intheKNOW
intheKNOW
intheKNOW
Experience, Perform and Record
at the School of Music
For many, the words music school connotes images of violins, pianos and
guitars. While this still holds true, the world of music today also involves
more than just the playing of musical instruments. Music production
involves a tedious process of song writing, music education, technique,
and recording. If music production is something you or your child has an
interest in, perhaps a good place to turn to is the School of Music, one
of the few schools in Singapore where you are able to achieve all these
things under one roof.
Covering Classical, Rock and even Hip Hop music, School of Music aims
to provide students with both a holistic music education, as well as experiences that can give them insight and opportunities in the music industry. Lead by veterans in Singapore’s entertainment industry, Sheikh
Haikel and Annabelle Francis, this multi-talented husband and wife
team has created an avenue for children to not just learn about The Arts,
but also build social skills, creativity, and self-confidence.
Sheikh Haikel is an award winning local artiste, and is affectionately
termed Singapore’s Godfather of Hip Hop. He has played a critical role in
the development of Hip Hop in both Singapore and Asia, and continues
to produce music till today. His wife Annabelle Francis is an actress-hostsinger, and herself comes from a family of musicians. She has worked
with her husband on countless occasions but has produced her own
singles and worked with a variety of regional artistes. The teachers at
the school are chosen based on their experience in the music industry.
Some names include William Lim, drummer of popular local band Electrico and DJ Rattle, one of Singapore’s top turntablists.
Together with their list of industry professionals, the couple believe that
Music is who we are. Music is what we need. Music is necessary. Music is Life.
Faculties
There are many faculties provided within this one school; The Faculty of
Classical, The Faculty of Rock, and The Faculty of Hip Hop. The Faculty
of Classical Music covers, piano, violin and cello, and the school offers
Grade examinations by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of
Music (ABRSM), an examinations board based in the UK. Meanwhile, the
Faculty of Rock includes drum, electric guitar, bass and vocal lessons.
Students work towards certificates accredited by Rockschool UK, the top
rock music exam board in Europe.
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Under the Faculty of Hip Hop, they cover Rap, DJ Turntabilism, Breakdance and Graffiti. Annabelle admits that many parents are often skeptical about the value of teaching music styles such as Hip Hop to children,
as it is often associated with gangs and other negative images. However
she urges people to see it as more of a “tool for learning”. For her, rap is
seen as a way to educate people on the English language – learning creative writing, word play, similes and the like. It’s an interesting way to learn
about song writing. Even Graffiti is taught in a way that stresses the value
of art history and expression. Children are taught about the evolution
of art from the Master Artists of the Renaissance to the vibrant works of
street artists today.
The School of Music also has a Faculty of Dance which covers up to 20
dance styles, ranging from ballet and salsa to jazz and hip hop. Starting
this year, the SOM Dance Program will commence an all-inclusive dance
programme where students learn classical ballet, street jazz and various
hip hop dance forms, over a period of 12 months (in a 4 term cycle). The
students gradually progress to higher levels and work towards a certification at the end.
Recordings and Experiences
Apart from ensuring that each student learns the foundations and basics of every art form that they do, the school also pays great emphasis
on ensuring that the students have the opportunity to perform and record their music. As such, the school has its own recording studio that
houses a team of mus