器。如：柴可夫斯基的《天鹅湖》、布拉姆斯《D大调小提琴协奏曲》等。
当初，学习了双簧管几年之后，因为受到不少良师的启发，从而让我决定攻读音乐系。在2005年先后远赴吉隆坡及新加坡完成音乐学位，并于之后决定在东南亚展开音乐职业。
-
In essence, I believe that "music" requires the demonstration of performance, but it doesn't necessarily have to be limited to performing great classical works.
To me, the true essence of music lies in its capacity to resonate with listeners, transporting them to another realm.
Whether it is composed classical music, soulful folk music, or the exhilarating sounds of popular music, the unique timbre of the oboe allows me to convey the essence of music clearly and intentionally.
For me, the oboe is not just a musical instrument; it is a bridge for expressing my emotions through music.
When I play the oboe, I thoroughly enjoy the connection between my breath, the physicality of my body, and the musical score. It feels as though everything around me becomes tranquil, allowing the sound of the oboe to break free in the air. This is a truly unique sensation for me.
In teaching students, I find great satisfaction in witnessing their progress: seeing the sparkle in their eyes after mastering a small section brings me back to the euphoria of my own initial encounters with music.
Music is both an expression of emotions and a witness to the transformation of life.
-
以“音乐”本质而言，我认为需要展现吹奏演技，不一定非得演奏伟大的古典音乐作品。
音乐发展史几百年来的变迁，横跨不同时代，有些时候，音乐最吸引人之处在于它能够治愈心灵。通过乐曲所表达的情感，与观众产生共鸣，并带领他们进入另一个世界，才是音乐真正的意义。
不管是沉着稳定的古典音乐，还是旋律澎湃的流行音乐，双簧管独特的音色，能让我能把每首曲子表现得淋漓尽致。
因此，“双簧管”对我来说不仅仅是一把乐器，更是我对音乐情感表达的一座桥梁。
对我而言，我非常享受在吹奏双簧管时，身体的气息和乐谱里起承转合密不可分的感觉，犹如身边的人事物都会顿时宁静，让双簧管的声线突围而出，这是我觉得一个非常独特的感受。
在教导学生时，我也享受这个过程中所感受到的成就感：仅仅吹奏完一个小章节就能看到他们眼中闪烁的光芒，同时也从他们的眼神中重新体验到了我与音乐的“初恋感觉”。
音乐，是情感，也是见证生命蜕变的过程。
-
"If a person's goal is to 'reach the moon,' they might only make it to outer space;
but if their goal is to 'reach the sun,' there is a good chance they will land on the moon."
In our youth, we often dare to dream and pursue those dreams with unwavering courage.
But as we step into the realities of life, we tend to sacrifice and forget our initial aspirations.
Music has taught me the importance of persisting even in the face of adversity, striving until the final note of the movement is played.
I aspire to break free from my constraints, just like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. In an infinite pursuit, I aim to become the best musician and producer I can be.
To all who have travelled with me thus far, I extend my sincerest appreciation and invite you to join me in this wonderful journey.
-
“如果一个人的目标是‘登上月球’，那他可能只会抵达外太空；
但他若是把目标放在‘登上太阳’，则很大机会可以登上月球。”
我们往往在年轻的时候，都会勇敢筑梦、追梦。
但当我们步入现实的阶段，我们竟渐渐牺牲、遗忘了当初的理想。
音乐教会我，即使路途再艰难，应该要努力坚持，直到完成乐章的最后一个小节。
我期许，自己能够继续破茧成蝶。在接下来的音乐之旅，迈向成为东南亚数一数二的音乐工作者。
愿阅读到这里的朋友们，一起共勉。
-
Howard Ng is a well recognised musician, creative producer, and arts manager in the South East Asian region. As a producer, Howard has created a great number of musical experiences for audiences in the region, including award winning performances of Ensemble Virama (Boh Cameronian Arts Award 2018). From 2014-2019, Howard was an annual grant recipient of the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music for the creation and administration of the Malaysian Wind Music Prize, which has led to substantial professional development and training opportunities for aspiring young musicians in the country.
From 2017-2023, Howard worked for Programming & Productions at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, a department that facilitates some 200 public facing events annually. In this capacity, Howard has led and curated major broadcast and multimedia initiatives, as well as execute productions for the Conservatory, working with artists such as Les Arts Florissants, Calefax Reed Quintet, Sir András Schiff, Masaaki Suzuki, Paul Lewis, Vadim Gluzman, Nobuko Imai, Igudesman & Joo, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Eric Hoeprich, Wong Kahchun, Boston Brass, Margaret Leng Tan, Gabor Takács-Nagy and many others. In 2022, Howard experienced a brief attachment at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, studying with renowned production company Polyhymnia International.
As an oboist, Howard Ng has performed for audiences on three continents. He has performed as a soloist with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and its Youth Orchestra. Howard can regularly be heard at concerts of Ensemble Virama, where he is co-founder and artistic leader. He can also be regularly heard at concerts organised by Bachfest Malaysia around the country. As an orchestral musician, Howard has also performed with Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Asian Youth Orchestra, Orchestra of the Music Makers (SG), Singapore Lyric Opera, The Philharmonic Orchestra (SG), Asean-Russia Youth Orchestra, Pro Musica Bangkok and many other ensembles.
In 2023, Howard, together with composer Adeline Wong, was awarded the International Double Reed Society’s Commissioning Grant, which led to a recital at the 2023 IDRS Conference, held at College of Music, Mahidol University Thailand.
From 2011-2013, Howard was Principal Oboist of the Malaysian National Symphony Orchestra, where he spearheaded the revival of the NSO Wind Ensemble.
In 2020, Howard was awarded 3rd Prize in the Elite Section of the Australasian Double Reed Society Online Competition. In the same year, Howard was invited to present at SEA Music Academy’s first ever symposium, “Teaching Music Goes On(line)”. From 2015-2016, Howard served as a faculty member at the Silpakorn Summer Music School in Thailand.
Howard is also an avid promoter of the solo oboe repertoire. He has performed recitals in Bangkok (‘13), Dublin (‘13), Kuala Lumpur (‘11, ‘13, ‘14, ‘16), Singapore (‘11 & ‘17), Kota Kinabalu (‘16), and even virtually (‘20).
In Kuala Lumpur, Howard studied with Joost C. Flach & Yong How Keen at the UCSI University. He later studied with Rachel Walker and Carolyn Hollier at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (NUS) in Singapore. Howard has also studied privately with Bart Schneemann, and with Jane Marvine at the Asian Youth Orchestra. He has performed in the masterclasses of Hansjörg Schellenberger, Thomas Indermühle, Elaine Douvas, Jonathan Kelly, John Anderson, Peter Veale, and others.
-
吳書琪是東南亞地區公認的傑出音樂家和創意製作人。作為一名製作人，他為該地區的觀眾帶來了大量的音樂演出，其中包括Ensemble Virama的獲獎表演（2018年寶樂藝術獎）。從2014至2020年，吳氏一直是皇家音樂學院聯合委員會的年度獎金獲得者，該獎金用於創建和發展「馬來西亞管樂獎」，該獎項為國家有志青年音樂家創造了大量專業發展和培訓機會。
從2017到2023年，吳氏在楊秀桃音樂學院的節目製作院工作，該院每年為大約兩百場面向公眾的活動提供便利。在該職位上，他與藝術家，如Les Arts Florissants、Sir András Schiff、Masaaki Suzuki, Paul Lewis, Igudesman & Joo, Eric Hoeprich, Sophie Daneman, Gabor Takács-Nagy以及其他人一起策劃多媒體項目、領導市場營銷活動、策劃活動、並負責音樂學院藝術作品產出。
吳氏的雙簧管演奏橫跨世界三大洲。他曾在馬來西亞愛樂樂團及其青年管弦樂團擔任獨奏。他是Ensemble Virama音樂會的常客，同時也是該樂團的聯合創始人和藝術領袖。他也定期參與馬來西亞巴赫音樂節在全國各地的演出。此外，吳氏曾與新加坡交響樂團、卡塔爾愛樂樂團、亞洲青年管弦樂團、音樂製作人管弦樂團、新加坡抒情歌劇團、愛樂樂團、東盟-俄羅斯青年管弦樂團、曼谷Pro Musica管弦樂團和許多其他樂團合作演出。