The Unsung Heroines of the SSO Ladies’ League

By Singapore Symphony Orchestra

A Fateful Beginning

In 1984, former Music Director Choo Hoey yearned to broaden the repertoire of the SSO but lacked a key instrument to do so: A grand pipe organ.

Resonating with the Maestro's aspiration for the orchestra, eight women banded together and raised over $200,000 for the Klais organ, which remains a centrepiece at the Victoria Concert Hall, Home of the SSO. This fundraising undertaking, herculean as it was, left a lasting mark in history by initiating the formation of the SSO Ladies’ League.

A League of Their Own

The SSO Ladies’ League has played a sometimes-invisible yet always-significant role in supporting the SSO. For over 30 years, these savvy, tenacious volunteers devoted their time and effort to spearhead a plethora of fundraising projects, from annual golf tournaments between 1987 – 2011 to a tennis tournament and a walkathon, held in 1987 and 1985 respectively.

Capable and committed as they were, the League members were also celebrated for their creative flair in garnering donations for the company. Testament to this is the SSO’s annual fundraising gala dinner which was inaugurated in 1984. Thanks to the leadership of Chair Lady Mrs Odile Benjamin, who has served between 2006 to 2023, the colourful event, which is a highlight of the Singapore social calendar, has raised more than $10 million over the last decade. In addition, the League organised fashion shows (modelled by the members) and published two cookbooks titled A Kitchen Symphony in 1988, and A Symphony of Taste in 2009.

Through the years, the League’s different initiatives have strengthened the SSO in many ways. Funds raised have enabled the purchase of instruments and equipment, the refurbishment of the Victoria Concert Hall in 1990 and orchestra tours beyond Singapore.

(Photo: The SSO Ladies’ League featured in The Straits Times, 11 February 1989, nlb.gov.sg)

The construction and installation of the Klais organ was a historic project by the pioneering League in 1984. To this day, the instrument plays a starring role in the perennial VCHpresents Organ Series.
A permanent feature in the Hospitality Suite of the Victoria Concert Hall, Sheng and Pan by Brother Joseph McNally was commissioned by former Chair Lady, the late Madam Lee Seok Tin. The sculptures were made from pipes of the dismantled St Clair organ to resemble musicians playing a pipe instrument.
Titled A Kitchen Symphony, a cookbook, featuring Asian and Westen recipes, was published in 1988 as a lasting memento of the national orchestra.
Dr Margaret Chen (left), a founding member of the Ladies’ League, with the late Ms Lu Sinclair, former General Manager of the SSO, at the SSO Ladies’ League 15th Anniversary Concert, held from 3 to 4 September 1999.
(L-R) Ladies’ League members Mrs Celeste Basapa, Mrs Alice Lee-Seah, Ms Manju Vangal, Mrs Gabriele Bott, Mrs Viviana Bernard at the 17th Charity Golf Tournament, held in 2010 at Sentosa Golf Club.
Arguably the social event of the year in Singapore, the 32nd Benefit Dinner, themed Café Society, saw a large turnout with the members of the Ladies’ League dressed to the nines.
Mrs Odile Benjamin (middle) was the longest-serving Chair Lady of the League. She oversaw over 10 editions of the SSO Benefit Dinner which raised over $10 million in the last decade.

I am profoundly grateful to these incredible women who made the League’s journey so meaningful. Together, we have woven a melody of support that has allowed our national orchestra to evolve and thrive. As this chapter ends, I hope the music we have championed will continue to resonate across future generations.

Mrs Odile Benjamin
Chair Lady, SSO Ladies’ League
1997 saw hundreds of students flock to the first VCH open house as part of the music education programme, kickstarted by the League in 1991.

Nurturing the Young

Music education has also a special place in the hearts of the SSO Ladies’ League members. In 1991, they implemented music education programme Experiences in Music to stoke the love for classical music among young audiences. The programme brought about the first open house at the Victoria Concert Hall in 1997, which saw 400 students from 29 secondary schools experience the magic of classical music.

Today, the League’s passion project has developed into one of the core community offerings of the Singapore Symphony Group, with a dedicated team of staff working with the orchestra's musicians on school outreach programmes and SSO concerts designed for children.

A Heartfelt Reunion

On 25 November 2023, past and current members of the SSO Ladies’ League reunited for a celebratory soiree, honouring their philanthropic efforts with the orchestra since the 1980s.

In between delectable bites and tea, the League reminisced the days of yore with a nostalgic slideshow of cherished memories and past projects of the League. Mr Goh Yew Lin, Chair of the Singapore Symphony Group, and former Chair Lady Mrs Odile Benjamin also shared heartfelt words with the ladies present. To fittingly conclude the reunion, the SSO String Quartet presented a stirring performance as appreciation of the League’s contribution to the national orchestra. Our gratitude also goes to former League member and current SSO Council member Ms Priscylla Shaw for donating a thank you gift to all members present.

Chair Lady Mrs Odile Benjamin (middle) with League Members Ms Ingrid Hanson and Mrs Kim Camacho (L-R)
Mr Goh Yew Lin, Chair of the Singapore Symphony Group, shared a heartfelt message to the attending members of the League.
The SSO String Quartet gave a heart-stirring performance, including an encore piece Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen.
A toast to the SSO Ladies’ League for their philanthropic contributions to the national orchestra.

We remember how important the Ladies' League has been to the Singapore Symphony’s history and evolution. You showed us what was possible, and the Symphony Ball Committee will build upon the strong foundations that have been laid over the past four decades. Thank you, one and all, for everything you have done in support of the Singapore Symphony Group!

Mr Goh Yew Lin
Chair, Singapore Symphony Group 

The Legacy Lives On

Moving forward, the Ladies’ League will transition from being a stand-alone entity to members being part of the company’s various volunteer-working committees, such as the new Symphony Ball Committee, led by League member, Paige Parker. This committee will build upon the strong foundation laid by the League by focusing on donor outreach and fundraising for the annual dinner.

We thank the SSO Ladies’ League for playing a critical role in our successes and storied history.