Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Singapore Chinese Orchestra 新加坡华乐团 | |
---|---|
Orchestra | |
Singapore Conference Hall | |
Founded | 1996 |
Concert hall | Singapore Conference Hall |
Website |
www |
Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO, Chinese: 新加坡华乐团) is Singapore’s only professional Chinese orchestra. Inaugurated in 1997, the 85-musician orchestra 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.
History
In 1968, an amateur Chinese orchestra was established as part of the National Theatre under the auspices of the Minister of Culture,[1] and became a performing unit of the People's Association Cultural Troupe, the People's Association Chinese Orchestra. This became a professional orchestra in 1974.[1] It later changed its name to Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the Orchestra was inaugurated in 1996 as a national orchestra at the initiative of the then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.[2]
Performances
Since its inception, SCO has impressed a broadening audience with its blockbuster presentations and is fast establishing itself among its counterparts around the world. In 2002, it staged a symphonic fantasy epic Marco Polo and Princess Blue as part of the opening festival of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. The following year, SCO produced a musical and visual conversation with Singapore’s most eminent multi-disciplinary artist Tan Swie Hian at the Singapore Arts Festival 2003. The orchestra celebrated Singapore’s 39th National Day in 2004 with a spectacular concert – Our People, Our Music – featuring 2,400 local music enthusiasts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In 2005, it produced a mega musical production, Admiral of the Seven Seas, as part of the Singapore Arts Festival 2005. In 2007, SCO was part of the 240-strong combined orchestra that performed at the Singapore National Day Parade. In the Singapore Arts Festival 2008, SCO joined hands with Theatreworks to present the ground-breaking production Awaking, which brought together Kunqu opera music and Elizabethan music. In 2009, SCO made history by becoming the first Chinese orchestra to perform in the opening week of the Edinburgh Festival, and in 2010, performed in Paris as part of the Singapour Festivarts.
Well known for its high performance standards and versatility, the SCO has performed at numerous prestigious events such as the World Economic Forum and International Summit of Arts Council in 2003, and the 2006 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meeting.
The orchestra also toured Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen in 1998 and Taiwan in 2000. In 2005, it performed at the Budapest Spring Festival and the Singapore Season in London and Gateshead. In 2007, SCO performed at the Beijing Music Festival, the Singapore Season in the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, and the Macau International Music Festival. In May 2014, SCO was invited to perform at the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival and in Suzhou to celebrate the Singapore-Suzhou Industrial Park’s 20th anniversary. These international platforms provided SCO with the opportunities to showcase its talents, propelling it to the forefront of the international music arena.
In line with its vision to be a world-renowned people’s orchestra, SCO widens its outreach by performing regularly at various national parks, communities and schools. SCO also commissions its own compositions and in 2006 and 2011, organised the Singapore International Competition for Chinese Orchestral Composition that incorporates Nanyang musical elements from Southeast Asia. In 2012, SCO organised Singapore’s first 23-day National Chinese Orchestra Marathon, a spectacular feat that drew the participation of 31 local Chinese orchestras participated with over 44 performances and an audience of 20,000. On 28 June 2014, SCO created history through the second instalment of Our People Our Music by breaking two Guinness World Records with the Largest Chinese Drum Ensemble of 4,557 performers and the Largest Chinese Orchestra of 3,345 performers at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub. It is with this vision that SCO continues to inspire, influence, educate and communicate through its music.
Patron and board of directors
SCO board of directors | |
---|---|
Patron | Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong |
Honorary Chairmen | Mr Chew Keng Juea |
Mr Robin Hu Yee Cheng | |
Chairman | Mr Patrick Lee Kwok Kie |
Directors | Mr Chen Hwai Liang |
Ms Michelle Cheo | |
Mr Choo Thiam Siew | |
A/P Ho Chee Kong | |
Mr Lau Kam Yuen | |
Mr Victor Lye | |
Ms Susan Leong | |
Mr Ng Siew Quan | |
Mr Seng Han Thong | |
Mr Anthony Tan | |
Mr Paul Tan | |
Mr Till Vestring | |
Mr Wu Hsioh Kwang |
List of musicians
Tsung Yeh
Tsung Yeh joined the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) as Music Director in January 2002. Under his direction, SCO expanded its repertoire with innovative works such as Marco Polo and Princess Blue — A Symphonic Epic, Instant is a Millennium – A Musical Conversation with Tan Swie Hian, The Grandeur of Tang, Thunderstorm, Admiral of the Seven Seas and Awaking. In Awaking, he melded Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu’s plays into one, elevating Chinese orchestral music to a higher level.
His perseverance and diligence have brought SCO’s performances to new heights, both musically and technically. Between March and April 2005, he led the orchestra on a tour to Europe at Barbican Center in London, The Sage Gateshead and the Budapest Spring Festival. In October 2007, SCO performed at the Beijing Music Festival, China Shanghai International Arts Festival, Macau International Music Festival, as well as at major concert halls in Guangzhou, Zhongshan and Shenzhen. In August 2009, SCO made history by becoming the first Chinese orchestra to perform in the opening week of the Edinburgh Festival. Tsung Yeh was awarded the Cultural Medallion 2013, the highest award given in the field of the arts in Singapore.
Quek Ling Kiong
Quek Ling Kiong was recipient of the National Arts Council’s (NAC) Singapore Young Artist Award (2002) and the NAC Cultural Fellowship (2013). He studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music under the NAC Overseas Scholarship, as well as the Lee Foundation and Singapore Hokkien Huay Kwan scholarships. He learned Chinese percussion from renowned master Li Min Xiong and Western classical percussion from Xue Bao Lun. He also explored various Chinese percussion arts with masters such as Li Zhen Gui, An Zhi Shun and Zhu Xiao Lin. After graduating from the Conservatory in 1997, he joined the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) and became its Percussion Principal.
Quek Ling Kiong’s career in professional conducting took off when he became SCO’s first Conducting Assistant in 2003. In 2004, he became SCO’s Assistant Conductor as well as the Conductor for the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO). In 2005, he debuted with SCO at the opening concert of the 12th International Conference of WASBE (World Association for Symphonic Band and Ensembles). In 2006 and 2013, he led SYCO to perform at the Tainan International Arts Festival and Hsinchu Chinese Music Festival in Taiwan respectively.
Quek Ling Kiong was promoted to SCO’s Resident Conductor from 1 January 2013.
Moses Gay
Moses Gay began his conducting career as the youngest conductor to lead SCO. In 2011, Moses Gay has started his artistic partnership with SCO in year 2011 as its Conducting Assistant, whilst pursuing a master's degree in Orchestral Conducting at the China Conservatory of Music on a full scholarship under the tutelage of Youqing Yang and Tsung Yeh. He was SCO’s Young Assistant Conductor-in-Residence of SCO since August 2013.
At age 16, Moses Gay conducted for the first time with his school orchestra and received much appreciation and applause from audience. Renowned conductor, Ku Lap Man, who was present at that time commented that Moses will be the next rising star in the conducting circle. In 2009, he was presented with the “Conductor with the Most Promising Potential” award at a conducting masterclass held at the China Conservatory of Music. During his course of studies, he has attended various international conducting masterclasses by famous conductors including Vance George, Mark Gibson, Leon Gregorian, Marc Trautmann. He was also mentored by Alexander Polischuk at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory.
Moses Gay was appointed as SCO’s Assistant Conductor from 1 August 2014.
Instrumental musicians
SCO musicians | ||
---|---|---|
Instrument | Musician | Position |
Gaohu | Li Bao Shun | Concertmaster |
Zhou Ruo Yu | Gaohu Associate Principal | |
Li Yu Long | – | |
Liu Zhi Yue | ||
She Ling | ||
Xu Wen Jing | ||
Yuan Qi | ||
Zhao Li | ||
Erhu | Zhao Jian Hua | Erhu I Principal |
Zhu Lin | Erhu II Principal | |
Ling Hock Siang | Erhu Associate Principal | |
Ann Hong Mui | – | |
Chen Shu Hua | ||
Cheng Chung Hsien | ||
Chew Keng How | ||
Hsieh I-Chieh | ||
Qin Zi Jing | ||
Shen Qin | ||
Tan Man Man | ||
Zhang Bin | ||
Erhu / Banhu | Tao Kai Li | |
Zhonghu | Lin Gao | Zhonghu Principal |
Wu Ke Fei | Zhonghu Associate Principal | |
Chuan Joon Hee | – | |
Goh Cher Yen | ||
Li Yuan | ||
Neo Yong Soon Wilson | ||
Sim Boon Yew | ||
Wang Yi Jen | ||
Cello | Xu Zhong | Cello Principal |
Tang Jia | Cello Associate Principal | |
Chen Ying Guang Helen | – | |
Huang Ting-Yu | ||
Ji Hui Ming | ||
Poh Yee Luh | ||
Sim Lian Kiat Eddie | ||
Double Bass | Zhang Hao | Double Bass Principal |
Lee Khiang | – | |
Qu Feng | ||
Wang Lu Yao | ||
Yangqin | Qu Jian Qing | Yangqin Principal |
Ma Huan | – | |
Pipa | Yu Jia | Pipa Principal |
Goh Yew Guan | – | |
Tan Joon Chin | ||
Zhang Yin | ||
Liuqin | Seetoh Poh Lam | |
Liuqin / Zhongruan | Zhang Li | |
Zhongruan | Zhang Rong Hui | Ruan Principal |
Lo Chai Xia | Ruan Associate Principal | |
Cheng Tzu Ting | – | |
Foong Chui San | ||
Han Ying | ||
Koh Min Hui | ||
Sanxian / Zhongruan | Huang Gui Fang | |
Daruan | Koh Kim Wah | |
Daruan / Zhongruan | Jing Po | |
Harp / Konghou / Guzheng | Ma Xiao Lan | |
Guzheng / Percussion | Xu Hui | |
Qudi | Yin Zhi Yang | Dizi Principal |
Bangdi | Lim Sin Yeo | – |
Bangdi / Qudi | Zeng Zhi | |
Xindi | Tan Chye Tiong | |
Xindi / Qudi | Phang Thean Siong | |
Gaoyin Sheng | Guo Chang Suo | Sheng Principal |
Ong Yi Horng | – | |
Zhongyin Sheng | Cheng Ho Kwan Kevin | |
Zhong Zhi Yue | ||
Diyin Sheng | Lim Kiong Pin | |
Gaoyin Suona | Jin Shi Yi | Suona / Guan Principal |
Chang Le | Suona / Guan Associate Principal | |
Zhongyin Suona | Lee Heng Quee | – |
Meng Jie | ||
Cizhongyin Suona | Boo Chin Kiah | |
Diyin Suona | Liu Jiang | |
Guan | Han Lei | |
Percussion | Duan Fei | Percussion Associate Principals |
Tan Loke Chuah | ||
Ngoh Kheng Seng | – | |
Shen Guo Qin | ||
Wu Xiang Yang | ||
Xu Fan |
Other musical positions
Position | Musician |
---|---|
Conducting Assistant | Low Cher Yong |
Arranger-in-Residence | Chuan Joon Hee |
Lim Kiong Pin | |
Sim Boon Yew | |
Assistant Conductor | Quek Ling Kiong |
Names of all musicians, apart from the principal and associate principal, are listed in alphabetical order.
Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra
The Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra (SNYCO) is a group of young musicians between the ages of 11 to 25 years old. It has been under the management of Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) since 2003 and held its premiere concert in 2004. Until January 2017, it was named the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO).[3]
Committee
SYCO Committee 2009 | |
---|---|
President | Heng Xiangle |
Vice-President | Cheow Xunqi |
Secretary | Chow Pei Yan |
Scores Coordinator | Low Yik Hang |
Wardrobe Coordinator | Chee Jun Sian |
Welfare Coordinator | Koh Min Hui |
Neo Ye Siang Desmond | |
Managers | Lum Mun Ee |
Yong Shu Rong |
List of musicians
Management team
Musician | Appointment |
---|---|
Tsung Yeh | Advisor |
Quek Ling Kiong | Music director |
Moses Gay | Conductor |
Instrumental musicians
SNYCO musicians 2017 | ||
---|---|---|
Instrument | Musician | Position |
Gaohu | Ryan Lim Ming Zheng | Concertmaster |
Deborah Siok Li Chin | – | |
Tan Keng Li Sophia | ||
Shane Lim Hui | ||
Cao Wenhui | ||
Zhang Ying | ||
Han Xin Yi | ||
Ng Ting Si, Teresa | ||
Erhu I | Wo Kheng Pak Kevin | Erhu I Principal |
Low Likie | – | |
Shi Peiyun | ||
Teo Yin Song, Gerald | ||
Ong Ai Hui | ||
Nicodemus Yim Wai Tuck | ||
Ye Yun Bing | ||
Liu Sichang | ||
Xie Yu Han | ||
Lee Jie Yin | ||
Erhu II | Li Siyu | Erhu II Principal |
Yim Kum Foong, Christine | – | |
Jarrett Seah Yu Cheng | ||
Andrea Yee Pei Ling | ||
Stephanie Ow Jia Min | ||
Fu Kai Lin Caitlin | ||
Yoo Zi Ying Rachel | ||
Amanda Toh Sze Suan | ||
Zhonghu | Aaron Ang Yue Xiang | Zhonghu Principal |
Cyril Ngai (Wei ZiLi) | – | |
Bian Chang | ||
Jiang Peiyan Jasmine | ||
Tan Kwan Xuan Benedict | ||
Wu Sining | ||
Desmond Soo Kim Hock | ||
Cello | Eunice Koh Kai’En | Cello Principal |
Clynton Loh Thiam Wee | – | |
Tan Shi Ling Denise | ||
Tricia Lim Yun Qi | ||
Wong Yan Jun | ||
Elton Teo Kai Jie | ||
Tok Jie Yi Joey | ||
Double Bass | Chee Jun Hong | Double Bass Principal |
Koh Yi Ling, Tizane | – | |
Leung Yong Ting Nicole | ||
Koh Khai Chuan | ||
Yangqin | Su Xin Yee | Yangqin Principal |
Xu KaiJia | – | |
Tan Jie Qing | ||
Pipa | Wang Si Yuan | Pipa Principal |
Yu Man | – | |
Chen Xinyu | ||
Liuqin | Chua Rui Yi | |
Li Xiyue | ||
Zhongruan | Megan Tan Wen Qi | Ruan Principal |
Hoo Yin Huin | – | |
Teo Shu Hui, Emilea | ||
Lim Yu Xin | ||
Chong Shao Yih | ||
Hing Xinhui Sherry | ||
Chew Jing Qi, Selina | ||
Daruan / Sanxian | Wang Le Yi | |
Daruan | Chien Hung Hsun | |
Wong Wai Kit | ||
Guzheng | Jerica Fung Chor Yee | |
Soh Qi Ling | ||
Yang Tingjun | ||
Bangdi | Ang Ru Yi | |
Song Xinyi | ||
Xindi | Leslie Low Guan Yin | |
Ng Wei Xuan | ||
Qudi | Sherman Lee Le Xuan | Dizi Principal |
James Ding Sinuo | – | |
Gaoyin Sheng | Lee De Jie | Sheng Principal |
Leong Jia Wen | – | |
Zhongyin Sheng | Kong Yik Hung | |
Elston Aw Yu Xuan | ||
Diyin Sheng | Kelvin Sim Kai Wen | |
Gaoyin Suona | Ling Xiao Jun | Suona Principal |
Ng Qi Yang | – | |
Low Lex | ||
Zhongyin Suona | Dingwan Chenxi | |
Li Zong Xian | ||
Cizhongyin Suona | Jacky Ng Yong Hoe | |
Lee Kang Quan | ||
Diyin Suona | Chan De Rui | |
Guanzi | Koh Wee Hrng | |
Ow Song Sim Dennys | ||
Percussion | Guo Jia | Percussion Principal |
Lim Rei | – | |
Janika Oh Ja-Min | ||
Nicholas Teo Jorquan | ||
Randy Tan Chen Howe | ||
Ong Jia Yong | ||
Wang Xin Hang | ||
Tay Zhong En | ||
Lim Jing Yi |
Instructors
Instructor | Instrument |
---|---|
Xu Wen Jing | Gaohu / Zhonghu |
Ling Hock Siang | Erhu |
Helen Chen | Cello |
Zhang Hao | Double Bass |
Zhang Li | Liuqin |
Lo Chai Xia | Ruan |
Zhang Yin | Pipa |
Qu Jian Qing | Yangqin |
Xu Hui | Guzheng |
Liu Jiang | Suona |
Lim Sin Yeo | Dizi |
Ong Yi Horng | Sheng |
Han Lei | Guan |
Duan Fei | Percussion |
See also
References
- 1 2 Frederick Lau (2007). Music in China. Oxford University Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0195301243.
- ↑ "PAssion Arts Partners: The Singapore Chinese Orchestra". People's Association. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
- ↑ "Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra to perform at Esplanade Concert Hall on March 18". Singapore Chinese Orchestra. 22 February 2017.