PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Singapore Chinese Orchestra Appreciation Dinner and Opening Gala Concert

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to join you here this evening for a splendid evening of good food and wonderful music by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO).

The Government decided to set up the SCO as a professional Chinese orchestra in Singapore 12 years ago. Formerly a performing unit of the People’s Association Cultural Troupe, the SCO was inaugurated in 1997, and is still a fledging orchestra. Nevertheless, within a short time, it has distinguished itself among its international peers. It has wooed and won audiences here and abroad with its technical proficiency, distinctive style and innovative musical arrangements.

SCO’s rapid growth and early success are the result of the hard work, determination and resourcefulness of its Board of Directors, music director, musicians, management and staff. I would especially like to thank Mr Chew Keng Juea for his sterling contributions to the SCO as its Chairman for the last 8 years. He has worked tirelessly to win fans and supporters, and raise funds for the orchestra. He has also built up the SCO to become a magnet for musical talent to fill its 72-strong team.

Mr Robin Hu, who leads the Chinese Newspaper Division in Singapore Press Holdings, has since taken over as SCO Chairman. We look forward to the orchestra continuing to prosper under him.

SCO depends on volunteers like Mr Chew, Mr Robin Hu and others on the Board who devote time and energy to the enterprise. We hope more Singaporeans will come forward to take on such civic responsibilities, and serve in cultural, community and social organisations. If we are to mature as a society, we need more Singaporeans who are prepared to do their part and contribute to causes they believe in.

Music and the arts enrich our lives, our soul and our city. They can only flourish and improve with the support of the community, through their patronage and applause and sometimes their constructive criticism. So it is too with the SCO. Therefore, I hope that Singaporeans will continue to support the arts with their time and energy, and to donate generously even in this difficult period.

I congratulate the SCO for its achievements, and hope that it will continue to innovate and excel, so that it might fulfil its mission – "to inspire, motivate, influence, educate and communicate with its thousands of notes."

李显龙总理于新加坡华乐团答谢晚宴上演讲

2009年1月16日

李文献部长

华乐团名誉董事主席周景锐先生

华乐团董事主席胡以晨先生

各位来宾

大家晚上好

我很高兴能够出席新加坡华乐团今晚的答谢晚宴及音乐会。

政府在12年前决定成立一支专业的华乐团，作为提升本地艺术水平的一项努力，也协助华社保留一项重要的文化活动。政府的这项决定，获得华社和社会贤达的积极支持。它虽然还是一支年轻的乐团，但是它勇于尝试和创新，因此在国内外建立良好的声誉。

新加坡华乐团上下一心才有今天的成就。董事局和音乐总监领导有方，乐团演奏家和行政人员积极配合，使乐团能够茁壮成长。今晚，我们要答谢几位劳苦功高的前任董事。他们是周景锐先生、朱添寿先生、张齐娥女士、许廷芳先生、梁锦健先生、王励谦先生和杨木光先生。

我特别要答谢担任乐团董事主席长达八年的周景锐先生。在周先生的领导下，新加坡华乐团把华乐带到民间，使广大民众有机会欣赏高水平的演出。 华乐团是通过社区音乐会、学校艺术教育计划、户外音乐会来达到这个目标，使华乐团成了名副其实的“人民乐团”。

我们也欢迎胡以晨先生在去年接任董事主席。我有信心在胡先生和现任董事的领导下，华乐团将攀向另一个高峰。我希望乐团能努力争取新的观众群和更广泛的支持和赞助，并且继续吸引和培养音乐人才，让他们有机会发挥创意和才华，使新加坡华乐团能够不断提升，以成为国际上一支富有特色的优秀乐团。

谢谢！