The Teng Company
Founded2004 (2004)
HeadquartersSingapore
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

The Teng Company (stylised as The TENG Company) is a Singaporean non-profit arts company that mixes influences from both the East and the West, as well as from traditional and contemporary sources through the Teng Ensemble. The company comprises music educators, scholars, and instrumentalists and reinterpret music from Singapore's Chinese heritage. Established in 2004,[1] it became a charity in 2015 and an Institution of a Public Character in 2017.[2]

Etymology

The Chinese character 鼟 tēng is an ancient word for the sound made by a drum.[3] It is the most complex character in the modern Chinese dictionary.[4]

History

After winning individual championship titles at the biennial National Chinese Music Competition that was organised by the National Arts Council, Samuel Wong and Yang Ji Wei could no longer compete individually in the competition. They then formed The TENG Chinese Chamber Ensemble with other soloists and competed in the Ensemble category in 2004 and came in first.[5] After the win, some members of the ensemble formed the Teng Company to create and develop projects related to Chinese instrumental music.[6]

In 2009, the Teng Company formed its performing arm, the Teng Ensemble.[7]

In 2015, the company was registered as a charity,[8] and Temasek Holdings became its patron.[9] Between 2015 and 2017, it received National Arts Council's Seed Grant.[10] The company was mentioned during the 2015 Singapore National Day Rally by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for "creating a uniquely Singaporean sound by injecting new elements into traditional culture" during the segment on Singapore's bilingual policy.[11]

In 2016, the Teng Ensemble was invited by Sino Land to put on a show in Hong Kong and hosted two sold-out concerts at the Fringe Club.[12] The Teng Company staged a concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall titled "Stories from an Island City"[13] and released its second album of the same name. With support from the Fullerton Heritage, the Teng Ensemble also began the annual "Where the River Always Flows" series in partnership with the Singapore Heritage Festival.[14] Lastly, their performance for the Star Awards, which was organised by Mediacorp, was televised nationally as well.[15]

In 2017, The Chinese Music Instrumental Grading Examinations was also launched by the Teng Company in collaboration with the Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University.

In 2018, the Teng Gives Back series was started as well to contribute to the community through intimate performances in hospices and homes.[16] Teng also launched an outreach-focused "Once Upon a[17]" concert series at Vivocity, aiming to bring music to local residents, with the backing of Mapletree Investments. The Teng Company was honoured with the CHT International Award.[18] Lastly, the Teng Company became a recipient of the Major Grant Scheme from the National Arts Council.[19]

In 2019, the company published The TENG Guide To The Chinese Orchestra, a book which covers the various aspects of 13 sets of Chinese musical instruments and how it worked.[20] The book also analysed 18 Chinese orchestral pieces to demonstrate how to combine various instruments in an orchestral piece.[20] It was written by Samuel Wong, Wang Chenwei and Chow Jun Yi.[20] The Teng Company showcased its first major fundraising concert titled "Mind The Music!" in collaboration with Caregivers Alliance.[21][22] Lastly, the "Heirlooms" concert, the culmination of the Forefathers' Project, was held at the Esplanade Concert Hall.[23]

In 2020, the Teng Company worked with prominent Indian musician,[24] Shabir, to release the "Triptych series" in response to the COVID-19 situation in Singapore.[25] The "Teng Goes Digital Campaign" was initiated, and the Teng Ensemble performed their first-ever digital concert with support from the Fullerton Heritage. The "Teng Goes Digital Campaign" was initiated, and the Teng Ensemble performed their first-ever digital concert with support from the Fullerton Heritage.[26]

Held as a fundraising digital concert in 2021, The Gift of Music Gala was hosted for the Teng Company's social outreach initiatives.[27] They also launched the Teng Insider digital series,[28] featuring the Executive and Creative Directors hosting various local arts personalities to talk about their insights and industry stories. The Teng Backstage digital series was also introduced, offering entertaining and educational content.[29] Next, the "Where the River Always Flows VI" digital concert was presented in collaboration with Fullerton Hotels and Resorts.[30] Lastly, the Teng Company released their first Extended Play Release, "天地人合 (Tian Di Ren He)," on major Digital Streaming Platforms.[31]

In 2022, The Teng Company presented its first physical performance since the COVID-19 pandemic, "Once Upon A Time 2022," at VivoCity's amphitheatre.[32] In that year, there was an official name change from "The Teng Ensemble" to "The Teng Company" was made to better represent their diverse efforts in the Singapore arts scene. Additionally, positive results from Teng x Singapore Institute of Technology's Health and Social Sciences Department research on Binaural Beats were published. The TEAM Teng fundraising initiative was also launched to empower the Teng Company to inspire and impact by fusing cultures and promoting Singapore's unique identity through Chinese musical heritage. The Teng Company hosted a fundraising concert, "More Than Music!",[33] which highlighted their emphasis on social impact, youth empowerment, and artistic innovation.[34]

Structure

The Teng Company currently comprises three divisions: performances, music education and research.

Performances

The Teng Company has two ensembles: the Teng Ensemble, its central ensemble, as well as the QI Ensemble.

The Teng Ensemble

The Teng Ensemble was formed in 2009 as the performing arm of the Teng company.[7] The ensemble debuted at the National Museum of Singapore's 2009 Night Festival.[7] Since then, it has also performed at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo,[7] the 2016 Star Awards,[35] the 2017 Singapore Heritage Festival[36] and the President's Star Charity 2017.[37]

Its music draws upon a myriad of music genres, ranging from Singaporean folk songs such as "Chan Mali Chan" and "Munnaeru Vaalibaa",[38] to Western popular influences such as the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Frozen themes.[39] From 2016, the Teng Ensemble released a series of "Evolution" music videos,[40] drawing on Chinese historical drama and Disney themes, and Adele and Teresa Teng's songs.

The ensemble has released two albums, Eight (2013) and Stories from an Island City (2016). Both were rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by The Straits Times, which described the former as "high class easy listening which does not dumb down"[41] and the latter, "a very enjoyable exercise in nostalgia".[42]

The ensemble's debut concert in 2010 was described as "a laudable addition to [the Western and Chinese musical] crossover phenomenon".[43]

In 2016, the ensemble was made up of six members, Pipa player Samuel Wong, Sheng player Yang Ji Wei, guitarist James Fernando, sound artist Huang Peh Linde, countertenor Phua Ee Kia and cellist Gerald Teo.[44]

In 2017, the ensemble performed at the President's Star Charity Concert alongside Mediacorp Artiste Rebecca Lim.[45]

The QI Ensemble

Also in 2013, the Teng Company founded The QI Ensemble, a quartet comprising a mix of Chinese and Western instruments including the pipa, dizi, keyboard and guitar.[46]

In 2016, the QI Ensemble produced a music video, A Tribute to SG Mandopop, a medley of local hits including Mavis Hee's "Iron Window", Kit Chan's "Heartache", Stefanie Sun's "Begin to Understand", Tanya Chua's "Beautiful Love" and JJ Lin's "Cao Cao".[47] It has also performed at the Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts and Resorts World Sentosa's Chinese New Year festivities.[46]

Education

The Teng Company's education efforts are housed under the Teng Academy, which provides training, resources and exchanges.[48]

In 2018, the Teng Company collaborated with Mapletree Investments to create the Mapletree-Teng Academic Scholarship which four youths are awarded a $10,000 music scholarship and also training classes, mentorships, and performance opportunities by the Teng Academy.[49][50] In 2020, the number of awards was increased to six.[51] In 2022, the number of awards were reduced to four but with an increase of funding to $11,000.[52]

In the same year, the Teng Company partnered Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University to conduct the Chinese Music Instrumental Grading Examinations for Chinese instruments.[20][53]

The Teng Academy also provides English-language resources for Chinese music learning. It commissioned textbooks from Singapore musicians, on Chinese and Western instruments in English, to bridge the gap for non-Mandarin speaking learners of Chinese instruments.

The Teng Academy facilitates exchanges between musicians and/or other communities. Teng Gives Back is a series of performances for underserved communities.[54] Under the Teng Mentorship & Volunteer Programme, amateur musicians perform for the community. In the After-School Talent Development Programme, musicians teach students in specialised schools such as Spectra Secondary School.

Research

In 2005, the Teng Company published QI: An Instrumental Guide to the Chinese Orchestra, authored by Samuel Wong, to create an English language resource for Chinese instrumental music. In 2007, it reprinted the book to serve an international readership.

Members

Instrument Member
Pipa Samuel Wong
Sheng Yang Ji Wei
Cello Gerald Teo
Countertenor Phua Ee Kia
Keyboardist Joel Chua
Erhu Darrel Xin
Guzheng Johnny Chia

Discography

The Teng Ensemble

  • Eight (2013)
  • Stories from an Island City (2016)
  • Evolution of Disney Princesses (2017)
  • The Evolution of Teresa Teng (2017)
  • Canon in D (2018)
  • Heirlooms (Album, 2019)
  • The Evolution of Adele: 2007-2015 (2020)
  • The Themes from Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts (2020)
  • Heaven, Earth, Mankind and Unity (EP, 2021)
  • Genshin Impact: Jade Moon Upon A Sea Of Clouds Medley (2021)
  • Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence (2021)
  • Birds and Bees (2021)
  • Ong Ah Ong (2021)
  • Singai Naadu (2022)
  • The New Legendary Swordsman (2023)

Publications

  • Wong, Samuel (2005), 器 QI: An Instrumental Guide to the Chinese Orchestra. Teng. ISBN 981-05-4012-4
  • Wang Chenwei; Chow JunYi; Samuel Wong (2020). The TENG guide to the Chinese orchestra. Singapore: World Scientific. ISBN 978-981-323-364-5. OCLC 1008972714.

References

  1. ↑ "Profile: The Teng Ensemble". The A List Singapore. 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "Organisation Profile". Charity Portal. Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  3. ↑ 鼟的解释 [Definition of tēng]. zdic.net (in Simplified Chinese). 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Lovett, Lyra (6 August 2011). "Unconventional Pipa and English resources". Pipa-club Blog. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Winners of 2004 National Chinese Music Competition". NAC. National Arts Council. 15 December 2004. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  6. ↑ "TENG Ensemble founders were mocked for playing "cheena" instruments while in ACS". mothership.sg. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Chinese tunes mixed with Japanese anime music, electronica". AsiaOne. 14 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "THE TENG COMPANY LTD". SGP Business. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  9. ↑ Ang, Vivien (22 May 2017). "Giving to the community through the arts". The Business Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 20 December 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "FY2017 Seed Grant Recipients". NAC. National Arts Council. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018.
  11. ↑ Sim, Walter (23 August 2015). "National Day Rally 2015: JJ Lin, Stefanie Sun show success of bilingual policy". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "2581 - A Celebration of Singapore's Heritage Music in Hong Kong - The Teng Ensemble | Exhibition | The Fringe Club". www.hkfringeclub.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "The Teng Ensemble: Stories from an Island City". Time Out Singapore. 8 July 2016. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "新鮮動態 - The Fullerton Heritage". thefullertonheritage.com. Archived from the original on 15 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Ep 6 Teng Ensemble + Jeffrey Li". mewatch. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  16. ↑ Correspondent, Akshita NandaArts (25 December 2018). "From evergreens to festive melodies, music therapy to ease the pain". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "Once Upon a Full Moon". Arts Republic | Arts Events Singapore. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  18. ↑ "CHT awards 2018". IM First Class. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  19. ↑ "National Arts Council Annual Report FY 2017/2018 - Making Marks" (PDF). National Arts Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Ho, Olivia (9 July 2019). "Teng Company launches new guide to Chinese orchestra instruments". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  21. ↑ Limited, Caregivers Alliance (28 December 2018). "CAL-TENG Charity Concert 2019 - Mind the Music!". CAL SGP V2. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  22. ↑ Limited, Caregivers Alliance (20 September 2021). "Music speaks out for mental health awareness at Mind the Music!". CAL SGP V2. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "The TENG Ensemble Presents Heirlooms – Reimagining the Sounds of our Chinese Forefathers". Honeycombers. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  24. ↑ "A Tamil poem, a Kollywood music director, and a Chinese ensemble: Uniquely Singapore arts in COVID-19 times". www.connectedtoindia.com. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "The TENG Ensemble Presents The Triptych Series | 3-Part Online Video Series". BYKidO. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  26. ↑ "Fullerton Insider Posts". Fullerton Group. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  27. ↑ "《天地人合》 | Singapore Chinese Music Festival 2021". SCMF. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  28. ↑ "TENG Insider - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  29. ↑ "TENG Backstage - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  30. ↑ Shanne Gan (27 July 2021). "The TENG Company returns with annual concert series 'Where the River Always Flows'". Hear65. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  31. ↑ "Heaven, Earth, Mankind and Unity". The TENG Company. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "Once Upon a Full Moon Concert 2022". Ahboy.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  33. ↑ "More Than Music!" (PDF). Sqarespace. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  34. ↑ Tay, Kay Chai Peter; Chia, Jia Lin Cherie; Lam, Yeow Hing Bradley; Ng, Soo Inn Fidessa; Pang, Chu Hui (1 January 2022). Effectiveness of Binaural Beats in Music from The TENG Ensemble in Relieving Stress in Singapore University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Report). Singapore Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  35. ↑ "Star Awards 2016 Part 1". Toggle. Mediacorp. 17 April 2016. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018.
  36. ↑ "Explore the Unexplored at the Singapore Heritage Festival 2017". Nookmag. Singapore. 28 April 2017. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  37. ↑ "Public can get more involved in President's Star Charity 2017". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  38. ↑ Wen, J D. "The TENG Ensemble". Weekend Notes. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  39. ↑ "WATCH: Local music outfit The TENG Ensemble weaves together an East-meets-West Disney medley | Coconuts". Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  40. ↑ "Q&A: The TENG Ensemble talks heritage and concerts – Lifestyle Asia Singapore". Lifestyle Asia. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  41. ↑ Chang, Tou Liang (6 February 2014). "Eight: The Teng Ensemble". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  42. ↑ Chang, Tou Liang (2 November 2016). "Stories from an Island City: The Teng Ensemble". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  43. ↑ Chang, Tou Liang (9 March 2010). "Teng Ensemble in Concert". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  44. ↑ Yap, Sarah (12 August 2016). "Q&A: The TENG Ensemble talks heritage and concerts". Lifestyle Asia. Singapore. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  45. ↑ Correspondent, Yip Wai YeeTaiwan (20 November 2017). "Actress Rebecca Lim to play the piano at the President's Star Charity show". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  46. 1 2 "QI Ensemble pays tribute to Singapore's Mandopop in a musical medley". Nookmag. Singapore. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  47. ↑ The QI Ensemble (8 August 2016), A Tribute to SG Mandopop 新加坡串烧中文歌曲, archived from the original on 23 June 2022, retrieved 7 March 2018
  48. ↑ ""The TENG Academy"". The TENG Academy. The TENG Company. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  49. ↑ Mardhiah, Nurul (6 April 2022). "ITE College East student among four young Singaporeans awarded $10,000 music scholarship". youthopia.sg. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  50. ↑ "Mapletree - $44,000 awarded to financially support four local young musicians in their pursuit of musical excellence". www.mapletree.com.sg. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  51. ↑ Ong, Sor Fern (18 May 2020). "Arts community and home-grown businesses rally to help freelancers hit by Covid-19 with commissions, grants". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  52. ↑ Lim, Glenda (13 December 2022). "The TENG Company and Mapletree Investments announce sixth Academy Scholarship — here's how you can apply". Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  53. ↑ "Chinese Instrumental Grading Examinations". ci.ntu.edu.sg. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  54. ↑ Nanda, Akshita (25 December 2018). "From evergreens to festive melodies, music therapy to ease the pain". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
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