The highly anticipated 2025 orchestral concert, "The Colour of the Soul", unfolded as scheduled this Tuesday at Wellington College Hangzhou’s Grand Theatre. On a gentle early summer evening, Choonmon Lee, Head of Music, collaborated with the Wellington Orchestra to present a symphonic showcase centred on themes from classic film scores.
To the strains of beloved melodies, we were immersed in the romantic tableaux of La La Land; through distant, ethereal notes, we revisited Tangled's poignant narrative; alongside free-spirited Merida, we resonated with Brave's majestic themes. Rousing renditions of The Greatest Showman, Kiki's Delivery Service, and The Chronicles of Narnia left audiences profoundly moved.
A single phrase of music evokes multitudes. As these iconic film scores were reimagined by the Wellington Orchestra, what hues did the music paint in your soul?
Tracklist
Bahe BWV1052 keyboard concerto in D minor
A town with an ocean view
Danse Bacchanale
Music from the chonicles of Narnia
Music from Brave
Music from Beauty and the Beast
Music from Enchanted
Music from Ratatouile
Music from La La Land
Music from the Greatest Showman
A Million Dreams
Choonmon Lee
Music director of The Colour of the Soul
Head of Music
Mon, a graduate of Raffles Music College, pursued advanced studies in Applied Music at Dundalk Institute of Technology, where he graduated with First Class Honours. This achievement earned him the esteemed "Michael Van Dessel Choral Conducting Scholar Award" in 2017. Subsequently, he completed his master's degree in Conducting at The Royal Academy of Music, with his studies abroad fully funded by scholarships.
During his educational journey, Mon had the privilege of being mentored by renowned conductors and musicians including Sir David Brophy, Sir Simon Rattle, Thomas Benedict and Annalisa Monticelli. In recognition of his exceptional talent, he was nominated for "The Best Romantic Period Conductor" by the BBC London Orchestra in 2016 for his captivating performances of Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." In 2018, he was invited to conduct a concert at St. Mary's (Marist) Church, where he had the opportunity to collaborate with notable soloists such as Niamh McCormack, Niamh O'Hanson and Geraldine McGee, among others, in Ireland. Mon's passion for conducting has led him to numerous performances in Malaysia, Singapore, Hungary, Ireland and the UK, encompassing a diverse range of musical genres including musical theatre, opera and contemporary works.
Noteworthy highlights from his performance experiences include conducting and performing on the harpsichord with David Adam, Aisling Kenny and Tuula Vouyilainen at the Irish Baroque concert in Dublin. He has also served as an organist at the Church of the Holy Trinity and the Church of the Visiting of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Additionally, Mon has showcased his skills as a pianist, having performed with the Peace Proms Orchestra during their 2016 Tour Concert, and served as a keyboardist and pianist for the Celtic Women Concert in 2015 and the Celtic Thunder Concert in 2016 respectively, both held in Galway.
This year's orchestral concert, "The Colour of the Soul," presented a dual challenge of both technique and artistry. The repertoire's difficulty increased significantly compared to last year, exemplified by the performance of Bach's “Harpsichord Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052” by me alongside the principals of each instrumental section, showcasing the advanced group's consummate skill. To achieve a perfect rendition, we engaged in months of intensive full rehearsals, individual practice and sectional workshops, specifically targeting technical proficiency, ensemble cohesion and stage presence.
During rehearsals, the greatest challenge was balancing the pupils' academic commitments with rehearsal time, while also providing individualised attention and encouragement to each performer. Through meticulous scheduling and detailed logistical planning, we ensured every pupil could participate in the performance at their best. It was deeply gratifying to witness the pupils' exceptional focus and perseverance, culminating in a radiant display on stage.
The concert's programming balanced artistic merit with audience accessibility. To tailor each piece more precisely to the orchestra's level, we personally undertook some arrangements, highlighting the unique characteristics of different instruments to enrich the musical texture.
From "A Town with an Ocean View" from Hayao Miyazaki's “Kiki's Delivery Service” to the "Bacchanale" from Saint-Saëns' opera “Samson and Delilah”, from the grand suite of “The Chronicles of Narnia” to the romantic melodies of “La La Land”, each work carried its own distinct musical narrative. Highlights included “Kiki's Delivery Service” performed in a concerto format by Parry, the Year's Piano Performer Competition winner, accompanied by the string orchestra; the cello solo in “Brave”; the violin solo in “La La Land”; and the moving vocal performance by pupil Kitty in "A Million Dreams".
The core purpose of staging "The Colour of the Soul" orchestral concert was to create an immersive experience for pupils that transcends the traditional classroom. Music is not merely the honing of technique; it is the conveyance of emotion and the practice of teamwork. By performing iconic film scores, the pupils gained a deeper understanding of the connection between music and narrative, learning to tell stories through notes.
Notably, the concert featured two encore pieces: the Italian classic "Con te partirò (Time to Say Goodbye)" performed by nursery music teacher Kelly, and "Never Enough," sung as the final solo by teacher Kristine, symbolising our boundless love for music. As this concert demonstrated, every participant continuously pushed their boundaries, painting with the soul's most vibrant colours.
This "The Colour of the Soul" orchestral concert was not only an audiovisual feast but also a significant milestone in the musical journey of Wellington pupils. Moving forward, we will continue to explore the infinite possibilities of music, ensuring every note becomes a testament to their growth. We hope the school's music curriculum cultivates a lifelong passion for the arts, enabling pupils to gain discipline, creativity and emotional expression through music. Whether pursuing music professionally or cherishing it as a lifelong passion, these experiences will become invaluable treasures in their personal development.
