Singapore, 13 July 2021 (Tuesday) – Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) celebrates 25th Anniversary with a line-up of concerts and programmes that reflects on the past, present and future. The three-parts Virtuoso Series concerts, featuring 3 concerts, 3 pre-concert talks, post-show dialogue and 8 specially curated webisodes, together with a special tribute concert for Pioneers of SCO, the SCO25 Gala concert will be presented this July to November. More details can be found in Annexe A.
Since its establishment in 1996, SCO has initiated and promoted Nanyang music, making its name as an internationally renowned Chinese Orchestra. Last year, many live concerts were cancelled due to the on-going pandemic, but we continued to find new ways to connect with our audiences through music.
This year, against all odds, we reach the significant milestone of our 25th anniversary. Unlike previous celebrations, we are unable to have guest musicians from abroad to celebrate this joyous occasion together. Nevertheless, we invite you to be a part of our anniversary, with our specially crafted series of concerts that you can enjoy at the concert hall and from the comfort of your home.
Together, we strive. There, it begins.
SCO Chairman Ng Siew Quan said, “2021 marks Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s 25th anniversary. As a people’s orchestra, SCO has been recognised globally as an outstanding orchestra with a unique Singaporean identity. At this 25th milestone mark, our musicians have matured beautifully and established themselves in the music scene. I hope the SCO will continue to push frontiers with our music, and inspire generations to come, in the next 25 years.”
SCO Executive Director Terence Ho said, “The past 25 years of hard work and dedication are just a part of SCO’s journey, and the pandemic shall not hinder our efforts to continue striving forward. Under this new normalcy, SCO will grow stronger and hit new milestones.”
Virtuoso Series I, II & III
Elevating artistic excellence, SCO presents the Virtuoso Series featuring virtuosos namely, Concertmaster Li Baoshun, Erhu I Principal Zhao Jianhua, Yangqin Principal Qu Jianqing, Sanxian Associate Principal Huang Guifang, Pipa Principal Yu Jia, Sheng Principal Guo Changsuo, Dizi Principal Yin Zhiyang and Suona/Guan Principal Jin Shiyi. Between July to September, catch the 8 principals’ solo performances in 3 concerts, and their insightful sharing during the pre-concert talks.
The 3 pre-concert talks will share a different perspective of the instrument and its development, while the webisodes on the other hand, will delve deeper into how our virtuosic principals interpret and explain a renowned music piece of their respective instruments. Both the talks and the webisodes endeavour to give our audience a deeper insight and understanding of the music, before enjoying the Virtuoso Series concerts.
The unusual idea of the three-part Virtuoso Series concerts came about, after a conversation with Board members last December. SCO Music Director Tsung Yeh said, “Many of these pieces which will be performed, are related to the Chinese history and literature, which requires musicians’ high level of technicality and artistry. Also, these pieces were once performed by the musicians’ direct mentors or their mentor’s mentors. As disciples, to perform these pieces, they need to do extensive research and study how their mentors and predecessors performed in the past. Therefore, this is deemed meaningful with deep, continued traditions, passed down from one generation to the next.”
In addition, 8 webisodes which focus on the 8 musicians’ chosen classic Chinese repertoires will be released and a book that features their musical journey will eventually be published on 8 October 2021. The book shared intimate account of the learning journey of these 8 principals, rarely known to the public, how their fates are intertwined with SCO, their hopes and aspirations for SCO.
No matter if you are reading a book, participating in the concerts, attending the talks or watching the webisodes online, eight of our musicians will captivate your hearts with their enthusiastic sharing.
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31 July 2021, 8pm Virtuoso Series I: Pluck
Flying Fingers, Sparkling Tunes
Yangqin Principal Qu Jianqing, Sanxian Associate Principal Huang Guifang and Pipa Principal Yu Jia kick off the Virtuoso Series by exploring the “jeu perle” sound of the plucked strings section, presenting pieces that showcases a wide range of moods and expressions. Audiences are in for a treat with the various origins of solo pieces, ranging from ancient piece Lament at the Changmen Palace to folk tunes such as Tanci San Liu and Winter Ducks Frolicking in the Water. Joined by Xu Hui (guzheng) and Jing Po (daruan), the three virtuosos come together to perform the finale piece Night Thoughts, adapted from a Peking opera tune. Enjoy an evening of widely-loved Chinese musical Classics, and open your ears to the microcosm of crystalline perfection at their fingertips.
Yangqin Principal Qu Jianqing, Sanxian Associate Principal Huang Guifang and Pipa Principal Yu Jia will also be featured in the pre-concert talk happening on 14 July 2021 (Wednesday), 7.30pm. The talk will be livestreamed on SCO Facebook, zbNOW and Lianhe Zaobao Facebook. Their specially curated individual webisodes will also be broadcasted on various social media platforms on 20 July (Qu Jianqing), 23 July (Huang Guifang) and 27 July 2021 (Yu Jia).
Programme curated by Music Director Tsung Yeh, Qu Jianqing, Huang Guifang and Yu Jia, this Virtuoso Series I: Pluck concert will be held on 31 July 2021 (Saturday), 8pm, at the SCO concert hall and livestreamed on SISTIC LIVE. There will also be a post-concert dialogue. The digital concert video will be available for unlimited playback on SISTIC till 8 August 2021 (Sunday), 8pm.
Link: https://bit.ly/scovirtuoso1
28 August 2021, 8pm Virtuoso Series II: Bow
Evergreen Pillars of SCO’s Strings
Since the inauguration of SCO, Virtuosos Li Baoshun and Zhao Jianhua have pillared the orchestra by serving as the Concertmaster and Erhu I Principal respectively. Seize this opportunity to watch them perform timeless classics from the strings’ repertoires in Virtuoso Series II: Bow with their decades of skills, experiences and musicianship on full display.
Concertmaster Li Baoshun and Erhu I Principal Zhao Jianhua will also be featured in the pre-concert talk happening on 11 August 2021 (Wednesday), 7.30pm. The talk will be livestreamed on SCO Facebook, zbNOW and Lianhe Zaobao Facebook. Their specially curated individual webisodes will also be broadcasted on various social media platforms on 17 August (Li Baoshun) and 24 August (Zhao Jianhua) 2021.
Programme curated by Music Director Tsung Yeh, Li Baoshun and Zhao Jianhua, this Virtuoso Series II: Bow concert will be held on 28 August 2021 (Saturday), 8pm, at the SCO concert hall and livestreamed on SISTIC LIVE. There will also be a post-concert dialogue. The digital concert video will be available for unlimited playback on SISTIC till 5 September 2021 (Sunday), 8pm.
Link: https://bit.ly/scovirtuoso2
25 September 2021, 8pm, Virtuoso Series III: Winds
Melodies in the wind, tug at heartstrings
Wind instruments, literally and poetically, does breathe life into music. Bringing this magical breath of life to you in the Virtuoso Series finale, are three renowned virtuosos of the wind section. Exceptionally skilled at the traditional sheng, Sheng Principal Guo Changsuo’s rendition of classics such as Grand Prelude simply cannot be missed; Dizi Principal Yin Zhiyang, equally at home on both xiao and dizi, performs Autumn Yearning at the Dressing Table and Partridges Flying respectively, with archaic charm. Suona/Guan Principal Jin Shiyi, will be featuring Eighteen Songs on Nomad Flute on xinguan, an innovation and brainchild by Jin and fellow SCO musician Liu Jiang. This repertoire showcases a refreshing modern take on an ancient tune.
Sheng Principal Guo Changsuo, Dizi Principal Yin Zhiyang and Suona/Guan Principal Jin Shiyi will also be featured in the pre-concert talk happening on 8 September 2021 (Wednesday), 7.30pm. The talk will be livestreamed on SCO Facebook, zbNOW and Lianhe Zaobao Facebook. Their specially curated individual webisodes will also be broadcasted on various social media platforms on 31 August (Yin Zhiyang), 7 September (Guo Changsuo) and 21 September (Jin Shiyi) 2021.
Programme curated by Music Director Tsung Yeh, Guo Changsuo, Yin Zhiyang and Jin Shiyi, this Virtuoso Series III: Winds concert will be held on 25 September 2021 (Saturday), 8pm, at the SCO concert hall and livestreamed on SISTIC LIVE. There will also be a post-concert dialogue. The digital concert video will be available for unlimited playback on SISTIC till 3 October 2021 (Sunday), 8pm.
Link: https://bit.ly/scovirtuoso3
Ticket Prices:
Virtuoso Series I, II, III (31 July, 28 Aug & 25 Sep) Live concert: $20, $28
Digital bundle: 1 for $15; Choose 2 for $18 or 3 for $27
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In addition to the three-parts Virtuoso Series concerts, SCO Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong is the mastermind behind the two SCO25-themed concerts: Our Shared Memories: The SCO Yesteryear and SCO25 Gala concert: Dazzling Rhapsodies. He said, “The 25 years of SCO’s journey are encompassed in these two concerts, showing our past, present and future. Through reminiscing the past and paying tribute to our pioneer generations, Our Shared Memories: The SCO Yesteryear is a concert full of gratitude, colours and imagination. Dazzling Rhapsodies, on the other hand, showcases the unique Nanyang’s affection of Singapore though playing repertoires composed by local young composers. Curating these two concerts wasn’t easy due to the SMM measures, however, we still strive to bring joy, warmth and hope to people with our music!”
Special tribute to Pioneers concert – 14 August 2021, 8pm Our Shared Memories: The SCO Yesteryear (Updated on 19 August 2021: Postponed to 2 October 2021, 8pm)
Embark on a special journey with Music Director Tsung Yeh, Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong and Associate Conductor Moses Gay as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, transporting time back to the 90s through Our Shared Memories: The SCO Yesteryear, to relive and reminisce those extraordinary moments of our SCO pioneers. Audiences are in for a treat as Erhu I Principal Zhao Jianhua will perform The Great Wall Capriccio, an Erhu concerto made famous by the doyenne of erhu, Maestra Min Huifen. Homegrown dizi musician Lim Sin Yeo will charm all present with his captivating performance. Asides, Vocal Associates Chamber Choir will be performing Pass on the Light, through a pre-recording and presented on stage live with SCO.
SCO celebrates the achievements of pioneers who form the building blocks of our local Chinese orchestra scene. Through infusing Nanyang essence into our music, we are known for our unique style on the global stage.
As the saying goes, “The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.” On 2 October 2021 (Saturday), 8pm, embark on a memorable journey as we transport back in time to the 90s, reliving the extraordinary moments of our SCO pioneers. The Our Shared Memories: The SCO Yesteryear concert will be held the SCO concert hall and livestreamed on SISTIC LIVE. The digital concert video will be available for unlimited playback on SISTIC till 10 October 2021 (Sunday), 8pm.
Link: https://bit.ly/sco-oursharedmemories
9 October 2021, 8pm, SCO25 Gala concert
Singapore Chinese Orchestra is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Join Music Director Tsung Yeh, Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong and Associate Conductor Moses Gay in our Dazzling Rhapsodies gala concert to celebrate this joyous occasion. In the past 25 years, several outstanding musicians have accompanied SCO’s growth. Immerse yourself in Nanyang’s affection as Concertmaster Li Baoshun presents gaohu concerto The Legend of the Merlion once again, written by renowned composer Liu Xijin, while Pipa Principal Yu Jia performs Spring and Autumn, composed by Tang Jianping, rejoicing in SCO’s achievements over the past 25 years.
The SCO 25 Gala concert Dazzling Rhapsodies will be held on 9 October 2021 (Saturday), 8pm at the SCO concert hall and livestreamed on SISTIC LIVE. The digital concert video will be available for unlimited playback on SISTIC till 17 October 2021 (Sunday), 8pm.
Link: https://bit.ly/sco-dazzlingrhapsodies
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Ticket Prices:
SCO25 concerts (14 Aug & 9 Oct)
Live concert: $25
Digital concert: $15 for 1; $18 for a bundle of 2
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Other upcoming concerts include:
Music Kaleidoscope, a digital production featuring SCO quintet "Perfect 5", which consists of Ma Huan (Yangqin), Zhang Yin (Pipa), Han Ying (Zhongruan), Qin Zijing (Erhu) and Xu Xuena (Cello). Catch Perfect 5's charming performance on 10 September 2021 (Fri), 8pm. Watch it digitally on SISTIC Live.
The Rising Duo, a concert featuring two young rising Singaporean musicians who are born in the same year, flutist Rit Xu and SCO ruan musician, Jonathan Ngeow. Catch their performance on 23 October 2021 (Sat), 8pm. Watch it live in our concert hall & digitally on SISTIC Live.
Music Tuesdays: Everlasting Tunes, a concert featuring SCO quintet “Xinyue Fanghua”, which consists of Huang Guifang (Sanxian), Yu Jia (Pipa), Xu Hui (Guzheng), Ma Huan (Yangqin) and Jing Po (Daruan). Catch Xinyue Fanghua ‘s charming performance on 9 November 2021 (Tuesday), 7.30pm. Watch it live in our concert hall & digitally on SISTIC Live.
Wang Danhong’s Music Showcase, a concert featuring all works by renowned female Chinese composer Wang Danhong. SCO Gaohu Associate Principal Zhou Ruoyu will be presenting erhu concerto Amannisha. A beautiful performance not to be missed on 27 November 2021 (Sat), 8pm. Watch it live in our concert hall & digitally on SISTIC Live.
For more information, please visit our Website, Facebook and Instagram page, as well as Telegram and Youtube, and don't miss out on our exciting content! 😄
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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.
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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
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Annex A: List of concerts, talks and webisodes for Virtuoso Series & SCO 25 concerts
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日期 Date |
音乐会/讲座/视频系列 Concert/Talks/Webisodes: |
备注 Remarks: |
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7月14日 傍晚7时30分 14 July, 7.30pm |
音乐会前讲座： 【名家名曲】系列之一 《弹指间》 俞嘉、瞿建青与黄桂芳主讲；张鹤杨主持 Pre-Concert Talk: Virtuoso Series I: Pluck Speakers:Yu Jia, Qu Jianqing, Huang Guifang; Host Zhang Heyang |
Platforms: SCO Facebook ZbNOW Facebook Lianhe Zaobao Facebook |
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7月20日 20 July |
视频系列：瞿建青 【名家名曲】系列之一 《弹指间》 Webisode: Qu Jianqing Virtuoso Series I: Pluck |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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7月23日 23 July |
视频系列：黄桂芳 【名家名曲】系列之一 《弹指间》 Webisode: Huang Guifang Virtuoso Series I: Pluck |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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7月27日 27 July |
视频系列：俞嘉 【名家名曲】系列之一 《弹指间》 Webisode: Yu Jia Virtuoso Series I: Pluck |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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7月31日傍晚8时 新加坡华乐团音乐厅/ Sistic Live 31 July, 8pm SCO Concert Hall/ Sistic Live |
音乐会： 【名家名曲】系列之一《弹指间》 Concert: Virtuoso Series I: Pluck |
Virtuoso Series I, II, III: Live concert: $20, $28 Digital bundle: 1 for $15 Choose 2 for $18 or 3 for $27 |
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8月11日傍晚7时30分 11 August，7.30pm |
音乐会前讲座： 【名家名曲】系列之二 《丝弦古韵》 李宝顺、赵剑华主讲；韩咏梅主持 Pre-Concert talk: Virtuoso Series II: Bow Speakers：Li Baoshun & Zhao Jianhua; Host Han Yong Mei |
Platforms: SCO Facebook ZbNOW Facebook Lianhe Zaobao Facebook |
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8月14日傍晚8时 新加坡华乐团音乐厅/ Sistic Live 14 August, 8pm SCO Concert Hall/ Sistic Live |
音乐会：《那些年，我们的华乐》 Concert: SCO25 Our Shared Memories: The SCO Yesteryear |
Platforms: SCO25 concerts: Live concert: $25 Digital concert: $15 for 1; $18 for a bundle of 2 |
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8月17日 17 August |
视频系列：李宝顺 【名家名曲】系列之二 《丝弦古韵》 Webisodes: Li Baoshun Virtuoso Series II: Bow |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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8月24日 24 August |
视频系列：赵剑华 【名家名曲】系列之二 《丝弦古韵》 Webisodes: Zhao Jianhua Virtuoso Series II: Bow |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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8月28日傍晚8时 新加坡华乐团音乐厅/ Sistic Live 28 August, 8pm SCO Concert Hall/ Sistic Live |
音乐会： 【名家名曲】系列之二 《丝弦古韵》 Concert: Virtuoso Series II: Bow |
Virtuoso Series I, II, III: Live concert: $20, $28 Digital bundle: Choose 2 for $18 or 3 for $27 |
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8月31日 31 August |
视频系列：尹志阳 【名家名曲】系列之三 《鸾歌凤吹》 Webisode: Yin Zhiyang Virtuoso Series III: Winds |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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9月7日 7 September |
【名家名曲】系列之三 《鸾歌凤吹》 视频系列：郭长锁 Virtuoso Series III: Winds Webisodes: Guo Changsuo |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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9月8日傍晚7时30分 8 September, 7.30pm |
音乐会前讲座： 【名家名曲】系列之三 《鸾歌凤吹》 靳世义、郭长锁、尹志阳主讲； Pre-Concert talk: Virtuoso Series III: Winds Speaker: Jin Shiyi, Guo Changsuo & Yin Zhiyang; Host: Woo Mun Ngan |
Platforms: SCO Facebook ZbNOW Facebook Lianhe Zaobao Facebook |
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9月21日 21 September |
视频系列：靳世义 【名家名曲】系列之三 《鸾歌凤吹》 Webisodes: Jin Shiyi Virtuoso Series III: Winds |
Platforms: SCO Facebook SCO IG SCO Wechat SCO Youtube |
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9月25日傍晚8时 新加坡华乐团音乐厅/ Sistic Live 25 September, 8pm SCO Concert Hall/ Sistic Live |
音乐会： 【名家名曲】系列之三《鸾歌凤吹》 Concert: Virtuoso Series III: Winds |
Virtuoso Series I, II, III: Live concert: $20, $28 Digital bundle: Choose 2 for $18 or 3 for $27 |
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10月9日傍晚8时 新加坡华乐团音乐厅/ Sistic Live 9 October, 8pm SCO Concert Hall/ Sistic Live |
音乐会：《炫彩》 Concert: SCO25 Dazzling Rhapsodies |
SCO25 concerts: Live concert: $25 Digital concert: $15 for 1; $18 for a bundle of 2 |