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#Showbiz: Inspiring the next generation of musicians

KIDS are in for a treat as the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) performs music from Disney movies, Harry Porter, The Lego Movie and Despicable Me at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on June 17 at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Titled Family Fun Favourites, the special concert will feature young Malaysian conductor Jebat Arjuna Kee Jia Liang.

Currently a violist with the MPO, the 32-year-old KLite has conducted the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC, the Charleston and Makris Symphony Orchestras, Illinois Lyric Theatre Milikin Opera Theatre and the University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra.

He holds a Master's in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the tutelage of Donald Schleicher. As a violist, he has participated in many summer festivals in the United States.

Jebat lived in Singapore and the US before moving back to Malaysia during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Below, he talks about his musical journey and the upcoming concert.

What inspired you to take up the viola and delve into music as your career?

At age 4, I was first inspired by the violinist Vanessa Mae, whom I saw performing on TV. After many years of taking lessons (as well as playing in rock bands at school), I joined the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO), of which I was a founding member. It was my experience with the MPYO that made me realise how much I enjoyed symphonic repertoire, as well as the sense of community in an orchestra. Not long after, I switched my major instrument to the viola and proceeded to pursue my higher education in music.

Name one memorable moment from your musical journey so far.

I'm very fortunate to have had so many incredible experiences as a musician. If I had to narrow them down, one particular concert comes to mind. I was playing with KINETIC, a string ensemble in Houston, Texas, in a concert featuring the piece Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night) by Arnold Schoenberg.

What was special about this performance was that we were performing in an unconventional venue: an arts structure called the James Turrell Skyspace. Audience members were able to watch the performance from a variety of angles, and we timed it such that the performance began slightly before sunset. Therefore, by the end of the piece, the entire space was filled with the most amazing twilight glow you can imagine. This was a moment which demonstrated a true fit between the music and the setting in which it was performed, and I am so glad to have been a part of this uniquely beautiful experience.

Why is music important?

Music can be an immensely powerful outlet for humans to express themselves, in moments when mere words can't quite do so. Through listening to or performing music, we are more in touch with our inner selves, as well as with one another. Whether it evokes a particular emotion or provokes a deep thought, music gets us to be more attentive to everything the world has to offer. Learning music, too, can teach us the importance of discipline and to strive for excellence, which can be applied to many other facets of life.

What is it about this concert that music fans should come and check it out?

Many of us may have grown to love these songs from our favourite movies, but what makes this concert so exciting is that they will be performed live and by a symphony orchestra, no less! Also, the audience is surely in for a treat as our presenter Alasdair Malloy is a thoroughly engaging host.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to continue performing as a musician. I hope to connect with new and existing audience members, and to inspire and guide the future generation of young musicians in Malaysia.

Visit www.mpo.com.my for more details and tickets to the MPO's Family Film Favourites concert.

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