Conductor
Darence Leng was first introduced to wind instruments upon joining his school band in Mei Chin Secondary. Though band wasn't his first choice, his interest in the flute grew quickly and he soon was performing in several bands and orchestras, including the St. Andrews & Catholic Junior College bands, Church orchestras and the Singapore Wind Symphony (known then as National Theatre Symphonic Band).
Leng made his debut as a professional conductor of symphonic bands when he was appointed the Band Director of the National University of Singapore Symphonic Band in 1997, after having been the concert master for 2 years as a student there. He is now the Band Director of the Hwa Chong Family Band - Hwa Chong Junior College Symphonic Band, Hwa Chong Institution (High School) Band, Saint Joseph's Institution Military Band and also Balestier Hill Secondary School band. His accomplishments with these school bands include an immediate improvement in the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), particularly for Hwa Chong Junior College which attained the Gold award after a 6-year hiatus from SYF participation. The school band continued to attain distinction at the SYF for the next 6 years. In 2005, Chong Boon Secondary also attained the SYF Gold award under his baton.
Leng's musical experiences also include tutoring and conducting at wind band workshops in Brisbane, Australia in 1998. In 2000, he adjudicated for the All Thailand Yamaha Wind Band Competition. Presently, Leng performs with and is the concert master for the Philharmonic Winds.
Read more about this topic: Hwa Chong Institution High School Band
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