• SCO brings a uniquely Singapore flavour to traditional Chinese New Year music
• Singapore-based composers contributed three original commissioned works
• Digital album Spring Melodies of the Lion City will be available for free worldwide on 18 music streaming platforms including Spotify and YouTube, as well as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok’s music libraries

Singapore, 29 January 2026 — The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) has released its first Chinese New Year album since 2015,《春乐满狮城》(Spring Melodies of the Lion City). The digital album — which is also SCO’s first album since Charms of Nanyang III (2023) — presents a modern-day interpretation of traditional Chinese New Year pieces, combining new local compositions with imaginative re-arrangements of well-loved classics. It aims to use uplifting festive music to promote Chinese culture and celebrate Singapore’s multicultural identity.

“SCO is constantly innovating while remaining rooted in tradition,” says Principal Conductor Mr Quek Ling Kiong. “We have given timeless Chinese New Year tunes a uniquely Singaporean sound in what we hope will be the go-to album for many Singaporeans during the festive period.”

A key feature of the album is three original commissioned works by Singapore-based composers, each offering a different musical response to spring, renewal, and celebration.

• 《春花齐放满狮城》(“Spring in the Lion City”) – Phang Kok Jun

Written in a loose theme-and-variations form, “Spring in the Lion City” draws inspiration from plants and flowers commonly displayed in Singaporean homes and public spaces during Chinese New Year, including kumquats, orchids, and lucky bamboo. The SCO-commissioned work premiered on 17 January 2025 at the Rhapsodies of Spring 2025 concert.

• 《春回 SG》(“Spring Returns SG”) – Dayn Ng Chee Yao

A joyful and energetic piece, “Spring Returns SG” blends Chinese, Malay, Indian, and contemporary funk influences. Based on the well-known Chinese New Year song《大地回春》(“The Earth Rejuvenates in Spring”), the work boldly transforms the original major scale melody using a Malay minor scale, celebrating Singapore’s multicultural soundscape.

“While composing ‘Spring Returns SG’, I was inspired by the nuances in the sounds of different cultures that I grew up with. I’ve tried to incorporate — in a rojak style — percussion from various traditions such as the Malay rebana and South Indian mridangam, as well as modern drums. After all, the whole country gets to celebrate during Chinese New Year,” says composer Dayn Ng Chee Yao. “I am pleased to have contributed to a festive experience that will resonate with all Singaporeans.”

• 《春季恋舞》(“Spring Love”) – Sulwyn Lok

A lighthearted, bossa nova-inspired work loosely based on the familiar classic《金蛇狂舞》(“Dance of the Golden Snake”), “Spring Love” offers a softer and more reflective take on Chinese New Year.

In addition to these original works, the album features refreshed arrangements of beloved Chinese New Year tunes, including:

• 《恭喜恭喜》(“Gongxi Gongxi”), with vocals by DJs 胜扬 (Sheng Yang), 琪琪 (Qiqi), 剑斌 (Jian Bin), 霖轩 (Lin Xuan), 韦莹 (Wei Ying), and 碧琳 (Kharissa) from Mediacorp Capital 958 — an originally sombre piece written in the minor key to commemorate the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War
• 《当春风遇上甜蜜蜜》(“Romantic Encounter”)
• 《喜洋洋》(“Full of Joy”)

Beyond celebrating the season, Spring Melodies of the Lion City will also strengthen SCO’s cultural presence by reaching wider audiences, including corporate partners, commercial spaces and media platforms such as radio stations. The album forms part of SCO’s efforts to engage donors, sponsors, and the broader community through accessible and emotionally resonant festive music.

The album will be available for free from 30 January 2026 across 18 music streaming platforms including Spotify and YouTube Music.

The full album and individual tracks from Spring Melodies of the Lion City are also available on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok’s music libraries for users worldwide. They can be found by searching for “Spring Melodies of the Lion City”, “春乐满狮城”, or the individual song titles (see Annexe A).

For more album details, see Annexe A.