About MR TOH.

TOH BAN SHENG (杜万胜)
MUSIC

Toh Ban Sheng graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1992 and obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education in 1994. He further went on to earn two Master of Music degrees, in Choral Conducting (2002) and Voice (2003), both from the University of South Carolina.

Mr Toh started out as a self-taught musician and earned his first music qualification at the age of 26. He began his first formal music lesson with Cultural Medallion winner Choo Hwee Lim. His three-year stint at the Co-Curricular Activities Branch of the Ministry of Education, where he left as Music Specialist, catapulted him into the Singapore choral scene.

Since then, Mr Toh has carved out an impressive track record. At the national level, he has led his choirs to 14 gold awards, including the title of Best Choir of the Year in 1999 and 2000. He also conducted the 800-strong National Day Parade Combined Choir in 1999 and the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Combined Choir in 1998.

Mr Toh has brought conducting work to England, France, Hungary, Italy and Austria, and brought fame to Singapore at prestigious competitions in the Czech Republic, Finland and Germany. To date, his choirs have brought home eight gold and three silver medals. He was also awarded the Conductor’s Prize and Repertoire Prize in 2003 at the 4th International Competition Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in Prague.

Other than conducting, Mr Toh is equally passionate and at ease with solo singing. During his post-graduate studies, he was active as a soloist in public recitals and performances and was awarded 2nd place in the Southern Region Audition by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in USA.

In spite of his busy schedule, Mr Toh makes it a point to nurture aspiring talent. In 1997, he led the first neighbourhood school choir to clinch the gold medal at the SYF Choral Competition. He repeated the feat three years later with a primary school choir. Indeed, this is one young artist who not only strives for excellence himself but also inspires the young towards greater heights.

To date, Mr Toh is the residential conductor for Dunman Secondary School Choir, St. Joseph's Institution Vocal Ensemble, St. Anthony’s Cannosian Secondary School Choir, Catholic Junior College School Choir, The Raffles Junior College Chorale and the Raffles Institute Voices.

Adapted from www.nac.gov.sg/static/doc/AWA2006/Toh%20Ban%20Sheng.doc