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About the Composer

Tracy Wong

Dr. Tracy Wong hails from Malaysia and is a choral conductor, music educator, composer, vocalist, and pianist. She advocates for repertoire-based music education by writing pieces that are teaching tools for singers to develop vocal technique, musicianship skills, and artistry. As part of her continued search to define her Chinese-Malaysian-Canadian identity, Dr. Wong’s music also...

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Tracy Wong Series

Jauh/Dekat (Far/Near)

Name: Jauh/Dekat (Far/Near)
SKU: TW-009
Availability: InStock

Tracy Wong

A bouncy contemporary a cappella piece based on Malay proverbs about travels, journeys, and humility.

Difficulty: 4

Duration: 3-5 min.

TW-009

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Composer’s Notes

Set in a contemporary a cappella style, the bouncy rhythm suggests the excitement in walking forth to explore the unknown, and multiple changes in tonality is akin to one’s varied journeys. Another nod to Malay literature is the lyrical and ornamented solo in the second half of this piece which is inspired by syair (or sha’ir), a traditional form of Malay poetry that is usually recited / sung.

Jauh/Dekat (Far/Near) was commissioned in 2022 by Vancouver Youth Choir (Carrie Tennant, Artistic Director).

– Tracy Wong, March 2022

Text

Jauh/Dekat (Far/Near) is based on the following Malay proverbs about travels, journeys, and humility:

Jauh di mata, dekat di hati – far from sight, (but) near at heart.

Lain padang, lain belalang – different field, different grasshopper. Observe different
customs in different lands.

Ikut resmi padi, semakin tunduk semakin berisi – follow the way of padi (rice plant), it
bows lower the more it is filled. The more knowledgeable and experienced one is,
the more humble one should be.

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