NG YI XUAN Percussion TAMBARA BONGO CAJON TRIANGLE CYMBALS CHONG XIN YI TAN YI XUAN CHEN YI XUAN TAN YI XUAN CHONG XIN YI NOVA SPECIAL THANKS TO: - Mr Alex Abisheganaden, our founding conductor and inspiration - Cikgu Bahari Rajib, our mentor and cultural guide - Ms Faridah Jamal, our pillar of strength and musical visionary - RGS Music Department, for their continuous

1. P R O U D L Y P R E S E N T E D B Y
NOVA
Into New Beginnings
3 1 S T M A Y , 2 0 2 2
5 - 6 P M
E V E L Y N N O R R I S A U D I T O R I U M , R G S
P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T R E
ANGKLUNG ENSEMBLE

2. Table
of
Contents
01
Our Programme
02
About Angklung Ensemble
03
Our Conductor's Message
04
Our Performers
05
Special Thanks To
NOVA
06
Our Theme
Our History of Achievements
07

3. ABOUT
ANGKLUNG
ENSEMBLE
Founded in 1976, RGS Angklung Ensemble, fondly
known as RGShAKE amongst members, is
committed to developing the musical acumen of our
members by providing a conducive environment to
express creativity, cultivate leadership and nurture
character.
Simultaneously, Angklung hopes to bring the
Rafflesian spirit to greater heights, going above and
beyond just a CCA. By promoting active participation
and interaction among the members, we hope to
inspire every student to become a young musician of
a better age.
At the same time, we foster camaraderie between
members and encourage every student to feel a
sense of belonging in this close-knit community. To
add on, we nurture a sense of profound appreciation
and passion for the ethnic arts.
We also use our skills to give back to society by
participating in Values-In-Action activities, with the
hope of providing opportunities for the community to
listen to our music.
INSTRUMENTS OF THE ENSEMBLE
The uniqueness of the instruments has attracted
students of all races and backgrounds to be part of
this highly-motivated and energetic team of
musicians. The ensemble essentially comprises
Indonesian traditional instruments: the angklungs,
which are bamboo rattles originating from the Sunda
province of West Java and the kulintang ensemble –
xylophone range from Manado, North Sulawesi. It is
accompanied by eastern and western percussion.
NOVA

4. SYF Distinction between 1977-1995;
SYF Gold since 1997
SYF Distinction in 2017, 2019, 2021
International Music Festival in Kristianstaad, Sweden 1996
Warisan Charity Show with Indonesian artiste, Ernie Djohan, on TV Suria
(Mediacorp) 2001
Taiwan Tea-Culture Expo in Taipei 2006
GAIA Mania - NTUC Auditorium 2007
Asian Youth Games - Raffles City 2009
Book Launch of Hidayah Amin’s “Gedung Kuning” – National Library 2010
“Asia for Animals” Conference 2010
Angklung ALiVE! for ALiVE Singapore’s 10th Anniversary (Association for
Living Values Education) (combined 4 schools - 110-strong angklung
ensemble)
ICYL (International Conference for Youth Leaders) in RGS 2010, 2012
“Music Box” Festival - Esplanade Concourse 2011
SYF “Electric Canvas” – Mega Angklung Ensemble (5 schools) - Esplanade
Theatre 2013
Singapore Malay Chambers of Commerce & Industry Networking Dinner –
Furama RiverFront Hotel 2015
Competitions
Concerts
External concerts:
OUR HISTORY OF
ACHIEVEMENTS
NOVA

5. Angklung Swing & Shake at Sentosa Musical Fountain 2004
Rhythm for All Seasons 2006
Initiated the 1st Angklung Exchange Programme with SMPN 5 Bandung &
“Getaran” Concert 2007
Reaching A Higher Note: Inaugural Angklung Symposium 2008
2nd Angklung Exchange Programme 2008
Volare Concert with SMP St Yusup (Bandung) and 5 other local schools 2008
ARTS (All Rafflesians Take Stage) – Grand Finale of RGS Arts Festival (UCC -
NUS). “Ethnic Fusion” combined with Indian Orchestra, Malay and Indian Dance
teams 2009
KAMI ("WE") 2012
Angklung Ensemble & Sri Kencana (RGS Malay Dance Society) Concert:
“DINAMIKA” 2014
RGShAKE 40th Anniversary: "SORA" 2016
Silver Arts Festival (Konsert Gurindam Jiwa) 2018
NOVA 2022
RGS Homecoming Performance 2018
SYF Illuminate 2019
Rotary Club of Kampong Gelam Installation Lunch 2019
Zaman Sekolah 3 Performance (Mediacorp) 2019
RGS Open House Performance
Yearly VIA Activities
Internal concerts:
Others
OUR HISTORY OF
ACHIEVEMENTS
NOVA

6. OUR THEME
NOVA: To New Beginnings
02
Think of a burst of light splayed across the sky. A star shining brighter and
brighter. We call that: Nova! Illuminating a hope for changing times, RGS
Angklung is now holding our first "live" concert in two years. We very much
desire to rekindle appreciation in the ethnic arts and have thus chosen a
repertoire that injects life into this scene. This ranges from modern classics
such as Mamma Mia, to culturally-rich pieces like Jamu & Ginseng and
Kembara. So fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff as we explore the
beauty of Nova & new beginnings!
NOVA

7. PERCUSSION FANFARE
HELA-HELA ROTANE
KATONG PARK
JAMU & GINSENG
KEMBARA BERLIAN ALBANJARI MOVEMENT 1
KEMBARA BERLIAN ALBANJARI MOVEMENT 2
I WANT IT THAT WAY
MAMMA MIA
OPENING
CONCERT PIECES
FINALE
OUR
PROGRAMME
NOVA

8. PERCUSSION FANFARE
- Maluku folksong.
- Arranger: Faridah Jamal
Hela-Hela Rotane is a traditional folksong from the Maluku (Moluccas) archipelago - the popular Spice
Islands which had sparked colonial interest from Europe to this eastern part of Indonesia in the 16th Century.
This fun song depicts the game of tug-of-war which uses thick, woven “rotan” (rattan) and is commonly
played not just amongst children but as a friendly match between villages and for community get-togethers.
More significantly, it has an underlying meaning, that is, in the effort to pull and win, there is the call to living
in harmony.
Ms Faridah’s arrangement brings up both the perkiness of the song and the essential nature of the Angklung
and the Kulintang.
(Showcased by RGS Angklung Ensemble at the SYF 1991: Certificate of Distinction)
OUR
PROGRAMME
HELA-HELA ROTANE
This fanfare shows our excitement to start NOVA with a bang, as well as showcase our multi-talented
performers. We wish to express our readiness to enter a new era of music and joy through this introduction.
KATONG PARK
- composer: Faridah Jamal.
Katong Park, built in the 1930s, was one of Singapore’s oldest parks with the first public bathing “pagar”
(sea swimming enclosure). Situated at the junction of Meyer Road and Fort Road, it was popular till the loss
of its sea frontage due to coastal reclamations in the 1970s. It used to be one of the go-to places for family
picnics and lazing around on Sundays. Making its first public appearance, this piece is reminiscent of the
composer’s childhood days with her family: running around in the small playground and then relaxing on the
sandy beach; playing on the swing while the coconut palms swayed in the breeze. More significantly, it
beckons our young people to appreciate the simple things in life and, as performing artists, to express
themselves naturally and joyfully.
JAMU AND GINSENG
- composer: Faridah Jamal
First seeded in 2002 and developed over time with several other angklung ensembles including the NIE in-
service music teachers’ team, Ms Faridah’s unique and most organic composition has seen several on-the-
spot improvisations.
Jamu & Ginseng brings us back to our Asian roots of energy, health and wholesome goodness - a fusion
platter of Indonesian and Malay traditional herbs served with Western jazzy grooves, Malay music rhythm
patterns and Chinese-flavoured melodies. This is no ordinary tonic!
NOVA

9. The piece follows her grandfather on the Federated Malay States Railway from Penang down Peninsula
Malaya. It then switches from the accentuated Sino-Siamese tune to the chug-chugging of the train on the
tracks. The mood then changes from romantically-Latin to the hip “Berlian Swing” as the passengers begin
to enjoy their maiden train ride. The reprise of the opening theme grandly announces their arrival in
Singapore!
(Both pieces premiered by RGS Angklung Ensemble at the SYF 2019 & 2021: Certificate of Distinction)
.
- composer: Faridah Jamal
“If I don’t do it, who else will?” This sentiment bears a strong resemblance to the composer’s feeling when
she embarked on her full-time angklung-teaching career in 1993.
This is by far her most complex set of creative work done in the musical suite form. “Kembara” which means
journey, traces her paternal grandfather’s “berlian” or diamond trade mission with his two younger brothers
and other diamond merchants out of their comfort zone: from their village in South Kalimantan (in Borneo,
Indonesia) to the bustling entrepôt, Singapore, in the early 1920s. The Banjarese (given the Arabicised
nickname: “AlBanjari”) are well-known for their diamond business - either diamond-mining and panning or in
diamond trading and jewellery-design.
KEMBARA BERLIAN ALBANJARI
MOVEMENT 2: THE RAIL JOURNEY
MOVEMENT 1 : THE SEA JOURNEY
It begins in the F minor key, with traces of the call to prayer and then embarking on the Dutch steamship
from the port of Banjarmasin. The fear and excitement of the passengers are clearly depicted by the myriad
of melodies and rhythmic changes. The stopover at Batavia (the old name for Jakarta) turns jolly on a bright
and cheerful F Major key; returning to the minor key as the steamship calls at Penang harbour. The traders
meet their business contacts in Penang and then in Golok, South Siam.
I WANT IT THAT WAY
- composers: Max Martin & Andreas Carlsson - Backstreet Boys
This catchy lead single from the Backstreet Boys’ album, Millenium won listeners’ hearts and was called “The
Pop Ballad of the Year”. Love is not always based on an official relationship; neither must a song always
make sense! This hit song of 1999 is about loving someone who doesn’t really know that you love them. You
want to reveal your true feelings for them, but you don’t know how they feel about you or how they will
react.
MAMMA MIA
composers: Stig Anderson, Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson - ABBA
“Mamma Mia” is the opening track of the group’s third album, the self-titled ABBA.The title is derived from
Italian (literally, “My mother”). It was ABBA’s first number 1 in the UK since “Waterloo” in 1974.
In a great example of lyrical dissonance, this infectiously catchy tune contains very sad lyrics dealing with
heartbreak and the pain of letting someone go who you wish you could have back.
The catchy xylophone-like hook that sets up the song was played on a marimba. This effect certainly suits
the rhythmic nature of the angklung and kulintang.
This song bears testimony to the universality of music - as it can reach out well to any age group and from
any decade; touch our hearts, make us move together and sing along no matter what we are going through
in life.
NOVA

10. Miss Faridah Jamal, fondly known as the “Angklung Queen”, was
Angklung Ensemble's President and Student Conductor during her
school days. After her “A”-levels, she continued her ties with RGS as
a part-time instructor. In 1993, she decided to turn her passion into
her career, after completing her Bachelor of Education degree (TESL-
UPM) and leaving her weekday job as Senior Editor-Writer and Head
of Art & Editorial Department.
Within her 39 years of Angklung-teaching legacy, this pioneer and
trailblazer in the Singapore angklung arts has helped establish
Angklung ensembles in many primary and secondary schools. For
example, in the Marine Parade Community Club, the ITE College East
and the National University of Singapore. She also introduced
angklung-in-curriculum in several schools including special-needs
schools. Fired by her love for inspiring young people, especially those
without a music background and unfamiliar with the angklung and
Indonesian/Malay culture, she uses her unique and creative angklung
teaching methodology, wide-ranging repertoire, varying styles in
music arrangements/compositions and showmanship to instil in
them a deep interest in this art, enhance their innate child-like joy,
develop their confidence and team spirit, musical talent and pride in
music-making and performance.
OUR
CONDUCTOR
pn
CONDUCTOR'S MESSAGE
“Do what you love; love what you do.”
Choosing and living music--it’s in my blood. My late father used to sing keroncong songs with the Radio
Malaya Orchestra (S’pore) during his Victoria School days. The challenge was to convince my parents that
this was going to be my career. Giving my part-time energy to Angklung music was not enough. By age 29,
I was so disturbed that there was not a single full-time Angklung expert in Singapore! I had to be the one.
Thanks to Cikgu Jamilah for her two golden words during my second angklung practice: “Faridah, conduct.”
And to Mr Alex Abisheganaden for the inspiration--as a conductor and music arranger/composer. I had
never sat down formally to learn from him. Just watching him and playing his music arrangements were
sufficient for me, then, to “step into his shoes”. His western symphonic style harmonised with my previous
training in the band and string ensemble. Cikgu Bahari Rajib then brought us to the very roots of Angklung –
to understand its Indonesian history and culture and the beginnings of Angklung in Singapore; to appreciate
Malay music and express ourselves naturally and joyfully.
It has been an enriching lifetime with RGShAKE. The bond I have established with so many girls across the
batches is priceless. “Girls just wanna have fun” as the song goes, and RGS girls have always expressed
that in angklung-playing. When you return to your alma mater to teach and perform, you really become one
of the girls. May we continue making fabulous music and be the exemplary angklung leaders for the World.
Together, forever, RGShAKE!
Filiae Melioris Aevi.
NOVA

11. ANGKLUNG (MELODY)
OUR
PERFORMERS
SIVAMUTHU NIHIDHA VARSHNI
SENTHILKUMAR ILAKKIYA
INAYA NUR RASYIDA
MAHI ARYA
SHARLEEZ NADYA MOHD HIDAYAT
PHYO THINZAR KYAW
HO CHER-SEN
TAN DE TING TRINA
SREYA AREEKKARA PODUVATTIL
On Angklung
ELLEN MA YISHU
DHARSHINI KUMARI MUTHURAJ
BATRISYIA ZAHRA BINTE HALMIE MATTAR
CHENG YU HAN
CHEN ZERONG
WANG YUXIN
DEANA SOPHIA BINTE PAHDLOR
ANDRIA PUTRI ANDE FARHAN
AMANDA TAN XUAN HUI
CHENG NGEE HUI
NOVA

12. OUR
PERFORMERS
ANGKLUNG (RACKS)
ANGKLUNG (BASS)
CHIN YU YAN KAYDENCE ADELE
R KAVINAYA
TRISHA SIVAKUMAR
NORDARWISYAH BINTE
MUHAMMAD AKHBAR
KAIYISAH BINTE MUHAMAD ADIB
ANGKLUNG (SUPER BASS)
MICHELA CHEE ZHI YU
SORA AISHA
ADRIANA BINTE KHAIRIL
JOYCE WANG YIQING
Angklung
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13. OUR
PERFORMERS
Kulintang
MELODY/ SOPRANO
PENGIRING MENENGAH (PM)/ALTO
PENGIRING BESAR (PB)/TENOR
BAS KECIL (BK)/ CONTRA-BASS
YAP BEI JADE
JOLYNN YEO YI XUAN
Percussion
MINAMIURA SARAH
ARISSA BINTE KAMARUZAMAN
BREA TAN
YU DI'EN (BASS)
LAI SHI YING (SANDIE) (BK)
CHLOE GOH ZHIYI
TEO TENG YIN
PENGIRING KECIL (PK)/HIGHER ALTO
GABRIELLA CHARISSA PUTRI
GENDANG/PERCUSSION
NOVA

14. RAFFLES GIRLS'
SCHOOL SECONDARY
PROGRAMME BOOKLET DESIGNED
BY TICKETING AND PUBLICITY OT:
SPECIAL
THANKS TO
OUR CONDUCTOR
For her unwavering support and guidance
Ms Faridah Jamal
OUR TEACHERS-IN-
CHARGE For their dedication to our CCA
Mrs Raihana Abbas and Ms Lim Young Hui
OUR PERFORMERS
For their best effort put into performing
Angklung Ensemble
OUR FAMILIES
OUR AUDIENCE
OUR ICT DEPARTMENT
OUR CCA EXCUTIVE
COMMITEE
ALL STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
OUR ORGANISING
TEAMS
For diligently completing their tasks in
preparation for the concert
For working tirelessly to manage their
teams and coordinate their schedules
For their kind understanding and support
during this period of preparation
For gracing us with their presence and
time this Tuesday evening
For managing the visual and technological
aspects of our concert
For facilitating the logistical aspect of our
concert
NOVA