"Sway" is the English version of "Quién será", a 1953 mambo song by Mexican composer Luis Demetrio. In 1954, Dean Martin recorded the most well-known version of this song with the English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. 

In 2003, a successful revival of this work was covered by Canadian singer, Michael Bublé for his debut major-label studio album. The album went to reach a peak of #15 on the ARIA Singles Chart, making it Bublé's highest charting single to that date. Bublé's version of the song has been featured in television shows and films as “Las Vegas”, “CSI: NY”, “Malcolm in the Middle”, “The Wedding Date” and “No Reservations”. It is still very common to hear this version being covered by various artists around the world.

This version has been skilfully adapted into symphonic wind band setting by Mitsuo Nonami where both the performers and audiences can get into the mode of a true latino celebration. Soloists on the alto saxophone and flute can choose to use the written passages or the chord charts provided to further enhance the feel for the music.

Sway (Quien Sera)

‘Charming Asia’ is a medley of Asian favourite tunes given a tour-de-force make-over. Styled like a round trip tour, the audience will have the feeling of “setting foot” on a new country wherever a new tune is heard.

“China - Gently raise your head”: Before the first tune is being introduced, the band ‘takes off’ with the
audience via a feral of running notes to lead into the first tune, the Chinese popular folktune “Gently raise
your head” from China.

“Korea – Arirang”: Next stop is Korea where the familiar folktune, “Arirang”, can be heard after a
Korean-ish percussion sequence is performed. The tune is brought to a climax where the band moves to the beat of a traditional Korean dance sequence.

“Japan - Sakura & Yagi-Bushi”: Once the celebration settles, the audience will ‘land’ on a remote part of Japan where a lone flute performs the traditional “Sakura”. As the lonesome flute disappears, the band brings the audience into an energetic festive dance, the “Yagi-bushi”.

“Taiwan – Darkened Skies”: While the audience is still feeling the pulsating effect of the Japanese tune, they are unknowingly brought into Taiwan where the popular children’s song “Darkened Skies” is introduced via a small woodwind ensemble.

“Macau – Antique Lisboa”: As the skies clears up, the band welcomes the audience to the historical city of Macau with “Antique Lisboa”.

“Hong Kong – The General’s Commmand”: After taking a leisure stroll in Macau, the audience is brought into Hong Kong with the powerful “The General’s Command”.

“Finale”: Finally, the audience is brought back to China with the re-introduction of “Gently raise your head” at an exhilarating speed all the way to the end where the piece will close on a rousing note from the 1st trumpet.

Charming Asia

Bengawan Solo is the longest river in Java which flows along the eastern edge of the town from its source in the limes stones hills of the south. Although the river is now shallow and un-navigable, it was an important link between Solo and the north of the coast of East Java in the past.

	Composed by Gesang Martohartono during WWII when Indonesia was under the Japanese Occupation, Bengawan Solo describes the legendary river in a poetic and nostalgic way: that it is surrounded by mountains, its sources are near the city of Surakarta, that it ends in the sea, and that the merchant class always makes use of it. It is in the local Keroncong style, a popular folk style with influences from Portuguese. The Japanese, who occupied the country during World War II, brought this song with them to Japan after returning from the war. There, and also in the rest of Asia and later worldwide, the song became very famous.

	This arrangement was commissioned by West Winds, band of the Bukit Batok Community Club, Singapore for their 15th anniversary concert and dedicated to their patrons, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson Liew. The work was premiered on March 6th 2010 by West Winds under the direction of arranger at the Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay.

Bengawan Solo (World Premiere)

Enigma is based on the work of God's Prophets. The way masses were shared among and the way we carried out our duties in our life.

Repentance or also known as Taubat in Arabic/Malay is the First Movement. It symbolise a text or Surah that can be found in Qur’ān, which is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God. It is like reciting the prayers slowly and in rhythmic tones to change of thought to correct a wrong and gain forgiveness from God.

Second Movement depicts the Arabian dessert that is scorching hot with the Sun shining brightly. The camels and the people are going through the massive sandy mountains; they tried to pass as fast as they could to protect themselves from the light sands. However, because of the gusting of winds, they were brought to a stop. Then suddenly, the gusting of winds stop and their visions are cleared to move on slowly.

Third Movement saw on a little town and that is the time; the Arabian feel and atmosphere were brought up. The sounds of percussions; Jembe, producing the ala Arabian groove. Then, the happy ambience appears, thanking God for all specialities that have been given to them. Clarinet plays a Senza Mizura solo depicts the happiness and achievement.

Last Movement, it repeats the calling of Repentance by sound of a Trumpet and French Horn. It then concluded the whole band playing the same movement but with much more energy and giving a Grandioso expression ending.

Enigma

Yoroshiku Aishuu [よろしく哀愁] or Sorrow Regards is a poetic yet sorrowful work of an internal struggle of a man.

Sorrow Regards

Independent strands of melodic thought formed the foundation of this piece. The continuous interweaving and transformation of the instrumental lines conjures an illusive journey toward dawn.

Following the long tradition of composers practicing the art of conducting, I requested and was granted some rehearsal time to personally work with the ensemble during the final rehearsals of the premiere. To my surprise and non-chagrin opportune, Professor Boyd told me after the rehearsal, "The group responds to you very well, why don't you conduct at the
concert?" Naturally, I took the chance and premiered the work that weekend with the Indiana State University Wind Orchestra, in February 2010. A generous gesture by a mentor was a defining moment for me.

Incidentally, at the same concert, the eminent saxophonist Nobuya Sugawa was performing a concerto and also conducting a few works. With Professor Boyd, we went out for dinner and traded some remarks on performance, conducting and composition. Mr Sugawa had a
few interesting comments for my music, and described my piece as "very colourfully orchestrated" and complimented on a passage where the solo line of the French horn seamlessly morphs into the timbre of the English horn. Curiously, on a separate and later occasion, Christopher Rouse spoke to a peculiar effect that the work created a sensation of
'being in a bowl of Jell-O full of white notes'. In another performance and discussion of the work with Professor Harlan Parker, he noticed the Schwantner-esque influence in the work, as well as musical gestures that in his words resembled "a flower blossoming.”

'Toward Dawn' For Wind Orchestra

Jalan-jalan di Singapura, March for Band: Singapore is a vibrant city. Though modern buildings lined its streets, cultures of Chinese, Indians and Malays can still be found everywhere. This cheerful march has been composed to capture this crosslink of cultures in Singapore.

The title,「Jalan-jalan di Singapura」, is in Malay and translates literally to “A Walk in Singapore” in English.「Singapura-ku」, a melody from Singapore, can be heard at the end of this march (from letter ‘J’). Motives from Movement 2 of “ Sinfonia Singaporiana (Singapore Symphony)”composed in 2005, can also be heard from Practice Notes D to H. With this short march, the composer aims to capture the variety of music characters that are clearly unique and symbolic of Singapore.

This work is commissioned by and dedicated to the Band Directors’ Association, Singapore. (BDAS) The premiere was performed on the 25th of July 2012 under the baton of the composer with the NYWO (National Youth Wind Orchestra, Singapore) during the Opening Ceremony gala concert of the 17th Conference of the Asia Pacific Band Directors' Association (APBDA) held in the Singapore at the SIA Theatre in
LASALLE College of Arts.

Jalan Di Singapura, March For Band

The composition, "Lao Duang Duen," is in 2-fold meter, composed by
Phrachaoborommawongthoe Krommamuenphichaimahintharodom in 1923. It originates from an inspiration of a visitation to the northern territories bv cart. The composer also was impressed by the composition, “Lao Dum-Noen Sai” which was composed bv Phraya Prasarn Duriyasap (Plake Prasarnsap). On his visitation to the North, he met Princess Chomchuen, daughter of Chao Ratchasamphanthawong and Princess Kamyon. Lord of the Northern Part. He fell in love with the princess but was not allowed to marry her. From his disappointment and grief, he composed the song, 'Lao Dam-Noen Kwean’ to preserve the memory of his beloved princess. Later, this song was called among musicians and the public as "Lao Duang Duen" from its lyrics which begin with the word "Duang Duen” instead of "Lao Lao Dam-Noen Kwean".

Lao Duang Duan

This work is part of his trilogy series of work based on flower
blossoms. The first was Night Dews Falling From a Peach Blossom For
Piano, Bass Clarinet and Trumpet. The 2nd work was for Solo
Percussionist playing multiple percussion instruments and Piano –
Vision of Butterfly on a Plum Blossom, which was performed in NAFA
by Jean-Gabriel Pophillat and Lee Yun Xin, Jennifer, the work’s
dedicatee. Together with this work, Wind Blew on Cherry Blossom, it
completes a cycle of which was inspired by writings of a sage, Nichiren
Daishonin in 13th century Japan.

However, there is no programmatic connotation to this work
and it is an attempt to bring out soundscape from wind ensemble for
a high school level, thus serving certain educational purpose. There are
a total of 5 variations to the Japanese folk tune – “Sakura”. It had
been a project that I would like to embark on since secondary school
days. So it’s a good 12 to 13 years before I was given this chance to
complete this sets of variations for wind ensemble. My gratitude goes
to Clarence who has given me this opportunity to compose for his
band.

Wind Blew Over Cherry Blossom

Commissioned by SMU Symphonia for their 10th Anniversary ‘Homecoming’ Conert, Regreso! is dedicated to all past and present musicians of the university wind orchestra as they strive for excellence and passion in music-making through teamwork and friendship.

This composition is in the form of a single allegro movement. An immediate statement of a declamatory motif interprets the exuberance of the ensemble in a brilliant opening section out of which the entire texture is developed. Three elements (the fanfare-like basic motif, a playful contrasting figure, and a broad lyrical line with its driving rhythmic basis) make up the remainder of the music, ending with a final, joyous outburst of the basic motif in a lustrous and affirmative conclusion.

This work was given its world premiere on the 22nd February 2013 at the
Singapore Conference Hall by the commissioning organization, the SMU Symphonia under the direction of their music director, Mr Adrian Chiang.

Regresso!

Composed by Zaidi Sabtu-Ramli as his graduation work.

Annapurna is a Sanskrit name which literally means "full of food" (feminine form), but is normally translated as Goddess of the Harvests.

Annapurna is also a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 m (26,545 ft) Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m (19,690 ft).

Through this work, the composer aims to capture the arduous journey of a mountain climber to scale the Annapurna ranges. Obstacles like torrent rain, narrow ridges and freezing temperature plagues to journey as if the power of Annapurna Devi to preventing the climber from fulfilling his goal. Upon reaching the peak, he is rewarded with the magnificent views of the surroundings ranges. As the morning sun rises, the climber will bathe in the glorious sun rays as if he is receiving Annapurna Devi's blessings for achieving this arduous task.

Incidentally, the composer lost a close friend, an avid climber, to Annapura during one of his climbs. He wishes to find solace in this work for himself and his friend.

ANNAPURNA 'Goddess of the Harvests'

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Allowing Composers: Professional, Semi-Professional and Aspiring Novices Alike, to Self-Publish and Market their own Music

At Windphony, we understand the challenges of composers who want to publish their works but are unable to do it via traditional means. 
This is especially so for new and upcoming composers. Windphony was conceptualized to empower musicians, both professionals and novices, by providing a platform to self-publish. 
Windphony allows composers to manage their own compositions sales, including pricing. Windphony provides round-the-clock access to a repository of different genres of music via electronic devices. 
Other than being an online distribution platform for music, Windphony aims to be a talent sourcing platform where new composers get opportunities to increase their visibility and exposure in the music industry, at the same time showcasing their works and making some revenue. 
Windphony, aims to become the bridge linking composers and consumers by creating a social networking and online marketplace portal for them.

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