Violin Teaching by Marc Sommen

I have been playing the violin since the age of four and have remained deeply passionate about music ever since, consistently balancing rigorous musical training alongside my academic pursuits. As I prepare to study Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore, I hope to continue my musical journey by joining the NUS Orchestra.

Over the years, I have pursued progressively higher levels of musical achievement, attaining a Distinction in Grade 8, Distinctions in both the ATCL and LTCL diplomas, and a Merit in the FRSM Diploma (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music). These milestones have strengthened not only my technical proficiency but also my musical maturity, discipline, and appreciation for artistic excellence.

A defining chapter of my musical development was my six years with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (2017–2023). During this time, I performed a diverse orchestral repertoire under distinguished conductors and composers, participated in masterclasses led by musicians from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and developed the communication, leadership, and teamwork essential to orchestral performance. One of the highlights of my experience was being appointed Concertmaster for a performance of Mozart's Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter" at the Victoria Concert Hall, an opportunity that challenged me to lead with confidence while supporting and unifying the ensemble.

Through the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, I also had the privilege of performing alongside professional musicians in several large-scale collaborative projects. In April 2022, I participated in a sold-out side-by-side concert with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the Esplanade Concert Hall, featuring internationally renowned violinist Ray Chen. Beyond concert performances, I was involved in innovative outreach initiatives such as the collaboration with TwoSet Violin on The Ultimate Orchestra Game Show, which demonstrated how classical music can connect with wider audiences while maintaining the highest artistic standards. These experiences reinforced my belief that orchestral music is not only about technical excellence but also about inspiring, engaging, and bringing communities together.

Alongside my orchestral commitments, I pursued solo performance opportunities and was selected as a finalist in the Nanyang Music Competition, an experience that challenged me to refine my technical and musical abilities under competitive performance conditions.