‘As our nation turns sixty, CSS Member Vivien Goh’s article for BiblioAsia, the National Library Board’s free quarterly publication, is a timely recollection of the role of the Singapore Youth Orchestra in developing the body of Singapore’s musical history.

Read the full article here!

“The Singapore Youth Orchestra’s practice of commissioning and performing the works of local composers was instrumental in the growth of Singapore music.”

“When the Singapore Youth Orchestra (SYO) was formed in 1980, part of its mission was to be a feeder to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra which had been set up the year before. However, in addition to nurturing young musicians, the orchestra’s other major contribution to Singapore was to feature the works of local composers. 

“’I would like to think that our policy acted as a strong catalyst for Singapore composers to write orchestra works, and also served as an important showcase for them,’ (Bernard Tan, founding chairman of the board of SYO) added. ‘It also encouraged other music groups to perform the works of Singapore composers.”

“Every commission by the SYO to create a new work provided an essential and important opportunity for local composers to write for a full symphonic orchestra and have their works performed… These commissions were milestones in each composer’s development and contributed to the development of Singapore’s orchestral landscape.”

Photograph: The 1985 Singapore Youth Orchestra. Image reproduced from Singapore Youth Orchestra: In Commemoration of its Visit to England 1985 (Singapore: Singapore Youth Orchestra, 1985), n.p. (From National Library Singapore, call no. RCLOS EPHE 0917 V1.31).