Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts ink Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen partnership to uplift traditional Chinese arts and culture

Singapore, 1 April 2022 (Friday) – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 1 April 2022 (Friday) at NAFA’s Lee Foundation Theatre. The ceremony was marked by a performance by the SCO, featuring young musicians from NAFA. With a longstanding collaborative relationship since 2009, the MOU seeks to formalise the enduring partnership between SCO and NAFA for the preservation and promotion of traditional Chinese arts, music, and culture.

Witnessed by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Law, Mr Edwin Tong, the MOU was signed by SCO’s Executive Director Mr Terence Ho and NAFA President Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan. Under the agreement, both institutions aim to sustain and promote the practice and appreciation of Chinese orchestral music, identify opportunities for NAFA students to gain work experience in the orchestra, and offer platforms for integrated programmes in Chinese orchestral studies.

Through a comprehensive strategic partnership, SCO and NAFA will institutionalise the collaboration under 3P’s -- “People”, “Programmes and Productions”. The theme of “People” includes industry exposure opportunities for NAFA students, through invitations to view 4 closed SCO rehearsals annually; regular internship openings, and modular credits for NAFA students as part of their Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) training that is in line with their industry-based learning requirements. “Programmes and Productions” comprise an annual collaboration through the Campus Rhapsody concert series; and will feature students in SCO’s Music Tapas – performances held before SCO and SNYCO concerts.

SCO Executive Director Terence Ho said, “SCO and NAFA have been working together for many years and thus, attained a strong record of partnership. We have a number of outstanding SCO musicians who were graduates of NAFA; they built a strong foundation at NAFA, and even went overseas for further studies. Many of our SCO Principals, Associate Principals and musicians are also Instrumental Adjuncts, teaching at NAFA’s Chinese Music Department. Also, we have quite a few Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) members who are current and past batches of NAFA students. We hope to deepen and broaden our collaboration, strive to establish a robust ecosystem to develop top-notch artists and management, to groom and nurture the next generation of fine artists.”

“SCO has been a shining beacon for Chinese music in Singapore since its inauguration in 1997. Our students look up to its achievements and are honoured to be afforded opportunities to further their artistic careers in the distinguished orchestra, while gaining a better understanding of the promotion of Chinese music and culture in Southeast Asia. With this MOU, I believe our creative synergies will bring both NAFA and SCO to greater heights, and I would like to thank SCO for their continued support to nurture future generations of Chinese musicians. Together, we will elevate the quality of Chinese music in Singapore and provide more performance, learning, and career opportunities for our students. I encourage our students to continue showcasing their qualities of passion and excellence, while being inspired to grow through the arts,” said Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan.

Special Concert to commemorate MOU signing ceremony

To celebrate the signing ceremony, SCO and NAFA will jointly hold a special chamber music concert, showcasing solo, wind, percussion, and ensemble pieces. This concert highlights the achievements by NAFA students with their lecturers, who are also SCO musicians. Alongside nine SCO musicians, seven NAFA students will perform tunes featuring a mixture of traditional and modern works, displaying the versatility and vigour of the musicians.

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ANNEX 1 – Concert Programme

ANNEX 2 – Background Information

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EX 1

CONCERT PROGRAMME

ANNEX 2

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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 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.

About Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

Established in 1938, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is Singapore’s pioneer arts institution. The academy is known for its rigorous and high-quality curriculum, innovative and practitioners-led teaching approach, diverse artistic creations, and community outreach.

NAFA has nurtured 13 recipients of the Cultural Medallion – Singapore’s highest accolade bestowed on art practitioners who have significantly impacted arts and culture. Another 14 alumni have been presented the Young Artist Award. Many of the academy’s alumni have gone on to make their mark in the professional arts scene in Singapore and abroad.

The academy offers full-time diploma and degree programmes across three schools: the School of Art & Design comprising 3D Design, Design & Media, Fashion Studies and Fine Art programmes, the School of Music, and the School of Arts Management, Dance & Theatre. Diploma courses are aligned with the degree courses offered in partnership with reputable universities in the United Kingdom, such as the University of the Arts London (ranked 2^nd globally for Art and Design) and Royal College of Music (ranked 2^nd globally for performing arts). In 2021, with the support from MOE, NAFA formed an arts alliance with LASALLE College of the Arts to establish Singapore’s first arts university by 2025.

About Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, School of Music

The NAFA School of Music is supported by a distinguished international faculty with the expertise to nurture highly creative and musically versatile professionals; its multiculturalism offers regional and international music students a great environment to study and perform. NAFA regularly hosts artists from all over the world for masterclasses, workshops, lectures and specialist support.

In addition to weekly public performances on campus at the Lee Foundation Theatre, our student soloists, ensembles and orchestra can be heard regularly at performances in Singapore and abroad. We have strong links with professional arts organisations in Singapore and renowned music conservatoires overseas, in particular the Royal College of Music in London and the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, holding us to some of the world’s highest musical standards.

The NAFA School of Music offers:

1. Diploma in Music
2. Diploma in Music Teaching
3. Bachelor of Music (Honours)
4. Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Instrumental & Vocal Teaching

About Chinese Instrumental Studies, School of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts

NAFA is the only Institute of Higher Learning in Singapore that offers an accredited Chinese Instrumental Studies and receives government funding. The programme seeks to advocate a course of study that is in line with industry needs; at the same time, developing the unique characteristics of Chinese music that is borne out of Singapore’s multi-cultural social ecosystem.

The NAFA Chinese Instrumental studies has collaborated with major music schools in China, such as the Central Conservatory of Music, China Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and many other tertiary art colleges and universities. Students have also won many competitions both on the national and international level, such as Singapore’s National Chinese Music Competition as well as in prestigious competitions in Hong Kong, Russia, and United States.