Singapore, 28 October 2017 (Saturday) – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) held its Fundraising Gala Dinner and Concert, titled Dreams of the Bamboo Flute, on 27 October 2017, at the Resorts World Sentosa. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was the guest-of-honour for the event. SCO’s annual fundraising gala raises funds for the development and operations of the orchestra. This year, SCO raised $1,750,000, of which, $1,700,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Cultural Matching Fund from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
As SCO is now into its 21st year, SCO commemorated its past two decades of achievements and milestones with the launch of the SCO 20th Anniversary “The People’s Orchestra” set of English and Chinese books at the gala dinner. The book launch was officiated by ESM Goh Chok Tong in the presence of 500 guests.
SCO Board Chairman, Mr Patrick Lee, expressed his appreciation, “I thank ESM Goh Chok Tong for gracing SCO’s Fundraising Gala Dinner and Concert 2017. ESM Goh initiated the set up of a professional national Chinese orchestra hence allowing tonight’s book launch and gala dinner to be memorable.”
The fundraising gala dinner was themed with the Chinese woodwind instrument – bamboo flute (dizi) from the dinner menu to the concert programme and the ocarina door gift. 500 guests enjoyed the five-course Chinese fusion dinner. Besides the delectable dinner, guests enjoyed performances by SCO under the baton of Music Director Tsung Yeh. SCO dizi musicians were showcased performing pieces including Grasshopper Teases the Rooster, Flying Patridges, Skylark and Song of the Wind.
The highlight of the concert was SCO dizi section, dizi players from the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra and young dizi players, of whom the youngest is at a tender age of only 6 years old, performed together to present Singapore Pie, a xinyao piece by Liang Wern Fook, re-arranged for the gala dinner by SCO musician Zhong Zhi Yue.
To express appreciation to all donors and sponsors, Fundraising Committee Chairperson Mrs Goh Chok Tong sang Like a Snowflake from the Sky, Song of the Red Bean, Ständchen (Serenade) and I Could Have Danced All Night.
SCO expresses its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to donors and sponsors who have helped to make the fundraising dinner a success. Funds raised would help the SCO to fulfil its vision of being a world-renowned Chinese Orchestra with a uniquely Singaporean character, and to inspire both Singapore and the world with its music.
Please download high-resolution photos from the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bbhxhqmhigqszbq/Photos%20for%20FRD%20%2717.zip?dl=0
For more information, photographs, and interviews, please contact the Media Officers below:
Media Contacts
Valesha Soon Weixuan
Executive (Marketing Communications)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DID: 6557 4037 / 9187 3418
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