James Kon
Young musicians captured the heart of the audience with their classical music performance at the Brunei Young Musicians Concert (BYMC) 2022 at the Foyer of Jerudong International School (JIS) Arts Centre on Sunday.
The musical event organised by Brunei Music Society (BMS), was attended by Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud. Also present were Ambassador of the Philippines to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R Tirol-Ignacio and Brunei Music Society Chairperson Jaya Punjabi as well as committee members.
Jaya Punjabi said, “The COVID-19 pandemic amid wider devastation has wreaked havoc with impact on the musical world. At the same time, people around the world have turned to music to help them through the crisis. “From sing alongs at the balcony to megastar global broadcasts, music has embedded in our responses to disrupted life.”
After three years, she said, “BMS is back to provide a platform for our young students and performers at the BYMC 2022.
“We as a committee have been preparing the BYMC both in 2020 and 2021 to be disrupted by the first and second wave of COVID-19 in Brunei Darussalam.
“The children and young adults performing today had auditioned twice. We are thankful to the performers and their teachers for their patience and dedication in their submissions.
“The BYMC 2022 gave us a chance to bring back to the residents of Brunei a platform to showcase their talents once again. We look forward to creating an event on Brunei classical music and international classical renditions in the future.’’
Meanwhile, Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal said, “I am proud to have witnessed our youth showcasing their talent and skills, especially in music. This should continue not just for the classical or modern genre but we should not forget to preserve our traditional music to continue with our cultural heritage.”
Lily Chiam from Expressions Music said, “The performance today displayed the hard work and the unspoken words for spreading the love of music.”
‘’A marvellous event showcasing some of Brunei’s most gifted musicians,” said Head of music department at JIS Barnaby Palmer.
The concert was aimed at providing a platform for all the performing musicians aged below 25, comprising those from music schools and those selected by a panel from BMS trough blind auditions. A total of 19 solo, one duet, a 10-string ensemble as well as a group of 17 choir singers were featured in the concert.
