Supported by Temasek Foundation, the Singapore Chinese Orchestra also announced other engagements in 2022 to nurture an appreciation of music and bring communities together through performances
With the launch of the first-ever Chinese Orchestral Digital Archives, researchers, scholars, musicians and the general public can now access over 20 years of Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s (SCO) concerts, music compositions and information on the development of Chinese music scenes and commissions. When completed in 2023, the Archives will have more than 2,000 Chinese orchestral resources.
Also announced on this World Music Day is a series of SCO performances and educational outreach to make Chinese orchestral music more accessible, nurture an appreciation of the beauty of ageless classics as well as Singapore-influenced or southeast Asian music elements works, and bring communities together through performances. These 2022 initiatives are supported by Temasek Foundation, who has been partnering SCO since 2011 in its mission to forge greater orchestra music excellence and connect with more people in Singapore and beyond through music.
Digital Archives for all, including researchers, budding Chinese orchestral musicians
The five-year digital archives was first kickstarted in 2019 to collect, organise and preserve SCO’s archival records. It electronically documents SCO concert materials, compositions and commissions as part of archiving and preserving SCO’s legacy, and provides open access for researchers, scholars, musicians, and the public to know more about SCO and the development of Chinese orchestral music in Singapore. The collection now being made available online will continue to expand in phases:
Mr Lim Hock Chuan, Head, Programmes at Temasek Foundation, said: “Music has the power to unite us. Through our partnership with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Temasek Foundation hopes that more can come to learn more about Singapore’s rich local musical heritage, celebrate our traditional roots and culture, and strengthen our local community bonds. Temasek Foundation will continue to work closely with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra to keep Singapore’s music scene vibrant.”
Mr Terence Ho, SCO Executive Director, said: ““SCO firmly believes in putting the people at the heart of everything we do. We strive to let our music echo throughout Singapore and let people from all walks of life experience the vibrancy of Chinese orchestral music, through initiatives like the Caring Series, Community Concerts, Music Oasis Concerts and Lunchtime Concerts. We thank Temasek Foundation for their continuous support and trust, in bringing Chinese music to the community.”
Public Outreach and Educational Resources
Since 2011, Temasek Foundation has supported more than 290 outreach concerts by SCO. This year, this suite of community and outreach concerts includes about 30 activities and concerts. These are the highlight activities for 2022:
[1] Kahchun Wong made headlines by winning the first prize at the 5 th Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in 2016, followed by his stint as Chief Conductor at Nuremberg Symphony Conductor from 2018 to August 2022. He assumed the position of Principal Guest Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic from the 2021/2022 season, and will begin his appointment as the Chief Conductor in 2023.