THE TENG ENSEMBLE - 11 OCT 2019, FRI, 7.30PM ESPLANADE CONCERT HALL - In Collaboration with Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay - The Forefathers Project
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THE TENG ENSEMBLE
In Collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
11 OCT 2019, FRI, 7.30PM
ESPLANADE CONCERT HALL
2
CREATIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
S
uch is the melting pot that is known as Singapore network of instrument dealers, luthiers, teachers and
- I grew up in an English-educated family, but musicians. Many of these practitioners had other day jobs
have been playing the traditional Chinese Pipa and stopped playing music for a decade or so, out of fear
for the past 25 years. I dream in English, but of being labelled as communist in Singapore’s early years.
my ears are most familiar with melodies from
Chinese traditions. I also discovered the very different trajectory that
Chinese music took in Singapore, as compared to in
Ten years ago, as a graduate student studying Singapore’s China. In Singapore, Chinese migrants who had brought
Chinese music history, I learnt that the first Chinese music from their respective provinces began to integrate
orchestra in Singapore was set up by the late Mr Yeo their traditions with each other, creating new methods of
How Jiang in 1959, under the auspices of Thau Yong performance and even inventing new instruments.
Amateur Musical Association.
I had the honour of being the last student taught by Mr
In 2016, I had the honour of finally meeting Mr Yeo, Yeo, who passed away in 2017. Through his experiences,
who was still with Thau Yong. A very humble man and an I discovered how Chinese music innovated and adapted
expert Pipa player himself, Mr Yeo had however stopped itself to Singapore, and how the Chinese forefathers in
playing Chinese orchestral music for decades. Instead, Singapore approached music and music-making.
he focused his attention on music from the Teochew and
Waijiang folk music traditions, which were rooted in his Heirlooms is a documentary-concert inspired by the
heritage and blood. music of our Chinese forefathers in Singapore. In
similar fashion, The TENG Ensemble has innovated and
Such folk traditions were unfamiliar to a musician such integrated these folk traditions with a sound of our own.
as myself, who had been playing music that was rooted Through creating a new method of presentation and
in the Chinese orchestral tradition. Unknown to most performance, we hope to invoke a greater appreciation
Singaporeans, Singapore’s early Chinese music was not of these folk traditions.
Chinese orchestral music, but migrant folk music from
the south of China. Generally, younger Chinese musicians All these would not have been realised without the
in Singapore are not exposed to such folk traditions. As generosity of our partners. Our utmost gratitude goes to
such, most Singaporean audiences today find it difficult Mapletree Investments, whose steadfast support of The
to appreciate Chinese folk music. Forefathers Project made possible our four-year long
research process into Singapore’s Chinese music heritage.
Mr Yeo’s music was so different from what I was accus- Special thanks must also go to Esplanade - Theatres on
tomed to. He introduced me to the ebbs and flows of the Bay for coming onboard as our collaborative partner
Teochew music: for a year, I learnt from fellow musicians for Heirlooms.
in Thau Yong. Almost every weekend, the Thau Yong
musicians drank tea and ate Malay kueh at a long table, This concert is dedicated to the community of first-
while playing Teochew (and occasionally Waijiang) generation Chinese musicians in Singapore.
music. The average age of these musicians was about 75
years. Nevertheless, despite the age gap between the
musicians and myself, they generously accepted me into
their ensemble as one of their own.
Through this experience, I discovered an underground
community of music practitioners in Singapore from DR. SAMUEL WONG
the Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew and Hakka music Creative Director, The TENG Company
traditions. This community was a small but close-knit October 2019
3
PROGR A MME
(1hr 15min, no intermission)
The Forefathers Project was initiated by TENG in 2016 to uncover and explore the music
of Singapore’s early Chinese migrants. Over the course of four years, TENG interviewed,
documented and learnt from a community of first-generation masters, luthiers, instrument
dealers and proteges from local Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew and Hakka traditions to shed
light on the lesser-known elements of Singapore’s Chinese music heritage.
Heirlooms is a documentary-concert of eight new works that were inspired by such traditions.
In each of the works, The TENG Ensemble re-imagines the sounds that were carried in the
hearts of Singapore’s Chinese forefathers.
INSPIRED BY NANYIN
TR ACING 《寻迹》
Nanyin Pipa, Sheng, Pipa, Guzheng, Erhu, Gehu, Daruan, Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
XIN ZAO BEH 《新走马》
Pipa, Guzheng, Daruan, Electric Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
INSPIRED BY CANTONESE MUSIC
HANG GAI 《行街》
Sheng, Cantonese Gaohu, Gehu, Cantonese Qinqin, Keyboard and Electronics
REMEMBERING 《难忘》
Sheng, Pipa, Cantonese Qinqin, Guzheng, Cantonese Gaohu, Gehu, Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
DIPTYCH 《双重》
Yueqin, Guzheng, Pipa I, Pipa II, Keyboard and Electronics
CONTEMPOR ARY 《时代》
Sheng, Pipa, Yueqin, Cantonese Gaohu, Electric Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
INSPIRED BY WAIJIANG & TEOCHEW MUSIC
MEMOIR 《回忆录》
Teochew Zheng, Teochew Pipa, Keyboard and Recording
FAR FROM HOME 《思乡》
Teochew Pipa, Sheng, Pipa, Teochew Zheng, Erhu, Gehu, Daruan, Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
All music composed by CHOW JUNYI and produced by BANG WENFU.
4
INSPIR ATION
NANYIN
Hokkien is a widely spoken dialect that originated from the region of Southern Minnan.
Hokkien music is most commonly known as Nanyin (southern orchestral music).
Traditionally, Nanyin is widespread among the Southeastern Coast of Quanzhou, Xiamen,
Hangzhou and Taiwan – where Hokkien is widely spoken, and was brought into Southeast
Asia with the immigration of the Mainland Chinese. Nanyin heavily utilises sizhu (silk and
bamboo) musical instruments with the belief that a sizhu ensemble is able to produce a
much more harmonious sound. There are four key instruments in Nanyin: Pipa, Dongxiao,
Erxian (similar to the Erhu) and Sanxian.
CANTONESE MUSIC
Originating from the Pearl River Delta. Cantonese music is mostly used as instrumental
interludes during Cantonese opera performances and narrative singing. Cantonese music
can be classified into three types, depending on their historical origin, musical structure
and style, dramatic function and creative function. These three types are banghuang (arias),
xiaoqu & paizi (short, fixed tunes) as well as shuochang (oratorical singing).
The lead instrument of a Cantonese music ensemble is typically the Gaohu. Cantonese
music ensembles also frequently feature instruments in the high orchestral register (similar
to the soprano singers of a choir) due to their piercing sound and loud volume, as well as
their close resemblance to the tone used by opera performers.
WAIJIANG MUSIC
Waijiang music - also known as ruyue (scholar’s music) - refers to a genre of music that is
popular within the regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Huai River.
A pre-Cultural Revolution genre of Chinese music, Waijiang music traditions can be traced
back to the Guangdong province during the Qing dynasty. Back then, Waijiang music was
performed purely for the purpose of intellectual entertainment. As such, it was consumed
mainly by officials, elites and the literate. With the passage of time, however, the music
tradition soon reached the Teochews and Hakkas living in nearby areas.
While classified by most as a genre of Teochew music, Waijiang music can also be considered
as a genre of Hakka music, due to the strong Hakka influence.
TEOCHEW MUSIC
Teochew music is widely regarded as an integral part of Lingnan culture and a treasure of
China’s folk music. It is widespread in regions like Minnan, Yuedong, Guangzhou, Shanghai,
Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as some East Asian regions.
Teochew music is largely based on the pentatonic scale (as used in most Chinese music
forms) and adopts the ersi pu (“two-four system tablature”) notation system. Over time, the
development of Teochew music saw variations of the pentatonic scale being used, which has
become so progressively complicated that even music experts struggle to understand it.
5
PROGR A MME NOTES
TR ACING 《寻迹》
Nanyin Pipa, Sheng, Pipa, Guzheng, Erhu, Gehu, Daruan, Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
Tracing pays homage to Lovebirds Singing in Harmony 《鸾凤和鸣》, which was composed
by Zhuo Sheng Xiang and the late Cultural Medallion recipient Teng Mah Seng, who
was also the former Chairman of Nanyin group Siong Leng Musical Association. Using
structured improvisation and inspiration from the concept of breath used in performing
Chinese music, the melody of Lovebirds Singing in Harmony is effectively rehashed with a
new musical language. While this melody is one that is typically familiar to audiences of
Nanyin, the overwhelming presence of counterpoints between the Nanyin Pipa and the
other instruments in Tracing creates a limbo that evokes the sentiment of déjà vu.
Tracing invites audiences to begin reconsidering their relationship with their roots. How
do we retain an appreciation of the past, whilst retaining the impetus to continually move
forward and strive for greater heights?
XIN ZAO BEH 《新走马》
Pipa, Guzheng, Daruan, Electric Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
In Xin Zao Beh, the four plucked string instruments – supported by the keyboard and electronics
in the background – alternate between coming together to play the melody, and undertaking
brief, yet virtuosic solos. The result of this musical collaboration is a jazz harmony that
occasionally breaks into atonality and dissonance, and a funky re-imagination of the carefree
image of horses galloping around open grasslands in Eight Horses 《八骏马》 – which is widely
considered as one of four must-know classics in traditional Nanyin repertoire.
6
PROGR A MME NOTES
HANG GAI 《行街》
Sheng, Cantonese Gaohu, Gehu, Cantonese Qinqin, Keyboard and Electronics
In everyday usage, the Cantonese words hang gai is commonly used to refer to the act of
shopping. This piece Hang Gai 《行街》 is a combination of Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake
《平湖秋月》and Thunder in Drought 《旱天雷》, two famous 20th century pieces composed by
Lu Wencheng and Yan Laolie respectively.
Hang Gai lulls audiences into reminiscing the homely sensation of walking through a
bustling marketplace. In the serene, opening arrangement of Thunder in Drought, audiences
experience the bliss of having all the time in the world to absorb the sights and sounds of a
typical marketplace. Upon transiting into the more frenetic Han Tian Lei, however, the said
marketplace abruptly bursts into life, as if it were on the receiving end of a never-ending
influx of shoppers haggling for a good deal. Towards the end of the piece, the music fades
off – signifying not just the end of the journey through the marketplace, but also how one is
walking further and further away from the memories that have been made there.
REMEMBERING 《难忘》
Sheng, Pipa, Cantonese Qinqin, Guzheng, Cantonese Gaohu, Gehu, Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
Remembering is a fusion of a particular phrase from the music from the opera
Princess Changping 《帝女花》 (“落花滿天蔽月光”, which roughly translates to “the moonlight
is concealed by the falling leaves”) and the children’s lullaby Moonlight 《月光光》. On the one
hand, Princess Changping narrates the star-crossed romance between Princess Changping and
her lover Zhou Shixian during the Ming Dynasty. Moonlight, on the other hand, alludes to a
mother expressing her aspirations for her young child’s future while looking at the moon.
While the stories behind Princess Changping and Moonlight are significantly different,
Remembering reconciles them by positioning their respective melodies in continuous
conversation with each other. The result of this musical reconciliation is the creation of two
different perspectives of the imagery of the moon, and the gradual evocation of a sense of
longing for greater kinship.
7
PROGR A MME NOTES
DIPTYCH 《双重》
Yueqin, Guzheng, Pipa I, Pipa II, Keyboard and Electronics
Diptych is inspired by the Cantonese folk piece The Lamentations of Lady Zhao Jun 《昭君怨》,
which depicts the life of Wang Zhaojun and the arduous struggles she faced in maintaining
peace between the Han Empire and the Xiongnu Tribe after being married off to the latter.
As a re-invention of the Guzheng interpretation of The Lamentations of Lady Zhao Jun, Diptych
taps on both the slow to fast tempo progression traditionally used in Cantonese music
and the fugal textures prevalent in Western Baroque music. The result of this East meets
West combination is the invocation of a contemplative mood that challenges audiences to
reconsider the lenses through which they view tradition and culture.
CONTEMPOR ARY 《时代》
Sheng, Pipa, Yueqin, Cantonese Gaohu, Electric Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
One of the most famous theme songs in Chinese film history is A Man Should Stand Strong
《男儿当自强》, which was made famous by the 1991 Hong Kong-Chinese martial arts movie
Once Upon a Time in China 《黄飞鸿》. What not many people know is that the melody for
A Man Should Stand Strong was actually adapted from The General’s Command 《将军令》, an
ancient Cantonese piece that was originally composed for string instruments!
In Contemporary, The General’s Command and the folk song Horses Galloping in a Spring Field
《春郊试马》 are melded into a piece with rock and synthesiser pop elements. In the middle of
the work, the contemporariness of this piece is juxtaposed against a field recording of drums
and temple gongs played by Lao Sai Tao Yuan Teochew Opera Troupe. The simultaneous
presence of these seemingly incompatible musical elements signifies a common struggle
that many music practitioners face today: how does one react to contemporary influences
that have skewed our perceptions of the origins of traditional music?
8
PROGR A MME NOTES
MEMOIR 《回忆录》
Teochew Zheng, Teochew Pipa, Keyboard and Recording
In 2016, TENG had the privilege of shadowing the late Mr Yeo How Jiang to learn several
Waijiang and Teochew pieces via oral communication. This encounter with Mr Yeo inspired
TENG to embark on The Forefathers Project and conduct research into the origins of
traditional folk music over the past four years.
Memoir is a posthumous tribute to Mr Yeo and his lesser known contributions to Singapore’s
Chinese music scene. For the most part, the ensemble plays a rendition of Mr Yeo’s all-time
favourite Teochew piece Jackdaws Frolicking in Water 《寒鸦戏水》, which depicts a flock of
jackdaws playfully hovering over a body of water. As an interlude, the ensemble’s performance
is accompanied with rare footage of Mr Yeo playing the Waijiang piece Little Yangzhou
《小扬州》. The musical conversation that happens between the ensemble onstage and
Mr Yeo’s presence begs the question: how do we honour the legacy that our forefathers have
painstakingly built up, and maintain a forward-looking mindset at the same time?
FAR FROM HOME 《思乡》
Teochew Pipa, Sheng, Pipa, Teochew Zheng, Erhu, Gehu, Daruan, Guitar, Keyboard and Electronics
Far From Home is an interplay between four popular Teochew melodies – Lotus Emerging from
the Water 《出水莲》, Feng Qiu Huang 《凤求凰》, The Lamentations of Lady Zhao Jun 《昭君怨》
and Jackdaws Frolicking in Water 《寒鸦戏水》.
In the first half of Far From Home, the Erhu and Teochew Pipa play an excerpt from Lotus
Emerging from the Water, retaining the long, elegant melodies that it was originally composed
with. An interlude of Feng Qiu Huang is also played in its entirety in the middle of the piece.
In the second half of the piece, however, The Lamentations of Lady Zhao Jun and Jackdaws
Frolicking in Water are played with a heterophonic texture by the entire ensemble. Through
simultaneous variations of the same melodic line, a grand epiphany is created to bring
closure to the journey of exploration that the piece has initiated.
Ultimately, Far From Home attests to how identity is a concept that is inevitably fluid, and that
the labels that one associate with can change with varying extents over time.
9
“A SPECTACULAR PERFOR MANCE
by The TENG Ensemble marrying Eastern
and Western musical instruments.”
— PRESIDENT HALIMAH YACOB
“A WELL-LOVED Singaporean band
with a unique fusion sound comprising Western
and Chinese musical instruments.”
— MOTHERSHIP
“The TENG team not only
EXCELS IN CHINESE MUSIC
but is keen to introduce more people to it.”
— MINISTER GRACE FU
10THE TENG ENSEMBLE
The TENG Ensemble is a critically acclaimed Singaporean Chinese fusion music
group that bridges between cultures East and West, boasting musical influences from
both the traditional and the contemporary.
As a collective of music educators, scholars and award-winning instrumentalists, the
Ensemble’s performances have been a staple in Singapore’s arts scene since 2009. At
the 2015 National Day Rally, The TENG Ensemble was described by Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong as ‘creating something uniquely Singapore’.
The group has performed at events such as the ASEAN Tourism Forum, TEDxPetaling
Street, Youth Olympic Games, Shanghai World Expo, Singapore Day in Melbourne,
George Town Festival and Singapore International Jazz Festival.
The Ensemble’s two full-length albums were both rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by The Straits
Times and their second album Stories from an Island City peaked at #1 on Hong Kong’s
iTunes World Music Chart. In 2018, the group was awarded the CHT International
Award for Musical Performance and Education.
11CREATIVE TEA M
SAMUEL WONG CHOW JUNYI
Creative Director / Nanyin Pipa, Teochew Pipa, Pipa Composer
Dr Samuel Wong is the Co-Founder and Creative Director Chow Junyi is currently Composer-In-Residence at The
of The TENG Company. He spearheads the company’s TENG Company (Singapore) and Vivo Experimental
Performance, Academy and Research Divisions. Orchestra (Malaysia). He was previously the conductor
of Chinese Music Ensemble of New York (2018 – 2019).
Samuel obtained his PhD in Ethnomusicology from the
As a pianist and cellist, Junyi plays classical repertoire as
University of Sheffield in 2009 where he was awarded dual
well as free improvisation.
scholarships from the Harry Worthington Foundation and
the Hokkien Huay Kuan for his doctoral studies in music. Junyi began studying piano and music theory at the age
of 5. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Junyi
He is author of the books Impressions of a Pipa Player
studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in China
(2003), QI: An Instrumental Guide to the Chinese Orchestra
and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in the
(2005) and co-author of The TENG Guide to the Chinese
USA. Junyi presently lives in New York City.
Orchestra (2019). His books are used as reference texts for
the ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level Music Examinations in Singapore. Junyi’s music has been lauded by The Financial Times
for its “skillful contrasts in both volume and texture”. His
Samuel was awarded The Outstanding Young Persons
music compositions explore the indefinite possibilities of
of Singapore Award (2009), The Japanese Chamber of
tone, colour and sound. Junyi’s thorough knowledge of
Commerce and Industry Singapore Foundation’s Culture
skills and characteristics of both Chinese and Western
Award (2009) and Singapore Institute of Management’s
instruments has made him a leading figure in merging
Teaching Excellence Award (2012) for his work in Music
music from both the East and the West.
and Education.
The awards that Junyi has received include Finalist for
In his youth, Samuel was described by the Singapore
United States ASCAP Morton Gould Prize and Grand
Business Times as “one of the best Pipa players in
Prize for Best Original Orchestra Work from Hong
Singapore” and was a two-time Pipa Champion at
Kong Chinese Orchestra International Composition
Singapore’s National Chinese Music Competition (2000,
Competition. Junyi has been previously commissioned
2002). He has performed internationally and was a
by the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Chinese
featured soloist in Singapore’s National Day Parade
Orchestra, Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra,
(2009), Youth Olympic Games (2010) and the Shanghai
Georgetown Festival in Malaysia, Malaysian Philharmonic
World Expo (2010).
Youth Orchestra and Sound of Arts Festival in New York.
Samuel is also concurrently Adjunct Faculty at University His works have been performed worldwide in countries
at Buffalo - Singapore Institute of Management (UB- like Malaysia, Singapore, Mainland China, Taiwan,
SIM) and Dissertation Supervisor at LASALLE College Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy,
of the Arts - two posts which he has held for over 10 years. Lithuania, United States, Canada and Thailand.
He also sits on various boards and advisory panels in the
Junyi’s multimedia live production Stillness in Queens –
Arts, Music and Education.
in collaboration with Karen Y. Chan (USA) – premiered
at Flushing Town Hall in New York in 2017, with support
from Queens Council of Arts. His album A Traveler’s
Portrait – in collaboration with Seungmin Cha (South
Korea) – was nominated for the Global Music Award
in 2018. Junyi’s other productions and concert series
include Shan.Shui (with Chatori Shimizu, Miyoko Satoh
& Satoshi Haga), Borderless (with Steve Hui) and Tango
Night (with Lance Low).
As an active researcher in music for the Chinese orchestra,
Chow co-authored The TENG Guide to the Chinese Orchestra,
which serves as a one-stop guide for composers, scholars
and enthusiasts alike.
12CREATIVE TEA M
BANG WENFU JOEL NAH
Music Producer Rehearsal Director / Head of Music
Bang Wenfu is one of Singapore’s most sought-after music A recipient of Singapore’s National Arts Council Arts
producers, arrangers and composers. Over the years, he Scholarship, Joel is the first Singaporean to graduate,
has established a distinct creative signature in all of his summa cum laude, from Berklee College of Music’s Master
works and his versatility enables him to explore a diverse of Music degree program in Valencia, Spain, majoring in
range of musical styles. Scoring for Film, Television and Video Games.
At the start of 2019 he was commissioned to compose Prior to this, Joel studied classical piano under Singapore
three original pieces and one arrangement for the River virtuoso Ong Lip Tat, was mentored by Cultural
Hongbao’s Bicentennial version of the fireworks display. Medallion recipient Iskandar Ismail, and esteemed
He was further commissioned by the People’s Association choral conductor Nelson Kwei. In Berklee, Joel studied
to compose the opening and grand finale for the 2019 composition and orchestration with Alfons Conde, and
Chingay Parade. conducting with Maestro Constantino Martinez Ortz.
Joel has collaborated with the Singapore Symphony
In 2018, he oversaw the Music Production, Arrangement
Orchestra and Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, the
and Direction of Kit Chan’s 25th anniversary of showbiz
Budapest Art Orchestra, and several principal players
live concert at the Esplanade. In addition, he produced
from the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orquestra
two soundtracks for Gardens by the Bay’s immensely
de la Comunitat Valenciana.
successful light & sound show Garden Rhapsody, for which
he and lighting designer Adrian Tan have co-created a Upon his return from studies, Joel has been actively
total of 14 shows to date. involved in the local musical theatre scene as a music
director, arranger and orchestrator. Selected theatre
In the pop industry, apart from Kit Chan, he is most
credits include: Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Forbidden
well-known for his near 20-year collaboration with music
City: Portrait of An Empress (2006, 2017), A Peter Rabbit
producer Eric Ng, producing string arrangements for
Tale; Pangdemonium Productions’ RENT, Peter and
dozens of top-selling albums of Chinese pop artistes such
the Starcatcher, The Full Monty, Spring Awakening, Next To
as Stefanie Sun, Tanya Chua, Jolin Tsai, Sandy Lam, Fish
Normal, The Rise & Fall Of Little Voice; Dream Academy
Leong, A*Mei, Show Luo, Wakin Chau, Jaycee Chan, Wu
Productions’ Company, Crazy Christmas (2008-2010), Into
Jiahui, amongst others. He has recently started working
The Woods; Mediacorp Vizpro’s The Addams Family; I Love
independently on Wakin Chau’s indie releases. He has
You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; SingTheatre’s Jacques Brel Is
also produced the EPs of a few of Singapore’s top music
Alive & Well & Living in Paris (2016); BASE Entertainment
acts, including The Sam Willows, Ng Ling Kai, Strait
(Marina Bay Sands)’s The Lion King, WICKED, West Side
Groove and Gareth Fernandez.
Story, The Phantom of the Opera (2013); Wild Rice’s A
Singapore Carol and Hansel & Gretel pantomimes. Joel is
also a keen composer, having scored for several short
films, commercials and stage shows.
13MUSICIANS
YANG JI WEI DARREL XIN
Sheng Erhu, Gaohu
Ji Wei read music at the Central Conservatory of Music Darrel started learning the Erhu in 1995. He is a member
in Beijing, China under renowned Sheng masters of the widely acclaimed The TENG Ensemble as well as
Professor Yang Shoucheng and Feng Haiyun. He is co-founder of Nen, an instrumental trio. Darrel was a
the recipient of the Singapore Youth Award 2015, the member of the SAF Music and Drama Company during
nation’s highest accolade for outstanding youths. He his National Service and was a contract musician with the
is also a multiple-award winning Sheng performer Singapore Chinese Orchestra from 2004 to 2005. Darrel
and an active advocate in the Singapore music scene. was a member of the Macau Chinese Orchestra from
He is the recipient of the prestigious Shell-National 2009 to 2012.
Arts Council Scholarship in 2005; co-founder and
In 2009, Darrel graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in
Executive Director of The TENG Company; Treasurer
Erhu Performance from the Central Conservatory of
of the Singapore Chinese Music Federation; President
Music in Beijing, China under the tutelage of renowned
of the Singapore Sheng Association; co-founder of the
Erhu master Mr Zhao Hanyang. He has participated in
Singapore Musicians Guild; a member of the China
instructional videos made by Mr Zhao. During his studies
Sheng Musicians Society; Music Director and Founder
in Beijing, he was also a freelance musician for the China
of the first and only Sheng ensemble in Southeast Asia,
Central Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra.
“Resonance”; and the Music Director and Conductor of
the Chinese orchestras in Raffles Institution (Year 1-6), In the year 2000, Darrel emerged champion in the
Raffles Girls’ School, Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Erhu Senior Category of the National Chinese Music
Road), Catholic High School (Primary), Elias Park Competition. He was the Erhu player for the Dick Lee
Primary School and Rosyth School. musical, Forbidden City for its first two and latest seasons
as well as for the CD album. He played the Erhu parts
As a conductor, Ji Wei has led many orchestras to achieve
for the soundtracks of local movies Singapore Dreaming
new heights of musical excellence at the Singapore Youth
(2006), 12 Lotus (2008) and The Fortune Handbook (2017).
Festival Central Judging. He was the youngest conductor
He was also the Concert Master of the 2004 Singapore
of a Gold Award winning school at the Singapore Youth
Youth Chinese Orchestra, and in that performance
Festival Central Judging 2005 and remained as the only
he performed the Erhu concerto Erhu Rhapsody No. 1
conductor in Singapore with a stellar record of producing
accompanied by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. In
distinction awards for Chinese Orchestras over the last 10
2013, he recorded for The TENG Ensemble’s critically
years of his career.
acclaimed debut album, Eight. In 2015, Nen released their
In August 2018, Ji Wei was appointed Council Member debut album, First Steps, featuring all-original music
of the Promote Mandarin Council by the Ministry of composed by Nen. Darrel also recorded tracks under the
Culture, Community and Youth. More recently, Ji Ocean Butterflies label for Chingay 2017. In June 2018,
Wei was invited to co-host the Mediacorp television Darrel held his debut solo recital at the Esplanade Recital
programme At the Crossroad of Realities 《华文华语。今天 Studio, to a full house and rave reviews. Darrel’s erhu
明日》, where education and cultural practitioners from music was also featured in the 2019 National Day Parade.
different walks of life reflected on the future of the
Chinese language in Singapore.
14MUSICIANS
GABRIEL HOE GER ALD TEO
Keyboard Gehu
Gabriel Hoe has a lifelong dream - to experience the Gerald Teo is the Co-founder, Treasurer and Board
life and culture in as many different parts of the world Member of The TENG Company and sits on the Editorial
as possible, through Music. In order to achieve that, he Panel for the Chinese Music Instrumental Grading
has dedicated his life to becoming a People Musician - Examinations run by The TENG Academy.
a person who enjoys interacting with others, through
He obtained his Honours and Masters Degrees from
Music. People Musician is a term he created for himself,
the University of New South Wales, Australia along with
reflecting his awareness of the role he plays in the
a Licentiate from the Royal School of Music in Cello.
community at large.
In 2010, he graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in
Having all-rounded experiences, Gabriel is capable of Education from the National Institute of Education.
integrating himself in a variety of performance capacities.
Gerald had extensive engagements with numerous
Among all of them, he loves to collaborate with people
music groups such as Singapore Chinese Orchestra,
most and share his perspective of music whenever the
Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonic
opportunity arises. Notable collaborations include
Orchestra, Singapore National Youth Orchestra,
forming a piano duo “duodentity” with Adriana Chiew
Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra and The Singapore
in March 2018, with which they won 3rd place in the 6th
Indian Orchestra amongst others. His appointments
North West International Piano Ensemble Competition
as principal cellist in various orchestras and ensemble
held in Vancouver in November 2018, and being the pianist
groups have enabled him to perform in Beijing, Shanghai,
of the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (since 2012),
Korea, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia and Australia
in which he recorded the piano accompaniment for their
throughout his career.
debut album And I’ll Sing Once More.
As an established educator and cellist, Gerald is a much
Gabriel is very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate
sought-after coach and has tutored many esteemed
with The TENG Ensemble and to come on board The
Chinese Orchestras & String Ensembles in various
Forefathers Project. Such collaborations have not only
institutions such as Temasek Polytechnic, Anglo-Chinese
enabled him to diversify and embrace music more in its
School (International), Anglo-Chinese Junior College,
entirety, but also to offer his audiences a refreshing and
Raffles Girls Secondary, Nanyang Girls High School, St.
unique experience of music.
Margaret’s Secondary, Anglo-Chinese School (Barker
Gabriel’s recent highlights include graduating from Road), Catholic High Primary and Rosyth Primary to
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory with a Bachelor of Music in name a few. He also dedicates much of his time coaching
Piano Performance with Honours (Highest Distinction) many talented performers in his own cello studio; many
in July 2019. of whom have performed in various Music Ensembles
and National Youth Orchestras, with some having been
inspired to continue pursuing a career in music.
15MUSICIANS
LEONARD GOH JEREMY WONG
Guitar Pipa
Leonard is a graduate from Musician’s Institute As an award-winning Pipa player and ensemble
Hollywood’s Guitar Performance and Audio Engineering musician, Jeremy studied under Dr Samuel Wong when
program. While in Los Angeles, he worked with Deidre he was 14. By the age of 18, Jeremy won the 1st prize
Powell, Stevie Wonder, opened for Macy Gray, Hall and 2nd prize in the Pipa Youth and Open category
and Oates, Michael Macdonald and many more. Since of the biennial National Chinese Music Competition
returning to Singapore, his band Finger Funk won respectively, while also clinching 3rd prize at the Asian
the 2018 Noise competition. He has been featured on Youth Music Competition 2007 (Chinese Music). After
98.7FM, Class 95FM as well as Swee Lee’s Artist program. graduating from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma
in Music and Audio Technology, Jeremy went on to
He has worked in professional studios with Neve, API
attain his Distinction in Diploma for Pipa Performance
and SSL boards in studios about LA including The
from NUS. He also took on the role of Principal Pipa
Village, Kingsize, DTLA, Legends and many others.
player for Toa Payoh West Chinese Orchestra from
He has shadowed engineers such as Dennis Herring,
2007 to 2017, which has won multiple prizes - including
Dave Pensado and Barry Rudolph both in recording
1st prize in the National Chinese Music Competition
and mixing. In Singapore, he runs his own production
Ensemble Open category.
studio Soul Dot Studios.
Since then, he has been featured as a soloist in numerous
concerts and events, working with local organisations
such as Hsing Hai Arts Association Chinese Orchestra
and Toa Payoh West Community Chinese Orchestra,
among others.
After completing his national service as a musician in the
Singapore Armed Forces’ Music and Drama Company,
Jeremy was also featured by Steinway Gallery Singapore
at Singapore Men’s Fashion Week 2012 alongside local
pianists. In 2013, Jeremy was invited to perform as a
soloist with Orchestre Symphonique De Bretagne in
France to high acclaim.
Never one to settle for the status quo, Jeremy collaborated
with Samuel and formed The Pipa Quartet in 2013,
and developed the world’s first electro-acoustic Pipa.
Following the Quartet’s performances in Thailand and
Kuala Lumpur, Jeremy began coaching at various Chinese
Orchestras such as Hong Wen School, Anglo-Chinese
School (Barker Road) and Elias Park Primary School.
Subsequently in 2017, Jeremy combined his love for music
with a growing passion in music education through his
work at the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra.
16MUSICIANS
JOHNNY CHIA NEIL CHUA
Guzheng, Teochew Zheng Daruan, Qinqin, Yueqin
Born and raised in Singapore, Johnny is a classically Graduating from the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory
trained Guzheng player and school CCA instructor. of Music, Neil is the first and the youngest musician of
the Conservatory to receive a Masters degree in Ruan.
He is a co-founder of Nen (formed in 2013) and also the
Currently a Permanent Resident in Singapore, Neil is
co-founder of the Guzheng Association (Singapore)
the Founder of RuanAtWorkz Musical Arts, a registered
established in 2014.
Charity in Singapore which promotes traditional culture,
Johnny started proper Guzheng training in 1994, under music, art and traditional values. Neil is also the first
the tutelage of Mdm Chen Hui Lan, Mdm Yin Qun and musician to be invited to represent Malaysia to participate
Ms Xu Hui respectively. In September 2006, he gained in the acclaimed OneBeat Programme, an exchange
admission into the China Music Conservatory, under programme by the U.S State Department’s Bureau of
the studio of renowned Guzheng Associate Professor Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2014. Through the
Qiu Ji. Johnny graduated with a Bachelor of Performing programme, Neil had the opportunity to interact, educate
Arts in Chinese Traditional Music (Guzheng) in 2010. and promote the Ruan to students and musicians from
around the world in the United States of America. Neil’s
Since then, Chia has been actively teaching in various
passion also led to an invitation to participate in the
primary, secondary and tertiary level schools. Over the years,
Silkroad Ensemble’s Global Musician Workshop 2015 &
the schools he has taught has achieved many ‘Distinction’
2017 supported by Cello Maestro Yo Yo Ma.
awards in the Singapore Youth Festival Presentations.
Neil staged his first solo performance under the invitation
Notable concerts that Johnny has played in include the
of the Malaysia Professional Cultural Centre Chinese
Millennium Concert in 2000 and Extravaganza of Strings
Orchestra in June 2005 at the Kuala Lumpur City
in 2002 both held by Singapore Chinese Orchestra;
Government Concert Hall. Since then, Neil has been
Remembrance of Maestro Liu Ming Yuan Concert held by
invited to perform in numerous events and festivals around
China Conservatory at the Beijing National Theatre in
the world, including the Asian Performing Arts Market
2007; Remembrance of Maestro Qiu Da Cheng Concert at
(APAM) in Japan, Setouchi Triennale (Japan) and the
China Conservatory Concert Hall in 2008; the Chinese
Solo International Performing Arts (SIPA) in Indonesia.
musical play Xiao Er Hei held by China Conservatory
in 2009 and 2010 at the Beijing National Theatre and Neil is also the Director for the sold-out Sesaji Segoro –
China Conservatory Theatre respectively as well as The Daughter of the Ocean, where he infused 5 different
recording the Guzheng part for the soundtrack for the cultures in a groundbreaking opera. Neil’s dedication in
Olympics in China in 2008. using music to break borders is clearly reflected in his
most recent project Breve where he brought together 7
internationally renowned musicians across Asia and USA
to Singapore for a 11-day music-cultural exchange with
a series of engagement activities with local arts groups,
schools and communities.
Neil dedicates his time to promoting the Ruan and
works closely with composers and young musicians. He
also conducts regular classes to impart his skills to the
younger generation.
17PRODUCTION TEA M
KOO CHIA MENG XU XIN’EN
Head Filmmaker / Director Head of Production / Production Stage Manager
Trained as a filmmaker, Chia Meng has been actively Xin’en believes in doing whatever it takes to create
involved in various aspects of film production since 2009. magic in the theatre. Motivated by her passion for the
arts, she has taken on a myriad of roles within the local
In 2013, he started directing music videos for theatre industry.
Singaporean musicians as well as casting for feature
films such as Boo Junfeng’s Apprentice (2016) and She first gained invaluable backstage experience as
Anthony Chen’s Wet Season (2019). a sound operator, before trying her hand at a range
front-of-house duties including ticketing and events
As a multimedia designer, Chia Meng’s credits include management. As a producer, Xin’en has worked with
productions by Wild Rice, The Finger Players, Drama Dream Academy and Double Confirm Productions
Box, Toy Factory, The TENG Company, Warner Music on popular and critically acclaimed shows such as
Singapore and Singapore Repertory Theatre. Chia Meng KUMAR: What Makes A Man A Man?, Company, Crazy
then ventured into larger scale shows like Ah Boys To Men: Christmas, The Hossan Leong Show and the Hossan-AH!
The Musical, Michael Learns To Rock 25: Live in Singapore as series. Later, she made her debut as a stage manager
well as National Day Parade 2017 & 2018. for the 2015 revival of iconic Singapore musical Beauty
World, directed by Dick Lee. She took on the role of
At the Straits Times Life Theatre Awards 2019, Chia
production manager at Wild Rice in 2016, managing
Meng and co-designer Andrew Robert Ng were
the Singapore Theatre Festival and its annual
awarded Best Multimedia for their work on Wild pantomime. Xin’en was multimedia producer for NDP
Rice’s Supervision. 2017 and 2018. In 2017 and 2018, Xin’en delved straight
Chia Meng completed his Master of Fine Arts in Film from NDP into the role of production coordinator in
Directing at the Taipei National University of the the Singapore F1 Grand Prix.
Arts. He continues to develop video content as Fiction Xin’en has a Masters in Cultural and Creative Industries
Shore’s Creative Director, for both the film and theatre from the Taipei National University of the Arts. Xin’en
industries, along with other collaborators and artists. has produced a number of commercials and short
films, such as Plague, directed by Boo Junfeng for
National Volunteer and Philantrophy Centre. She has
also produced music videos for local artistes like Ugly
In The Morning and The TENG Ensemble.
Xin’en was also post-producer at Infinite Frameworks
Pte Ltd for Asia’s Got Talent season 3.
18PRODUCTION TEA M
GABRIEL CHAN CK CHIA
Lighting Designer Art Director (Set & Marketing)
A recipient of the Singapore National Arts Council CK art-directs and designs for the performance scene
Overseas Bursary, Gabriel graduated from the Hong in Singapore. Notable works include: Wild Rice’s
Kong Academy for Performing Arts with First Class Singapore Theatre Festivals, The Importance of Being
Honours in Lighting Design. He was also awarded the Earnest, Romeo & Juliet, Cook a Pot of Curry, The House
Strand Lighting Scholarship, funding his training at of Bernarda Alba, Public Enemy, Monkey Goes West, Mama
the Metropolitan Opera (New York ’09 Winter Opera White Snake; Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Fried
Season). A chameleon of a designer, Gabriel is well- Rice Paradise, Othello, The LKY Musical, Hand to God;
versed in lighting for theatre, dance, music concerts Dream Academy’s Dim Sum Dollies, The Hossan Leong
and live events. Show, Crazy Christmas, Into The Woods; Singapore Lyric
Opera’s Turandot, Les Contes D’Hoffmann, Don Giovanni,
Gabriel started collaborating with The TENG Ensemble
Madama Butterfly; The TENG Company’s Stories from
for their main stage concerts in 2013, starting with Eight,
an Island City. He designed the set for Wild Rice’s
Stories from an Island City, and most recently, Mind the
Aladdin, Romeo & Juliet, The Optic Trilogy, Grandmother
Music. Other lighting design credits for music include
Tongue; Dream Academy’s Dim Sum Dollies - The History
Pipa virtuoso, Wu Man, in Borderlands (SIFA 2016),
of Singapore; Ocean Butterf lies Music’s Liang Wenfu
Nine Songs, Soul Journey Ten Years, (Siong Leng Musical
Charity Concert 2018; Boo Junfeng’s Plague; Majoolah’s
Association) and Sound of Wisdom - Heal (IMMPAC).
Mother Knows Best.
Signature theatre designs include Constellations, Rising
Son, Shakespeare in the Park: Julius Caesar (2018), Romeo &
Juliet (2016), The Tempest (2015) (Singapore Repertory STEVE ZHANG
Theatre), The LKY Musical (Metropolitan Productions),
Sound Engineer
First Fleet (Nine Years Theatre), Sometime Moon, The Story
of Kumarajiva (Toy Factory Productions) and Fluid (The
A graduate from Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma
Theatre Practice).
in Music & Audio Technology in 2010, Steve is a
Dance productions: Festival Lighting Designer for sound engineer, music producer and lyricist, having
M1 CONTACT Contemporary Dance Festival 2016 recently penned the lyrics for the 2019 SingTel CNY
(T.H.E. Dance Company) and Swan Lake 2015 campaign. Having worked with SCO, SCCC and other
(Singapore Dance Theatre). He has designed for establishments, he also worked with The Pipa Quartet
Frontier Danceland’s main seasons since 2012, which under The TENG Company as a producer and arranger
feature an array of international choreographers. Just for original EDM-Chinese fusion music.
over summer, Gabriel opened two European dance
Steve has been the sound engineer of The TENG
commissions - Ballroom for the Festspielhaus in St Pölten,
Ensemble since 2015, touring with the group locally
Austria, and Dancing Mahler in the 21st Century, a double
and internationally. After the well-acclaimed Stories
bill for the Opéra National du Rhin, France.
from an Island City concert, Steve is now back for their
Other design ventures include Symphony of Life, the second concert at the Esplanade, Heirlooms.
Gardens By The Bay opening festival anchor, Marina
Bay Countdown 2015: Drum Gaia, Dance in the Park:
A Pop-tastic Countdown to 2017 at Universal Studios TERENCE LAU
Singapore, and last but not least, Singapore’s National Technical Manager
Day Parade 2017 and 2018.
Terence Lau is a technical theatre professional who has
worked in the Singapore arts scene for more than ten
years, managing productions for arts companies such
as Arts Fission, T.H.E. Dance Company, TheatreWorks,
The Necessary Stage, Wild Rice, and KULT. In his
spare time, he is a sound artist who has performed
regionally in countries such as the Philippines, Japan,
Korea, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
19ACK NOWLEDGEMENTS
CREATIVE TEAM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Dr Samuel Wong
COMPOSER: Chow Junyi
MUSIC PRODUCER: Bang Wenfu
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/HEAD OF MUSIC: Joel Nah
PRODUCTION TEAM
HEAD FILMMAKER/DIRECTOR: Koo Chia Meng
HEAD OF PRODUCTION/PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: Xu Xin’en
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Anne Lee
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Gabriel Chan
MULTIMEDIA ASSISTANT: Maximilian Liang
ART DIRECTOR (SET & MARKETING): CK Chia
SOUND ENGINEER: Steve Zhang
MONITOR ENGINEER: James Pong
TECHNICAL MANAGER: Terence Lau
SPECIAL THANKS
ENG TIANG HUAT
Jeff Eng
LAO SAI TAO YUAN TEOCHEW OPERA TROUPE
SIONG LENG MUSICAL ASSOCIATION
Celestina Wang, Joel Chia, Lim Ming Yi, Lin Shao Ling,
Lyn Lee, Seow Ming Fong, Seow Ming Xian
TOH KOON SWEE
THAU YONG AMATEUR MUSICAL ASSOCIATION
Javier Lee, Lim Soo Hiang, The Late Yeo How Jiang
TUNG ON OPERA
Chen Xiao Rui
XIAO DONG TIAN HOKKIEN OPERA TROUPE
YI SHENG CANTONESE OPERA TROUPE
Tse Yee Ling
20ACK NOWLEDGEMENTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Elaine Teo Chairman
Dr Daniel Seah Treasurer
Gerald Teo
Dr Lee Kwok Cheong
Rachel Teo
Dr Samuel Wong
Tham Chee Soon
Wong Su-Yen
Yang Ji Wei
M ANAGEMENT TEAM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: ASSISTANT MANAGER
Dr Samuel Wong (PRODUCTION):
Anne Lee
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Yang Ji Wei ASSISTANT MANAGER
(OUTREACH):
GENERAL MANAGER: Beryl Leong
Ng Siew Eng
ASSISTANT MANAGER
HEAD OF EXAMINATIONS: (DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS):
Lum Yan Sing Clarice Handoko
HEAD OF MUSIC: ASSISTANT MANAGER
Joel Nah (ADMIN & FINANCE):
Samantha Lim
HEAD OF OUTREACH:
Nancy Ong ASSISTANT MANAGER
(MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS):
HEAD OF PRODUCTION: Shawn Par
Xu Xin’en
EDITOR:
HEAD OF RESEARCH & EDUCATION: Ke Weiliang
Wang Chenwei
INTERN
SENIOR MANAGER (MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS):
(EXAMINATIONS & OUTREACH): Britaney Tasha Chitty
Pu YuHui
INTERN
MANAGER (PROJECTS):
(ADMIN & FINANCE): Calista Liaw
Lim Kwuan Boon
21WITH GR ATITUDE
Here are the people and organisations who have supported our cause through the years:
GOLD − S$200,000 & ABOVE Eason Enterprises Conrad Lim Cheng Lock
Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd Gan Seow Ann David Zemans
Temasek Gavin Tan Deborah Joanne Ho Nguk Choo
Ascendas Land (Singapore) Pte Ltd George Raymond Zage Dilhan Pillay
Goh Geok Khim Dominic Pemberton
WOOD − S$50,000 & ABOVE Goh Yew Lin Doris Sohmen-Pao
Binjai Tree Goon Hsin Yue Edmund Lee
Direct Funeral Services Pte Ltd Graham Macdonald Bell Emi Eu
Elaine Teo Henry Liew Ena Su
Ho Bee Foundation Ho Ching Eric Wong
Kim Khoo Jennifer Fan Li You Ernest Kan
Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation Ltd John William Friedman Evgeny Tugolukov
The Fullerton Heritage Karen Fawcett Evy Swanna Siarif
Kenneth Kan Feature Development Pte Ltd
WATER − S$10,000 & ABOVE Kuok Meng Xiong Francoise Henriette Maurine Tsakok
Anthonia Hui Kwan Wong Geoffrey Eu
Bebe Zecha Lam Nguyen Phuong Goh Eck Meng
Chan Chia Lin Margaret Wolf Goh Geok Ling
Mary Ann Tsao Hoesons Private Limited
Christopher Franck
Michael Lien Jown Leam James Marshall
Chua Siew Eng
Nicholas Chan Kei Cheong Jason Ong Wie
CMIA Capital Partners Pte Ltd
Olivier Lim Tse Ghow Jean Chia
Cornerstone Wines
Ong Hwee Suan Jeremie Bonnin
Dr. Rosslyn Leong Sou Fong
Patrick Lee John Koh
Freeman Pte Ltd
Paul Tseng Seng Loke Johnson Chen
GKG Investment Holdings Pte Ltd
Richard Koh Jonathan Knowles
GK Goh Holdings Ltd
Shareen Khattar Kwa Chong Seng
Holywell Foundation Limited
Sunny Verghese Lam Chih Tsung
Keith Chua
Tan Chin Tuan Foundation Lee Sieu Kin
Kuok Oon Kwong
Tang Wee Loke Lee Wei Hock
Lee Chong Min
Teo Choo Kiat Lee Whai Yih
Lee Kwok Cheong
The Community Foundation of Singapore Lindsay Cooper
Lighthouse AM Pte Ltd Thomas Wolf Low Sze Chuan
Nehemiah Foundation Timothy Chia Chee Ming Margaret Chew Sing Seng
Ng Mien Yi Jeanne Xavier Ian Teo Michele Lim His Yen
Ong Tze Boon Yip Hoong Mun Michele L Marshall
Rasel Catering Singapore Yong Hsin Yue Michael Palmer
Sandy Friedman Yong Hon Kong Foundation Michael Syn Hsien Min
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd Monica Low
Strongbow Investments Holdings Pte Ltd EARTH − S$500 & ABOVE Ng Ee Fang
Tantallon Capital Advisors Pte Ltd Alex Tan Tiong Huat Niranjan Arasaratnam
Tembusu Events and Communications Pte Ltd Allen & Gledhill LLP Patricia Yuen
The Events Artery Alyce Chong Paul Carr Consultancy Pte Ltd
Tommy Tan Ang Hao Yao Philip Lee Sooi Chuen
Wine Advocate Pte Ltd Anita Fam Siu Ping Phoenix Advisers Pte Ltd
Antoine Alfred Firmenich Poh Tiong Choon Logistics Ltd
FIRE − S$3,000 & ABOVE Arjun Raghavan Rachel Teo
Adam Jason Levinson Calvin Cheng Ronald Stride
Bengawan Solo Pte Ltd Carmen Lee Chai Lian Roy Chan Kum Wah
Capital Group Inc Casey Chew Kian Wu Sanjiv Misra
Catherine Tan Catherine Tan Suat Wah Simon Cheong
Cellresearch Corporation Pte Ltd Chan Wing Kwong Tan Keng Keng
Cheah Sui Ling Chee Soo Leng Tania Pemberton
Chew Sutat Cheng Khin Tin Thio Syn Ghee
Chin Bottinelli Chew Gek Khim Tina Lee
Choo Oi Yee Chew Ghim Bok Vemala Rajamanickam
Christina Leong Shau Ling Chew Kwee San Vincent Lien
Chua Thian Poh Christina Firmenich Wong Lee Yuen
Chua Hong Thuan Christopher Ho Wong Sau Bek
Claire Chiang See Ngoh Claire Ngo Yang Eng Guan
Coleads Business Consultants Claudine Lim Hsi Yun Yap Su-Yin
David Fu Colin Lang Yat Yuen Hong Co Ltd
The Teng Ensemble Ltd is an Institution of a Public Character (Current IPC period: 01/12/18 to 30/11/20) and
is supported by the National Arts Council under the Major Company Scheme for the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021.
Donations made in support of the CAL-TENG Joint Fundraiser in March 2019 are credited based on 50% of the donation amount.
22SUPPORT US
The TENG Company (TENG) is a full-fledged If TENG’s work has struck a chord with you, we invite
charitable organisation and an Institution of a Public you to make a difference in the lives of the next
Character. TENG has made a name for itself through generation of traditional Chinese music practitioners
its signature flair of reimagining traditional Chinese and audiences. You may make a donation by scanning
music accessible for audiences from all walks of life. the QR code below, or approach a TENG ambassador
should you wish to explore other ways to join our cause.
Our award-winning Performance division, The TENG TENG is grateful for all our donors who have supported
Ensemble, continues to grow our music audiences and our work in countless ways, empowering and building
advocate the heritage value of our work; the Education this holistic ecosystem together.
and Outreach division, The TENG Academy, nurtures
the next generation of musicians, efficiently allocating M AKE A
resources to deserving students of potential; the DONATION
Research division of TENG drives works in tandem with TODAY!
the rest of the company to innovate effective pedagogies All donations above $50 are
and push the boundaries of traditional Chinese music eligible for 250% tax deduction.*
for modern sensibilities. UEN: 201502077Z
*If you would like a tax deductible or non-tax deductible receipt, please kindly approach one of our friendly TENG ambassadors.
THE FOREFATHERS BOX
In line with our commitment towards shedding light on • Soundtracks of all eight pieces performed during Heirlooms
the lesser-known elements of Singapore’s Chinese music
• The five documentaries published on TENG’s social media
heritage, TENG is pleased to announce the release of
platforms leading up to the concert
The Forefathers Box.
• Write-ups on the various genres of traditional Chinese music
The Forefathers Box is an elegantly designed
in Singapore
memorabilia box that contains the painstaking work
that TENG has embarked on over the course of the Receive a complimentary Forefathers Box before or
four-year long The Forefathers Project. The contents of after the concert with a minimum donation of $100 to
the box include: TENG. (Limited Quantities Available)
Interested in bringing home The Forefathers Box?
Please approach any of our friendly TENG ambassadors
at the Esplanade Concert Hall Main Foyer!
23PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION
BY WITH
THE TENG COMPANY & THE FOREFATHERS PROJECT
ARE PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
SPECIAL MATCHED WITH SUPPORT
THANKS BY FROM
THIS CONCERT IS ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE
SINGAPORE BICENTENNIAL.
info@thetengcompany.com www.thetengcompany.com theTENGensemble theTENGcompany theTENGensembleYou can also read
