We are deeply saddened to hear news of Maestro Choo Hoey’s passing on the 11th of August. An instrumental figure in the development of Singapore’s music scene, Maestro Choo was the founding music director of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Although his career began overseas, where he conducted some of the world’s leading orchestras including the London Symphony, the London Philharmonic, the Moscow Philharmonic, and the Beijing Central Philharmonic, Maestro Choo returned to Singapore in 1978 to establish the SSO at the invitation of the Singapore government.
During his time as music director, Maestro Choo greatly expanded the orchestra’s repertoire and eventually led it to its international debut, completing four successful European tours. He was a champion of local composers and musicians, premiering works by Singapore composers such as Leong Yoon Pin, Bernard Tan, Phoon Yew Tien, and Tsao Chieh, even bringing some of their works on tour to be performed on the world stage. For his contributions, Maestro Choo was one of the first to be awarded the Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s highest arts accolade, and was also awarded the Public Service Star in 1982.
Maestro Choo is fondly remembered by members of the Composers Society of Singapore:
From Robert Casteels, Belgian-born Singaporean composer, conductor, educator and researcher:
“In 1994, I had guest-conducted in Australia and rested a few days in Singapore on the way back to Europe, (where I was) introduced to Choo Hoey. Choo Hoey had studied in Brussels and asked me many questions about his former teachers, fellow students and Belgium’s music life. A large table was covered with full scores. Choo Hoey was a hardworking and far-seeing pioneer. A generous smile always illuminated his face. His repertoire choices reveal subtle and interesting links between the chosen overtures, concerti and symphonies.
“Maestro Choo Hoey, may your soul join the music Elysium where you meet Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bruckner. R.I.P.”
From Vivien Goh, violinist-conductor-teacher and Cultural Medallion recipient:
“In the late 70s, when Dr Goh Keng Swee started the search for a conductor to form Singapore’s first professional orchestra, there was ONLY ONE Singaporean conductor, and that was Choo Hoey. He had spent 30 years preparing for this role. Because of Choo’s willingness to return to Singapore to begin this difficult task of forming an orchestra when ONLY EIGHT Singapore musicians could be found to qualify to join, he has in many ways touched the lives of many Singaporean musicians we see on stages and music conservatories today all over the world.
“Thank you Mr Choo Hoey, on behalf of all musicians and audiences in Singapore!”
From Bernard Tan, musician, composer, and Emeritus Professor of Physics at NUS:
“Maestro Choo Hoey was a key factor in enabling Singapore’s first fully professional orchestra to succeed. He was the only Singaporean we could find who had a successful international career in orchestral conducting. He had been courted many times by Singapore orchestras but had declined to come back as most of the invitations were from amateur orchestras. Once he realized that Dr Goh Keng Swee was totally serious in starting a fully professional orchestra, he promptly answered our invitation to return as the SSO’s first Music Director.
“He was totally professional in his approach and methodology and took his task very seriously. The early days of the SSO with only a handful of Singaporean musicians were arduous and demanding for both him and the musicians. He was a very kind and caring boss, making sure that his musicians were well looked after. His stint in Europe — Belgium and Greece — had exposed him to the harsh realities of the international musical world, so he never compromised on his musical standards. Though a strict boss and a disciplinarian while on the podium, off the podium he was very approachable and always did his best to solve the personal problems of his musicians. He did not place himself on a pedestal above the musicians but treated them as his peers. For this he engendered a fierce loyalty from his musicians as well as from his legion of devoted fans.
“We will miss him greatly but his musical legacy is secure and he will be remembered for a long time.”
From our members, a heartfelt thank you to Maestro Choo for your passion and life-long commitment to our musical community. You will be dearly missed.
Photo: National Arts Council
