New acts for SPH Gift of Music 2011
Singapore - The Singapore Symphony Children's Choir, young musicians from the acclaimed Mosaic Music Festival, jazz musician Greg Lyons and local singer and composer Lee Weisong are just some of the new acts who will make their debut at this year's SPH Gift of Music concert series.
About 20 free concerts will be staged under the banner of the SPH Gift of Music,, sponsored by leading media group Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). The year-long concert series covers a wide range of musical genres, from classical, pop, rock, blues, jazz, choral music to operas.
Kicking off the new concert series is SPH's long-time partner Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) at the upcoming SSO @ Marina Bay concert on 19 March at 5.30pm. Under the baton of Young Associate Conductor Darrell Ang, the SSO will perform at the scenic Promontory @ Marina Bay, Marina Boulevard for the first time.
Also taking centre stage this month is the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) with a weekend programme of Chinese classics and pop music. The SCO, led by conductor Quek Ling Kiong, will perform on 26 and 27 March at Yishun and Ang Mo Kio Central respectively.
In addition to the national orchestras, other musical groups which will be returning to perform for this year's Gift of Music series include the Singapore Lyric Opera with Opera in the Park and The Philharmonic Winds.
Singapore pop songs or "xinyao", a genre of pop music which is composed and sung by Singaporeans, will also make its appearance this year. Local singer/composer Lee Weisong and Peter Chen, together with xinyao veteran Hong Shaoxuan, will pay tribute to xinyao in this feel-good concert.
Another major highlight will be a series of mini concerts at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. Local bands and musicians will take turns to wow the audience at four weekend concerts at the Esplanade. Each concert has a different musical genre as its theme. One notable concert is Bright Young Things, featuring young jazz musicians who were mentored and groomed by leading Singapore jazz musicians such as Tony Makarome and Joshua Wan.
Another first-time SPH Gift of Music performer is Greg Lyons, a Singapore-based British jazz musician, whose past albums have earned him critical acclaim. He will lead a group of Singapore jazz musicians to perform at VivoCity Amphitheatre.
Launched in 2005 as a gift to the nation to celebrate Singapore's 40th anniversary, the SPH Gift of Music series has been entertaining Singapore audiences in the heartlands, school campuses, parks, concert halls and shopping malls. Thousands of Singaporeans from all walks of life have enjoyed the free concerts.
SPH Gift of Music Series 2011 Calendar of Events:
SSO @ Marina Bay
19 March, 5.30pm, The Promontory @ Marina Bay, Marina Boulevard
Associate conductor Darrell Ang opens the new season of SPH Gift of Music with the SSO.
SCO Community Concert
26 March, 7.30pm, Venue: Open space in front of Blk 838 Yishun St 81 (opposite Khatib MRT Station)
SCO Community Concert
27 March, 7.30pm, Venue: Ang Mo Kio Central Stage
The well-loved SCO presents a weekend of Chinese pop, Xinyao and other familiar classics.
Bridging the Blues
8 - 10 April, Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
Catch local acts such as Skunk Jive, Heritage, Raw Earth, Rain Dogs, Mean Jeanne & The Blues Machine and Fungkimunkees in a weekend of soulful music. Refer to www.esplanade.com for concert timings.
SCO Community Concert
9 Apr, 6.30pm, Venue: Hong Lim Park Open Stage
SSO @NUS
20 May, 7pm, NUS University Cultural Centre
Xinyao Concert
May 21, 6pm, Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens
Xinyao, or “Singapore pop” will take centrestage with some of Singapore's veteran Xinyao singers belting out memorable songs of yesteryears.
Opera in the Park
11 June, 6pm, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Let the Singapore Lyric Opera charms you with excerpts from well know operas.
Little Rockers
17 - 19 June, Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
Jack, of Jack & Rai fame, together with lead guitarist Alvin Khoo of local band 53A, will jam and mentor young talents. Refer to www.esplanade.com for concert timings.
Jazz On the Roof
9 July, 7pm, VivoCity Amphitheatre
Catch Singapore-based veteran British jazz musician Greg Lyons and some of the top jazz exponents in Singapore and the region in action.
SCO Community Concert
30 July, Venue & Time to be confirmed
SCO Community Concert
31 July, Feng Shan Temple, Time to be confirmed
Singapore Symphony Children's Choir
4 August, 3pm, Mrs Lee Choon Guan Concert Hall, ACS, Barker Road
The angelic voices of the SSO Children's Choir will make its debut at the SPH Gift of Music series.
A Nation Celebrates
6 - 9 August, Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
With “Generations” as the theme, this weekend concert will see veteran Singapore bands perform with their younger counterparts. Refer to www.esplanade.com for concert timings.
SSO in the Park
27 Aug, 6pm, Singapore Botanic Gardens
An outdoor concert every SPH Gift of Music is looking forward to, with the SSO playing all-time favourite classics.
The Philharmonic Winds Celebrates Love
Sept 11, 5pm, VivoCity Amphitheatre
Expect evergreen love tunes and classic ballads re-arranged to showcase the glorious sounds of winds instruments.
Bright Young Things
2 - 4 Dec, Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
Bright young talents from the Mosaic Music Festival will dazzle you with their showmanship. Refer to www.esplanade.com for concert timings.
Christmas with The Philharmonic Winds
Date and venue to be confirmed
The Phil Winds is now synonymous with Christmas celebrations in this final SPH Gift of Music concert of the year.
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