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Singapore Symphony Orchestra Singapore Symphony Orchestra
40 Year of Great Music Logo. 40 Year of Great Music Logo.
2019
History of our well-loved orchestra
40 Years
of Great Music
That Singapore should have a thriving national orchestra today is not a given, and we owe it to many people – ardent audiences, talented musicians and generous patrons, who have helped build the SSO along the way.
40 Years
1979 - 1988
1979 - 1989
1979

SSO Makes its Debut

In 1978, Dr Goh Keng Swee establishes the Singapore Symphonia Company Ltd with Tan Boon Teik as Chairman. On 24–26 January 1979, SSO debuts at the Singapore Conference Hall with 41 musicians including 13 Singaporeans. The concerts feature Music Director Choo Hoey, Acting Leader Lynnette Seah and pianist Ong Lip Tat, all Singaporeans. The orchestra also initiates music scholarships for talented young Singaporeans who will join the SSO upon graduation.
1980

First Tour and Opening of VCH

Choo Hoey receives the Cultural Medallion Award. Singapore Symphony Chorus makes its debut with SSO at the Singapore Conference Hall a month before SSO goes on its first overseas tour to Kuala Lumpur, with pianist Seow Yit Kin. Pavel Prantl becomes SSO’s first Leader and SSO performs the opening concert at the refurbished Victoria Concert Hall, officiated by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
(Photo credit: Ministry of Information and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore)
1981

First Album Recording

SSO records its first album, “Hung Hu Violin Concerto” & other popular Chinese orchestral music, under the Marco Polo label. Choo Hoey conducts the orchestra and Japanese violinist Takako Nishizaki for this release.
(Image courtesy of Harry Chua)
1982

First batch of SSO scholars returns

The first three SSO scholars return to Singapore to join the orchestra.
1984

Botanic Gardens

On 1 May, SSO plays its first concert at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Today, SSO concerts at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage continues to draw crowds as large as 10,000 to the Gardens.
1985

First European Tour and Ladies’ League

In February, SSO goes on its first European tour, covering 10 cities in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In November, SSO Ladies’ League holds its first fundraiser to build a new pipe organ and purchase new instruments for the orchestra.
1986

Promoting Singaporean Works

SSO co-organises the inaugural “New Music Forum” to promote Singaporean compositions through performances of new works and cassette releases of the concert recordings. Today, SSO continues to commission and perform works by Singaporean composers every year.
(Image courtesy of National Library Board)
1988

Christmas Concerts

In December 1988, SSO holds its first complete Christmas programme, accompanied by the Singapore Symphony Chorus. Today, SSO’s Christmas Concerts are a well-loved tradition during the festive season.
1990 - 1999
1990 - 1999
1993

New Leader

Russian violinist Alexander Souptel takes over as Leader from Pavel Prantl.
1995

President’s Charity Concert by Young Talents

SSO performs with young musicians at the President’s Charity Concert by Young Talents, commissioned by President Ong Teng Cheong to fundraise for charities.
1996

Choo Hoey Steps Down

Choo Hoey steps down as Music Director and is given title of Conductor Emeritus. “Friends of SSO” scheme is initiated. “Circle of Friends” is formed for volunteers to help the orchestra in areas such as hospitality and marketing.
1996

New Music Director

Lan Shui conducts his first concert as SSO Music Director on 10 January.
1999

Music Label BIS and National Day

The orchestra records its first album with the international label BIS, playing the works of Tcherepnin with pianist Noriko Ogawa. On 9 August, SSO performs at the National Day Parade for the first time. Professor Cham Tao Soon takes over as Chairman from Tan Boon Teik, who is given the title of Honorary Chairman.
2000 - 2009
2000 - 2009
2001

Excellence for Singapore Award and First China Tour

SSO is conferred the Excellence for Singapore Award by the Singapore Totalisator Board. In its first China tour, the orchestra performs in Shanghai and Beijing; the latter at the invitation of the Beijing Music Festival.
2002

Esplanade Inauguration and SSO Babies’ Proms

SSO marks the national inauguration of the Esplanade Concert Hall, with a concert featuring violinists Kam Ning and Sarah Chang. SSO launches SSO Babies’ Proms, where infants and toddlers enjoy fun and lively concerts.
2003

Youngest Singaporean to Perform with SSO

Eleven-year-old pianist Abigail Sin becomes the youngest Singaporean soloist with SSO. She performs at the SSO President’s Young Performers concert, graced by President SR Nathan.
2005

First US Tour and VCH centennial

SSO gives its first performance in the USA, as part of a tour that includes France and Spain in a total of 11 concerts with soloists Yo-Yo Ma and Gil Shaham. In Singapore, José Carreras sings in an SSO concert attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, to mark Victoria Concert Hall’s 100th year.
2009

Lan Shui Awarded

SSO Music Director Lan Shui is awarded the Cultural Medallion.
2010 - 2019
2010 - 2019
2010

New Chairman

Goh Yew Lin takes over as Chairman from Professor Cham Tao Soon.
(Photo courtesy of Prof. Cham Tao Soon)
2014

SSO at the BBC Proms

SSO performs at the BBC Proms in London, at the Royal Albert Hall. The BBC Proms is a two-month classical music festival considered one of the biggest in the world, with performances broadcast on BBC TV and radio.
2015

Singapore’s Jubilee

SSO celebrates SG50 at the VCH, with eight concerts that include Co-Concertmaster Lynnette Seah, pianists Shane Thio and Lim Yan, and the T’ang Quartet.
2016

Invitation to Tour

SSO embarks on a five-city tour of Germany and the Czech Republic, with invitations to the prestigious Dresden Music Festival and the Prague Spring International Music Festival.
2017

President’s Young Performers and Return to Kuala Lumpur

President Halimah Yacob attends her first SSO President’s Young Performers concert, two weeks after she assumed office as the first woman president of Singapore. After 17 years, SSO returns to perform in Kuala Lumpur, together with the Singapore Symphony Choruses and the Choir of the Transylvania State Philharmonic.
2018

All-Singaporean Works at National Day Concert

SSO stages its first National Day concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall, featuring works by Singaporean composers. The concert is streamed on Facebook Live.
2019

SSO Turns 40

SSO celebrates its 40th year with a gala concert and free performances around Singapore. On 18 January, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is Guest of Honour at SSO’s 40th anniversary Gala concert.