Singapore, 1 February 2024 (Thursday) – Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) welcomes in the Year of dragon in January 2024 with our annual flagship Chinese New Year concert – “Rhapsodies of Spring 2024”. Conducted by SCO Principal Conductor Quek Ling Kiong and a wonderful collaboration with Mediacorp Radio CAPITAL 958 DJs yet again, the Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concert will be broadcasted on various platforms, to bring festive cheers to all - beyond geographical boundaries. All will be in for a treat!
SCO Presents Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concert
SCO welcomes in the Year of dragon with our annual flagship Chinese New Year concert - Rhapsodies of Spring 2024. Sheng musician Kevin Cheng will charm the crowd with his rendition of Sheng Concerto, while Drum Feng and Taman Jurong Community Club Juboon Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe are invited to be part of the festivities. SCO will also be collaborating with Mediacorp CAPITAL 958 DJs Yeow Seng Yong and Goh Wei Ying, hyping up the mood for this festive season! Conducted by SCO Principal Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concerts were held on 26 and 27 January 2023 (Friday & Saturday), 7:30pm, at SCO Concert Hall. Tickets were sold out for both days.
Good news! The Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concert will be aired on national television Channel 8 on the first day of Lunar New Year 10 February 2024, 12.30pm. In addition, the concert will also be broadcasted on SCO Facebook page, Mediacorp radio CAPITAL 958 and their Facebook page, as well as 8world Entertainment Life Facebook page, 8world Youtube and wechat platform.
Hosted by CAPITAL 958 DJs Yeow Seng Yong and Goh Wei Ying, the Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concert is part of CNY Family FUN co-presented by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and SCO. A surprise awaits all as this also marks the first collaboration with Drum Feng and Taman Jurong Community Club Juboon Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe, and together, they will present Dragon Dance, composed by Xu Changjun. Sheng musician Kevin Cheng will charm the crowd with his rendition of Sheng Concerto titled Spring at the Seaside, composed by Lo Leung-Fai. This dragon-ful concert is not to be missed!
Mr Quek Ling Kiong shared, “As we usher in the Year of dragon, the Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concert will feature a wonderful performance of dragon dance. There are surprises in it, don’t miss it! Other than the all-time favourites like Spring Festival Overture, SCO also hopes to capture the spirit of the dragon with pieces such as Dragon, a classic that will be presented with a fresh new take, and Spring Returns SG, which will be infused with new musical elements. Sheng musician Kevin Cheng will serenade the crowd with his rendition of Sheng Concerto titled Spring at the Seaside, composed by Lo Leung-Fai. The energetic and vibrant Drum Feng and Taman Jurong Community Club Juboon Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe will bring the energy to the next level! A not-to-be missed, fun and uniquely Singapore Chinese New Year concert to be enjoyed with family and friends!”
SCO will commence the concert with popular and evergreen Lunar New Year tunes such as Spring Festival Overture, composed by Li Huanzhi, adapted by Sim Boon Yew, and Celebrating the New Year, rearranged by Law Wai Lun. For many years, the former has been the opening number and crowd favourite. Composed by Yao Min, rearranged by Dayn Ng Chee Yao, Spring Returns SG is an example of classics with a twist, bringing a spectacular soundscape of tunes!
In conjunction with the year of Dragon, the SCO will be performing Dragon Leaps to the East, composed by Liu Changyuan, and also the Singapore premiere of Dragon, recomposed by Law Wai Lun. Drum Feng kicks off their first collaboration with SCO and will be taking the stage with a rousing drum performance to festive beats with Rise Of Feng, composed by Glen Ng, rearranged by SCO sheng musician Kevin Cheng. Last but not least, Drum Feng and Taman Jurong Community Club Juboon Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe jointly presents Dragon Dance, to round up Rhapsodies of Spring 2024 concert with a blast! A concert not to be missed!
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SCO Chinese New Year outreach concerts – bringing festive tunes to the community
Date & Time: 2 February 2024, 12pm – 1pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
FREE Admission (FULLY REDEEMED)
From classical renditions to contemporary melodies, this concert is sure to resonate with the joyous essence of the Lunar New Year. Indulge in delightful tunes such as Celebration Overture, Spring, Delight at Sunrise and Mahjong Kakis with friends or family and immerse in the festive ambiance. Mark your calendars and join us for an afternoon of musical bliss at SCO Concert Hall! Not to be missed!
Date & Time: 17 February 2024, 5.30pm – 6.30pm
Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
FREE Admission
For the first time, Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will be performing at Wan Qing Yuan! Under the baton of Associate Conductor Moses Gay, SCO will perform a blend of traditional and contemporary melodies, such as Full of Joy, Welcoming Spring and Good Fortune, Gong Xi Gong Xi, Nocturnal Peace, Journey to Suzhou, Longing for the Spring Breeze, The Spring Breeze Kisses My Face, Winter Jasmines, Here Comes Fortune, Celebrating the New Year, New Year Greetings and Gong Xi Fa Cai as part of Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2024. Mark your calendars and extend this invitation to your friends and loved ones to join us in welcoming the Lunar New Year! Not to be missed!
SCO Ticketed Concerts and Chamber Concerts
- Chamber Charms: Night of Bowed-Strings
Date & Time: 23 February 2024, 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $30
SCO will present both Chinese and Western string masterpieces in "Night of Bowed-Strings", the second concert in the Chamber Charms series, curated by Concertmaster and Section Leader (Strings) Li Baoshun and Erhu I Principal Zhao Jianhua, featuring pieces such as Ascending the Mountain, Reflection of the Moon on Erquan, and Bows and Strings. The concert will also include an erhu version of Bach's Concerto in A Minor (Excerpts). With new musical possibilities created by the meeting of East and West, SCO hopes to not only showcase the unique musical qualities of bowed-string instruments!
- SYF Demonstration Concert: Concert-In-Progress 2024
Date & Time: 1 March 2024, 3pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $16
Calling out to all primary school Chinese orchestra instructors, conductors and teachers-in-charge participating in Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation! The Concert-in-Progress: SYF Demonstration Concert is back in the concert hall on 1 March 2024. Conductor Mr Quek Ling Kiong will be sharing tips and insights from the set piece that the students will be performing in the arts presentation showcase. SCO will also be performing the top audience choice piece voted online by students. Join us for Concert-in-Progress, and enhance the synergy and music appreciation within your orchestra.
- Chamber Charms: Night of Winds
Date & Time: 8 March 2024, 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $30
The rich repertoire of musical possibilities available to Chinese wind instruments results in their dazzling variety of moods, techniques, and timbres. In "Night of Winds", the third concert in the Chamber Charms series, the audience can look forward to enjoying xun solo and suona quartet pieces, which are rarely performed at concerts. Furthermore, there will also be a xiao rendition of the well-known Western classic The Swan, curated by SCO Section Leader (Winds and Percussion) and Dizi Principal, Yin Zhiyang. The fusion of East and West promises a lively and rejuvenating evening!
- Qu Chunquan & SCO concert
Date & Time: 16 March 2024, 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $20 - $80
Qu Chunquan is not only an international name in the Chinese music circle but also a pioneer of SCO in its budding stage, and this concert will feature a diverse and colourful repertoire of his works. SCO Zhonghu Principal Lin Gao will present the Singapore premiere of the zhonghu concerto Variations on a Theme of Rely. Legend of Paiwan, which depicts the folklore of Taiwanese indigenous peoples, will be presented by SCO Sheng musician from Taiwan Yang Sin-yu. Reverie at the Statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, created by Qu in Singapore, will bring the concert to a close on a high note.
- Journeying Together: Shao En & SCO concert
Date & Time: 27 April 2024, 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $20 - $80
Internationally renowned conductor Shao En has served as the music director of the Taipei Chinese Orchestra and several symphony orchestras, bridging East and West. With programme curated by SCO Sheng Principal Guo Changsuo, Shao En will take the audience on a journey together through works such as Flowers Blooming Everywhere, Days of Emancipation, Towards a Bright Future, Blossoms on a Spring Moonlit River, and Night Banquet at the Shu Palace. SCO Concertmaster Li Baoshun will perform the profound Autumn Moon over the Han Palace, and the audience can look forward to Dianxi Folk Tunes by Guo Wenjing. Join us to relive timeless classics and embrace new ones!
- Mother’s Day Concert 2024
Date & Time: 10 & 11 May 2024, 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $20 - $80
The highly anticipated Mother's Day Concert is here again! SCO has specially curated a series of songs paying tribute to mothers, such as Lullabies, Along the Silk Road, Mvt V: Homeland Nostalgia, The Plum Blossom Story, and a medley of the works of Taiwanese composer Li Tai-hsiang. The highlight of the night is definitely the special appearance by Chyi Yu, a Taiwanese vocalist best known for her 1979 hit The Olive Tree, who has charmed audiences all over the world with her euphonic voice. Expect a night of soulful emotion and truly enchanting performance, with your loved ones!
- Young Children’s Concert 2024
Date & Time: 17 May 2024, 10.30am and 18 May 2024, 11am
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $20 - $30
What’s that loud horn coming from downstairs? Oh, it’s the Karang Guni (rag and bone) man who collects old items and recyclables! I wonder what story does he have?
Join Guest Conductor Lien Boon Hua on a meaningful journey to uncover stories about the “Karung Guni Boy”, written by Lorraine Tan and illustrated by Eric Wong. Fuelled by his inventive spirit, watch as Ming collects materials from his neighbours to build a remarkable machine! Join us on this fun-filled musical adventure and learn more about sustainability!
*The concert is suitable for children 4 years and above. Children 2 years and above require a ticket.
*Pre-concert activity happening on 18 May only, FREE for ticket holders.
- Chamber Charms: Night of Plucked-Strings
Date & Time: 31 May 2024, 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $30
Be prepared for the beauty of plucked string music for the grand finale of the Chamber Charms series! “Night of Plucked-Strings” will be jointly curated by SCO Section Leader (Plucked strings) and Sanxian Principal, Huang Guifang together with Yangqin Principal, Qu Jianqing and Pipa Principal, Yu Jia, who will be bringing you exquisite ensemble pieces such as Dancing Leaves – Libra, Rhapsody of Fengyang Flower Drum, and Summer ∙ Rainy Day. In addition, plucked string ensemble pieces like Wordless Song and Boundless Love Song will make you fall in love with the delicate beauty of plucked string music!
- Encounter: Liang Wern Fook’s Composition Showcase
Date & Time: 8 June 2024, 3pm (Newly added show!), 7.30pm
Location: SCO Concert Hall
Ticket Price: $20 - $80
“Encounter: Liang Wern Fook's Composition Showcase” is presented by SCO and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. In this concert, SCO will bring together the xinyao icon's compositions, created at various stages of his musical career life, and Chinese music. These pieces invite the audience to join the Cultural Medallion and Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Awards recipient on a retrospective look at his musical journey, during which you might encounter more than a few surprises.
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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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