Gerald Tan

Tenor

(Not-so) Secret Identity: Account Director

My grandparents first discovered my love for music when I was 3. I was able to sing every theme song from their favorite Chinese TV serials, and they would show me off to all the neighbors! My musical path took on a different direction when I became a huge follower of classical music, and I subsequently joined the band in secondary school, where I played the flute and hated the school choir as they would mess up our shared music room!  It was only in college when I rediscovered my passion for singing since my close friends were karaoke addicts.  I was subsequently "volunteered" by them to join a school singing competition, which I won, much to the surprise of my friends and even myself.

I went on to sing for every special occasion at school, compete and win several small competitions and become actively involved in my church music team, where I led and trained a team of singers. Interestingly, other than in church, my "repertoire' consisted primarily of Chinese songs, even though my Mandarin is a mess! When I was in NS, I sang at a company event, and an officer (Chin Keong, former Vocaluptuous bass) asked me to go for an audition as a tenor for an a cappella group in 1999. Vocaluptuous has been terribly harsh on me. It's true! I was thrown into a world of intricate harmonies and made to sing ridiculously tuneless parts in ranges that would instantly put me in the soprano category. But when the parts came together, there was magic in the air and all the hours sweating over my parts were worth it.

Experimenting with different genres of music, rhythms and vocal deliveries; these are all part of the joys of being in a democratic group where I bulldoze my way into making sure that we sing songs that are more contemporary!

Get inside Gerald's head!

• What are your musical influences?

 Jazz legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett (for their amazing interpretation and phrasing), good old-fashioned R&B singers like Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight (for true soulful R&B), awesome bands like Queen and U2. Rather eclectic in terms of genre, really.

• What do you think about the Singapore music scene?

 I think we're slowly maturing and finding our own identity amidst the influences from all over the world. Nothing will ever trump the success American or Chinese pop, but we're beginning to see a greater acceptance towards local groups that provide a distinctly different style of music.

• What do you think about a cappella music in general and in Singapore?

 A cappella is still highly regarded as a collegiate-type activity, and a lot of people still have an impression that it's a variation of standard choral singing. With the success and recognition of several popular foreign groups, it's set to make a larger impact, although it's still going to be a rather niche market. In Singapore, it really isn't any different, especially since I don't think it's economically viable for any group to really go professional in such a small market.

• How were you introduced to Voc?

 Through a former member whom I met while in National Service. I remember singing at a department function, one of those oh-so-popular karaoke nights, and he asked if I was interested to audition for the group. Not knowing very much about a cappella, I decided to just give it a go for the fun of it. So I went, totally unprepared, and that was the beginning of the discovery of vocal harmonies for me. It seemed like a long time ago... 1999... oh wow! It IS a long time ago!

• What is your full-time career?

 I admit to being a masochist, and am currently enjoying the stress and pressures in the advertising business.

• How do you balance your full-time career with singing with Voc?

 With a wave of the wand and a little twitch of the nose. Really, how difficult can it be to juggle an already busy day job with a very commitment-heavy and perfectionist group like Vocaluptuous? It's all about not having a social life, is all. Not much of a loss there eh? *Note the tone that's dripping with sarcasm

• What are your most memorable/embarrassing moments with Vocaluptuous?

 Hmm let's start with embarrassing. Where do I begin? Ok how about the first time we were involved in an a cappella musical, and I was so nervous that in the scene where I was supposed to propose to my girlfriend with a bouquet in my hand, my hands started trembling uncontrollably? Or the time I... Hey wait a minute, only ONE embarrassing moment right? Phew almost spilled the beans there.

Most memorable has got to be our first full concert, a complete sell-out and we were selling standing room on the last show. At the end of the concert, it was amazing to be on the receiving end of a standing ovation and cheers. Never imagined that I would ever experience something as fulfilling and exhilarating.

• What other interests do you have besides singing?

 Reading, watching movies, gaming, and with a little encouragement from my wife, pseudo-cooking. What does that mean, you ask? Well, my wife does the real cooking while I stand around trying to be helpful and generally slowing things down in the process. I am good with food-tasting though! And I'm into cars as well.

• What other hidden talents do you have?

Oh plenty. I can raise an eyebrow as charmingly as Sean Connery, pretend to break my double-jointed left thumb ala David Blaine, have an amazingly selective memory when it comes to stuff like cleaning up my desk and... um... oh you mean real talents? I'll have to get back to you on that one.

• What five words best sum up your character?

Who Could Possibly Be Better? (I'm open to discussions on this one)

• Which part of your body do you like best/worst?

I like my eyebrows. I think they're expressive. I won't tell you what I don't like since I know that's all you'll be looking out for when you see me!

• If you could be of the opposite sex for one day, what would you do?

Is this a trick question??? I'm not gonna say anything that'll incriminate me!

• What qualities do you find attractive in a partner?

Intelligent, caring, capable, confident and sincere. I'm really just describing my wife :)

• What is your worst dating nightmare?

Arrogant, rude, ego-centric and condescending.

• What is your favourite food?

Beef! Preferably of the Wagyu variety with good marbling, char-grilled to medium-rare perfection, no sauce please!

• What is your most sinful indulgence?

Soft and smooth bedlinen. Never knew I was so particular about them until Simone introduced me to them. You know the kind that makes you wanna do like snow angels on them? Yeah, those.

• What do you enjoy reading?

I'm a huge fan of fantasy, but I read lots of other stuff too. I'm quite into philosophical stuff as well. I'm actually reading a lot less than I used to, come to think of it. It's about time I started reading more regularly again. Gotta remember that... *Please refer to answer for question 9 on selective memory.

• If you could do anything in your life without having to worry about money or consequences, what would it be?

Travel around the world with Simone and see/experience everything that life and nature has to offer. Drive an exotic convertible with its top down on the best roads in the world, listening to the roar of the engine and feeling the cool natural breeze while being next to the love of my life.

OR

Start a group advocating world peace and racial/religious harmony. We could do with a lot more love and peace in this world.

• What do you like/ dislike about Singapore?

I like the cleanliness and the peace that's often taken for granted here. I've had the good fortune of being able to visit many different countries, and ultimately there's still a sense of security I feel back home. Sure there are many things I gripe about, but there really isn't a better place I can think of to choose to live in.

Oh did I mention I hate the ERP gantries?

• If you had one month to live…

I'd spend the remaining days telling everyone that's close to me how much I appreciate them and how much of a difference they have made in my life. I'll want to spend every minute with my wife, and we'll go do the things we've always wanted to do, to places we've always wanted to go to. Yeah, I'm kinda sentimental that way.