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NUS Piano Ensemble
Founded in 1987 by a handful of undergraduates with a passion for piano and performance, the objectives of the NUS Piano Ensemble (NUSPE) have remained largely intact since its inception. NUSPE seeks to promote the appreciation of piano ensemble music, provide opportunities for aspiring pianists to perform and give its members the novel experience of playing in collaboration with different people. In its beginnings, the group concentrated on works for solo piano, but gradually explored piano works for duet and duo, which forms the core of its repertoire today. While providing a good opportunity for members to be exposed to a wider variety of repertoire and skills, it also emphasizes the cooperative nature of an ensemble.
While NUSPE's niche is classical music, it has not shied away from experimenting with a range of performance and musical styles. This includes performing classical works which sees the piano in concert with instruments such as the recorder, violin and voice, just to name a few. Eclectic genres such as jazz, Asian and contemporary popular music also shape and influence the group's repertoire. Furthermore, collaborative opportunities with other art forms such as dance, theatre and literature have constantly been sought, and many of these have materialized as innovative and refreshing performances.
Regular appearances by NUSPE include the annual ticketed 'Touch' concerts in February/March, a performance for the yearly Exxonmobil Campus Concerts in October and an invitation to perform at the library@esplanade every January. Key highlights of NUSPE's last two concert seasons include a feature of George Gershwin's music for Touch 2008 and a programme of rarely performed piano ensemble works for Touch 2009. The latter concert marked the first time NUSPE had the honour of performing in the Esplanade Recital Studio.
In preparing for its concerts, the ensemble's performers are coached weekly by its music director, Mr Timothy Ku. Outside of concert preparation, the group serves its members by organizing master classes with professional musicians and music appreciation sessions which expose members to a wide array of musical experiences. 'Internal platform' sessions are also organized to give every single member the opportunity to share their talents. Peer review sessions allow members to give insight to and hone each other's piano playing skills.
Ultimately a closely-bonded, multi-talented group consisting of members from diverse backgrounds with specialized skills as composers, performers, arrangers, accompanists, in corporate-related areas and etc., NUSPE aims to be the benchmark for piano interest groups in Singapore.
To find out more about NUS Piano Ensemble, do visit their 
account, or email them at nus.pianoensemble@gmail.com.
