Joie de vivre was palpable at the SSO’s annual benefit dinner, held on 11 May 2024 at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. The French expression, which embodies the joy of living, was fittingly the theme of our 40-year fundraising event, which returned as the SSO Symphony Ball under a new committee helmed by its Chair Ms Paige Parker.
Through the contributions of our generous patrons, the social event raised over $1.178 million from table bookings, a live auction and outright donations. It hosted more than 460 distinguished guests, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as Guest-of-Honour.
Since its inception in 1984, the annual fundraising gala has played a pivotal role in supporting the SSO’s ambitious artistic endeavours and its mission of creating unforgettable musical experiences.
Guests were treated to a French-inspired itinerary of exquisite dining, libations from a rum-whisky-cognac bar, and a live symphonic performance by the national orchestra, under the baton of Music Director Hans Graf. As a gift to the Singapore Symphony, Maestro led the orchestra in a specially curated programme of famed works by French composers. Among the line-up were movements from Gounod’s Waltz from Faust and Ravel’s Pavane to a Dead Princess.
Together with the SSO, young Singaporean talents mezzo-soprano Jade Tan and saxophonist Samuel Phua took to stage with Bizet’s Carmen and Milhaud’s Brazileira from Scaramouche respectively. SSO Section Violinist Tseng Chieh-An also shone in her delivery of Méditation from Thaïs by Massenet.
Being a national orchestra brings to our mission many dimensions that most city orchestras do not have to deal with. The SSO is at the heart of a web of different national efforts spanning music education, youth, community engagement and cultural diplomacy.
Thanks to our charitable donors, the Ball included a rousing live auction, featuring a line-up of rare spirits and jewellery up for grabs. The segment alone raised $175,600. We would also like to give a standing ovation to the SSO Symphony Ball Committee, led by Chair Ms Paige Parker, for being the force behind the Ball’s success. Funds raised will support SSO’s continuing musical journey, including the staging of world-class concert hall performances as well as free school and community concerts, and nurturing talents of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and the Singapore Symphony Choruses.
The next edition of the SSO Symphony Ball will return on 26 April 2025, held at The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore. For table donations, sponsorships or other ways to support the event, please contact chelsea.zhao@sso.org.sg
SSO SYMPHONY BALL DONORS 2024
Platinum Donors ($50,000 and above)
Aquilus Pte Ltd
Mr & Mrs Goh Yew Lin
Ms Paige Parker & Mr Jim Rogers
Jacqueline Yeh
Yong Hon Kong Foundation
Gold Donors ($25,000 and above)
Prof Chan Heng Chee
Elaine and Eduardo Saverin Foundation Ltd
Far East Organization
Dr Geh Min
Miriam & Merle Hinrich
Holywell Foundation Ltd
IMC Group Asia (S’pore) Pte Ltd
Karim Family Foundation
Kris Foundation
Neo Group Limited
Andreas & Doris Sohmen-Pao
Dr Edwin Tan
UOB
Geoffrey & Ai Ai Wong
Dr Thomas & Mrs Mary Zuellig
Silver Donors ($10,000 and above)
Odile & Douglas Benjamin
BreadTalk Group
Lito & Kim Camacho
Cham Gee Len
Daniel Choo & Family
Chopard Asia Pte Ltd
Zach Du Chao
Goh Swee Chen
Haidilao Hotpot
Illumia Medical Pte Ltd
Jin Lu
Vivian Kao & Shou Zi Chew
Jeffrey Khoo
Mr & Mrs Koh Chye Hock
Kenneth Kwok
Mark Lee & Kelly Keak
Lee Ming San
LGT Bank (Singapore)
Liew Wei Li
Marina Bay Sands
NEON Global
Paul & Lena Ng
Poh Khim Hong
Priscylla Shaw
Martin Siah & Wendy Long
Prof Gralf & Silvia Sieghold
Sirivadhanabhakdi
Eugene Sng
Stephen Riady Group of Foundations
Joy & Han Li Toh
Tower Capital Asia
V3 Group Limited (OSIM)
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Woh Hup (Private) Limited
Grace Yeh
Yong Ying-I
Anonymous (2)
Up to $5,000
Hyder Ahmad
Lawrence & Celeste Basapa
Chang Julian
YC Chen
Ruby Chong
Belinda Chua
Chua Hwa Choon
Prof Arnoud De Meyer
Gallery Nawei Pte Ltd
Sylvie Khau
Maisy Koh
Winston & Valerie Kwek
Ling Yang Chang
April Mak
Ong Kay Jin Jason
Victor Ow
Poh Tiong Choon Logistics Limited
Kadir Satar
SC Global Developments Pte Ltd
Ron & Janet Stride
Superb Cleaning Pte Ltd
Andrew & Jacqueline Tan
Anthony & Chloe Tan from ACE Team Foundation
Dr Pamela Tan
Linda Tan Soo
Tay Kim Ann
Alicia Thian & Brian Bonde
Wang Pei Zhong
Kris Wiluan
Zheng Hongbo
Anonymous (7)