Story by Zarina Mohd Yassin
All eyes across Asia and the world are transfixed on Singapore, with only months left as we brace ourselves for the event to be chronicled - the 1st Asian Youth Games (AYG) Singapore 2009.
The Ministry of Education (MOE), with the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), zealously put in the extra hours towards giving a spirited start of a new chapter in the history of the sporting youth of Asia.
Not unlike sports, music has the efficacious nature of bringing people together. The AYG would not be a celebration of youth, sports and learning without a theme song.
Presented with the honour of singing their hearts out for Asia are Singapore's very own youths - Nathan Hartono and Lian Kim Selby, both 18.
The pair will sing the song titling the theme of the AYG - 'Asia's Youth, Our Future,' at the official opening of the Games, on 29 June 2009.
The JC 2 students and, incidentally, classmates from Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) were understandably thrilled when the opportunity knocked on their door. This came in the form of a phone call by the composer of the theme song, Mr. Iskandar Ismail.
"It means a lot to me because Singapore's hosting the AYG for the very first time, bringing so many countries from all over Asia together...and to be an ambassador for Singapore, to be part of something of this size, it is an honour," said Nathan Hartono, a young artiste who also performed at the Singapore National Day Parade 2008.
Friends since they were 13, Nathan and Lian Kim admit that it's definitely a big plus that they are singing with someone they're so familiar with.
"Being in the same class meant that we could use the break times in between classes to rehearse the song together," laughs Nathan, a young artiste signed on to Music and Movement.
Lian Kim, the other half of the duo, was last seen singing and emceeing at ChildAid 2007 - a gig she auditioned for after seeing her friend Nathan perform the previous year.
Both were full of praises and admiration for Mr. Iskandar Ismail.
While Nathan likes the creative freedom that he allows, the bubbly Lian Kim gushes: "I feel very honoured and privileged to be one of the two people chosen to do it - the first thing I thought of was…oh my goodness, why me? I feel very blessed to be given this opportunity to sing at the AYG. Also, Iskandar has done so much in the Arts scene, he's so accomplished and he's such an amazing composer…"
The acclaimed composer is the man behind the 1st AYG Singapore 2009 theme song, known best for his works as a composer and arranger for the Singapore National Day Parade since 1988. He has also composed and arranged music for local, as well as international artistes like Dick Lee, Andy Lau, Sandy Lam and Aaron Kwok, amongst others.
When asked about writing the music for this event, Mr. Iskandar Ismail, who is also the Music Director of the AYG, said that he took a mere day to come up with the tune.
He explains: "All the while I've been working with the youth of today, with my involvement with the Singapore Youth Festivals, the National Day Parades, and the National University of Singapore, so I have in mind what kind of music they listen to. It has to be a catchy pop tune that sticks in your head. So that was the direction I had in mind."
With the music done, lyricists, Mr. Jose Raymond, Head of Communications and IT for the 1st AYG Singapore 2009, along with Mr. Hoo Cher Liek, Senior Specialist, CCA Music from MOE came in with the words to the song.
While driving back from work one day, Mr. Jose Raymond, Head of Communications and IT for the 1st AYG Singapore 2009, said an idea struck and he decided to pen his thoughts down.
"I took about 20 minutes to write the first draft of the song. I knew that the organisers needed an official theme song and so I wrote one and offered it to them. They liked it and well, I guess this is my contribution to the first ever Asian Youth Games," he said.
Imbibing the Olympic sporting values of excellence, friendship and respect, the AYG theme song essentially highlights the importance of youths to the world.
"They are our future and this is their time for them to shine and make the best of their opportunity granted through the Asian Youth Games," Mr. Raymond added.
Nathan, our young vocalist, points out the positive impact of sports: "In the midst of today's global economic crisis…when it comes to sports you'll just forget about all that and just cheer your lungs out…it's great to see everyone just cheering on a common passion."
When asked what message she hopes to convey to the youths competing in the AYG, Lian Kim said: "I think the most important thing is that you feel a passion for what you do…because passion is really what drives you to want to keep doing what you do, not for the sake of doing it or because you're forced to do it but because you feel very deeply for what you're doing."
The day of the recording, we found out that our vocalists had an exam the next morning. Now, how's that for passion?
Presented with the honour of singing their hearts out for Asia are Singapore's very own youths singing their hearts for Asia - Nathan Hartono (left) and Selby Lian Kim (right), both 18
The theme song can be downloaded on this website:
http://www.singaporesports.sg/ayg2009
