Singapore Chinese Orchestra: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 11:56, 16 August 2010
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Singapore Chinese Orchestra |
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The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is Singapore’s only professional Chinese orchestra.[1][2]
As the flagship of local performing arts groups, the SCO has the patronage of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.[2] 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 of 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.[3] 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
| 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 the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (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- A Symphonic Epic, Instant is a Millennium-A Musical Conversation with Tan Swie Hian, The Grandeur of Tang, Thunderstorm and Admiral of the Seven Seas. These innovative pieces have brought Chinese orchestral music to a whole new level.
Tsung Yeh was appointed as the Music Director of Singapore’s National Day Parade 2007, and he conceptualised a new presentation format for the music of the performance. Under Yeh’s baton was a 240-strong combined musical force comprising the SCO, Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band, Malay and Indian ensemble, Nanyin ensemble and a chorus. Together, they performed to the cabinet, 27,000 enthusiastic audience and millions of viewers over live Television broadcast.
As a true orchestral builder, Yeh's persistence and hard work on the orchestra's performance quality has produced audible results in rhythm, tone quality, dynamic range and musicality. Under Yeh’s baton, the SCO successfully toured Europe in March & April 2005 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 major concert halls in Guangdong, Zhongshan and Shenzhen.
In addition to his appointment as SCO’s Music Director, Tsung Yeh is also the Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra in the United States, making him the first conductor to be appointed as the Music Director of both the Chinese orchestra and the Symphony orchestra simultaneously. In 1995, he and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra were honored with the ASCAP Award. Tsung Yeh was also the Music Director of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
In April 1991, as part of Conductors' Mentor Programme sponsored by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, he worked closely with Music Director Daniel Barenboim and Principal Guest Conductor Pierre Boulez. He led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, successfully replacing the indisposed Barenboim at short notice. He was the former Music Director of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Exxon/Arts Endowment Conductor of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. He served as Resident Conductor of Florida Orchestra and was also the Principal Guest Conductor of Albany Symphony Orchestra of New York. He has been the Principal Conductor of the Hua Xia Ensemble in Beijing and is one of the founders of the Shanghai New Ensemble.
Having been studying piano since the age of five, Tsung Yeh began to learn conducting in 1979 at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and won a full scholarship to the Mannes College of Music in New York in 1981. Upon graduation he received the Academic Excellence Award. In 1983, he began to work towards a Master’s degree at Yale University under Otto Werner-Mueller. He also studied conducting with Max Rudolf, Leonard Slatkin, Murry Sidlin, Sidney Harth, Han Zhong Jie, Huang Yi Jun and Cao Peng.
Tsung Yeh's past engagements in North America included the San Francisco, Tucson and New Haven Symphonies, the Calgary and Rochester Philharmonics. He is also a frequent guest conductor for orchestras in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Taipei and Taichung. In Europe, he conducted Ensemble 2e2m and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and orchestras in Poland, Russia and Czech Republic. Tsung Yeh was engaged to conduct the Shinsei Symphony Orchestra in Japan. In May 2001, he conducted the Paris-Shanghai Duplex Concert with the French National Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai Broadcasting Orchestra, which was broadcasted through the satellite TV with millions of viewers in both Europe and Asia.
With a growing reputation in the conducting and teaching field, he has been one of the Artistic Directors of the Symphonic Workshop Ltd in the Czech Republic since 1992. He has also taught the Conductors Guild Workshops in Chicago and Indianapolis. Yeh has been teaching frequently at the Musik Hochschule in Zurich Switzerland. He has also made various recordings under Hugo and Delos.
Associate 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 Chinese Orchestra of the Affiliated Middle School of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and a Japanese choir in a concert in 2005. Upon graduation in 2006, he gained admittance into the Shanghai National Music Orchestra where he is currently the Erhu musician and Assistant Conductor.
In October 2006, Yao conducted the Chinese Orchestra of the Shanghai Changning District Experimental Primary School, which was awarded the first prize, in a competition. In February 2007, he conducted the Chinese Orchestra of the Shanghai Yan’an Middle School in another competition and won the gold prize.
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 | Acting Associate Principal | |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 Youth Chinese Orchestra
The Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO) is a group of highly talented young musicians between the ages of 13 to 25 years old, formed with the vision to nurture potential talents and groom them to be the future pillars of Singapore Chinese music scene. Through auditions, only the finest musicians are chosen to be members of SYCO.
SYCO has been under the management of Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) sinces 2003 and held its premier concert ins 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 formally conducts the SYCO. SYCO members also receive vigorous training from SCO musicians.
Members gain performing experiences through the many concerts staged throughout the year. At the SYCO Outdoor Concert held on 29 October 2005 at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the orchestra performed alongside SCO to present well-known traditional Chinese orchestra pieces. The SYCO Budding Talents concert held on 10 December 2005 also showcased the orchestra's young stars in both solo and ensemble performances. The orchestra also collaborated with local institutions to stage theatrical concerts in 2005.
The SYCO performed to a full house at its third and fourth concert on 10 June 2006 and 2 June 2007. The orchestra was also invited to perform at the Tainan international Chishi Art Festival in July 2006. The SYCO also staged its debut concert in Esplanade Concert Hall on 4 September 2006. On 29 March 2008, the SYCO was showcased in SYCO Chamber Recital Concert and on 9 Sep the same year, it put up the Beautiful Sunday Esplanade Concert Performance.
The orchestra's members have had the opportunity to participate in various activities such as workshops and master classes conducted by renowned artistes. Since 2005, five members successfully auditioned and participated in the week long Hong Kong Youth Music Camp, where they interacted wit participants from Hong Kong and Macau, fully subsidized by SCO. Four members joined the camp in 2007.
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.
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.
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
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.
Conductor
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 schools 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, which have been highly acclaimed by audience.
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.
Instrumental musicians (2009)
| Instrument | Musician | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Gaohu | Cheow Xunqi | Concert Master |
| Chua Jon Lin | - | |
| Lai Du Jun | ||
| Lim Kwuan Boon | ||
| Lim Wan Ying | ||
| Rudy Wijaya Alamsyah | ||
| Zhonghu | Guo Xiao Jin | Zhonghu Principal |
| Chia Ghim Siang Joel | - | |
| Kuek Yanzhang Daryl | ||
| Teo Yin Song Gerald | ||
| Yang Shi Hui Rachel | ||
| Erhu | Tai Jiayan | Erhu I Principal |
| Teo Yu Yao | Erhu II Principal | |
| Chen Wan Ting | - | |
| Chuan Wenting Candy | ||
| Eng Yah Mui Vanessa | ||
| Fang Jingxuan | ||
| Kwek Keng Yang | ||
| Lee Michelle Belle | ||
| Lee Wenwei Sean | ||
| Lu Hui Yi | ||
| Ong Yik Lin Calvin | ||
| Sim Xseun Rachael | ||
| Sng Zheng | ||
| Tan Jun Yuan | ||
| Theong Li Han | ||
| Wang Koon Lee Dean | ||
| Yangqin | Chow Pei Yan | Yangqin Principal |
| Lur Khim Tian | - | |
| Ang Si Wen | ||
| Yick Jue Ru | ||
| Guzheng | Tay Yvonne | |
| He Lang | ||
| Yuan Ting | ||
| Pipa | Tan I-Ming | Pipa Principal |
| Koh Hui Rong | - | |
| Du Ruo | ||
| Goh Sok Kie | ||
| Ong Yu Yan Nicole | ||
| Tang Yee Ting | ||
| Zhongruan | Tan Su-Min Clara | Zhongruan Principal |
| Chew Kee Wei | - | |
| Koh Hui Ru Jermaine | ||
| Koh Min Hui | ||
| Ngeow Si Ming Jonathan | ||
| Tan Su-Hui Sophy | ||
| Daruan | Chan Jing Wen Kenny | - |
| Tan Zhong Xiao | ||
| Liuqin | Chew Xin Yi Jessly | - |
| Lim Yun Yi | ||
| Qudi | Tan Qing Lun | - |
| Poh Hui Bin Joyce | ||
| Qudi / Xindi | Heng Xiangle | Dizi Principal |
| Tan Jun Qiang Jonathan | - | |
| Bangdi | Ng Hsien Han | - |
| Ong Ting Kai Jason | ||
| Gaoyin Sheng | Neo Ye Siang Desmond | - |
| Lim Xin Norris | ||
| Zhongyin Sheng | Cai Xiaohan | - |
| Ling Xiao Jin | ||
| Guan | Yu Sheng Hong | - |
| Gaoyin Suona | Chang Le | Suona Principal |
| Ng Chu Ying | - | |
| Ong Jun He | ||
| Tay Jing Wen | ||
| Zhongyin Suona | Bay Chuan Sheng Bennett | - |
| Cizhongyin Suona | Lee Ting Feng Mervin | - |
| Diyin Suona | Lo Jun An | - |
| Cello | Gan Ying Ying | Cello Principal |
| Cheah Li Ping Jolene | - | |
| Chan Jing Ni | ||
| Chee Jun Sian | ||
| Han Xu | ||
| Koh Kai En Eunice | ||
| Ng Xuan Wei | ||
| Sim Mei Xing Jasmine | ||
| Double Bass | Fu Weiqi | Bass Principal |
| Chee Jung Hong | - | |
| Nazri Nordin | ||
| Yong Gang Gavin | ||
| Percussion | Low Yik Hang | Percussion Principal |
| Boo Chong Wei Benjamin | Percussion Associate Principal | |
| Goh Ek Jun | - | |
| Koh Bee Kwee | ||
| Li Chengying | ||
| Ng Zi Jian Kenny | ||
| Poh Zi Yang | ||
| Tan Mei Jou Joel | ||
| Wong Hui Sian Sharon |
Instructors
| Instructor | Instrument |
|---|---|
| Low Cher Yong (former)/ Zhang Bin | 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 |
| Guo Chang Suo | Sheng |
| Han Lei | Guan |
| Liu Jiang | Suona |
| Ji Hui Ming | Cello |
| Lee Khiang | Double Bass |
| Ngoh Kheng Seng | Percussion |
See also
References
- ^ "Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO)". Web Archive Singapore. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ a b "The SCO". Retrieved 2009-03-16.
- ^ "PAssion Arts Partners: The Singapore Chinese Orchestra". People's Association. Retrieved 2009-03-18.
External links
- Articles needing cleanup from March 2009
- Cleanup tagged articles without a reason field from March 2009
- Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from March 2009
- Wikipedia neutral point of view disputes from December 2007
- Singaporean orchestras
- Chinese orchestras
- Chinese musical instrument ensembles
- Musical groups established in 1996