Violin Prodigy Ike See's case: Common Sense Prevails

Ike See's move to opt for 2-year programme at
Curtis Institute clears way for him (Straits Times 5th Aug 2006)

BY MARIA ALMENOAR
& THERESA TAN

VIOLIN prodigy Ike See, 17,will get to study at the prestigious
Curtis Institute of Music in the United States after all.

The talented youngster, who was twice turned down by the Defence Ministry when he applied to defer national service training to pursue a three-year course has opted for a two-year diploma programme instead.

He will leave for Philadelphia late this month to make it in time for the institute's placement examinations, which decide which classes he will attend.

His studies are fully paid for by a Curtis scholarship, but his family will have to post a bond of over $75,000 for the NS deferment.

Ike's music career was the subject of much debate in May, when Mindef rejected an appeal to defer his military training until after his university studies.

Mindef's position was that it allowed students to attain educational qualifications up to A levels, polytechnic diplomas, or their equivalent before requiring them to do national service.

Deferments to pursue university studies were granted only under very exceptional circumstances, and such cases were rare and could only be considered for “exceptionally strong reasons''.

Mindef maintained that allowing Ike to defer his NS would have been unfair to others who put their personal aspirations and goals on hold to serve NS. There is no change in this position.

Colonel Benedict Lim, Mindef's director of public affairs, explained yesterday that in the latest appeal, Ike had sought deferment for a two - y e ar diploma programme which Mindef had assessed to be a non-degree course that is equivalent to GCE A levels or a polytechnic diploma.

The family was informed of the decision about a week ago. Ike's mother, Mrs I.S. See, 55, a retired teacher said: “Our family is just so grateful to all the people who rallied round and gave their support."

Among them was the chairman of the management board of the Singapore National Youth orchestra, Dr Kee Kirk Chin, with which Ike is the concert master, or the leader of the orchestra.
Said Dr Kee," I am very heartened. Curtis is like the Oxbridge or Stanford of the music world. You have to compete with people from around the world for a place there."

Ike, who started playing the violin at 3 ½ also received acceptances from other prestigious schools such as Juilliard and the Peabody Conservatory of Music.

My comments:
I am glad that common sense has finally prevailed.

On a technicality, Mindef has decided to allow Ike See to defer his National Service to take up the prestigious Curtis scholarship.

I guess this formula allows Mindef not to lose face and at the same time appear to be compassionate and reasonable.

Well, whatever it is, I am elated that a rare opportunity has not been lost for an even rarer talent like Ike.

If Mindef had continued on its bureacratic and obstinate way, what are the chances that rare gems like Ike would decide that (after his National Service obligations) since his own nation does not treasure him, he might as well look elsewhere for his long term future! ( I am talking about emigration!)

Now, at least there will be a modicum of hope that after his 2 year stint in Curtis, he may feel (rightly or wrongly) that Singapore is not too bad a place to stay in after all.

Good Luck Ike! Go for it!

Dr. Huang Shoou Chyuan