By Koh Hui Theng

ONE day, made-in-Singapore pop music will find its place on the world stage. That is the dream of John and Valerie Klass, the creative driving forces behind Web platform iPOP ? "I Prepare Opportunities to Present you".

Both are veterans in the music industry: John was a former Perfect 10 radio DJ and lead singer of the band Kick!, while Valerie has over 20 years of experience promoting local acts.

Frustrated at the limited opportunities for English pop singers here, the duo took matters into their own hands.

Valerie, 37, told my paper: "It's time somebody did something to change the perception that Asian acts can't break into the English music scene."

Enter iPOP. The one-stop Web platform offers digital-media content like songs,music videos and reviews for download.

Users pay $2 and above for each composition, the creators earn royalties, and iPOP produces, markets and distributes their works for free.

Promoting local pop music as an international brand has long-term benefits.

Said John, 38: "Pop culture can soft-sell a country in a way that no amount of money can. Groups like Abba, Roxette and Ace of Base spring to mind when you say 'Sweden'. We hope to do the same for our own artistes."

So they are thankful to Creative Community Singapore (CCS) for offering funding and business-development support for creative types.

With that backing, John and Singapore Idol finalist Paul Twohill, whom iPOP signed, are launching their singles on over 6,000 radio, television and online channels in Britain by the year end.

Next year, iPOP Bandwagon, a television show that searches for the next big band, will be beamed to 38 Asia-Pacific nations. Judges will then market the winning groups in their home countries.

Another person who is helping musical youths hit the right notes is Mrs Carmee Lim, 68.

The social entrepreneur's Aoede programme is taught at four PAP Community Foundation (PCF) kindergartens.

Combining music with movement, the programme helps the kids sing, play instruments like xylophones and keyboards, learn basic music theory and compose simple pieces.

Said Mrs Lim: "I hope to make learning fun for children and give them the gift of music for a lifetime."

She even conducts two-day training sessions for music teachers, and her hands-on approach translates into fun on the ground.

Said PCF Changi Simei teacher Mulyani Djafar: "The children are so excited they ask to have music class again, even after they just finished."

And it's such enthusiasm that keeps the creators going.

Said John: "Elim Chew, founder of the 77th Street chain, believes you need a 'PHD' to be creative in Singapore. That means having the passion, hunger and determination to do what you love."

Catch John Klass and Paul Twohill performing at CCS' Festival of Ideas at HDB Hub on Nov 7 (7.30pm) and Nov 8 (7.15pm). For more information about the Aoede programme, e-mail aoede_carmee@yahoo.com.sg

How CCS can help you

CREATIVE Community Singapore (CCS) is a key initiative by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, in partnership with the private, people and public sectors.

Launched in July 2005, CCS seeks to position Singapore as a land of opportunity by supporting the national drive to develop the creative industries (arts and heritage, and design and media sectors).

CCS also aims to empower individuals, teams and organisations to initiate and pilot cutting-edge projects ? which will unleash individual and community creativity, nurture creative ideas, and build demand and capabilities for the creative industries ? by providing various forms of support, including facilitation, marketing, capability development and co-funding.

In addition to providing the above forms of assistance, CCS will be celebrating innovation and creativity at the Festival of Ideas on Nov 7 and 8 at Toa Payoh HDB Hub.

For more information on CCS, please e-mail mica_ccs@mica.gov.sg or visit www.creativecommunity.sg

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