The UNSW Society of Orchestra and Pipers (SOAP) is the student-run collective associated with the university’s Large Instrumental Music Ensembles (LIME), namely the UNSW Orchestra and UNSW Wind Symphony.

Supported by Arc@UNSW and the Music Performance Unit, SOAP's goal is to be an accessible platform for music performance, engagement and sharing, holding regular events for members to help increase ensemble cohesion and to bring people together through their love of music.

The Music Performance Unit is pleased to introduce SOAP's 2024 president, Ernest Quah through a short interview, covering the aspirations he hopes to bring in 2024.

Please introduce yourself to the students and community!

Hello everyone! I am Ernest, a second-year international student from Hong Kong studying Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations & Music Studies) and Bachelor of Laws at UNSW.

I started playing percussion in primary school and have been very dedicated to both the Wind Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra at my secondary school until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing annual competitions and concerts cancelled for 2 years. I was then very excited to join the UNSW Wind Symphony & Orchestra last year when I arrived in Sydney for my first-year University studies.

Do you participate in any of the ensembles at UNSW?

Yes! I play percussion in both the Wind Symphony and Orchestra.

What are you hoping to achieve as the newly elected President at SOAP?

My primary goal is to enhance communication between our members, the conductor, and the Music Performance Unit. I hope to ensure that everyone is well-informed, engaged, and actively involved in SOAP's activities. Additionally, I aim to come up with more exciting events for our members. It's important to keep our community motivated by memorable experiences. Whether organising special performances, collaborative projects, or social gatherings, I want to create opportunities to showcase our members’ talents and promote a sense of unity within SOAP.

Who is your favourite musician and why?

My favourite musician is Terence Lam, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer, and songwriter. I appreciate the diverse musical style of Terence, which combines soulful vocals with intricate instrumentals and draws inspiration from various genres. Through his songwriting, Terence explores relationships, love, and personal growth themes, providing a comforting presence during challenging times. His music resonates with me and serves as a companion during life's ups and downs.

What sort of community do you want SOAP to be?

I want SOAP to be a welcoming and inclusive community that gathers anyone who enjoys playing music, regardless of their specialty in study or faculty. It is magical that music has the power to bring people together, and I want SOAP to be a place where individuals from diverse backgrounds can connect, share their passion for music, and form lasting friendships.

Any words of advice to students who want to pursue music or want to join ensembles?

Just go for it! Ensembles offer more than musical growth - they create lifelong friendships. Meeting new people outside of class in university is challenging, but ensembles provide a space where shared passion unites individuals. Spending hours rehearsing together form strong bonds and lasting memories. Accomplishing professionally performed concerts with peers brings a sense of pride and teamwork. 

What are SOAP's plans for 2024?

The current regular end-of-term Concerts are great, but with more members joining SOAP since in-person activities resumed post-COVID, more exciting things should be done! I plan to collaborate with the Music Performance Unit to organise outdoor concerts so that the campus community knows we are here! Also, I aim to enhance communication with the conductors, allowing members to get involved in repertoire selection each term if possible.

Click here to read more about SOAP and their 2024 executive team!