Singapore, 17 July 2012 (Tuesday) – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) launched its 2012/13 Season on 16 July 2012 (Monday), 11am at the Singapore Conference Hall. The media launch was announced by SCO Music Director Mr Tsung Yeh and General Manager Mr Terence Ho, who introduced to the media and friends on the exciting highlights and the Orchestra’s new initiatives.
SCO’s 2012/13 Season
The opening gala concert The Glorious Lion City will feature works by SCO’s newly appointed Composer-in-Residence Law Wai Lun, showcasing Nanyang-style works. Robert Fernando will sing in the National Day Parade Medley while artiste Guo Liang and DJ Xu Bing will perform with the SPH Chinese Choir and SOKA Chorus in the masterpiece The Celestial Web. As part of Esplanade’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, SCO will present a night of star-studded concert – Our Song from the Heart with local celebrity singers Tanya Chua, Kelly Poon, Joi Chua and Kelvin Tan. The winners of the National Chinese Orchestra Music Competition 2012 will also perform with the SCO to showcase their talents in Winners’ Concert. SCO will collaborate with Radio 100.3FM once again in the SCO’s annual CNY Concert entitled Rhapsodies of Spring 2013.
The 2012/2013 season will be featuring renowned Taiwanese conductor Su Wen Cheng, Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Yan Hui Chang, Artistic Director of Shanghai Opera House Zhang Guo Yong, Ku Pao-wen and Liu Sha. Ku Pao-wen will be appointed as Guest Conductor Chair of the SCO with effect from this season. The audience will also see internationally renowned artistes to perform with the SCO in the new season such as famed erhu master Song Fei, internationally renowned violinist Lu Si Qing, erhu master George Gao, distinguished pipa figures Zhang Qiang and Yang Jing, guzheng and sanxian master Xu Feng Xia, talented banhu musician Huo Yong Gang, Taiwanese pan flute master Chang Chung Li, American pianist Leon Bates and soprano Kimberly Eileen Jones. SCO’s Associate Conductor Quek Ling Kiong will also conduct in the popular Young People Concert and Mother’s Day Concert.
Appointment of Composer-in-Residence
For the first time, SCO has appointed renowned local composer Law Wai Lun as the Composer-in-Residence of the SCO. Law Wai Lun is highly regarded in the Chinese music industry for his composing talent; he was nominated for the Most Outstanding Young Music Composer for Chinese Movie in 1980. He has composed many western, Chinese orchestra and choir compositions, many of his compositions can be found in movies and television production. His masterpieces include The Celestial Web, The Plum Blossom Story, Prince Sang Nila Utama and Singa, and Admiral of the Seven Seas.
SCO Website Revamp and Online Store
The SCO has unveiled a fresh new look for its website with the objective of easy navigation. The link to SISTIC website is just one click away. SCO has also launched its online store for the purchase and download music by SCO at http://shop.sco.com.sg/. SCO will also launch its iPad and iPhone apps on 8 August while Android apps will be launched at a later stage.
SCO Revamp its Friends of SCO Scheme
To serve the members better, SCO has introduced the new membership schemes namely Friends of SCO (free membership), Silver Friends of SCO ($80), and Gold Friends of SCO ($200). Paying members will receive the benefits that worth more than the membership fees such as complimentary concert vouchers, special concert ticket discount, invitation to friends gathering and events and more. Interested friends may get the application form at Singapore Conference Hall Box Office or download the application form from www.sco.com.sg. Free membership can be applied and obtained during SCO concert nights and outreach events.
SYCO’s 10th Anniversary
The Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO) is a group of highly talented young musicians aged between 11 to 26 years old. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) in 2009, SYCO was elevated to the status of National Project of Excellence (NPOE), with the vision to nurture potential talents and groom them to be the future pillars of Singapore’s Chinese music scene. Only the finest musicians, through auditions, are chosen to be members of SYCO. SYCO is under the management of the SCO since 2003 and has held its premier concert in 2004. SCO’s Music Director Mr Tsung Yeh also resides as the Music Director of SYCO, while SCO’s Associate Conductor Mr Quek Ling Kiong conducts. The SYCO members undergo vigorous training from SCO musicians.
Education & Outreach
Subscription concerts are the core of SCO’s 2012/13 Season. However the nurturing of young and new audience and reaching out to the Singapore community remains top priority in SCO’s artistic vision. Besides subscription concerts, the SCO spreads the joy of music to all parts of Singapore through our extensive education activities in schools, free Lunchtime Rhapsodies, Outdoor Rhapsodies at the Singapore Botanic Gardens as well as free concerts sponsored by the Singapore Press Holdings Gift of Music Series.
SCO 2012/13 Priority Sales is NOW ON!
[50%] Priority booking exclusively for Friends of SCO from 16 July 2012– 16 Aug 2012 (only for SCO Silver & Gold members)
[20%] Priority booking from 1 – 16 Aug 2012 (Public sales)
SCO concert tickets are now available from SISTIC.
The Singapore Chinese Orchestra would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the following partners for their support:
Official TV Programme: Good Morning Singapore
Official Radio Station: Capital Radio 95.8
Official Newspaper: Lianhe Zaobao
Hotel Partner: Amara Hotel
Official Concert Hotels: Hotel Royal @ Queens and Rendezvous Hotel
Official Credit Card: OCBC
Official Community Partner: PAssion Card
Media Contacts
Pang Ze Shuen
Executive (Marketing Communications)
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DID: 6557 4037 / 8404 1944
Toi Liang Shing
Executive (Marketing Communications)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DID: 6557 4020 / 9620 8280
Koh Mui Leng
Assistant Manager (Marketing Communications)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DID: 6557 4047 / 9833 0556