YST Graduate Creates Waves of Change, Inspiring Communities Through Music

Jasmine Ng, a recent Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST) graduate, pens down her reflections on the different initiatives she spearheaded during her time as an undergraduate.

It has been an incredibly fulfilling and enriching experience during my undergraduate studies at YST. With the unwavering support of YST, I am grateful for the opportunities to have led and organised various meaningful projects, including volunteer programmes with Ren Ci Community Hospital, the Institute of Mental Health, Hospice Care Association (HCA) Hospice, and St. Luke's Hospital.

Through these outreach programmes, we introduced a wide variety of musical instruments and specially curated interactive activities. These included a fusion of interactive storytelling and captivating live performances, immersive soundscape presentations, music composition sessions, and music and movement activities.

Witnessing the joy and enthusiasm of the elderly participants during the sessions was a really fulfilling experience for me. It is heartening to know that such simple actions can have a very positive impact on people’s lives.

Live Music: Golden Hour - Singapore Symphony Orchestra + St Luke’s Hospital (Mar 2023)

A pilot volunteer programme with the St Luke's Hospital, which showcased an innovative interactive soundscape presentation accompanied by a diverse range of music genres performed by the musicians of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

Back in Ma Days - HCA Hospice (Oct 2022)

"Back in Ma Days" was our first in-person volunteer event since the COVID-19 pandemic, where we curated a diverse range of engaging activities to create an immersive experience. The multi-sensorial storytelling experience took everyone on a captivating journey, engaging their senses of hearing, touch, and sight. The live performance showcased an array of music genres, complemented by a wide variety of musical instruments. The music and movement session ignited a vibrant atmosphere, creating an engaging and enjoyable experience for the participants.

Zoom Birthday Party with the Institute of Mental Health (Jul 2021)

A birthday party-themed Zoom session took place, bringing joy and celebration to patients in a fun-filled virtual gathering. We also introduced an interactive music-making activity that allowed the participants to become composers of their own melodies.

Reminiscing through Music with Ren ci Hospital (Apr 2021)

With the introduction of the Leading and Guiding module at YST, we were able to organise our very first interactive volunteer session through Zoom. The programme comprised of interactive storytelling and live performances, showcasing a wide array of musical instruments. It was a delightful and engaging experience, showing how technology can bring people together, and sharing joy through music and storytelling.

Working with the elderly through music has been especially meaningful, allowing me to share my passion for music with diverse audiences and witnessing the immense joy and positive impact it brings to their hearts. It has been a pleasure to be part of these wonderful projects, and I hope to continue making a difference through music in the lives of others. I look forward to CMH expanding its outreach in the future and benefitting an even wider range of audiences through these meaningful projects and experience.