(Updated on 29 August 2022) Singapore, 28 July 2022 (Thursday) – Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) launches a series of concerts this August to December 2022, catered to draw in both SCO fans, as well as new audiences young and old. The SCO will also draw from both past and present, to breathe new life into orchestral masterpieces that have captivated their local and international audiences through the years.
SCO presents Music Oasis: Our SG, Our Music 6 August 2022, 2pm & 3.30pm
Come celebrate National Day with SCO! Don your most glamorous red and white outfit, come expecting for a jubilant yet heart-warming evening as we celebrate our Nation together with the captivating sounds of Chinese orchestral music! Admission is free. An exciting line-up of familiar patriotic favourites, Xinyao classics and new inspirations await audience members on 6 August, 2pm & 3.30pm at the Flower Field Hall at the Gardens by the Bay. Please click the link and register in advance to obtain tickets.
Music Oasis: Our SG, Our Music Programme
Full Moon Blossoms | Composed by Huang Yijun, arranged by Peng Xiuwen
Festive Celebrations | Composed by Lo Leung Fai
Liang Wern Fook Medley | Composed by Liang Wern Fook, amended by Tan Kah Yong
Singai Naadu | Composed by Shabir Tabre Alam, rearranged by Wang Chenwei
National Day Medley | Rearranged by Law Wai Lun
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SCO presents Kahchun Wong and SCO on 20 August 2022, 7.30pm
Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition first prize winner and renowned Singaporean conductor Kahchun Wong takes centre stage! Seize the opportunity to catch one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation dazzle audience with his baton, as Zhonghu Associate Principal Wu Kefei and the five soloists present “Fire Ritual” composed by Tan Dun and the world premiere of “Pictures at an Exhibition”, an original piano masterpiece composed by Modest Mussorgsky and orchestrated by Kahchun Wong into a Sinfonia concertante for Chinese instruments and Chinese orchestra. This August, be mesmerised by the Chief Conductor of both the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra as he plunges into the wondrous world of Chinese orchestral music!
Kahchun Wong and SCO programme
Fire Ritual | Composed by Tan Dun
Huqin: Wu Kefei
Pictures at an Exhibition | Composed by Modest Mussorgsky, Orchestrated by Kahchun Wong
Soloists: Benjamin Boo (Percussion), Lee Jun Cheng (Dizi), Ma Huan (Yangqin), Tan Manman (Huqin), Zhang Yin (Pipa)
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SCO presents Dream Beyond 2022 concert 27 August 2022, 2pm
2022 marks the 8th Dream Beyond concert, an annual charity concert organized by SCO and Deutsche Bank. Dream Beyond is one of the initiatives under the umbrella of SCO CARES. Started in 2007, SCO CARES is an initiative which aims to benefit patients and healthcare personnel with a musical healing touch, and to offer them an opportunity to appreciate the arts.
Conducted by SCO Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, the Dream Beyond 2022 concert will be held on 27 August 2022 (Saturday), 2pm at SCO Concert Hall. Ticket redemption started on 22 August (Monday), first-come, first-served basis.
In collaboration with Deutsche Bank, the eighth edition of our Dream Beyond concert continues to allow beneficiaries from the special needs community to showcase their talent and newfound confidence, as well as promote inclusive music-making. Helmed by SCO Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, join special-needs students from Rainbow Centre as well as visually-impaired violinist Ding Yijie and other differently-abled musicians from the Hong Kong’s True Colors Symphony as we celebrate Deutsche Bank’s 150th anniversary in Asia Pacific and 50th anniversary in Singapore.
In this concert, three students from the Yishun Park School, will perform on stage alongside SCO, under the tutelage of SCO percussion musician Ngoh Kheng Seng and Guzheng Associate Principal Xu Hui. The students learned the Chinese plucked string instrument Guzheng and a few other percussion instruments, under the Talent Development Programme (TDP), which was established since the start of 2018.
Other notable concert highlights include: SCO collaborates with overseas Born to Be disadvantaged students from True Colours Symphony, who is Deutsche Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme partner in Hong Kong. Visually-impaired violinist Ding Yijie and other differently-abled musicians from the Hong Kong’s True Colors Symphony will showcase their talent and newfound confidence, as well as promote inclusive music-making.
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SCO presents Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter on 3 September, 7.30pm
This September, join Singapore Chinese Orchestra as we bring you on an enchanting journey of the intricacies and beauty of the four seasons through Lo Leung-Fai’s masterpiece “The Four Seasons Suite”. Under the baton of Associate Conductor Moses Gay, the orchestra will also present “Tang A Tiu Tiu” and “Spring Trees, Twilight Clouds Fantasia”. Erhu musician Hsieh I-Chieh will also be performing the local premiere of “Xuan Wan”. Come join us at the concert hall, sit back and savour the picturesque musical journey through the seasons!
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Programme
Tang A Tiu Tiu | Composed by Liu Chih-Hsuan
Spring Trees, Twilight Clouds Fantasia | Composed by Liu Chih-Hsuan
Xuan Wan | Composed by Wang Yun-Ya (Local Premiere)
Erhu: Hsieh I-Chieh
The Four Seasons Suite | Composed by Lo Leung-Fai
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Prepared to be moved by the profundity and grandiose portrayal of the "Indiscernible Phoenix" with Sheng musician Kevin Cheng at the next SCO Music Tuesdays concert. In this specially crafted concert, sheng classics such as “Joyful Pasture”, “Recollection”, “Café 1930”, and the world premiere of “Farewell at Yangguan Pass, Finger Dance”, and “Sonic Bedazzlement” will sure to transcend you to a world of beautiful and beguiling Sheng music. Virtuosity, poetry, tradition – the boundless sound of the Sheng, not to be missed.
Music Tuesdays: The Indiscernible Phoenix – Sheng Recital by Kevin Cheng Programme
Joyful Pasture | Composed by Lin Weihua, Hu Tianquan, Accompaniment arranged by Kevin Cheng
Recollection | Composed by Park Kyung Hyun
Histoire du Tango: II. Café 1930 | Composed by Astor Piazzolla, adapted by Kevin Cheng
Farewell at Yangguan Pass | Ancient tune, Arranged by Chow Junyi (World Premiere)
Finger Dance | Composed by Phang Kok Jun (World Premiere)
Sonic Bedazzlement | Composed by Chan Hing-Yan (World Premiere)
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SCO presents Strings Fantasy on 24 September 2022, 7.30pm
Be in awe as SCO regale the crowd with an instrumental feast this September! Under the baton of SCO Music Director Tsung Yeh, world-renowned Menuhin Competition prize-winner and first prize winner in International Paganini Competition Violinist Ning Feng will serenade the audience members with his rendition of “Violin Concerto No.1” (World premiere of CO version). Renowned cellist Qin Li-wei is set to mersmerise the crowd with “Zhuang Zhou’s Dream”. The finale of Strings Fantasy concert features “The Celestial Web”, a poem by Tan Swie Hian and music by Law Wai Lun, with special performance by SYC Ensemble Singers, led by the Chorus Master Chong Wai Lun. Come join us at the concert hall, sit back and savour this unparalleled musical journey!
Strings Fantasy Programme
Orchestra
Memories | Composed by Liu Changyuan
I: Fond Memories
II: Passionate Memories
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Violin concerto (World premiere of CO version)
Violin Concerto No.1 | Composed by Zhao Jiping, adapted by Law Wai Lun
Violin: Ning Feng
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Cello Concerto
Zhuang Zhou’s Dream | Composed by Zhao Jiping
Cello: Qin Li-wei
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Orchestra with Chorus
The Celestial Web | Poem by Tan Swie Hian, Music by Law Wai Lun
Choir：SYC Ensemble Singers
Chorus Master：Chong Wai Lun
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We have more exciting concerts coming up, which includes:
SCO Lunchtime concert Moon Capriccio will be happening on 7 September 2022 (Wednesday), 12.30pm. Conducted by SCO Resident Director Quek Ling Kiong, this concert is presented by Temasek Foundation and supported by MCCY, NAC, Tote Board.
Lunchtime just got better! Nourish your soul with SCO’s lunchtime series concert as we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with “Moon Capriccio”. Under the baton of Resident Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, immerse yourself in endless classics such as Axi Moon Dance, The Full Moon, Rousing Clouds Chasing the Moon, Full Moon Blossoms, and more. Mark the date, and let the post-concert festive vibes take you through the rest of the day!
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SCO Goes to Singapore Discovery Centre on 10 September 2022, 7.30pm
Come celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Singapore Chinese Orchestra as we go to the Singapore Discovery Centre! Under the baton of Associate Conductor Moses, Gay, immerse yourself in the festive spirit as we present familiar favourites such as “The Moon Represents My Heart” and “Impressions of Chinese Music”. Bring along your loved ones, and join us for a heartwarming night of moon-gazing, lanterns and orchestral music!
More details to be released.
SCO Goes to Singapore Discovery Centre Programme
Axi People Dancing Under the Moon | Arranged by Peng Xiuwen
Moonlight in The City | Composed by Chen Jiaming, arranged by Yeo Siew Mong
The Full Moon | Composed by Tie Yuan, Xu Xiyi, arranged by Qu Chunquan
The Moon Represents My Heart | Composed by Weng Qingxi, arranged by Yeo Puay Hian
May Life Be Eternal | Composed by Liang Hongzhi, arranged by Sim Boon Yew
Love From Far Away| Arranged by Sim Boon Yew
Rousing Clouds Chasing the Moon | Composed by Ren Guang, arranged by Peng Xiuwen
Impressions of Chinese Music | Composed by Jiang Ying
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SCO presents Daybreak on 21 October 2022, 7.30pm
A concert that shines a light on legendary symbols of courage, and honours the spirit of great fortitude to chart new beginnings.
Daybreak is an exploration of three Chinese mythological figures—Pan Gu (盘古), who separated heaven and earth; Nu Wa (女媧), who created humankind; and Huang Di (黃帝), who brought the world from savagery to civilisation. Myths, as relevant as ever, help us to answer timeless questions and serve as a compass for generations.
Conceptualised and conducted by Maestro Tsung Yeh and directed by Jeremiah Choy, the philosophical narratives of ancient myths unfold through original music composed by Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient Law Wai Lun and leading contemporary composer Chong Kee Yong, and performed by an ensemble of musicians from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. With each movement a special section of the orchestra is thrust into the spotlight, evoking the heavens, humankind and civilisation, enhanced by multimedia projections.
This atmospheric musical journey features imaginative multimedia projections designed by Jed Tay (NoonTalk Media) and programmed by Low Wee Cheng (Ctrl Fre@k), and quality bespoke lighting design by Gabriel Chan. With evocative sound design by Jeffrey Yue (Ctrl Fre@k) and costumes by fashion designer Lai Chan.
Co-produced by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
A programme of In New Light – A Season of Commissions, in celebration of Esplanade’s 20th anniversary.
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SCO Annual Fundraising Gala Concert and Dinner is one of the key events for SCO 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. This year, the gala concert will feature the unique and captivating sounds of the Guan, and the concert will be happening on 7 October (Friday), 6pm, by invitation only.
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Always enjoyed the sounds of the instrument ruan? Nine SCO ruan musicians will be coming together to put up the Music Tuesdays: Awfully Joyful concert happening on 1 November 2022 (Tuesday), 7.30pm. Doubling up as the programme curator, Zhongruan Principal Zhang Ronghui rallies the ruan section to present world premieres of new works, and a special performance awaits!
This November, revel in the virtuosity of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s ruan section as they come together in an evening of masterful musicianship and joyous discourse. Zhongruan Principal Zhang Ronghui will lead the section to perform ruan evergreens such as Liu Xing's Tuesday Gatherings, Zhang Yima's Delight, Derek Koh’s Metamorphosis, on top of world and local premiere works such as Seven Sage of the Bamboo Grove and Wine Revelry. Come on down and join us this Music Tuesdays, and witness the expressive power of the ruan as you open your ears to the microcosm of crystalline perfection at their fingertips!
Music Tuesdays: Awfully Joyful Programme List
Tuesday Gatherings, Composed by Liu Xing
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Metamorphosis, Composed by Derek Koh
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Seven Sage of the Bamboo Grove, Composed by Sulwyn Lok
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Wine Revelry, Ancient tune, Rearranged by Sulwyn Lok
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Delight, Composed and arranged by Zhang Yima
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Tsung Yeh 20, a concert which celebrates 20 wonderful years of Music Director Tsung Yeh with SCO. A beautiful performance not to be missed on 19 November 2022 (Saturday), 7.30pm. This concert was specially curated by Tsung Yeh and will feature three of his most memorable and notable productions, such as: “Sea – The Source of Life”, “Zheng He - Admiral of the Seven Seas (Selections)” and “Marco Polo & Princess Blue (Selections)”, watch it live in SCO concert hall or digitally on Sistic Live!
Singapore Chinese Music Competition 2022 Prize Winners’ Concert will be happening on 9 December 2022 (Friday) and Finals for Solo (Grand) cum Prize Presentation Ceremony happening on 10 December 2022 (Saturday). Organised by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, the Singapore Chinese Music Competition (SCMC) was previously known as the National Chinese Music Competition. The biennale competition was first organised by the National Arts Council (NAC) in 1998 after the restructuring of the former National Music Competition which was under the auspices of the then Ministry of Culture in the 1980s. The 1st edition of SCMC was held in 2020.
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SNYCO presents Tunes of Tomorrow on 30 July, 7.30pm
In addition, the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) is back for more in the second half of 2022! SNYCO will be making its first full orchestra comeback starting from this concert, where audiences will be able to watch over 80 members back in action together on stage after 2 years! It was in December 2019, during the China concert tour, where SNYCO last had the full orchestra on stage. Against all odds, we have reached a significant milestone.
Witness the youths of today take on the Tunes of Tomorrow! Following the Musical Voyage journey in March, join Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) this July as they make their final stop for this membership year with a high-energy repertoire! Led by SNYCO Music Director Quek Ling Kiong, catch the world premiere of “Lingering Resonances of the Street Opera Gongs” by local young composer Jon Lin Chua, and the Singapore premiere of Sounds of Virtue by Li Bochan. Together with guest musicians Jacky Ng and the Percussion Association of Singapore, be in awe of our young musicians and composers as they regale the crowd with an instrumental feast, and watch on as they shine ever so brightly on the centre stage!
Tunes of Tomorrow Programme
Sounds of Virtue | Composed by Li Bochan
Fantasy | Composed by Xie Peng
Lingering Resonances of the Street Opera Gongs | Composed by Jon Lin Chua
Ode of King of Western Chu | Composed by Li Bochan
Erhu: Chen Ning, Koh Yu Jie
Snow Mountain | Composed by Feng Xiaoquan
Suona: Jacky Ng
Dizi: Ng Wei Xuan
Drumming in Harmony | Composed by Simon Kong Su Leong
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Conducted by SNYCO Music Director Quek Ling Kiong, the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra will present Tunes of Tomorrow concert on 30 July 2022 (Saturday), 7.30pm. More details can be found here.
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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 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
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Tel: 6557 4037 / 9222 1658
June Teo
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