Singapore, 5 October 2019 (Saturday) – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) held its Fundraising Gala Dinner and Concert, titled Sanxian Serenade, on 4 October 2019, at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. Through this event, SCO raised a total of $1,253,888. All proceeds will go into the development and funding of operating cost of SCO, of which, $1,203,888 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Cultural Matching Fund from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The event was graced by SCO Patron, Prime Minister and Mrs Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Mr and Mrs Baey Yam Keng and prominent Singaporean leaders and friends of the orchestra.
SCO Patron, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his message, applauded SCO for being a cultural ambassador for Singapore through its recent successful overseas performances.
Chairperson of the fundraising committee, Mrs Goh Chok Tong, thanked the donors for their support, “It is encouraging that this year’s Fundraising Gala Dinner and Concert has attracted 63 donors of which 15 are new to SCO. Among them are leading Singapore foundations and corporations. Their enduring support and donations allow SCO to achieve greater heights of excellence and to fulfil its social and artistic mission in Singapore and beyond.”
SCO’s annual fundraising gala is one of the key events for the orchestra which raises funds for the development and operations of the orchestra. Every year, SCO creatively adopts a Chinese instrument as the inspiration to conceptualise the fundraising year’s theme and concert programme. 460 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. This year is SCO’s 23rd year since inception and 16th Fundraising Gala Dinner & Concert. Under the Fundraising leadership of Mrs Goh Chok Tong and committee members Ms Michelle Cheo and Ms Susan Leong, SCO featured Chinese plucked-string instrument – sanxian. Titled Sanxian Serenade, this year’s concert programme commemorated Singapore’s Bicentennial and featured an exhilarating programme under the music directorship of Tsung Yeh, to showcase sanxian’s virtuosity.
Sanxian is one of the most traditional plucked-string instruments among the Chinese instruments. Sanxian, which translates to ‘three-string’ in Chinese, is a three-string plucked musical instrument with a long fingerboard and its body made from snake skin. SCO sanxian associate principal, Huang Guifang, with SCO, performed sanxian concerto Memories of Beijing ( 忆 京 城 ) composed by Wang Yidong and world premiered a rearranged sanxian and ensemble piece Summer Palace (夏日皇宫 ) as well as Wang Chenwei’s newly composed sanxian concerto Samsui Women, which commemorated the early-days Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore in search of construction work. SCO also performed the world premiere of SCO composer-in-residence, Law Wai Lun’s new work titled Overture 2019. To celebrate the recent successful Europe Concert Tour, SCO played Italian favourites Viva Italia!.
To express appreciation to all donors and sponsors, Fundraising chairperson Mrs Goh Chok Tong, graced all present with her vocals with The Flowing Stream (小河淌水), Why Are The Flowers So Red (花儿为什么这样红), Shepherd’s Flute (牧笛) and an encore of Mein Herr Marquis.
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.
Prime Minister and Mrs Lee Hsien Loong, Mrs Goh Gok Tong in a group picture with the SCO Board of Directors and senior management.
Fundraising committee chairperson, Mrs Goh Chok Tong, addressing the guests with her speech.
SCO Chairman, Mr Ng Siew Quan, addressing the guests with his speech.
SCO Chairman presented Patron, Prime Minister Lee with a sanxian token of appreciation.
Sanxian associate principal, Huang Guifang, showcased the sanxian with the orchestra.
The sanxian ensemble with SCO world premiered Wang Chenwei’s sanxian concerto Samsui Women.
Mrs Goh Chok Tong serenaded guests with 4 pieces at the event.
Please download event photos from www.sendspace.com/file/ueluq9.
For more information, photographs, and interviews, please contact the Media Officers below:
Media Contacts
Koh Mui Leng
Assistant Director (Special Projects)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 6557 4047 / 9833 0556
Rosemary Tan
Director (Business Development)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 6557 4045 / 9681 8961
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