13 May 2021 - Selamat Hari Raya!
The Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra wishes all Muslims “Selamat Hari Raya” with this festive classic, and pays tribute to the great Malay pop icon Ahmad Ja’afar with this special arrangement by our very own Pearl Yim!
Ahmad Ja’afar (1919-2009) was the lead conductor of Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra for over a decade. The respected composer of more than 60 Malay songs including all-time favourites such as Selamat Hari Raya, Ibu and Bunga Tanjung, he was conferred the Public Service Star award in 1970 and Cultural Medallion in 1981 for his great contribution to the world of Malay music. (Source: NLB Music SG)
12 July 2021 - Adrian Tan (1977 - 2021)
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our music director and conductor, Adrian Tan (陈志刚). He has been our orchestra’s beacon since 2012, and gave us the profound vision of “Music for Everyone”. With this vision and his passion for music, we formed The Joy Chorale in order to make good music together – for the community, by the community. Today, we have lost a visionary leader, generous mentor, and dear friend. Rest in peace, and you will be fondly remembered by all of us at BHSO.
We are heartened to read all the beautiful tributes to our music director, Adrian Tan by fellow musicians and peers in the industry. Read the stories from Albert Tiu, Bernard Tan, Noella Yan, Robert Casteels, Chan Yoong Han, John Sharpley, Azariah Tan, Ho Chee Kong and Dr Chang Tou Liang.
Click on the image to read "OUR TRIBUTES TO ADRIAN TAN (1977-2021)"
July 2021 - Grieg's Two Nordic Melodies Op. 63, I - Folketonestil (In Folk Style)
Edvard Grieg was famous as a pianist and as a composer for the piano during his life, but he had a series of smaller masterpieces for the string orchestra.
Take some time to appreciate this 6-min piece, your perfect companion to wind down for the week, not one to be listened in a rush. Listen out for the melody’s chromatic running notes as well as the broken triad chords, creating a feeling of soaring anticipation towards the end of the piece.
This piece was recorded at the Braddell Heights Community Club and first screened via BHCC’s Racial Harmony Day livestream concert in July 2021. The ensemble consists of musicians from the BHSO, conducted by our late conductor Mr Adrian Tan.
12 September 2021 - Cinema Paradiso
Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra presents the theme from Cinema Paradiso. Due to Safe Distancing Measures, our late music director, Adrian Tan, rehearsed this piece with 24 string players with the intention to record it in Aug 2021. He departed before he could record it with us.
As a tribute to Adrian, we invited past and present members and friends of BHSO to come together and complete this recording. Thank you, Adrian, for everything you have done for BHSO.
24 October 2021 - Edward Elgar's Serenade for Strings
Due to COVID-19 safe distancing guidelines, we have been unable to meet as a full orchestra for quite a long time. So, what have BHSO musicians been doing this year? Musicians from BHSO have recorded a number of pieces over the past months, such as “Selamat Hari Raya”, pieces for Racial Harmony Day Celebrations, as well as “Cinema Paradiso”.
Most recently, we presented the evergreen Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings. Here, our Conducting Fellow, Amanda Kye-Ning Tan, talks about the piece, including insights on the work and musical features to listen out for.
Our performance is featured on the right, recorded at the Braddell Heights Community Club with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, This video was launched on our Facebook page & YouTube channel on 24 October 2021 at 12:00pm.
3, 4 November 2021 - The Little Prince
Performed at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Center
“In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night… You – only you – will have stars that can laugh!”
– The Little Prince
What better way to open the vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2021 than with the story of The Little Prince, told through both spoken word and the music of Thierry Huillet. Under the baton of Maestro Chan Wei Shing, the Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra will thrill you with this beautiful work. It has been a huge journey, from the conception of the show, to what you’ll experience in this production combining Literature x Music x Technology.
19 December 2021 - Zoom into 2022 with BHSO!
Our musicians put up some heartfelt performances celebrating the season of giving and love. We hope this music will bring you some cheer and we wish you a better 2022 ahead!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!