Singapore, 23 October 2020 (Friday) – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) held its virtual Fundraising Gala Concert, titled Yueqin Romance today. Through this event, SCO raised a total of $730,500. All proceeds will go into the development and funding of operating cost of SCO, and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Cultural Matching Fund from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The event was graced by SCO Patron, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Mr Alvin Tan, prominent Singaporean leaders and friends of the orchestra.
SCO Patron, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his message applauded SCO for using technology and its network of partners to reach out to different parts of our community, such as schools, hospitals, hospices and people’s homes, to bring joy and comfort to Singaporeans during this COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to fulfil its mission as the people’s orchestra.
SCO Board Chairman, Mr Ng Siew Quan highlighted that our digital series garnered over 1.27 million viewers for 175 programmes, as “SCO musicians showcased their musicality by putting up performances online under our #RoomforMusic and #HomeRecital while SNYCO members demonstrated their creativity with #StayHomewithSNYCO.” Chairperson of the SCO Fundraising Committee, Mrs Goh Chok Tong also thanked the donors “for their steadfast support of SCO”, as their “presence and generosity encouraged SCO to scale new heights, delight and inspire Singaporeans”.
SCO’s annual fundraising gala is one of the key events for the orchestra which raises funds for the development and operations of the orchestra. Every year, SCO creatively adopts a Chinese instrument as the inspiration to conceptualise the fundraising year’s theme and concert programme.
In this special year, 180 local and overseas guests enjoyed the virtual performances by SCO. This year is also SCO’s 24th year since inception and 17th Fundraising Gala Concert. Under the Fundraising leadership of Mrs Goh Chok Tong and committee members Ms Michelle Cheo and Ms Susan Leong, SCO featured Chinese plucked-string instrument – yueqin. Like previous years, for donations $10,000 and above, donors will receive an exclusive souvenir token. This token is specially sponsored by Shanghai No. 1 National Musical Instruments Factory (上海民族乐器一厂).
Titled Yueqin Romance, this year’s concert programme featured one of the most traditional plucked-string instruments, Yueqin among the Chinese instruments. It is also an important instrument in the Peking opera orchestra. Yueqin looks similar to a Zhongruan, as it has a moon-shaped soundboard, short fretted neck and four strings.
Under the baton of Maestro Tsung Yeh, 23 SCO musicians charmed the audiences with Blossoms under the Full Moon《花好月圆》, composed by Huang Yijun, arranged by Peng Xiuwen; Listening to the Pines《听松》 , composed by Hua Yanjun, rearranged by Gao Weijie, and Dance of the Golden Snake 《金蛇狂舞》, composed by Nie Er, arranged by Wang Danhong. SCO musician Zhang Li performed with Yueqin, the piece Sketches of Life in Northern China - Horse Racing 《北方民族生活素描》之《赛马》, composed by Liu Xijin.
To express appreciation to all donors and sponsors, Fundraising Chairperson Mrs Goh Chok Tong, graced all present with her vocals with Plum Blossoms for a Better Tomorrow《一剪梅祝明天会更好》, rearranged by SCO’s Composer-In-Residence Wang Chenwei.
SCO expresses its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to donors and sponsors who have helped to make the fundraising concert a success. Funds raised would help the SCO to fulfil its vision of being a world-renowned Chinese Orchestra with a uniquely Singaporean character, and to inspire both Singapore and the world with its music.
Photo Caption: Singapore Chinese Orchestra Executive Director Terence Ho (left to right), Board Chairman Ng Siew Quan, Fundraising Committee Chairperson Mrs Goh Chok Tong, Deputy Chairman Wu Hsioh Kwang and Music Director Tsung Yeh. SCO Patron, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attending the concert on screen, in background. (Photo: Singapore Chinese Orchestra)
Photo Caption: Mrs Goh serenaded guests with at the event. (Photo: Singapore Chinese Orchestra)
Photo Caption: Yueqin soloist Zhang Li showcased the Yueqin with the orchestra. (Photo: Singapore Chinese Orchestra)
--
Photo Link: http://bit.ly/SCO-Fundraising231020
-END-
About Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is Singapore’s only professional Chinese orchestra. Inaugurated in 1997, the orchestra made up of more than 80 musicians took on the twin role of preserving traditional arts and culture and establishing new frontiers through the incorporation of Nanyang music elements in its repertoire. SCO has impressed a broadening audience with its blockbuster presentations and is fast establishing itself among its counterparts around the world. Known for its high performance standards and versatility, the SCO is recognized through invitations to perform at numerous prestigious events locally and internationally. In line with its vision to be a world-renowned people’s orchestra, SCO continues to inspire, educate and communicate through its music.
--
For media enquiries, please contact:
Lim Ka Min
Senior Executive (Marketing Communications)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 6557 4037 / 9222 1658
June Teo
Assistant Director (Marketing Communications)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DID: 6557 4039/ 9616 7750
Check out our social media channels for the latest updates and daily content!
Digital Series: #Roomformusic | #CO101 | Human Diaries | #DabaoSCO | #StaysafewithSNYCO | #SNYCOReplay
SCO: Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Wechat | Website
SNYCO: Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Website