Conductor and composer Simon Kerwin and cornet star Tabby Clegg have just returned from a week-long visit to Singapore where they were invited to judge the Singapore MUSE Festival.

Judges

Featuring nine bands from Singapore, Malaysia, China and Thailand, Tabby and Simon were joined on the judging panel by Philip Tng (Senior Director of the Singapore Armed Forces) Band and Surapol Thanyawibool (Director of the Kasetsart University Wind Symphony).

Each of the bands performed a 20 minute programme including the set test-piece 'Music from Within', composed by Simon.

Having been involved in the Festival since its inception it was an honour to return to SingaporeTabby Clegg

Honour to return

"Having been involved in the Festival since its inception it was an honour to return to Singapore," Tabby told 4BR. "I judged the initial Festival in 2006 and Simon was a judge in 2007 so it was great for us to return together in 2010. All the bands were superb with a mix of Western style and traditional Easter elements and they all gave inspired readings of Simon’s test-piece."

Music feelings

Tabby added: "As well as judging the festival we gave a workshop to 400 young musicians aged between 8 and 18 from four different countries in three different languages based on the festival’s theme of ‘Music is What Feelings Sound Like.’ It was an amazing experience and confirmation that music is a universal language without any prejudices of nationality or culture."