As we neared the end of another season, we took the opportunity to show our appreciation to the various groups of donors who had journeyed with us over the past year.
THE DONORS SEASON CLOSER
First, almost a hundred SSO donors and their guests attended the 3 May concert at our invitation and the intermission reception organised exclusively for SSO donors.
At the reception, CEO Chng Hak-Peng addressed the donors, recognising their contributions:
This season, you’ve helped us bring more than 150 concerts and activities to over 120,000 people. From all of us at the Singapore Symphony Group, thank you for helping to spread the love for music.
The guests were also joined by volunteers and young members from Beyond Awesome, who received complimentary tickets for the concert —thanks to the SSO Young Symphony Explorers, an initiative supported by our donors.
With 19 timpani on stage, the “Red Balloon: Rhythms, Rites and Renewals” concert involved one of the largest orchestra setups seen at an SSO concert — a fitting performance indeed for our special Donors Season Closer. Maestro Pascal Rophé made his debut with the orchestra, conducting the two Asian premieres — Threshold and Jean-Frederic Neuburger’s Aube — and closing with Stravinsky’s revolutionary Rite of Spring.
A SPECIAL DINNER
We welcomed a smaller group of donors to an appreciation dinner that we co-hosted with the SSO’s official hotel, the Conrad Centennial Singapore. At the “Amongst Friends” event on 24 April 2019, about 30 SSO patrons joined some special clients of the Conrad at The Pavilion, a glass ballroom overlooking the Singapore skyline.
![[L-R] Joshua Tan, Kris Tan, Lim Tiang Chuan & Peggy Kek](https://web-assets.sso.org.sg/images/Bravissimo/_1920xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/L-R_Joshua_Tan_Kris_Tan_Mr_Lim__Peggy_Kek.jpg)
![[L -R] SSO cellists Guo Hao (Fixed Chair), Ng Pei Sian (Principal), Wang Yan and Wang Zihao](https://web-assets.sso.org.sg/images/Bravissimo/_1920xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/L_-R_Guo_Hao_Fixed_Chair_Ng_Pei_Sian_Principal_Wang_Yan_and_Wang_Zihao.jpg)
The guests were treated to a delicious dinner paired with specially curated wines, courtesy of the Conrad Centennial.
Equally exquisite was the performance at the dinner by an SSO cello quartet led by SSO Principal Cello Ng Pei-Sian. The four cellists played Serenade by Goltermann, the popular Shostakovich Waltz No.2, and two evocative pieces by Singaporean composer Low Shao Ying – A Day in Paris and Crossroads – which charmed the audience and earned the musicians roaring applause.
Conrad Centennial Singapore is the official hotel sponsor of the SSO. For more information on corporate patronage with the SSO, click here.
PATRON HONOUR ROLL
Last but not least, the next time you walk up the stairs to the Victoria Concert Hall, home of the SSO, do look out for an elegant “Donor Board” at the top landing.
The board incorporates a design of stylised musical instruments and matte gold and silver colours chosen to match the chandeliers in the building. VCH being a heritage building meant that the design and materials had to be approved by the Preservation of Sites and Monuments department of the National Heritage Board.
The board is part of SSO’s efforts to especially recognise the generous major patrons who support the national orchestra each season, and the names of the donors will be updated regularly.
To each and every one of our donors, our heartfelt gratitude for your generosity – thank you very much for supporting our mission to share the gift of music.