Music Is: Stephen Riady Endows SSO Principal Flute Chair

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is naming a chair after Executive Chairman and Group Chief Executive of OUE Limited, Dr Stephen Riady, following the donation of a major gift to the orchestra.    

The Principal Flute, Stephen Riady Chair, acknowledges the first major donation to the orchestra since the pandemic began, and will be effective from the orchestra’s 2022/23 season beginning in July 2022. The position is currently held by Jin Ta, who joined SSO in 1998 and is one of the orchestra’s most prominent musicians with an international following. This is the third named chair of the orchestra, following Principal Cello, The Head Foundation Chair in 2019 and GK Goh Concertmaster Chair in 2017. This is also the first named woodwind chair in the orchestra’s history.

“I am pleased to play a small part in supporting Singapore’s national orchestra. The SSO is the heartbeat of Singapore’s arts and culture scene. Through sponsoring the Principal Flute Chair held by Jin Ta, an advocate for education and community engagement in classical music, I hope that more people will have an opportunity to appreciate the elegant sound of the flute and understand the important role it plays in the orchestra,” said Dr Stephen Riady.

As the industry emerges from the pandemic after more than two years of disruption, the foundation gift will help set SSO up for a strong recovery, as the orchestra looks forward to continue enriching and inspiring audiences with its music. 

This major gift will be directed to SSO’s Endowment Fund to help build long-term financial security for the orchestra. In common with symphony orchestras around the world, the SSO relies on a combination of public grants, private donations and investment income from its Endowment Fund to supplement ticket sales in meeting its operating costs.

Mr Goh Yew Lin, Chair, Singapore Symphony Group said, “SSO is thrilled to receive this gift from Dr Stephen Riady as we draw a close to the season and enter the new one with much hope. The generous support will help us continue to create memorable shared experiences for audiences at home and abroad, bringing comfort and inspiration through our work.”

Audiences can catch Jin Ta in a free online concert, Flurry of the Flute, which will be streamed on SSOLOUNGE on 12 May. SSO’s new digital platform enables audiences to enjoy live performances, pre-recorded masterworks and premieres from the comfort of their own screens.

Jin Ta will also star in a live performance of Mozart’s delightful Flute & Harp Concerto in November 2022, part of the new season that has yet to be announced.

For corporates keen on supporting the SSO, contact the SSO Development team at director_development@sso.org.sg.