A long way from Lecture Theatre 13

In 1984, a little-known lunchtime concert series was launched at Lecture Theatre 13 for students at the National University of Singapore (NUS). This may not seem like much today, given the variety of offerings and avenues of expression available to arts audiences and artistes. But back then, it was a rare chance for students to watch arts performances or stage their own shows.

Esso (the petroleum company is now known as ExxonMobil) started sponsoring the LT13 performances in 1986 and the ExxonMobil Campus Concerts (EMCC) now play across two seasons each year — January to March and August to October. 

The concerts have seen many notable local artists like Jack & Rai and Karen Tan make their debut and have even progressed beyond the confines of the university to venues such as The Plaza @ National Library Building and VivoCity.

A balanced showcase

One of the key aims of the EMCC’s organisers is to offer arts lovers a diverse viewing experience. 

Said Ms Sharon Tan, director of NUS Centre for the Arts: “We try to find a balance between performances by our student groups and performances by professional performers, so that our audience can be exposed to the diversity of arts both on campus and outside of NUS.”

Planning and executing an EMCC lineup is a six-month process that starts with a theme. The theme sets the tone for the types of artists the NUS Centre for the Arts approaches. To cast a wider net, the centre also selects proposals submitted during an open call.

The objective, according to Sharon, is to design programmes that push the audience to develop a wider appreciation of the performing arts in its various guises. 
Added Sharon: “EMCC is also an avenue for artistic collaboration among the student groups, and even among professionals locally. To date, such collaborative works include Rhythm of Seasons by Dance Synergy and Ilsa Tari in 2014 and Evocation 2015: Shamiyaana by NUS Indian Dance (Bollywood) and Dance Ensemble.”

While the EMCC themes may change with each season, one thing has remained constant: EMCC’s role in showcasing young talents. Many local professionals have cut their teeth at EMCC performances. 

This Sunday (March 13), a concert called First Sparks: 30 Years of Arts on Campus will be showcasing some of the EMCC alumni, including Jack & Rai, Karen Tan and ShiLi & Adi.

Said Sharon: “ShiLi & Adi, who opened the January to March 2016 season of EMCC, had one of their first performances as a duo at EMCC. Inspired and encouraged by the success of their concert, they started pursing a professional music career.”

The duo have performed for dignitaries including President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. They have also performed at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix from 2012 to 2015 and twice at The Promontory @ Marina Bay to 15,000 celebrants.

Nurturing behind-the-scenes know-how

EMCC is closely associated with offering artistes an avenue for expression, but it also plays another crucial role in the local arts scene — developing behind-the-stage-curtains expertise.

The ExxonMobil Campus Concert Crew is a team of performing arts-loving undergraduates who serve in arts and production management roles, including marketing, artist liaison, and sound and lighting. 

Mentored by a team of professional staff, the EMCC crew is responsible for each production. Some former crew members are now professionals in the field, such as lighting designer James Tan, who was recently conferred the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council of Singapore.

First encounters of the arts kind

EMCC is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and Sharon is adamant about its role as an experimental stage that gives room for fresh ideas and the opportunity to innovate. 

“As an incubator for new and developing works, EMCC will bring forth bolder programmes and more original works,” she said.

Sharon hopes to showcase more regional arts groups in future, hopefully developing a network of young artists in neighbouring countries through such collaborations.

Added Sharon: “I hope EMCC continues to bring those precious ‘first encounters’ to NUS students — those special moments where their eyes open to the limitless possibilities of the arts through such performances.”

Early days in the arts

Jack Ho — who forms half of the group Jack & Rai — got his break after a song he wrote won him an award for the best original song at EMCC in 2000. “That performance paved the way for what I am doing today, in terms of my music and career. After I won the competition, I managed to network with some good people. It also gave me the confidence to take my music more seriously,” Jack said. 

Actress Karen Tan can’t recall when she first performed at EMCC, although she’s certain her act would’ve been “something silly and fun”. 

One thing she is certain of though, is that EMCC taught her valuable lessons about working in a group as well as creating performances with the barest of essentials — props, costumes and lighting.

Said Karen: “We now have everything of the highest standards, even in so-called school productions. But back then, we were lucky if we turned the light switches on and off at the right time.”

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Produced by the TODAY Special Projects Team