Singapore Composers: Leong Yoon Pin
3 videos • 463 views • by Singapore Symphony Leong Yoon Pin (1931–2011) is regarded as the father of Singaporean composers. He studied music at the Guildhall School in London and subsequently, composition with the legendary French teacher, Nadia Boulanger in 1966. Boulanger encouraged her students to draw from their unique individual backgrounds; Leong was inspired by this and sought to infuse Asian elements into his compositions. He proceeded to compose several tone poems, many choral works, and two symphonies, while also conducting choral groups and orchestras in the pre-SSO era such as the Singapore City String Orchestra, Singapore National Orchestra and the Metro Philharmonic Society. For his pioneering contributions to music, he was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1982.