Davyd Chong

I received the Diploma in Music (Songwriting) from the World Music Foundation in 2004. Prior to this, I completed my Grade 8 in both Piano (1999) and Music Theory (2000) for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). I also recently graduated with a Law degree from King's College London (University of London), and am currently doing a post-graduate diploma in Singapore Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS). In addition, I am a member of the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS), an organisation which protects and promotes the copyright interests of composers.

I formed a Symphonic Rock band in June 2007 called the "Scarlet Eclipse" in Singapore, and am the composer, arranger and keyboardist. You can find out more about us at www.soundclick.com/scarleteclipse.

I started composing music seriously at the age of 16. As a student of Victoria Junior College (VJC), I helped to pioneer its Piano Ensemble in 2000. I took part in the VJC Music Festival 2001, and one of my first compositions “I’ve Lost You” enabled me to clinch the 2nd prize in the “Creative Song Writing Category”. I also emerged as a finalist in the “Duet Category”. These achievements became the impetus that led me to aspire towards realizing bigger dreams.

With added confidence, I actively sought out more platforms to showcase my compositions. In the following year, I took part in the Bethesda Eternity Talentime 2002, where I performed the piece “Hopeless Tears”. Not only did I clinch the 2nd prize with my solo performance, I also secured the “Best Showmanship Award” for the event. The audience’s response to my music encouraged me so deeply that I decided to cut an album on my own by the next year.

Hence, in 2003, I produced my debut album entitled “Hopeless Tears” independently, and released it at the “Eighty-8” Concert organized by the VJC Piano Ensemble, which I performed as an alumnus annually. To date, more than 200 copies have been sold in Singapore.

As I began to garner more support and earn myself a reputation, more avenues to perform opened up to me. I began performing on many occasions, and was even invited as the guest pianist for the “Singapore Armed Forces 9th Division Silver Jubilee” at The Fullerton Singapore, a major military event.

My big break came when I won the Channel NewsAsia “Get Rea!” Song Writing Competition 2004, one of Singapore’s biggest songwriting events of the year. I received much media attention through this event, as my piece “Make It Through” was broadcast on radio, and telecast on the programs “As Rea! As It Gets” and “Get Rea!”. Currently, it is the theme song for “Get Rea!”, a reality-based current affairs show. I performed this song later at the “Eighty-8” Concert, where I released my singles album entitled “Make It Through”.

And hot on the heels of that, my song “You’re My Everything” catapulted me into the international arena where I emerged as one of the top 5 (Finalist) in the Pop Category for the Song of the Year (SOTY) contest in America in June 2004. Recently, in March 2007, the song 'Pan-Demonium' which I did in collaboration with Andrew Liew, was selected by Crescent Music & Media, a national commercial music and media consultant company based in Charlotte, NJ (USA), to be catalogued and marketed to the recording, film and commercial advertising industry in America. Check out www.crescentmusicandmedia.com for more info!

My interest is now veered towards composing for musicals and film. I recently composed/arranged for MERDEKA: The Rock Musical (an original musical by Marcus Lim), a major student production staged at the Greenwood Theatre in London from 28 February - 2 March 2007, and which also received rave reviews from our local press such as The Newpaper (Singapore), The Straits Times (Singapore), and The New Straits Times (Malaysia). So far, three songs from the musical received honours: 1) 'Dancing in the Dark' won 'Special Mention' for the MusicAid International Music Awards 2006 under the 'Best Compostition' category; 2) 'Pan-Demonium' was selected by Crescent Music & Media, as stated above; and 3) 'Can I Never Leave My Past Behind' (alias Hopeless Tears) was performed recently (with Marcus Lim) at The Met Opera Singing Contest on 1 September 2007 organised by Golden Village Cinemas, partnered with Canon, where it clinched 1st Prize for the competition.

Finally, I'd like to thank Jesus Christ for being the author of all my inspiration.

Achievements:

Victoria Junior College Music Festival, 2001

Awarded 2nd Prize, 'Creative Song Writing' Category (Piece: I've Lost You)

Finalist, Duet Category

Bethesda Chapel Eternity Talentime, 2002

Awarded 2nd Prize (Piece: Hopeless Tears)

Best Showmanship Award

Debut Album Release 'Hopeless Tears', 2003

Producer; Composer; Song Writer

Sold over 200 copies in Singapore

Channel News Asia 'Get Rea!' Song Writing Competition, 2004

Awarded 1st Prize (Piece: Make It Through)

Voted 'Most Popular Song' by the public.

MTV featured in the programs 'As Rea! As It Gets' and 'Get Rea!' on Channel News Asia

Theme song for the program 'Get Rea!'

Singles Album Release 'Make It Through', 2004

Producer; Composer; Song Writer

United Artiste Network (UAN - www.uanworld.com), since 2004

Artiste Member

Songwriting Teacher

Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS), Member since 2004

Song of the Year (USA) Songwriting Competition (www.songoftheyear.com), June 2004

Finalist (Top 5), Pop Category (Song: You're My Everything)

International Competition

Music Aid International Music Awards 2007

Composition "Dancing in the Dark" received 'Special Mention' under the 'Best Composition' category.

Crescent Music & Media, Charlotte, NJ (USA)

Composition 'Pan-Demonium' selected/catalogued to be marketed to recording, film and commercial advertising industry: www.crescentmusicandmedia.com

I have been performing live annually at the Victoria Auditorium, during the VJC Piano Ensemble "Eight-8" Concerts since 2001. Pieces that I have performed so far are "I've Lost You", "Hopeless Tears", "Longing For You", and "Make It Through". These pieces were very much well received by the audience.

I was the Guest Pianist for the Singapore Armed Forces 9th Division "Silver Jubilee" at The Fullerton Hotel, a major military event.

I also performed the piece "Make It Through" at Wala Wala Pub located in Holland Village, together with my singer Priscilla Samson. This was in conjunction with the special edition of "Get Rea!" by Channel News Asia, one day before the final voting results for the song writing competition. This was particularly memorable because it was the first time I was performing in a pub, and ChannelNewsAsia was there filming our performances. I was thrilled to see myself perform on TV!

Of all, the most memorable experience was composing for Merdeka: The Rock Musical and having my songs performed before hundreds of people over 3 days. It was absolutely breathtaking, especially when the audience really enjoy my music and approach me afterwards to give complements.

Yoshiki Hayashi, the leader of the band X-Japan, is the biggest influence in my musical endeavours. However, I believe that Jesus is the author of all my inspirations. I have now ventured towards Symphonic Rock/Metal music, and I really like the bands Within Temptation and Nightwish. You get awesome music by fusing Orchestral with Rock!

My Music Study History:

Composition Study with Tan Chan Boon (Mar 2004 to Apr 2004)

3 months Elementary Jazz Piano Study with Mei Sheum (Sep 2003 to Nov 2003)

4 years Classical Piano Study with Chiang Siew Hoon (1997 to 2000)

6 years Classical Piano Study with Low Lee Ai Faith (1991 to 1997)

1 year Classical Piano Study with Yeo Teow Meng (1990)

2 years Junior Music Course at Yamaha Music School, Singapore (1988 to 1989)