Interview by William Chan
University of Macau Symphonic Band (UMSB) conductor Ng Sa and the band’s captain Michelle Lao Hio Chao told The Macau Post Daily in an exclusive interview that they will be performing in the plaza near the public university’s Student Activity Centre (E31) on Friday.
The interview was held in the band’s practice room on the campus earlier this month.
UMSB was founded in April 2007, aiming to provide formal music training for students. Led by conductors Leung Kin Hang and Ng, the band has been promoting arts and culture on campus and boosting the development of band music in the local community. The band has also participated in various music exchange programmes such as the Charity Concert for Sichuan Earthquake Victims and the 6th National Inter-varsity Art Show in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province.
Ng graduated from the Manhattan School of Music in New York and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Besides conducting the band, he is also a regular member-cum-guest with the Macao Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony, MO-JAZZ Orchestra, and local fusion orchestra SneakyPanda.
University band
Although Ng has participated in, and taught various musical groups, UMSB is the first university band he has conducted. “However, I prefer to call myself a rehearsal leader instead [in the university band setting]. Unlike high school bands, the UMSB members, composed mostly of university students, are very transient – they come and go very fast, and their musical levels also vary dramatically.
“A rehearsal leader is responsible for training and helping students cope with the music. Of course, like other professional orchestras, the music is true to the composers’ original score as well as my artistic endeavours. Nonetheless, we ought not to take ourselves too seriously sometimes, but to enjoy the music-making process as much as possible,” Ng said.
Lao is excited about the upcoming performance, as it has been two years since the band hosted a live concert. “The COVID-19 pandemic really worked against musicians, especially for us as our band comprises wind and percussion players,” Lao said, adding that a few months ago their concert was called off due to the pandemic. “We feel like our efforts have been wasted in the past two years, and we hope that Friday’s performance can be held successfully,” Ng said.
Diversity in local music
Ng said that the band has invited Brazilian Grammy-nominated musician João Marcos Mascarenhas to give a masterclass to the band members. “Despite different skill levels, most of the students have a classical background. The theme of our concert is ‘Dance’ – we put together different countries’ dance music which are very rhythmic, and could pose a challenge to students with a classical background. We hope that João’s masterclass can elevate the senses of our students,” Ng said.
Ng, who is also from a classical background, underlined that music training in Macau is almost too homogeneous. “Classical music has a long history in the western world, and those who approach it always seek perfection in it. This mentality shares the same ideology as local parents and the culture as a whole – perfection equals success,” Ng said, adding that music has been evolving so fast since the last century but locals’ mentality is still stuck in the western classical period.
“Of course, I am not dissing classical music. In fact, I regard it, especially if you look at the compositions of Mahler and Strauss, as the peak of human intellect and spirit. But the point I want to make is that other genres of music are equally important.
“Unfortunately, I think that many of the students lack the ability to immerse themselves in other types of music. They only take it seriously in the technical aspect of music making, following their training as classical musicians. Nonetheless, I want them to overcome the ‘written musical notes’ to perform the pieces with originality – with passion, character and a genuine fondness for playing music,” Ng noted.
Ng and Lao said that the concert will start at 7 p.m. this coming Friday at the Student Activity Centre (E31-Plaza), underlining that the performance will be free of charge, and they welcome anyone – inside and outside of UM – to enjoy a wonderful night with the band.
University of Macau Symphonic Band (UMSB) captain Michelle Lao Hio Chao plays the soprano saxophone in April at the university’s Student Activity Centre (E31). – Photo provided by Lao Hio Chao
This undated photo shows Leung Kin Hang conducting a Christmas concert at the University of Macau. – Photos provided by Sharon Kuok
Ng Sa rehearses recently with the university band for the upcoming concert on Friday. – Photo: Lao Hio Chao
Ng Sa conducts at the University of Macau Grand Hall (N2) earlier this year.
