Fieldwork in Singapore

Funded by Gerry Farrell Awards

Title: Fieldwork in Singapore

Recipient: Boris Hei Yin Wong, SOAS University of London

Date: January–April, 2024

My PhD research at SOAS University of London is inspired by my experience as a school band conductor in Hong Kong. Before joining SOAS, I was a music teacher at a local secondary school and conducted the school concert band. Over the years, I led the group in various local and regional band festivals and competitions. These experiences not only deepened my understanding of band music but also sparked my curiosity about the prominence of Western musical traditions in Asia. As a researcher, I am eager to explore the reasons behind the formation of such a diverse and distinctive band musical styles and performing practices in different postcolonial Asian settings. This interest motivated me to pursue my PhD research and conduct fieldwork in Singapore from January to April 2024. During my fieldwork, I attended performances and rehearsals of school and community bands in Singapore, and also conducted interviews with local practitioners. This report will specifically highlight my participant-observation on events surrounding the biennial Marching Band Arts Presentation, part of the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), which took place at the Singapore National Stadium on April 9, 2024.