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Singapore Tatler
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Singapore Tatler: How the Foundation for the Arts and Social Enterprise Supports Local Musicians
Singapore’s former ambassador to Russia Michael Tay tells Grace Ma how his Foundation for the Arts and Social Enterprise supports talented local musicians in their quest for international success.
Acid jazz band The Steve McQueens has a musical journey that is the dream of all local bands. Talent-spotted by Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick in 2014, the quintet not only recorded an album produced by the legend but also opened for his UK jazz funk band Incognito in London’s The O2 Arena last May (a first for a Singapore band).
Their place in the spotlight is thanks to one man working in the shadows, Michael Tay, and the Foundation for the Arts and Social Enterprise that he established in 2013. Michael, who was Singapore’s ambassador to Russia from 2003 to 2008, started The Foundation as a private sector-led, non-profit platform to develop and promote the arts and socially-oriented projects in Singapore. It achieved charity status in September 2014.
“I wanted to spot and groom outstanding talent that would be the future icons of Singapore to represent us on the global stage,” says Michael, who also runs an investment consultancy. “If we don’t take a purposeful homegrown approach, we won’t be able to achieve that.”
OTHER RECENT ARTICLES
Pianomania: VLADIMIR MARTYNOV’S UTOPIA SYMPHONY / Review
An excerpt from Dr. Chang Tou Liang’s review from his classical music blog – pianomania. Russian composer Vladimir Martynov’s Utopia Symphony began as a commission in 2004 by Michael Tay, then-ambassador of Singapore to the Russian Federation.
Business Times: What’s Up This Week
The renowned London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) and London Philharmonic Choir have recorded and released a symphony inspired by Singapore. Commissioned by former Singapore Ambassador to Russia, Michael Tay, and composed by renowned
Michael Tay on CNA’s Singapore Tonight
Michael Tay, Founder of the Foundation for The Arts and Social Enterprise, shares his vision and the journey that paved the way for the first country-inspired symphony to be recorded and released by the London Philharmonic Orchestra on CNA’s Singapore Tonight.
New Release Round-Up – 13th November 2020 by PRESTO CLASSICAL
Made at Abbey Road last year in the presence of the composer, this is the world premiere recording of Martynov’s Utopia Symphony, which began life in 2005 as Singapore: A Geopolitical Utopia and sets text adapted from passages of the Tao Te Ching; the orchestra have history with the Russian composer’s music, having premiered his Dante-inspired opera-oratorio Vita Nuova in 2009.
A Utopia Reimagined by Pauline Wong
An interview with Michael Tay, Founder of the Foundation for The Arts and Social Enterprise published by The Edge Singapore. Michael speaks about the UTOPIA Symphony – The Foundation’s flagship initiative to kickstart a future where the arts and business go hand-in-hand.