IN MAY 1961, the Rev Dr Gunnar Teilmann Jr christened a Wesley Methodist Church (WMC) choir, “Dawnbreakers”, because they would come together each Sunday to sing and break the dawn. Today, 50 years later, they continue to stand, praising and thanking the Almighty God. The Lord has blessed the Dawnbreakers abundantly.
“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV).
In commemoration of their 50th anniversary, they have produced their second two-CD set “New Every Morning”. This CD captures the humble gratitude with which each Dawnbreaker wants to declare of the Lord’s loving-kindness, grace and leading over the past 50 years. The CD comprises familiar and new anthems that the choir has sung through the years.
The choir has seen four conductors: Ms Roberta Ho, Mrs Koh Geok Kheng, Mr Chay Seng Pui and Mrs Seet Sook Ching, each of whom has served in his or her capacity with a pure heart and a clear love for their Master. The Dawnbreakers also thank God for their present cohort of younger conductors, each of whom has responded unconditionally to the call to conduct the choir, despite their demanding career schedules. They have had the privilege of an adviser, Dr Aw Swee Eng, whose graciousness, generosity and counsel they remember fondly.
To a Dawnbreaker, the choir is a family, a small-group where members seek to support one other. There is friendship, laughter and fun as they learn and rehearse each song.
Above all, what is most meaningful to a Dawnbreaker is the privilege of being able to participate in worship early in the morning. It has become an affectionate service for each one of them, to make every effort to be early, so that it is the first thing they do on a Sunday morning.
The commemorative CDs are priced at $18 per CD or $10 each for purchase of three or more CDs. It is available from the Wesley BookNook on weekends and from the WMC church office on weekdays. Please call Mr Daniel Boen at 6336-1433.
MR KELLY TANG (right) has been awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2011, Singapore’s highest honour in the arts. The award recognises his
prolific work as a music composer and educator. He was presented the award by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, in a ceremony held at the Istana on Nov 18, 2011.
Mr Tang’s compositions have been presented at prestigious venues worldwide, including the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall (New York). Various groups such as the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, the Desford Colliery Brass Band (UK) and the Jeremy Monteiro Trio have performed his works.
His artistry is diverse, encompassing the music score for the internationally-acclaimed Australian feature film “Feet Unbound”, as well as the symphonic score for the Cantonese opera “Intrigues in the Qing Imperial Court”.
He is well-known in the local music education scene. His compositions are taught as part of the Ministry of Education’s music curriculum, and he mentors young composers at schools and colleges across Singapore. The Singapore Youth Festival sees his music being performed each year by thousands of students in school choirs and wind bands. In 2008, he was conferred the COMPASS Artistic Excellence Award by the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS).
Previously Associate Professor of Music at the National Institute of Education in Nanyang Technological University, Mr Tang took on a new role as Dean at the School of the Arts in November 2011. He recently celebrated his 31st year as Music Director of the local Christian organisation Eagles Communications. He worships at Faith Methodist Church with his family.
Sharing by TV celebrity Moses Lim
TV CELEBRITY and gourmet ambassador Moses Lim (above) will give a talk on “The Gift of Knowing You” at Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Church, 299 Upper Paya Lebar Road, on Feb 4 at 2.30 pm.
Moses, a Christian, will give his talk in Mandarin. It will be followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments.
It is part of the church’s Gospel-sharing event and Chinese New Year celebrations.
Admission is free.