Singapore Chinese Orchestra SCO ( zh, c=新加坡华乐团, p=Xinjiapo Huayuetuan) is Singapore's only professional

Chinese orchestra The term Chinese orchestra is most commonly used to refer to the modern Chinese orchestra that is found in China and various overseas Chinese communities. This modern Chinese orchestra first developed out of Jiangnan sizhu ensemble in the 1920s ...

. 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.

History

In 1968, an amateur Chinese orchestra was established as part of the National Theatre under the auspices of the Minister of Culture. This is quickly followed by a performing unit formed by the

People's Association The People's Association (PA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) of the Government of Singapore that oversees neighbourhood grassroots communities and social organisations. Established in 1960, it wa ...

Cultural Troupe, the People's Association Chinese Orchestra (PACO) on 1 July 1968 as part of the government's effort to cultivate racial harmony. Ma Wen was the first conductor of PACO in 1971, followed by Li Xueling in 1973. This became a semi-professional orchestra in 1975 when Ng Tai Kong, the new conductor introduce 6 professional musicians. Ng left in 1977 to direct the newly-formed

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (; abbreviated HKCO) was founded in 1977. The orchestra has won the accolades as “a leader in Chinese ethnic music” and “a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong”. It is often invited to perform at famous venues ...

, and he was followed by Lim Tiap Guan in 1977 and Ku Lap Man in 1980. The number of professionals gradually increased and the orchestra had 32 full-time members by 1984. In 1992, People's Association Chinese Orchestra changed its name to Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Qu Chun Quan took over as conductor after Ku retired in 1995. In May 1996, at the initiative of the then-Prime Minister

Goh Chok Tong Goh Chok Tong (; born 20 May 1941) is a Singaporean former politician who served as Prime Minister of Singapore between 1990 and 2004, and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party between 1992 and 2004. He was the Parliament of Singapore, ...

, this orchestra became independent of People's Association to operate as a private company, and was inaugurated as a fully-professional national orchestra. The

Singapore Conference Hall The Singapore Conference Hall is a multipurpose building located in the heart of the financial district of Shenton Way in Downtown Core of Singapore. The first building to be constructed along Shenton Way, it was a place for conferences and exh ...

was provided as its venue for performances and rehearsals.

Lee Hsien Loong Lee Hsien Loong (; born 10 February 1952) is a Singaporean politician and former brigadier-general who has been serving as Prime Minister of Singapore and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party since 2004. He has been the Member of Par ...

who later became Prime Minister was appointed patron of the orchestra. Hu Bingxu was appointed the new music director in 1996 with Qu the deputy music director, and the orchestra expanded to 45 members. It came under the

Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI; ms, Kementerian Perhubungan dan Penerangan; zh, 通讯及新闻部; ta, தொடர்பு, தகவல் அமைச்சு) is a ministry of the Government of Singapore respon ...

in 1999. On 1 January 2000, it staged a it most ambitious project yet, a Millennium concert featuring 1,000 performers. Later mega concerts in 2004 featured 2,000 performers and over 4,000 in 2014. Hu left in 2000, and Tsung Yeh was appointed its music director in 2002 and has remained in the post since.

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).

References

External links

Singapore Chinese Orchestra's Official Website
{{Authority control Chinese-Singaporean culture Singaporean orchestras Chinese orchestras Chinese musical instrument ensembles Musical groups established in 1996 1996 establishments in Singapore Chinese Singaporean organisations

History

Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra

See also

References

External links