Biography
Lim Yi Benjamin (b.1984, Singapore) wears many hats. He is a composer, sheng (Chinese reed pipe mouth organ) performer, educator and guitarist.
Lim Yi studied composition under Dr Zechariah Goh Toh Chai (NAFA), Dr Kelly Tang (NIE), Dr Wang Dan Hong (Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing), and counterpoint under Dr Eddy Chong (NIE).
A BA (Hons) Music graduate from the National Institute of Education (NIE), Lim Yi graduated with top honours and was awarded The Association of Nanyang University Graduates Gold Medal and The NIE Award. He was also the Valedictorian for his graduating batch.
Lim Yi’s works have been commissioned and performed by groups such as the:
T.H.E Dance Company
Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Singapore Lyric Opera Children’s Choir
MOE Co-Curricular Activities Branch
re:mix String Orchestra
Oxley String Quartet
ACS(Independent) Philharmonic Orchestra
Raffles Institution Chinese Orchestra
NAFA String Quartet; and
The TENG Ensemble, of which he is the Composer-in-Residence.
His recent film works include soundtracks for the short films ‘Threshold‘ (Dir. Loo Zihan), ‘Kitchen Quartet‘ (Nicole Midori Woodford), ‘Frail Line’ (Dir. Er Kia Hui), ‘In the House of Straw‘ (Chris Yeo) and the title theme to Wee Li Lin’s ‘FOREVER’.
Lim Yi Benjamin’s soundtrack for ‘Threshold’ was also nominated for best soundtrack at the 1st Substation Short Films Awards 2010.
He is equally adept at composing for acoustic instruments or in an electronic medium.
-please click on the Compositions tab to listen-
Lim Yi Benjamin is also the 2nd Prize Winner in the First Combined Wind Category for Sheng, Suona, Guan and a 1st Prize Winner in the Ensemble Category of the National Chinese Music Competition (2004).
Lim Yi has worked with the People’s Association Youth Chinese Orchestra, Hsinghai Chinese Orchestra, Toa Payoh West Community Club Chinese Orchestra, Theatreworks, Music & Movement, Singapore Lyric Opera, Singapore Press Holdings Choir, Gamelan Asmaradana amongst other arts groups and has had performing engagements in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Hong Kong, Australia and London.
He has performed as a soloist in the National Arts Council (NAC) ‘Concert in The Park’ series (2004-2006), the Chingay Parade (2004), the Ministry of Education Chinese Orchestra Leadership Camps (2004), the World Lottery Convention (2006), the Rotary and Pyramid Club conventions (2003-2004), the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties with Japan (2006), The President’s Challenge Youth Talent Concert (2007) and the Confucius Institute Inauguration (2007). He was also part of the inaugural competition ensemble for the National Chinese Music Competition 2006 and 2008, organised by the National Arts Council.
In June 2009, Lim Yi was one of 3 teachers selected by the Ministry of Education (Singapore) to participate in a teaching exchange in the United Kingdom with the Institute of Education, University of Reading. where he taught Music in a local British school, Maiden Erlegh High School.
An active practitioner in the classical guitar circuit, Lim Yi has reviewed the 5th, 6th and 7th Singapore International Guitar Festival and Competition for magazines such as Classical Guitar (UK) and Gendai Magazine (Japan).
Lim Yi studied the Sheng principally under Guo Chang Suo (Sectional Principal, Singapore Chinese Orchestra) and Yang Shoucheng at the Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing) and has had masterclasses with Xu Chaoming (Shanghai Conservatory of Music), Hu Tianquan (Sheng Association) and Liang Changyong (Shandong Music and Drama Company).
Lim Yi was also the music department coordinator of the Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company from 2003-2005, coordinating and performing for numerous foreign dignitaries.
These days, armed with a trusty Taylor, Lim Yi performs on guitar with The TENG Ensemble at high profile gigs and still maintains his love for sharing music to people of all social backgrounds.
He can also be frequently spotted with a coffee in hand and busy looking for the next good place to eat.
Lim Yi Benjamin is currently Music Department Coordinator and teaches Music in the Music Elective (MEP) and International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) programme..
Lim Yi was also the music department coordinator of the Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company from 2003-2005, coordinating and performing for numerous foreign dignitaries.
