Singapore Chinese Orchestra

Singapore Chinese Orchestra's logo with its ten annivesary celebrations on the logo.

Singapore Chinese Orchestra's logo with its ten annivesary celebrations on the logo.

The Singapore Conference Hall is the current home of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is Singapore’s only professional Chinese orchestra.

As the flagship of local performing arts groups, the SCO has the patronage of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. It is located at the Singapore Conference Hall since 2001 after the revamp of the building. Under the baton of music director Tsung Yeh, the 70-strong orchestra aspires to introduce Chinese orchestral music to an ever-broadening audience.

With its aim in becoming a people’s orchestra, SCO has reached out through its Community Series concerts at the heartlands, Arts Education Programmes at schools and Outdoor Concerts at National Parks. In 2004, it launched its Caring and MusiCARE Series to bring Chinese orchestral music to the less privileged.

To develop Singaporean talents, the Orchestra began its Arranger-In-Residence and Conducting Assistant programmes in 2003. The former is to recognise the efforts of its local musicians who have actively been rearranging a number of works for the Orchestra, while the latter is a conducting mentorship for prospective local musicians. It has also set up a youth wing orchestra, the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra in 2003 to nurture young music talents into professional musicians.

History

Formerly a performing unit of the People's Association Cultural Troupe, the Orchestra was inaugurated in 1996 at the initiative of the then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. This inception has been instrumental to the Orchestra’s elevation in its artistic pursuits, warranting it a national orchestra.

Performances

Aside from its regular concerts, the orchestra performed a symphonic fantasy epic, Marco Polo and Princess Blue, as part of the Opening Festival of Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay in November 2002. This work featured not only the orchestra but also a chorus performing in Chinese and Mongolian. A year later, the orchestra staged a musical and visual conversation with Singapore’s most celebrated multi-disciplinary artist, Mr Tan Swie Hian, at the 2003 Singapore Arts Festival. It was also invited for performances at the World Economic Forum in October and the International Summit of Arts Council in November 2003. In 2004, SCO celebrated the 39th National Day of Singapore by staging a concert featuring over 2300 performers titled "SCO National Day Concert – Our People, Our Music" at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Recently, SCO produced a mega musical production Admiral Zheng He as part of the 2005 Singapore Arts Festival 2005. SCO also embarked on its very first Europe Concert Tour to Budapest, London and Newcastle the same year.

Patron & Board Of Directors

Patron: Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister

Board of Directors

Honorary Chairman	Mr Chng Heng Tiu
Chairman	Mr Chew Keng Juea
Deputy Chairman	Mr Chia Ban Seng
Directors	Ms Chew Lee Ching
	Ms Claire Chiang See Ngoh
	Mr Choo Thiam Siew
	Mr Hee Theng Fong
	Mr Heng Chye Kiou
	Mr Robin Hu Yee Cheng
	Mr Lai Hock Meng
	Mr Lee Suan Hiang
	Mr Neo Gim Kian
	Mr Ong Lay Khiam
	Mr Poh Choon Ann
	Dr Soh Kay Cheng

List of musicians

Music Director

Maestro Tsung Yeh joined SCO as Music Director in January 2002. Under Yeh's vision, SCO's repertoire has undergone rapid expansion. He is credited with initiating and designing successful productions such as Marco Polo and Princess Blue, Instant is a Millennium and The Grandeur of Tang.

Yeh's persistence and hard work on the orchestra's performance quality has produced audible results in rhythm, tone quality, dynamic range and musicality. SCO successfully toured under Yeh's baton to Europe in March & April 2005 for concerts at Barbican Center in London, The Sage Gateshead in New Castle and the Budapest Spring Festival.

Tsung Yeh is also the Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra in the United States and the Conductor Laureate in the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. He is the first conductor to be appointed as the Music Director of both the Chinese orchestra and the Symphony orchestra simultaneously.

Assistant Conductor

Quek Ling Kiong, a young and renowned homegrown percussionist and orchestra conductor, joined SCO in 1997. He is currently the Assistant Conductor of SCO and Conductor for the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra. In 2002, Quek received the Young Artist Award presented by the National Arts Council (NAC).

During his appointment as the Assistant Conductor for SCO, he conducted School Concerts Series (Tunes of SCO) for all levels of audience ranging from Primary to Universities. His specialty of hosting and conducting educational programmes include the Young Children’s Concerts, Young People’s Concerts and Outdoor and Community Series Concerts, are highly acclaimed by audiences. Quek has his debut with SCO at the Esplanade Concert Hall in 2005 WASBE (World Association for Symphonic Band and Ensembles) Opening Concert where he received a standing ovation from international audiences.

Quek Ling Kiong is now on study leave to pursue a postgraduate in conducting.

Acting Assistant Conductor

The Current Acting Assistant Conductor of SCO is Yao Shen Shen. Born in 1982, Yao started learning the Erhu from the age of 4 years old from Professor Wang Yong De. He started learning the piano from 5 years old from Professor Wu Le Yi. Yao entered the Affiliated Primary School of Shanghai Conservatory to learn the erhu in 1992 and subsequently entered the Affiliated Middle School of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1995. He won the first place in the Erhu audition to Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2001 where he majored in both Erhu and conducting. He conducted the Affiliated Middle School of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s Chinese orchestra and a Japanese choir in a concert on 2005. Upon graduating, he gained admittance into the Shanghai National Music Orchestra in 2006 and is currently the Erhu musician and Assistant Conductor. In October 2006, Yao conducted the Shanghai Changning District Experimental Primary School’s Chinese orchestra in a competition and was awarded the first prize. In February 2007, he conducted the Shanghai Yan’an Middle School’s Chinese orchestra in a competition and won the gold prize.

Music Director

Tsung Yeh

Assistant Conductor

Quek Ling Kiong

Acting Assistant COnductor

Yao Shen Shen

Instrumental musicians

Instrument	Musician	Remarks
Gaohu	Li Bao Shun	Concertmaster
	Wong Sun Tat	Gaohu Associate Principal
	Low Cher Yong	-
	She Ling
	Xu Wen Jing
	Zhang Bin
Gaohu / Banhu	Tao Kai 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
	Chiang Kum Mun
	Kong Yan Yan
	Shen Qin
	Tan Kim Lian
Zhonghu	Tian Xiao	Zhonghu Principal
	Chuan Joon Hee	-
	Goh Cher Yen
	Sim Boon Yew
	Ng Boon Chai
	Wang Yi Jen
Cello	Xu Zhong	Cello Principal
	Chen Yang Guang	-
	Ji Hui Ming
	Lee Khiok Hua
	Li Hua
	Poh Yee Luh
Double Bass	Wang Meng Ngee	Double Bass Principal
	Lee Khiang	-
	Qu Feng
Yangqin	Qu Jian Qing	Yangqin Principal
	Li Xiao Yuan	-
Pipa	Yu Jia	Pipa Principal
	Goh Yew Guan	-
	Hou Yue Hua
	Tan Joon Chin
Liuqin	Seetoh Poh Lam
Liuqin / Zhongruan	Zhang Li
Zhongruan	Zhang Rong Hui	Zhongruan Principal
	Foong Chui San	-
	Ling Hwee Loong
	Sanxian / Zhongruan		Huang Gui Fang
Daruan	Koh Kim Wah
Daruan / Zhongruan	Jing Po
Konghou / Guzheng	Ma Xiao Lan
Guzheng / Percussion	Xu Hui
Qudi	Yin Zhi Yang		Dizi Principal
Bangdi	Lim Sin Yeo	-
Bangdi / Qudi	Phang Thean Siong
Xindi	Tan Chye Tiong
Xindi / Qudi	See Seow Pang
Gaoyin Sheng	Guo Chang Suo	Sheng Principal
	Ong Yi Horng	-
Zhongyin Sheng	Seah Kar Wee
	Tan Eng Kiat
Diyin Sheng	Lim Kiong Pin
Gaoyin Suona	Jin Shi Yi	Suona/Guan Principal
	Lee Heng Quee	-
Zhongyin / Diyin Suona	Liu Jiang
Cizhongyin Suona	Boo Chin Kiah
Guan	Han Lei
Percussion	Tan Loke Chuah	Acting Principal
	Ngoh Kheng Seng	-
	Shen Guo Qin
	Tan Loke Chuah
	Teo Teng Tat
	Wu Xiang Yang

Other musical positions

Position	Musician	Remarks
Conducting Assistant	Lim Kiong Pin	N/A
	ASS Low Cher Yong
Arranger-in-Residence	Chuan Joon Hee
	Lim Kiong Pin
	Sim Boon Yew
	Sectional Coordinator		Lee Khiang	For Bowed String
Tan Chye Tiong		For Woodwind, Percussion & Plucked String
Sun Huang		On Study Leave
Assistant Conductor	Quek Ling Kiong	On Study Leave

All musicians’ names (except principal & associate principal) are listed according to alphabetical order.

Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra

Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra participating in the Tainan International ChiShi Art Festival.

The  Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra  , or  SYCO  , is the youth section of the  Singapore Chinese Orchestra  . SYCO has produced the finest musicians and composers in the local and international music scene.

SYCO recently staged its third annual concert on June 10, 2006 which saw the entire auditorium fully packed. In September 2006, the "Beautiful Sunday" Concert Series presented yet another breakthrough with SYCO making its debut at the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay .

In July 2006, 11 SYCO members, together with former conductor Quek Ling Kiong, travelled to Taiwan to participate in the Tainan International ChiShi Art Festival. At the same time, another 5 members successfully auditioned for and attended the Hong Kong Youth Music Camp conducted by Professor Xia Fei Yun.

Contents [ hide ]

   * 1 Objectives
   * 2 History
   * 3 Committee
   * 4 List of musicians
         o 4.1 Music Director
         o 4.2 Conductor
         o 4.3 Resident Conductor
         o 4.4 Instrumental musicians
   * 5 Instructors
   * 6 See also
   * 7 External links

[ edit ] Objectives

SYCO gives talented young musicians the chance to work with some of the best music talents in the SCO and experience high quality professional music education and training. Through the training, SYCO hopes to inspire and nurture potential talents and groom them to be the future pillars of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

[ edit ] History

The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) had envisaged setting up a youth Chinese orchestra that is affiliated to SCO years ago. This idea was initiated by the SCO Chairman, Mr Chew Keng Juea. The SYCO was formerly formed under the auspices of Ministry of Education (MOE) ECAC in 1969. The Orchestra was subsequently under the care of Young Musicians' Society (YMS) in 1980 when YMS became self-supporting. SCO formerly took over the management of SYCO in June 2003.

[ edit ] Committee

SYCO Committee 2006 President Heng Xiangle Vice-President Low Yin Yin Michelle Secretary Chow Pei Qian Scores Coordinator Low Yik Hang Wardrobe Coordinator Neo Wee Siang Jason Welfare Coordinator Chew Junru Ong Ting Kai Managers Lum Mun Ee Yong Shu Rong

[ edit ] List of musicians

[ edit ] Music Director

Maestro Tsung Yeh is currently also the Music Director of SCO, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra in the United States, Principal Conductor of the Beijing Huaxia Chamber Ensemble and Conductor Laureate in the Hong Kong Sinfonietta . He is also a frequent guest conductor for many orchestras around the world.

With growing reputation in the conducting teaching field, he has been one of the Artistic Directors of the Symphony Workshop Ltd in the Czech Republic since 1992, and has also taught the "Conductors' Guild Workshop in Chicago". He is also the master teacher of the International Conductors’ Workshop for contemporary music in Zürich since 1997.

[ edit ] Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, conductor of SYCO. Quek Ling Kiong, conductor of SYCO.

Quek Ling Kiong , a young and renowned homegrown percussionist and orchestra conductor, joined the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) in 1997. He is currently the Assistant Conductor of SCO and Conductor of SYCO. In 2002, Quek received the Young Artist Award presented by the National Arts Council (NAC).

Quek has been actively involved in his school’s Chinese orchestra as a percussionist. In 1982, he joined the then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation Chinese Orchestra (Present NAFA City Chinese Orchestra ) to further his learning on percussion instruments. In 1994, under the encouragement of his teacher, Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient and renowned local conductor Mr Tay Teow Kiat , he furthered his studies in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music . In the same year, he was awarded the scholarship from the NAC, Lee Foundation and Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan , and continued his degree in the conservatory. Upon graduation in 1997, he joined the SCO.

During his appointment as the Assistant Conductor for SCO, he conducted School Concerts Series (Tunes of SCO) for all levels of audience ranging from Primary to Universities. His specialty of hosting and conducting educational programmes include the Young Children’s Concerts, Young People’s Concerts and Outdoor and Community Series Concerts, are highly acclaimed by audiences.

[ edit ] Resident Conductor

Ku Pao-Wen graduated with a Doctorate in Musical Arts, majoring in conducting from the University of South Carolina . He was also the Assistant Professor in the Tainan National University of the Arts Department of Chinese Music.

[ edit ] Instrumental musicians Instrument Musician Remarks Gaohu Lim Wan Ying Associate Concertmaster Gu Le Le - Koh Shi Hui Sylvia Wang Koon Lee Dean Zhonghu Chia Yong Hong Zhonghu Principal Kwek Zi Kia - Tan Hong Ging Yeo Ting Ting Reena Erhu Chew Jun Ru Gaohu/Erhu Principal Hoo Yuan Yang Gaohu/Erhu Associate Principal Giam Yue Ling - Ho Qian Hui Loo Jiamin Neo Wee Siang Jason Pang Jin Jia Tan Kuen Cherng Tan Ming Kwang Tay Zhi Wen Teo Yu Yao Thor Jiawen Wu Jun Jie Shaun Zhou Boyi Yangqin Loo Lian Wei William Yangqin/Guzheng Principal Lur Khim Tian - Tan Hao Song Guzheng Koh Wei Ken Kenneth Tay Yvonne Wong Whye Khuin Nicholas Pipa Low Yin Yin Michelle Pipa Principal Koh Hui Rong - Kua Hui Lin Mah Sook Chen Ng Kuan Seng Nicholas Ouyang Qianwen See Cai Yan Anthea Tang Yee Ting Wong Jie Xiang Raymond Zhongruan Chow Pei Qian Liuqin/Ruan Principal Cheng Zi Xin - Chew Kee Wei Koh Puay Chin Sum Yu Heng Tan Hwee Kng Stella Tan Su-hui Sophy Tan Su-min Clara Zhongruan / Sanxian Ngeow Si Ming Jonathan Daruan Koh Min Hui Liuqin Chew Xin Yi Jessly Lim Yun Yi Ng Shui Jaet Hanson Qudi Tan Qing Lun Dizi Principal Poh Hui Bin Joyce - Qudi / Xindi Sim Hui Fen Pauline Tan Jun Qiang Jonathan Wong Wai Hang Bangdi Heng Xiangle Ong Ting Kai Jason Gaoyin Sheng Neo Ye Siang Desmond Sheng Principal Zhongyin Sheng Wang Chen Wei - Guan Lim Jia Wei Tong Wei Jie Wong De Li Dedric Gaoyin Suona Tan Jian Shan Jonathan Suona Associate Principal Bay Chuan Sheng Bennett - Casteels Tzu-ming Heng Shu Ling Serene Ong Jun He Zhongyin Suona Lee Ker Yih Tan Boyuan Cizhongyin Suona Goh Wei Hong Diyin Suona Ng Chee Yao Cello Sim Guan Jie Ryan Cello/Bass Associate Principal Cheah Li Ping Jolene - Choke Chong Hwee Chong Mu He Fang Yiyuan Gan Ying Ying Ng Xuan Wei Tay Shu Wen Audrey Ting Zhi Hong Elgin Double Bass Fu Weiqi Cello/Bass Principal Huang Hui Xian Julina - Huang Shuinan Percussion Toh Kai Siang Eugene Percussion Principal Boo Chong Wei Benjamin - Cheng Siew Sian Gina Koh Bee Kwee Liu I-hsin Low Yik Hang Tan Mei Jou Joel

[ edit ] Instructors Instructor Instrument ASS Low Cher Yong Gaohu / Zhonghu Ling Hock Siang Erhu Zhang Rong Hui Zhongruan / Liuqin Yu Jia Pipa Qu Jian Qing Yangqin Xu Hui Guzheng Lim Sin Yeo Dizi Lim Kiong Pin Sheng Han Lei Guan Liu Jiang Suona Ji Hui Ming Cello Lee Khiang Double Bass Ngoh Kheng Seng Percussion

[ edit ] See also

   * Chinese Orchestra
   * Singapore Chinese Orchestra
   * Singapore Symphony Orchestra
   * Music of Singapore

[ edit ] External links

   * Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra

Retrieved from " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Youth_Chinese_Orchestra "

See also

• Singapore Symphony Orchestra
• Music of Singapore

External links

• Singapore Chinese Orchestra's Official Website