INTRODUCTION
The signing of an agreement between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University on 26 November 2001 led to the establishment of Singapore's first conservatory of music at NUS.
Founded as the Singapore Conservatory of Music in 2001, the school was renamed Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in recognition of a gift from the family of the late Dr. Yong Loo Lin to the Conservatory. Yong Siew Toh, a music teacher and daughter of the late Dr. Yong, found her greatest joy in giving music to others. This donation will support development efforts with respect to Conservatory faculty, facilities and student scholarships. The Yong family believes that this gift is fitting contribution to honour her life and her dedication to music.
STUDYING AT YONG SIEW TOH CONSERVATORY
Conservatory students are admitted to the Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree programme and major in Performance (Piano and Orchestral Instruments) or Composition. This is a four-year, full-time undergraduate degree programme with a strong focus on music performance and music academics. In addition, humanities studies and electives allow students to pursue their interests in other disciplines.
The Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music provides its students with a broad-based education to prepare them for careers in music performance and composition. The curriculum provides a strong foundation for students to continue their artistic development at outstanding graduate schools or become international artists at the highest professional level.
"The establishment of the Conservatory is part of a wide-ranging strategy to position Singapore as an Asian renaissance city of the 21st century for the arts and culture. The Conservatory would also provide more opportunities at the university level for our local students to pursue their interests and develop their talents in music to the highest levels, an affirmation of the Government's ability-driven approach to education. It will also attract talented young musicians from the region who will contribute further to the development of the arts in Singapore."
DR TONY TAN
FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE
