The Sisters’ Islands - An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Woodwind Instruments by Ding Yi Music Company & NYP School of Interactive & Digital Media Pre-Show Kit © The Esplanade Co. Ltd Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

The Sisters’ Islands - An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Woodwind Instruments © The Esplanade Co. Ltd You will watch an animated film created by the students of Nanyang Polytechnic. The film is about the legend behind the Sisters’ Islands. It will be accompanied by live music played by Ding Yi Music Company. The music will feature different traditional Chinese woodwind instruments. Background image:

Ding Yi Music Company was set up in 2007 with the aim of being an internationally recognised Chinese chamber ensemble. The young ensemble has already won competitions both locally and overseas and has regularly staged programmes in Singapore and the surrounding region. © The Esplanade Co. Ltd About…

Think-Pair-Share What comes to mind when you... -imagine a Chinese music performance? -listen to Chinese music? -listen to music from a Chinese orchestra? © The Esplanade Co. Ltd

Traditional Chinese Music & Instruments Confucius, a Chinese philosopher (551–479 B.C.), thought of music as one of the six most important subjects to study. Look at the terra-cotta figures from China. The man and woman are both holding musical instruments. Guess how old these figures are? Image source: The figures were from the Eastern Han Dynasty( AD). That’s about more than 2, 000 years ago!

Where were these instruments played? Many traditional Chinese instruments have been around for many years! Many of these instruments can be played: solo (alone) in smaller ensembles and in large orchestras During ancient time, you can find smaller ensembles in places like: the imperial court and palaces teahouses -mage source:

Chamber Music © The Esplanade Co. Ltd Can you guess what chamber music is? The term, chamber music, is derived from the West. It is music played by a chamber orchestra. A chamber orchestra is a small orchestra. We say “chamber”, because many years ago, those orchestras were small enough to fit into chambers or large living rooms. Chamber music was used to entertain small groups of people. Images taken from

What are woodwind instruments? They are hollow tubes, which, when blown on one end, produce a sound. Most wind instruments have keys or fingerholes to change the pitch of the sound.

Look out for these instruments during the show. Find out what they are called.

Challenge your friends to make your own wind instrument! You will need: 1.Straws 2.Scissors Direction: 1. Carefully cut the end of the straw into a V shape. 2. Flatten the cut end with your fingers by pressing down hard on it. Make sure it is really flat! 3. Place the cut end between your lips and blow really hard! Don’t give up till you hear a sound! Image source: www. thinkthank/ac

You just made a reed! A few of the Chinese woodwind instruments you will see during the show use reeds. As you blow, the reed vibrates which in turn, causes air molecules to vibrate! The vibrating air makes the sound that you can hear. Image source: reed

Higher or lower? Try pushing in a second straw to the bottom part of your straw instrument. What happens to the pitch? Try cutting your straw to hear a different sound. What happens to the pitch? Does it go higher or lower? Look out for the different woodwind instruments during the show. Find out if the size affects the pitch. Image source: www. thinkthank/ac Add a straw to this end or cut it!

WHAT IS A LEGEND? It is a traditional story, that is partially true. It is sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated. Why do you think legends are important? Do you know of any local legends? Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

SISTERS’ ISLANDS Do you know where the Sisters’ Islands are on the map?

Do you know about the legend of The Sisters’ Islands? Lying south of Sentosa, Sisters’ Islands refer to Pulau Subar Darat and Pulau Subar Laut. The legend relates the story of how the pair of islands came about and how it got its name.

Things to do while watching the show… Find out more about the origins, features and sounds of the different traditional Chinese woodwind instruments. Find out about the legend of The Sisters’ Islands. Follow these 12 Golden Rules of Theatre Etiquette.12 Golden Rules of Theatre Etiquette Most importantly, enjoy the show! Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

Also, don’t forget to visit the Jendela at the Esplanade for our special visual arts exhibition on local legends, Tales from Jalan Buang Hoe. Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media The Jendela is located on level 2, next to the Esplanade Recital Studio. So pop on by right after the show!

Located at level 2, next to Esplanade Recital Studio