BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

BRUNEIANS composed more than 20 songs over the past year to mark the sultanate’s 30th National Day, said the artistic director of field performances at the parade.

The lyrics of some of the songs were penned by ministers and ex-ministers, including Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah and Dato Paduka Hj Alidin Hj Othman.

Other composers such as Hj Kifli Tengah and Mohd Abu Soffian Md Alinoordin brought the songs to life, said Hj Mohd Abdoh Hj Mohd Damit, who is also head of the production team at the 30th National Day parade.

Hj Abdoh has written more than 100 songs for Brunei, and is also the lyricist of the 30th National Day theme song titled Generasi Berwawasan (Visionary Generation) with Pg Mohd Yusri Pg Hj Yahya as the music composer.

The song was inspired to help people understand what the country is gearing towards and enable people to prepare themselves in trying to achieve Vision 2035.

“We have the youth to lead our country in the future; we have to instil values in them not only through song and music, but also to involve and engage them in such activities to foster patriotism in them,” Hj Abdoh explained.

There are also plans to compile the songs into an album to commemorate the 30th National Day, said the choir instructor of the parade yesterday.

However, Hj Hamzah Hj Abd Rasit, an arts instructor at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, said the idea is still in its early stages.

He said a choir group of 150 students and teachers from Berakas Secondary School, Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College and Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Masna Secondary School performed all the new songs at yesterday’s National Day celebrations after the three schools were chosen for their merit. Last year, 70 people were involved in the choir, added Hj Hamzah, who also contributed four songs for this year’s celebration.

One of the lead singers in the choir group_, _Hjh Noorlelawaty Hj Mohd Yassin, expressed her excitement and pride in being given the opportunity to perform in front of His Majesty.

Not a stranger to the performing arts, the education officer from Berakas Secondary School is proud of her students.

“We are thankful that the students could experience participating in this National Day event, as it can build character and encourage patrotism.”

A first-time participant of the National Day celebrations, Dk Aqilah Basyirah Pg Dahlan, said she was excited to perform at the celebrations and found the experience enjoyable.

“We practised fort the past month and it was fun, though sometimes it can get stressful when trying to melodise,” said the 15-year-old student from Pengiran Anak Puteri Hjh Masna Secondary School.

The Brunei Times