Concert to benefit music dept
THE Putra Piano Trio will be performing a concert next month to raise funds for the Music Department in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
Comprising UPM Faculty of Human Ecology Music Department head Dr Joanne Yeoh; Universiti Teknologi Mara Faculty of Music associate professor of music Dr Chong Yew Yoong and UCSI University Institute of Music adjunct lecturer Lee Yin Hwa, the trio hope to raise funds to repair the music department and replace old and run-down equipment.
“There was a fire about five years ago and a lot of the equipment cannot be used because of the damage,” she said.
Dr Yeoh who is also an acclaimed violinist, explained that the Music Department is housed in four bungalows.
The fire completely damaged one of the bungalows leaving the department with only three bungalows for its activities.
The bungalow, she added, was only recently repaired. Lecture and practice rooms within the old bungalows are also cramped and dingy, making for a less than conducive learning environment.
Established in 1995, the music department currently has about 80 students.
The department has produced many famous alumni such as violinist Fung Chern Hwei, who has tracks in the Puteri Gunung Ledang and Sepet soundtracks, and Ken Hor, a famed movie and television soundtrack composer.
The Putra Piano Trio, with Dr Chong on the cello and Lee on the piano, will be playing classical music pieces from the 1900s. They will be performing five pieces during the hour-long show with the theme, New Frontiers.
“It’s not too heavy a programme and the pieces are quite easy to listen to,” said Lee.
Among the pieces they will be playing are a number by Argentinian composer Piazzolla, which has a dance vibe, and a jazzy tune by American pianist Chick Corea.
The show will be held on Oct 5 at 8.30pm at Galeri Serdang, Faculty of Design and Architecture, UPM. There will only be 150 seats for the show. Tickets for the show are priced at RM50.
The trio hope to raise at least RM7,500. Donations are also welcomed.
For information, contact 03-8946 7132 or e-mail jorainiah@upm.edu.my.