Emmanuel Music School Bedok

Last night, we had the privilege of having our Principal, Mr Simon Soh, to conduct master classes at Emmanuel Music School.

Five students benefitted from Mr Soh's expertise, as he navigate technical challenges, offered alternative fi*****ngs to overcome difficulties, and refined passages.
He delivered these with precision and clarity.

The students were grateful, with some writing thank you notes to their teachers for Mr Soh.

We look forward to another set of free masterclass fr Mr Soh!

Update: Masterclass slots have been Fully booked.👏🏻
Thank you for your support!

A special thank you to our Principal, Mr Simon, for taking the time to conduct the Masterclass and provide valuable guidance to our students. 🎹

Left 30 mins slot.
At EMS, we are a dedicated and committed education provider, constantly striving to provide enriching learning opportunities for both our teachers and students.

From time to time, our Principal will conduct free masterclasses for students, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents are encouraged to sign up to express their interest, and our Principal will personally guide your child, whether they are preparing for examinations or competitions.

Please contact our administrative staff for more information and registration details.

Emmanuel Music School shone bright at the National Day Carnival 2026, held at Heartbeat last Saturday, 3rd Aug! We're grateful for the invitation to perform at this occasion.

Meet our talented performers, who stole the show:
1) Ms Zhou Wei Wei, our gifted & highly accomplished flautist and teacher.
2) Our Director, Mr Joshua Cheong, who accompanied flautist Wei Wei on the keyboard, with style.
3) Our two talented 15-year-old piano Diploma students, Grace Tan and Averild Hildegard, who demonstrated their remarkable skills.

A big thank you to our management team, led by another Director, Mr Joseph Leung, for their tireless efforts in making this event a triumph!

We're thrilled to have received wonderful feedback too!❤️

The ABRSM Grade 7 A2 Passacaille is surely going to be a favourite among students who love this beautiful piece, especially the magical section from bars 41–56.

One of the biggest questions is whether the left-hand chords in the opening three bars should be spread!

Does Baroque music mean that we can—or even should—spread chords? What do we know about the style and character of a passacaglia?

Come and join Mr Simon Soh as he explains why he recommends NOT spreading the opening left-hand chords, and the musical reasons behind this decision. While spreading the chords is unlikely to result in an instant exam failure, understanding the style and making an informed artistic choice can make all the difference.

Join the seminar on 9 September 2026 to find out more!

ABRSM 2027–2028 Piano Exam Pieces Seminar

Presented by Mr Simon Soh

This seminar is based on the new ABRSM 2027–2028 Piano Syllabus and focuses on Grades 4–8.

Selected exam pieces will be studied in detail, with clear and practical teaching notes. You will learn how to interpret each piece, overcome technical challenges, and use different fi*****ng options for difficult passages. Practical tips on hand distribution will also be shared.

Pedalling is an important part of piano playing. A major section of the seminar will cover the different types of pedalling, when to use them, and how to teach them effectively.

You will also learn about articulation and phrasing, including the difference between articulation slurs and phrase (musical) slurs, helping students play with greater musical understanding.

The historical background and style of each selected piece will be introduced to give better musical insight, while the main focus remains on practical performance and effective teaching.

This seminar is suitable for teachers and students who want to prepare for the ABRSM exams with confidence, whether the goal is to pass efficiently or achieve a high distinction!

Congratulations to Ian Tan for scoring a high merit in his recent Grade 8 Piano Performance examination. Ian has been under the tutelage of Ms Chua Hong Hong since the age of four!
Kudos to Teacher Hong Hong for the dedicated guidance over the years!

As I reflect on the past 45 years, I feel incredibly grateful for the countless classical concerts I have attended, both in Singapore and overseas. Those performances have shaped me greatly —not only through the music itself, but also through observing the artistry, stage presence and etiquette of great performers.

When I was a teenager, Friday and Saturday evenings were reserved exclusively for concerts. Those experiences became an essential part of my musical education. They taught me lessons that no textbook or lesson alone could ever provide.

To become a well-rounded musician, it is not enough simply to learn, practise, and read. We must also listen constantly and attentively. Every great performance offers fresh insights into sound, interpretation, style, communication, and artistic imagination!

I strongly believe that attending concerts regularly is just as important for teachers as it is for students. A teacher who continually listens to outstanding live performances keeps growing, refining their musical judgement and bringing fresh ideas into the teaching classroom. Without that ongoing exposure, it becomes easy for musical ideas to stagnate, and this inevitably limits what can be passed on to students!

If you aspire to become a complete musician, make concert-going a lifelong habit. Listen to good artists as often as you can. It is one of the most valuable investments you will ever make in your musical journey…

Simon Soh.