The SSO believes that every child should get to explore the world of music. For the little ones who attended the Concerts for Children: An Intergalactic Adventure, held at the Victoria Concert Hall on 16 and 17 March, the experience must have been out of this world.
Led by the stellar combination of SSO’s Associate Conductor Joshua Tan as Star Commander and Presenter Alasdair Malloy as Starship Captain, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra took off with Richard Strauss’ familiar Sunrise from Also Sprach Zarathustra - more popularly known to the audience as the theme from the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Preparing for lift-off required the SSO to be geared up for the occasion. Maestro Joshua Tan sprung onto the stage in an astronaut’s uniform while Starship Captain Alasdair Malloy buzzed in a NASA jumpsuit. Some SSO musicians were cloaked as Star Wars characters, complete with lightsabers. Together, the orchestra lent an otherworldly air to the scene, as the young audience gasped with anticipation.
There was also a surprise encounter when the orchestra started playing The Imperial March from Star Wars, with “Darth Vader” making an appearance. “Princess Leia” was on hand to quell the panic as the orchestra played The Duel of the Fates, also from Star Wars.
The musical trek to the stars ended with Star Commander Joshua and Starship Captain Alasdair taking the audience home to the Earth Sector, accompanied by the music of E.T., transporting children and adults alike.
The young audience left the concert hall on a high, all having gone boldly where no concertgoer had gone before.
I had so much fun! I know most of the songs, especially the theme from E.T. This makes me want to find out what other classical music pieces I know of.
Our Young Symphony Explorers programme provides free or discounted tickets for children and students to attend SSO performances. We use donations received to connect young people to the world of symphony music — and to feel the thrill of a live performance.
For more information on the Young Symphony Explorers programme, contact us at sharing_music@sso.org.sg.