TMSCO

Dynamic, Youthful and Visionary, Temasek Secondary School Chinese Orchestra (TMSCO) was established in 1993 and has always been actively involved in the school's celebrations and performances. Under Mr Huang Jinfu (黄锦福), we achieved Chinese Orchestra Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Central Judging Silver Award. The Orchestra was then converted into a Pluck String Ensemble, led by Mr Yeo Chin Eng (杨振荣). We took part in the Pluck String SYF Central Judging in 1999 and achieved the Gold Award. We further produced our very own CD entitled “东滨舒怀” in the same year. With tremendous support from the school, the Pluck String Ensemble was expanded to a Full Orchestra in 2000.

The pioneers inspired students with the same passion, and reached out to others through traditional and yet vibrant Chinese Orchestra music. Today, the Orchestra consists of over a hundred active members and alumni who spare no effort in promoting tradition and passion. The orchestra had taken part in many school events annually, namely School's Speech Day, Chinese New Year and National Day performances. In addition to the school concerts, we also staged public performances “Musical Epoch 2003”, “Musical Epoch 2005”, Musical Epoch 2008”. The Orchestra had its maiden Overseas Music Exchange Programme in November 2006 to Shanghai, where the students went through specialized instrumental training skills conducted by several renowned Shanghai music professors, had the opportunity to observe practice sessions from the Shanghai Music Conservatory, and also interacted and shared best practices with Chinese Orchestra students from Yan An Secondary School, which is well-known for its Chinese Orchestra. In December 2007, we further collaborated with the S.M.J.K Keat Hwa Secondary School from Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia in a public concert. The students had a great opportunity sharing knowledge and skills from their overseas peers.

The Orchestra also pledged our service to the community in various Charity concerts, namely the “19th Senior's Night Concert” organized by the Home Nursing Foundation in 2006, and the “Ray of Light” St John's Ambulance Brigade Charity concerts in 2006 and 2007.

Under the baton of Mr. Cheng Chung Hsien (郑重贤), our patient and experienced conductor cum instructor from the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), and six other professional instructors, the orchestra improved from a Bronze Award in 2001, to a Silver Award in 2003, and eventually securing Gold Award in 2005 and 2007 consecutively in the biennial SYF Central Judging. The versatility and virtuosity of the orchestra indeed won many hearts of the audience and music critics. The orchestra does not revolve about euphonious melodies, developing talents and cultivating the musical self, but also, to sow a sense of belonging and impart bonds amongst individuals.