Asia-Pacific Improvisers Symposium
February 21, 2025 – February 22, 2025
Conservatory Building
The Asia-Pacific Improvisers Symposium brings together a diverse group of artists and practitioners from across the region to engage in a critical exploration of improvisation through performance, dialogue, and collaboration.
Building on recent shifts in European music education over the past decade, where improvisation has gained recognition as both an art form and academic discipline, this inaugural symposium draws on the vibrancy of musical cultures and contemporary developments in the Asia-Pacific region — which provide a rich foundation for exploring improvisation, not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a useful tool for music education.
Look forward to two days of engaging showcases, with artists including Taceti Ensemble (Thailand), Hanoi New Music Ensemble (Vietnam), weird aftertaste music (Singapore), and the Bridge Ensemble which draws together faculty from YST and LASALLE College of the Arts (Singapore). Each day comprises performance-presentation showcases by artists, framed with an opening keynote as well as collective dialogue. The symposium culminates in a closing concert with the YST Orchestral Institute – featuring a dynamic programme of beloved orchestral works and collaborative creation inspired by the city and its soundscape.
PROGRAMME
Click here to view the full symposium programme booklet.
Friday, 21 February 2025
AM Session
9:00–9:30am: Coffee
9:30–9:45am: Symposium Opening by Karst de Jong
9:45-10:30am: Keynote by Timothy O’Dwyer
10:30am–12:00pm: Showcase by John Sharpley and Yii Kah Hoe
12.00–1:30pm: Lunch Break (*meal not provided)
PM Session
1:30–3:00pm: Showcase by Robert Burke and Jeonghyeon Joo, Jiyun Song & Jisu Han
3:00–4:30pm: Forum – Improvisation around the Region
4:30–5:00pm: Coffee Break
5:00–6:30pm: Showcase by Bridge Ensemble (Darren Moore, Timothy O’Dwyer, Tony Makarome, Karst de Jong) and Black Zenith (Darren Moore and Brian O’ Reily)
6:30–8:00pm: Dinner Break (*meal not provided)
8:00–9:30pm: Evening Concert – weird aftertaste music and Taceti Ensemble
Saturday, 22 February 2025
AM Session
9:00–9:45am: Coffee
9:45–10:30am: Keynote by Franziska Schroeder on the intersection of AI and music
10:30am–12:00pm: Showcase by Hanoi New Music Ensemble and Synap + Syafiq
12:00–1:30pm: Lunch break (*meal not provided)
PM Session
1:30–3:00pm: Showcase by Churen Li & Roberto Alonso, and Roger Dean
3:00–4:15pm: Roundtable Discussion and concurrent coffee break
4:30–6.00pm: Showcase by Radar Suara and RedSpills
6:00–7:30pm: Dinner Break (*meal not provided)
7:30–9:30pm: Closing Concert – Ones To Watch: Sounds of the City
Admission is free with registration via yst.eventbrite.com.
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