SOME 450 PEOPLE were treated to an evening of music and food over a warm fellowship at the 14th Anniversary Banquet of the Methodist School of Music (MSM) on April 16.
The theme for the celebration, held at Raffles Town Club, was “One Call, One Mission”: People with varied gifts, united by Christ, to bring the message of God’s love to all. “One Call, One Mission” was also the anniversary song and was sung by the dinner guests.
The evening began with the processional, “Processional Alleluia”, rendered by the MSM Ringers as Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, the guest-of-honour, and Mrs Malar Solomon walked into the banquet hall.
The MSM String Ensemble then filled the hall with the lovely music of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”.
Chinese Annual Conference President Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung and Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference President Rev James Nagulan led in the Litany of anksgiving. It was an occasion to reflect on God’s faithfulness for the work of the MSM these past 14 years. Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) President Rev Dr Wee Boon Hup was not present as he was attending a TRAC Board of Youth Ministry event.
After a few dishes were served, three special items were presented by Ms Prisca Ling, a teaching associate at the MSM; Ms Ling and Mr Melvin Ferdinands, who studied classical singing with her; and the MSM Ringers.
The MSM Principal, Mr Goh Say Hong, then conveyed his appreciation to all present and the churches they represented for their generosity and support for the ministry of the MSM.
Special items were presented by the MSM Children’s Choir and Mr Jordan Wei, a professional musician who is also an MSM teaching associate. He presented jazz improvisations for four worship songs – “Holy, holy, holy”, “God is the strength of my heart”, “ is is my Father’s world” and “One Voice”.
Four MSM staff were presented with Long Service Awards (5 years) – Ms Katherine Ko, teaching associate (piano); Ms Judith Laoyan-Mosomos, church music lecturer; Ms Ng Chet Wei, music ministry staff; and Ms Cecilia Loo, library/administrative assistant.
Mrs Solomon presented book prizes to these 2010 top distinction scorers – Gan Wei Hao, Blossom Tang (two prizes, for theory and practical), Dominic Khoo Yong Xiang, Angela Wu, Serene Lee Qian Ying, Candice Ho Jie Qi, Jerry Ng Geng Ye, Andre Auch, Khoo May Lynn, Camilla Roshal and Toh Zi Ken.
In his message in the souvenir programme, Mr Chow Kok Fong, Chairman of the MSM, wrote: “This has been a year of tumultuous events around the world.
Developments in Japan and the Middle East continue to exert heart-wrenching accounts of both natural and human-generated misery on an unprecedented scale.
“ The faithful will find comfort in His Word, in particular, the Word taught in hymns and spiritual songs.
“On the 14th anniversary of the Methodist School of Music, it is important to remind ourselves of this vital aspect of the school’s ministry, that of ensuring that God’s truths and message as set out in hymns and spiritual songs continue to form a vital part of our worship experience in churches and homes.”
The past year, he said, has been an extremely exciting period for the principal, faculty and administrative team. “We have been blessed with an outstanding faculty who are in the forefront of church music and choral work. Our 350 students continue to do well, garnering a disproportionate share of distinctions awarded in the major music examinations.”
He added: “I am grateful to our benefactors and partner churches who have sustained us with their financial support, prayers and generous assistance.”
Addressing churches’ music ministry needs
THE METHODIST SCHOOL OF MUSIC (MSM), located at John Wesley Centre, 496 Upper Bukit Timah Road, was founded in 1997 as an agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore. Its main goals are:
TO NURTURE individuals towards musical excellence, and
TO ADDRESS the music ministry needs of the church by providing training and resources.
The members of the teaching staff are Christians, and are professionally qualified with a diploma or degree in music. They are committed towards the nurture and development of their students’ musical potential.
Long-term and modular courses and programmes in general music and church music are available, in particular, General (Applied) Music; Church Music Training Modules; Ensembles; Symposiums, Concerts and Festivals; and a Master’s Degree Course for in-depth studies in church music and liturgy. e MSM offers a joint programme with Trinity eological College leading to the Master of eological Studies (MTS) degrees in Worship and Liturgy, and in Church Music.
Methodist School of Music pictures by Daniel Lie