There's nothing like embarking on new beginnings with friends, old and new. 

Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) is kicking off a brand new season this September, welcoming familiar and new faces, both from near and far, with an exciting lineup of events, workshops, activities, and concerts. Set to be their first full-blown season since the start of the pandemic, the orchestra's upcoming set of shows are all centered around the theme of Affinity as way to re-introduce what SCO is all about. 

"It's been three years since we launched a new season. So to start off, I thought we should bring back memories and continue to build the bridge between audiences and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and develop friendships with new audiences," SCO's Principal Conductor, Quek Ling Kiong tells Bandwagon. 

INTRODUCING AFFINITY

As a way of welcoming back their old friends and embracing new connections, the entire season is all about bringing back classic pieces that conjur up feelings of warmth and home while also showcasing thrilling, fresh compositions to evoke excitement.

"It’s also carries a subtle message of building affinity through classics and favorites that our old friends are familiar with but it also gives room to explore new works that we’re trying to introduce," explains Quek. 

Weaving the theme of Affinity both on and off the stage, SCO is adopting a new approach to their curation of shows this time around. A model they call '138', it sees Quek alongside eight of the orchestra's principal musicians from the Musician Advisory Panel, and three sectional leaders collectively planning the artistic and creative direction of the season. 

"Using this model, we collaboratively bring ideas togethers, invited guest conductors and soloists so that our program planning will be more holistic in covering the diverse aspects and unforeseen potentials, beyond what an individual could envision. I think this is a very important new change we have," explains Quek, adding that this new approach has allowed them to better cater to existing and potential audiences.

BRINGING MUSIC TO YOU

Affinity is set to feature more than 100 diverse programs, including workshops and a myriad of concerts, as well as an overseas tour, to support and propel the many aspects of SCO. 

Of course, they have their ticketed shows that is open for everyone to enjoy. Covering over five different series and running althroughout the season, these shows shines a light on the music that we adore from the orchestra. While on the other side, there are the many concerts series that SCO brings to hospitals, hospices, schools, and heartlands as a way to spread the joys of music outside of their typical concert hall. 

"As a people's orchestra, outreach and educational concerts are important aspects of SCO. We bring music, not only in a concert hall, but also to the people, whether they're in the heartlands or wherever they are," says Quek.

REACHING BEYOND BORDERS

This new season also notably features overseas tours where SCO will be performing selected shows in Beijing, Tianjin and Suzhou in March 2024, as well as at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival this coming November. A chance to extend Singapore music and culture outside the little red dot, SCO's China performances amplifies their mission to inspire the world with SCO's brand of music. 

"Being physically there means we carry our music over there, we’re trying to inspire our overseas audience with our music," says Quek.

At the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, SCO will be performing a special adventure story called Musical Adventures with Quek Quek in which Quek himself dress as an Indiana Jones-type character as they guide children through the discovery of Chinese music.

"The director of Shanghai International Arts Festival came to Singapore during their programme selection phase. They really love this story and I'm glad that they wanted to present this Singapore original and educational program for Chinese music at their festival. This is exactly what we hope to achieve, that we continue to inspire our international audience and even draw interest from other festivals," says Quek.

For their China tour next year, the SCO is set to perform at Suzhou, as part of the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park. This musical endeavor not only celebrates the the success story of a joint venture between Singapore and China but also serves as a bridge between cultures, bringing the unique sounds of the orchestra to Chinese audiences.

"The idea is that we create our own uniqueness in sound and story to share with our audience through musical works, this is something that we hope to accomplish when we embark on tours," says Quek. 

As a whole, from their international shows to their outreach concerts, this season is all about re-connecting and re-discovering, or even re-igniting, our affinity with music after almost three bleak years in the pandemic. 

"We hope everyone continues to enjoy the classic works, the favorites that they used to be very familiar with, and at same time, have an open heart to explore local works or premiere works with us. In years to come, these works may become future classics. This is the whole gist of the spirit of this new season," says Quek. 

TO NEW BEGINNINGS

To start things off, they're holding an opening show that really puts the theme of Affinity into action. Featuring veteran musicians Li Baoshun, Huang Guifang, and Yin Zhiyang, the concert will present pieces Red Plum Capriccio, Aleppo, and The Butterfly Dream, as well as an extraordinary restructed version of Yellow River Rhapsody where audiences will be given a pellet drum and under the command of Quek will join in on a spectacular finale. 

"We aim to convey a message with the new season - an invitation for everyone to return. Not only to sit back, relax, and be the audience, but also to be more proactive, engage with us, and create music collectively. Together, we shall create a finale that surrounds the entire concert hall," says Quek. 

Don't miss out on an unforgettable experience as SCO kicks off of their new season this 8 September with their highly anticipated opening show Affinity concert at the SCO Concert Hall. More information can be found on SCO's official website here.