Concert
Kok Jun is an exponent of chamber music and has worked with international chamber groups such as the Australian Brass Quintet, T’ang Quartet and the Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra. During his residency with Ding Yi Music Company, he wrote a diverse range of Chinese chamber repertoire. Most notably, he has been commissioned for the ensemble’s overseas tours; co-commissioned for the ensemble’s performance in the Esplanade 10th Anniversary celebrations; as well as wrote the full-length work - Of Music and Sound in 2020.
He has also written for larger ensembles, with a repertoire that includes the symphony orchestra and concert band. More distinctively, he also writes for the Chinese orchestra, with regular collaborators including Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) and Taipei Chinese Orchestra.
Kok Jun has written several set pieces for competitions and sits on adjudication panels for performance and composition competitions. Effectively bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese, with experience in both Western and Chinese music, he is regularly invited as a speaker for concerts, seminars and symposiums. He has also organised workshops on various topics, including music appreciation, Singapore music, improvisation as well as composition.
Highlights
52407
This piece for a mixed ensemble of 2 Alto Saxes, Trombone, Percussions, Electric Guitar and Piano was awarded first prize at the Moscow Conservatory’s New Classics Competition, Popular Modern Classics Category in 2017.
Distant Bells
Concerto for Daruan and Chinese Orchestra. An oft-performed work that has been published in music anthologies internationally.
Of Music and Sound
Concert length work commissioned by Ding Yi Music Company, in collaboration with sound artist Zai Tang, using themes of Singapore, nature and traditional Chinese music.
Power Singapura
A large-scale percussion work co-commissioned by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, with the premiere performance breaking the Guinness World Record for Largest Chinese Drum Ensemble in 2014.
