Singapore Government Media Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,
140 Hill Street #02-02 MITA Building, Singapore 179369.
Tel: 837 9666

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NEW RECORDING OF NATIONAL ANTHEM TO GET PEOPLE TO SING

A new recording of the National Anthem, Majulah Singapura, with a grander and more inspiring arrangement, is set to become more popular with Singaporeans. The new recording also comes with a revised English translation of the lyrics so that the meaning of the Anthem can be better understood.

Guidelines for the singing and playing of the National Anthem have been relaxed to encourage the singing of the Anthem at all events of national significance, in contrast to the currently stated occasions of National Day, state ceremonies and school assemblies.

The new Anthem recording is the culmination of more than a year’s work by the Ministry of Information and The Arts. The main objective is to make Majulah Singapura, one of our beloved national symbols, more accessible to all Singaporeans,"

"Majulah Singapura" or "Onward Singapore", was composed in Malay by the late Encik Zubir Said around 1957 to celebrate Singapore’s new found freedom from the British. The Anthem was last recorded in 1989, and in "G" key, which is rather high for most people to sing.

Several leading local composers were invited to re-arrange the National Anthem in May last year in a "F" key. Cultural medallion winner, Phoon Yew Tien’s version won the hearts of the evaluation panel, headed by Prof. Bernard Tan, with its skilful orchestration, which uses more instruments to create a majestic rendition of the Anthem. This version, with its slower tempo, was also preferred by majority of students in a survey among several schools conducted by the Ministry of Education.

Our very own flagship orchestra, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, with maestro Mr. Lim Yau at the helm, did the new recording at Victoria Concert Hall on 20^th November 2000. The new arrangement has been recorded in seven versions including orchestral, choir/solo and piano, which is good for teaching purposes.

The new Anthem recording made its debut today at MITA’s National Day Awards Investiture Ceremony. The Anthem soared with the strong vocals of Ms Jacintha Abisheganaden and members of the Singapore Youth Choir as they led the Ministry staff in singing the Anthem.

Over the next few weeks, schools, community clubs and other public organisations will receive a CD recording of the Anthem, as well as the revised translations and guidelines on singing the Anthem. From next month, a repackaged National Symbols Kit containing a music video of the Anthem, music score sheets, national flag, state crest, national flower, Singapore lion, and shared values will be produced and distributed at major retail outlets.

19 JANUARY 2001

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND THE ARTS

For Media Enquiries:

Ms Karen Tan

Deputy Director

Publicity and Programmes Division

Tel: 8379849

Or

Ms Shika Roy

Programmes Officer

Tel: 837-9853

Enclosed: Annex A – The new guidelines for playing and singing the Anthem

1. Dignity and decorum must always be observed in the playing and singing of the National Anthem.

2. The singing of the National Anthem is to be encouraged whenever it is played. Emcees should request everyone present to sing and, where possible, a singer or choir should lead the mass singing.

3. Both public and private organisations are encouraged to play and sing the National Anthem on all occasions pertaining to National Day celebrations and at events of national significance (sports, community, government and corporate events), as appropriate.

4. Preferably, the full version should be sung on all occasions. The short versions could be played for less formal occasions, as appropriate.

NEW TRANSLATION FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM