Singapore, 27 November 2023 – Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) celebrates the 20th Anniversary with a line-up of concerts, programmes that culminates into a concert tour to East Malaysia from 6th to 14th December 2023! The new orchestra 23/24 season is also unveiled during the same time, sharing what SNYCO has to offer in the new season!
SNYCO20 – Celebrating 20 years of SNYCO music making
The celebration includes the four key concerts titled “Friendship” (谊), “Reunion” （聚）, Legacy” （承） and “Ascend” （腾）. The first three concerts took place earlier this March to July 2023. The SNYCO Ascend “腾” concert is the last of the series and will take place on 2 December 2023. Ascend “腾” concert is also the pre-tour concert that marks the start of the concert tour to East Malaysia from 6th Dec to 14 December 2023.
谊 means “Friendship” and this is the first concert to kickstart SNYCO20 celebration in commemoration of SNYCO 20th anniversary. It also signifies that SNYCO members grow together, many started from strangers and became friends over the years. 聚 means “Reunion” and it is a gathering and reunion of SNYCO alumni with some current members. 承 means “Legacy”, hence this joint concert with SCO focuses on the special connection between SCO instructors and mentors and the young musicians through side-by-side performances and concerto opportunities for SNYCO members. Members get to experience performing alongside professional musicians on the same stage. 腾 means ascend or soar, which has a double meaning. Firstly, it symbolizes SNYCO going overseas for a concert tour. Secondly, it also focuses on sharing the music that embodies Singapore's identity, with the goal of fostering friendships between young people who appreciate and promote the beauty of Chinese orchestral music outside of Singapore. Additionally, the initiative opens up opportunity for cultural exchange through music.
SNYCO Ascend “腾” Pre-Tour concert on 2 Dec 2023
Hold on tight, as the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) presents the finale to the SNYCO20 celebration, Ascend. This is also a pre-tour concert for local audience, as the youth orchestra prepare for the long-anticipated concert tour to East Malaysia!
Under the baton of SNYCO Music Director Quek Ling Kiong, the youth orchestra will deliver a unique concert experience that will showcase music from a myriad of cultures and charms of the different orchestra sections. Legend of Badang by local composer Koh Cheng Jin, Izpirazione II by Simon Kong and Eric Watson’s The Ceilidh brings forth the grandeur of orchestra pieces, while the young musicians perform ensemble works such as Wang Danhong’s Dynamic Plucked Strings by the plucked-strings section, and Zhang Lie’s Waters of the Yellow River by the winds and percussion section.
Expect to be wowed with a variety of musical experience as these young musicians share their passion for music. The performance will not only be a feast for the ears but also a celebration of music diversity. An event surely not to be missed!
SNYCO Ascend concert programme
Conductor: Quek Ling Kiong
Waters of the Yellow River || Composed by Zhang Lie
Dynamic Plucked Strings || Composed by Wang Danhong
Suite for Chinese String Instruments || Composed by Tan Dun
Legend of Badang || Composed by Koh Cheng Jin
Izpirazione II || Composed by Simon Kong Su Leong
Movement II: 红毛丹 Rambutan
Movement III: 打拉脯 Tarap
The Ceilidh ||Composed by Eric James Watson
Ticketing details
Link: https://bit.ly/3sTfhdr
Ticket Price (Excludes SISTIC charges): $22*
SNYCO East Malaysia Concert tour to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching from 6 Dec to 14 Dec 2023
After the youth orchestra completes the pre-tour concert “Ascend” in Singapore on 2 December 2023, the orchestra will be all ready to embark on the long-awaited East Malaysia Concert Tour, from 6 to 14 December 2023.
This is the first concert tour since a 3-year hiatus; SNYCO went to Shanghai, Suzhou and Guangzhou in December 2019 just before the pandemic. This tour also marks the first time SNYCO is travelling to our neighbouring country Malaysia, to share the love Chinese orchestral music with youths in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, and for cultural exchange and learning purposes.
SNYCO Music Director Quek Ling Kiong shares, “The orchestra is very excited to visit Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, since we have not done so in the past three years. I hope we can all learn from our friends in Malaysia, through music and cultural exchanges. Concert tours are particularly great for youths to forge stronger bonds and friendships, not only through concerts and rehearsals, but also by spending quality play time with one another”.
6th Dec to 11th Dec: Kota Kinabalu
The SNYCO is honoured to be invited by the Sabah Ethnic Music Festival 2023 to perform at both the opening and closing concerts of this annual music festival. This concert is held at the Recital Hall of the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The UMS has been considered by many to be one of the most beautiful university campuses in Southeast Asia, surrounded by Mount Kinabalu on one side, and the South China Sea on the other.
Titled “The Beauty of Diversity”, the Sabah Ethnic Music Festival’s spokesperson Mr Teo Seng Chong shared, “this festival serves as the hub that connects different cultures, and allows people to experience the charms, the allure and the very beauty of diversity. Where the youths are inspired to lead and promote the legacy of traditional music, and where the festival becomes a creative space for musicians to shine and thrive. We hope to pass on this legacy and vision to the next generation of music makers.”
1. Sabah Ethnic Music Festival 2023 Opening Concert
Under the baton of Music Director Quek Ling Kiong, the opening concert on the 7th December 2023 will showcase the diverse repertoire performed by the SNYCO, featuring works by renowned composers such as Wang Danhong, Tan Dun, as well as regional composers such as Simon Kong, Teo Seng Chong, Eric Watson and Koh Cheng Jin.
Date: 7 Dec 2023 (Thu)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Recital Hall, University Malaysia Sabah
Ticket prices: RM30 & RM50
Please purchase your tickets directly through the following google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDsFnLEfy-VXPzARHQFJaLnrYpM9UjcbdqpvtFZPBqdySrJw/viewform
2. Sabah Ethnic Music Festival 2023 Closing Concert
The closing concert features a stunning combined orchestra that consists of more than 250 musicians performing as one on stage. Through interactions during rehearsals over three days, members of the combined orchestra have a rare opportunity to learn, to listen and to perform as one under the baton of Mr Teo Yee Peng, Mr Teo Seng Chong, Mr Quek Ling Kiong and Ms Chan Sam Nie. This concert also showcase performances by 10 different local Sabah Chinese ensembles and orchestras.
The result is an exciting collaboration, a concert of cultural exchange between youths that come from different backgrounds. Not to be missed!
Date: 10 Dec 2023 (Sun)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Recital Hall, University Malaysia Sabah
Ticket prices: RM25, RM50
Please purchase your tickets directly though the following google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScd42SOxjPbXNbJIk3wr6ChZ_p_pVzlLUGu-ZvwvUvlfnXf0Q/viewform
For any ticket purchase enquiry, please contact Kota Kinabalu’s festival organiser’s contact through whatsapp:
1. 张元萍 +60 011-6482 2457
2, 吴萱棋 +60 011-3176 3229
11th Dec to 14 Dec 2023 – Kuching
- “Ascend” concert in the Majma Event & Convention Centre, Kuching
Jointly organised by Shangyin Music Centre Sdn Bhd and Oriental Traditional Orchestra Kuching, the “Ascend” concert is staged on 12 December 2023 at the Majma Event & Convention Centre, under the baton of Music Director Quek Ling Kiong.
The spokesperson from the two organisations shared, “The main objectives of Chinese orchestras in Kuching is to promote traditional Chinese music. By taking part in concerts and events within the region and overseas, we hope to groom talented musicians who have both strong foundations and performing experience. These musicians can in turn, bring new blood into the local music scene. We hope that this music and cultural exchange can open the minds of youths in the Sarawak region, feel the charm of music from different cultures and build strong bonds with new friends.”
Date: 12 Dec 2023 (Tue)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Majma Event & Convention Centre
Ticket prices: RM50, RM80, RM100
For any ticket purchase enquiry, please contact the following contacts through WhatsApp:
- From Shangyin Music: +60 082-463 282
- From Oriental Traditional Orchestra Kuching: +60 019-8180503
2. Exchange programme with Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 on 13 Dec 2023
On 13 Dec, the youth orchestra concludes the 2023 East Malaysia concert tour with a wholesome cultural exchange programme with local youths, at the Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 campus. This exchange programme includes youths coming together as a combined orchestra to rehearse for two music pieces – Impressions of the Mountains and Sea composed by Su Wen-Cheng, and The Ceilidh by Eric Watson. Through this short rehearsal session and interactions, we hope to foster friendships and enhance learning experiences among youths from different backgrounds, to enrich their music learning journey.
SNYCO 23/24 Concert Season
The new 23/24 concert season is also unveiled at the Ascend Pre-tour Concert, the first concert for some members that have newly joined since the August audition. A line-up of exciting concert awaits, to usher in 2024.
SNYCO Music Director Quek Ling Kiong shares that the SNYCO has treasures to offer in 2024, the Chinese zodiac Year of Dragon, with exciting concerts and collaborations to delight the audience. “In March 2024, SNYCO will be presenting Let There be Dragons at the Esplanade Concert Hall as part of their Beautiful Sunday series, while members of the SNYCO Alumni Collective will shine by re-presenting classics in the Cultural Extravaganza 2024 festival in June 2024, co-organised with Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). SNYCO will also perform alongside SCO as part of our continuing legacy in July, along with youth members as soloists, accompanied by SCO. On top of performances, masterclasses, workshops, and overseas immersion programme are lined up for members to enhance their musicianship experience in the exciting new year.”
For more information, photographs, and interviews, please contact:
Media Contacts
June Teo
Head (Marketing Communications)
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Tel: 6557 4047 / 9616 7750
Lim Ka Min
Deputy Head (Marketing Communications)
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Tel: 6557 4048 / 9222 1658