Tonni Wei
Lives in Hampshire, United Kingdom
MAJ(NS) Tonni Wei Shi Ren
ARCM, L(Mus)VCM(Hons), RMSM, PB, PPT.
MAJOR Tonni Wei is no stranger to the music scene in Singapore. Trained in London in Military Music, he won the Besson Medal fo being top student in the Royal Military School of Music Bandmaster's Examination in 1976.
Studied conducting under Maurice Miles, harmony under Gordon Reynolds & orchestration under Douglas A. Pope. His music achievements cover a wide variety, including work as composer, arrange, teacher, performer, sound engineer, producer and director in both the contemporary as well as the classical field.
In NDP (National Day Parade) 1990, MAJ Wei composed the song "The 9th of August" for the Mass Display Item involving hundreds of children. In NDP 1992, MAJ Wei was responsible for coordinating the mass band display "ASEAN SPLENDOUR" which involved bands from the ASEAN countries.
As Chief Music Co-ordinator for the XVII SEA Games 1993 in Singapore. MAJ WEI also arranged and composed music for the various ceremonies including the "SEA Games Flag Theme", "Unity Fanfare" and "Victory Theme". A new "Presidential Fanfare" was composed by MAJ WEI for the President of the Republic of Singapore in April 1993 to replace the old fanfare inherited from the British.
For NDP 1994, MAJ WEI was commissioned to compose the Overture "Salute To Nation", a musical tribute featuring the SAF Provost Drill Squad, 100 buglers, more than 200 school band musicians, the Central Band of over 100 musicians, 200 soldiers with M16 Rifles and six 25-pounder guns from the Singapore Artillery. That year, MAJ WEI was joined by his 8-year old daughter, JEMIMA, who was the soloist for the finale item.
In 1997, MAJ WEI formed the SAF Orchestra, which gave its inaugural performance on 1 Sep 97 at Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel.
This year, MAJ WEI is appointed Deputy Music Director for NDP 1999. As part of his many contributions, he composed a musical suite "Tribute to the People" in 4 movements for the Total Defence Display, which was played by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO). The SSO will also play another composition by MAJ WEI entitled "On Wings of Joy" during the Presidential Drive Around.
In July 1999, the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) presented the "COMPASS Artistic Excellence Award" to MAJ WEI for his outstanding and commendable achievements and contribution to the development of local music in Singapore. In November 2000, MAJ WEI was presented the "Top Local Composer for Serious Music" Award by COMPASS for his composition "On Wings of Joy"
MAJ Wei worked as Director of Music for 2SIB band (1976), Music Director for SAF Music and Drama company (1977-1991) and Senior Director of Music for the Republic of Singapore Navy Band (1991-1994), and finally as the Senior Director of Music, SAF Bands (1994-2000).
MAJ WEI is married with three children.
MAJ WEI retired from the service in August 2000 & is now residing in Hampshire, UK; working as an external examiner with the London College of Music, Thames Valley University; and pursuing composition, full time. |
