26 November 2001

SPEECH BY DR TONY TAN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE SIGNING OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN NUS AND PEABODY INSTITUTE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF SINGAPORE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC HELD ON 26 NOVEMBER 2001 AT 3.30PM AT NUS UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTRE

Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts
Mr Khaw Boon Wan

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and International Programmes,
The Johns Hopkins University
Dr Paula Burger

I am pleased to be here this afternoon to witness the signing of the agreement between the National University of Singapore (NUS), the John Hopkins University and the Peabody Institute to set up the Singapore Conservatory of Music (SCM) at the National University of Singapore.

GLOBAL CITY FOR THE ARTS
Today's ceremony marks an important milestone in our efforts to establish Singapore as a Renaissance city for the arts. Singapore aspires to be one of the top cities in the world to live, work and play in. We want an environment that is not only attractive in retaining both home grown and foreign talents, but also one where Singaporeans can be creative and well-balanced individuals.

Singapore has made enormous advances since 1965 when we gained our independence and faced an uncertain future. We have made good progress in the application of science and technology to our economic and industrial development. As our nation progresses and as we move into a knowledge-driven economy, making the arts and culture an integral component of Singapore psyche and thinking, alongside science, technology and industry, is a natural and necessary development.

In the new economy, Singapore will face many new challenges. Major developments such as globalisation and information technology have already pointed to the need for creativity, imagination and innovation to play a key role in facing these challenges. As our population becomes more educated and affluent, Singaporeans will increasingly look towards a higher quality of life that allows greater opportunities for the pursuit and enjoyment of the arts and culture.

Over the years, we have made significant progress in our aspiration to be a regional arts hub. For example, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is already establishing itself as a leading Asia-Pacific orchestra. Since July 1999, the Government has provided funding for two private arts institutions, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts, to deliver high quality diploma programmes in the arts.

The long-awaited opening of The Esplanade - Theatres On The Bay is scheduled for October next year. We have also hosted prominent Singaporeans and renowned visiting international artistes and performing groups in the Singapore Arts Festival which has gained a credible reputation as an international performing arts showcase.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SINGAPORE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
The signing of the agreement between NUS, the John Hopkins University and Peabody in the establishment of a new Music Conservatory at NUS, therefore, marks a timely opportunity to embark on a new and exciting endeavour in the development of the arts and culture in Singapore.

In 1998, the Government accepted the recommendations by the Committee to Upgrade LASALLE and NAFA to establish the Institute of the Arts which would offer degree programmes in the various performing arts.

However, to ensure success, the Government has decided to focus our initial efforts on setting up a Music Conservatory to offer undergraduate music degree programmes. Once the SCM is put on a firm path of success, we will review the feasibility of introducing the other performing arts disciplines. This would ensure that the SCM succeeds in offering quality programmes of the highest standards.

The establishment of the SCM is a part of a wide-ranging strategy to position Singapore as an Asian renaissance city of the 21st century for the arts and culture. The SCM 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.

COLLABORATION WITH PEABODY
Peabody is an acknowledged leader in the cultural life of Maryland and has built a reputation that is truly international. I understand that the key features of the collaboration between NUS and Peabody are in the areas of start-up expertise, advice on curriculum design, student recruitment, market and admissions, building infrastructure and facilities, as well as recruitment and appointment of faculty. I am confident the collaboration with Peabody will ensure that the SCM develops high quality tertiary programmes in music which are measured against international benchmarks. Through the collaboration with Peabody, we will be able to attract quality staff and students. Over time, the SCM will be able to build a reputation of international standing.

MISSION OF SINGAPORE CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Like Peabody, the SCM will seek to provide aspiring professional artists with the musical skills and acute perceptions necessary to sustain a career in music, whether as solo or ensemble performers, composers, teachers, recording engineers, critics or scholars. The SCM will also seek to balance such professional training with a broad-based academic grounding that includes a liberal arts component. The SCM will start small, with a first intake of about 30 students within the next two to three years.

The student intake will gradually build up to 40 - 50 students per year to form a steady state enrolment of 150 - 200 students.

The presence of the SCM at NUS will contribute to NUS's development as a first-rate comprehensive university. Acknowledged as one of the top universities in the Asia-Pacific region, NUS already offers a broad-based curriculum underscored by multidisciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment. The SCM will further broaden the course offerings at NUS and provide its students with a well-rounded university experience.

ROLE OF ARTS COMMUNITY
It is important to take a holistic approach to the setting up of the SCM. To ensure its success, the SCM requires the long-term investment and commitment not only from the Government but also key stakeholders such as the National Arts Council, the SSO, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the leaders in the arts community. For example, linkages between the SCM and the SSO are essential just as great conservatories like Peabody have teachers drawn from regional orchestras.

When the SCM is established, it will also need to work closely with these key stakeholders to identify young students with exceptional music aptitude. Many world-renowned overseas conservatories like the Julliard and Peabody have Preparatory Divisions or Junior Schools. The SCM will need to explore the possibility of giving talented school students opportunities to study with the SCM's teachers or to attend masterclasses and workshops at the SCM. This will further cement the close relationship between the SCM and the arts community necessary for its success.

CONCLUSION
Despite the present economic downturn, the building blocks are in place for Singapore to transit to a globally competitive new economy. The establishment of the SCM in collaboration with Peabody represents another important and timely building block in our aspiration to make Singapore the best home for ourselves, and to attract and retain talented people to work and live in Singapore.

The signing ceremony today represents a historic milestone in Singapore's artistic and cultural development. The new Singapore Conservatory of Music deserves the strongest possible support from everyone in Singapore and in particular, the arts community.