My contact with SSO started back in 1996, when we played Beethoven’s 2nd Piano Concerto; and I have nice memories about this occasion. Since then we have played together many times, and in front of my eyes, the SSO has transformed into a world-class orchestra that can give top performances of the widest scope of repertoire. Lan Shui contributed hugely to the orchestra’s growth and working with him is always an immense pleasure. I wish SSO many new great achievements, and hope to play with them many times in the future.

Congratulations to Lan Shui on a great achievement as Music Director of this wonderful orchestra which is celebrating an important milestone. I want to thank him Lan for introducing me to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and its audiences.

SSO played an extremely important role during my early career development, an invaluable experience from which I benefited greatly and will cherish forever. I am very proud that my very first solo orchestral recording disc was made with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The trademark of SSO has always been apparent: beautiful and detailed playing with warmth in its sound. With these, SSO can only become better and better. I truly look forward to continuing working with SSO in the coming years!

Congratulations Singapore Symphony Orchestra on your 40 anniversary year, you’re now in the prime of your life, and on your way to becoming a wonderful vintage. It’s been a great honour for me to work with you as your Associate Conductor these last five years, and I’ve really enjoyed working with the orchestra and the management on many different programmes …

I’ve had such a wonderful history with the orchestra, and I particularly love the adventurous spirit you have working with Silk Road [ensemble]. We’ve collaborated with the wonderful musicians; and really to take the essentials of what makes Singapore so special …

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Over the 40 years, the SSO has developed from a small orchestra to one with more than 90 permanent musicians. The performance standard is now recognised as world-class. The credit goes to Choo Hoey who built up the orchestra from scratch and Lan Sui developing it further to a fine orchestra in the last 22 years. Congratulations to SSO on its 40th anniversary.

In 1979 when I was a music student , I attended the inaugural concert where Ong Lip Tat was soloist and since then, I have been lucky to hear all the great works right here in Singapore presented by the SSO. The SSO has also cultivated several generations of young listeners with their children’s concerts and familiar favourites reaching out to even the heartlands. I join the SSO regularly in promoting their concerts and it has been a privilege!

I am delighted and honoured to be associated with the SSO in so many wonderful performances we have done together. Happy 40th anniversary and many more years to come!

The musical camaraderie and the exhilaration of performing choral masterpieces in the years when I sang with the SSO and the Singapore Symphony Chorus are unforgettable! It was also a privilege to have collaborated with the SSO for the Singapore Arts Festival - special highlights were concerts with Tan Dun, and the staging of Mahler’s monumental “Symphony of a Thousand” for the first time at the new Esplanade Concert Hall in 2004. I’m so pleased to continue our collaboration today with pianist Melvyn Tan. Thank you SSO for the joy and adventure of music you have brought us! Have a fabulous 40th anniversary!

Happy Birthday to the SSO from your friends at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra! We are proud of our partnership with you and look forward to future musical collaborations and artistic adventures.

Having just celebrated our 25th anniversary, the T’ang Quartet is forever grateful that we have travelled this path together with the SSO! Congratulations and best wishes for many more years of artistic excellence!

Wow, so the SSO is 40 years old. Well, you certainly don’t look it – hardly a grey hair to be seen. Many congratulations, and may the next 160 years be at least equally exciting and successful. Happy Birthday!

Congratulations, SSO, for your 40th year! The beginnings of an orchestra is always complicated anywhere but one of the many reasons that I share this joy with the SSO is that it overcame all these often challenging situations wonderfully. Now, it has become an internationally-recognized orchestra. I’m very happy that in the 32 years that I played viola in the orchestra, that I could make that little difference to its success.

Music is a gift for all of us to share, and Butterfield is deeply honoured and privileged to share in the celebration of the SSO’s first 40 years. As we continue to invest in our business and people, and grow our relationships in the community, we are pleased to help contribute to the vibrancy of the arts in Singapore.

Congratulations to the SSO on its achievements across the past 40 years, and for its ever-evolving commitment to music and to Singapore. The YST Conservatory is grateful for SSO’s friendship, both institutionally and through our multi-faceted connections across our faculty, alumni and students, who have been involved with the orchestra and also contributed to YST’s evolution.

All the different cultures and nationalities that form the beautiful Singapore Symphony Orchestra is living proof that classical music travels beyond borders. Culture and art are vital to any civilised society and they are in constant need of champions and defenders. The thriving development of the SSO since its birth is inspiring and makes one hopeful for the bright future of classical music. Wishing you all a very happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Singapore Symphony Orchestra! Goodness gracious, you’re nearly as old as I am! Here’s to many more musical adventures spent with you for the next 40! God bless you!