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Chinese orchestra ‘saved’ this S’porean’s life & now it has become a large part of his life
He’s the first Principal Conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra who’s born and bred in Singapore.
Quek Ling Kiong, the first Principal Conductor of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) who’s born and bred in Singapore, first joined a Chinese orchestra when he was in primary school.
But it wasn’t by choice.
Instead, his then-form teacher picked him to join this new co-curricular activity (CCA) which was recruiting for members.
Quek’s first instrument was a plucked string instrument called Liuqin, or the Chinese mandolin, which he disliked.
As a teenager going through adolescence, he would have much rather joined his friends in the National Police Cadet Corps. But he wasn’t allowed to switch CCA — and fortunately, he couldn’t.
“I was saved by hua yue (Chinese orchestra)”
Back then, Quek was defiant, and his grades in school took a hit. He skipped school and failed several subjects.
Because of his misconduct, he was also not allowed to play for the orchestra and was made a “store man” instead.
While the rest of the orchestra rehearsed, Quek spent time doing his homework in the store room or he would occasionally play with the instruments around him.
Two years later, when he was in secondary three, his seniors approached him to join the percussion section as they were shorthanded.
He started drumming and he fell hard for percussion.
“I fell in love with percussion. I was totally immersed…it was just my sound, it was just my voice” Quek described.
His love for drums brought back his focus. Once, he drew the whole xylophone on a mahjong paper so that he could practise at home and memorise the positions.
His determination led to him mastering a solo piece within a month.
Young Quek playing the xylophone in the Chinese orchestra (last row, right most). Photo from SCO.
“It was really a big turning point in life for me, and that kept me going even till today. Whenever I face a challenge, I will always think back ‘why do I do this?’ and it’s because I was saved and transformed by hua yue (Chinese orchestra). I think this is a wonderful thing that I should share with many people.”
Music can be more than just a source of enjoyment; it has the power to do much more for people – this is what Quek firmly believes.
Making Chinese orchestra accessible to the non-converts
With that in mind, Quek thoughtfully curates the SCO’s programmes in order to make Chinese orchestra music relevant and accessible to wider audiences.
Quek has two notebooks where he scribbles down ideas whenever he thinks of any. Photo by Mothership.
Traditionalists can enjoy classic Chinese orchestra music pieces at SCO Concert Hall (Singapore Conference Hall).
You can also find the SCO performing National Day themed, local pieces in a relaxed, outdoor setting like the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Photo from Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Facebook.
SCO also runs the Caring Series concerts, launched in 2007, where they performed in hospitals, hospices and elderly homes, for patients, clients and caregivers as part of our giving back initiatives
In their upcoming “Metamorphosis” opening gala concert on Jul. 19, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by uniquely-Singapore pieces jointly presented by SCO and other talented local musicians – renowned tabla musician Nawaz Mirajkar and percussion virtuoso Riduan Zalani.
Fun fact: Nawaz is actually Quek’s tabla teacher.
“Metamorphosis” also symbolises the concerted effort to evolve the Chinese orchestral music scene by tracing the roots and revisiting the fundamentals of music.
If you prefer something more upbeat, the Percussion Rhapsody (Virtuoso Series) is happening on Dec. 13. It will be a rhythmic spectacle in sights and sounds presented to you by outstanding Singaporean musicians such as SCO Associate Conductor Moses Gay, SCO percussionist Derek Koh and zhonghu musician Wong Qin Kai. Don’t forget that you can use your SG Culture Pass for this!
So much to do, so many possibilities
At 57, you can still sense the youthful defiance in Quek, as he pushes himself to curate fresh programmes, chase new creative sparks and strive for musical excellence.
Photo of Quek at a concert. Photo from SCO.
What keeps him fired up, perhaps, is also a quiet determination to prove that Singapore is not a cultural desert.
As a young nation, Quek believes Singapore is still shaping its identity, culture, and history — and the arts scene will grow alongside it.
“That’s the beauty of it. That means there’s still so much to do, and so many possibilities,” he said.
Interested in catching Quek’s charismatic conducting and innovative programmes?
Check out SCO’s concert season calendar here, which includes concerts where SG Culture Pass can be used on shows from September onwards. It’s definitely worth checking out this legend in Singapore’s music scene in-person as well as many other talented local musicians.
Follow SCO on their Facebook and Instagram for more updates.
This branded article by Singapore Chinese Orchestra reminds the writer of her SYF days when she’s also part of a Chinese orchestra.
Top image from SCO.
