 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is the only local professional orchestra
in Singapore. When the SSO was formed in 1979 with 41 musicians, it was a courageous and visionary move. At
that time when efforts were being focused on Singapore as a business and commercial center, the idea of a symphony
orchestra by Dr Goh Keng Swee came as a welcome and refreshing surprise.
Since then, the SSO has not looked back. In just 17 years - extremely youthful by international standards - the SSO firmly established itself as the nation's musical centerpiece with 90 professional musicians, 80% of whom are Singaporeans. |
Since 1980, The Singapore Youth Orchestra (SYO), under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, has
become a Project for Excellence. It has provided a platform for many potential young musicians to gather,
explore and perform the vast orchestral repertoire under the guidance of professional musicians. The
orchestra gives three public concerts anually and promotes appreciation of orchestral music in schools.
Besides the main orchestra, the SYO has four training ensembles that expose members to ensemble music before attempting the more complex orchestra repertoire. Its individual tuition scheme has helped many young talents to master instrumental techniques and musicianship under the tutelage of professional musicians from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Other SYO activities include music camps, master classes conducted by visiting artists and solo/chamber recitals by members. The orchestra has participated in several overseas projects such as the International Festival of Youth Orchestra and Performing Arts in Rome(1982) and the Kumamoto International Youth Festival in Japan(1993). It has had exchange programmes with youth orchestras from Lancashire(UK), Western Australia(Perth) and the Strathclyde Schools Symphony Orchestra(Scotland). In 1994, SYO was greatly honoured by the invitation to perform at the prestigious Singapore Arts Festival, a biennal international event organised by the National Arts Council. SYO is also an active participant in the World Youth Orchestra Festival and Conference held annually in Japan. |
|
The Kim Seng Wind Symphony(KSWS) had its humble
beginnings in 1992 as a small community centre band with a handful of enthusiastic musicians under the
baton of Mr. Quek Boon Hui. Today, the band has grown to a size of over 60 members and has now come under
the musical directorship of Ms. Chan Peck Suan.
|
West Winds was formed with the support of the People's
Association & the Bukit Batok Community Club in 1993 for amateur musicians, who would like to continue pursuing
their interest in band music after graduating from their educational institutions.
|
|
The NTU Symphonic Band
One of the 2 university level wind bands in Singapore, the NTUSB repertiore includes an annual concert
- Sojourn. This wind band has been under the direction of Mr Luk Hoi Yui.
|
The NUS Symphonic Band
The other of the 2 univesity level wind band. This operates under the auspices of the National
University of Singapore.
|
|
The Thomson CC BigBand
Established in 1993, Thomson Big Band is Singapore's only working big band. Made up of Singaporeans and expatriates, the band performs the music of the best Big Bands. The Band performs for both public and private functions and as well as major events in and out of Singapore. |
Singapore Police Band
The Singapore Police Force Band is of 1925 vintage. It started off as the 2nd Straits Settlements Police Band
under the baton of Mr. F E Minns, ARCM and comprised 33 bandsmen who was mostly Sikhs or Punjabis recruited
from India.
|
School Bands |
|
|
|