ANG Cheng Bin 翁精敏
Performing Arts in Singapore (Music),
Accession Number 003585
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 3
Total Reels
- Teo Kian Giap
Interviewer
- 02:51:21
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 3
Metadata
- 7 Feb 2011
Recording Date
- 00:57:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Interviewee was born 1966 in Singapore, eldest child of the family. He talked about his childhood at Serangoon, Kovan and Toa Payoh. Interviewee talked about his music lessons at Kheng Cheng 擎青学校 Primary School and joining the brass band. He credited his teacher Mr Li Ying Qing 李映青 for inspiring him in music appreciation. Interviewee studied at Chinese High School. He joined the military band where Mr Eric Moo was the drum major. He was a member of the athletics team where he represented Singapore in Asean athletics meet and was holder of a national age group record for long jump. He listened to Taiwan folk songs 校园民歌 sung by both pop singers and the original singer/songwriters. He also learnt to play the guitar and started to compose. He listed other singer-songwriters he listened to. He talked about his performing experience during school days. Interviewee talked about his 4 years at Chinese High School, including attending immersion programme at Monk’s Hill Secondary School. He did not further his studies after leaving Chinese High School. Interviewee recalled attending the concert by Di Xia Tie 地下铁 at Jurong Juior College in 1982.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 3
Metadata
- 7 Feb 2011
Recording Date
- 00:56:10
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
After the ‘O’ levels, interviewee befriended his former Chinese High schoolmate Lew Thiam Fatt 刘添发. Both of them and another 9 from the school formed a music group “2 1” 二一小组 on 11 Feb 1983. Interviewee mentioned the roles played by the group members, where he composed and did the music arrangement. The group practised at Chinese High School initially, and moved to other locations later. Interviewee’s first composition, Zui Shi 最是, was setting the melody to a poem published in the newspapers. He talked about the group making a recording for radio programme Ge Yun Xin Sheng 歌韵新声, and he gave his impression of producers Ms Lim Cher Hui 林子惠 and Ms Pang Siew Moi 彭秀梅. The group participated in the concert Ming Tian Yi Jiu Guang Can Lan 明天依旧光灿烂 organized by Merlion Group 鱼尾狮小组. Group members from both groups collaborated on some compositions. The group participated in the recording of the album Ming Tian 21 (II) 明天21 II. One of the promotional events for the album was performing at a major concert held at Hong Lim Park.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 3
Metadata
- 7 Feb 2011
Recording Date
- 00:58:11
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
After the release of the album Ming Tian 21 (II) 明天21 II, the “2 1” group decided to look for another company to release its album. The group, Merlion and Fame (a girl group formed by “2 1”) had a deal with Polygram Records. Due to their inexperience, the album went over budget and members of “2 1” had to pay for the costs. Jiang Hu/Thomas Teo 姜鄠 who sang on the album became well known. The group became less active after the album and did not participate in Xinyao Festival 新谣节. Interviewee gave his views on the development of Xinyao. No one from the group went into music business professionally. Interviewee composed gospel music at point of recording. Some members of the group re-united for the 2010 Encounters Concert 重逢 28. He listed the more well known songs by the group like Chang Di 长堤, Tai Yang (Sun) 太阳 and Da Bai Gou 大白狗. Interviewee set up a production company Ours Production 我们的制作 in 1991 to produce an album Xia Wu Cha De Yue Hui 下午茶的约会by Jiang Hu 姜鄠. Most songs were composed by Zhang Li Wen 张礼文. The album did not break even. Interviewee taught Xinyao music at Kim Seng Technical School in the late 80s, where one of his students won a prize at a music competition. His concluding remarks.
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