For nearly two decades, Ding Yi Music Company has been shaping the landscape of Chinese chamber music in Singapore. Now, at 18 years old and having firmly established their identity and purpose, the ensemble has reached a new crossroads, and are now moving towards developing a lasting legacy, not just in Singapore, but throughout the region. As they prepare to open their 2025/26 season, current Resident Conductor Dedric Wong shares his thoughts on the group’s evolution, their artistic direction, and the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation.

“Over the years, Ding Yi has gone through different stages of growth based on the different resident conductors. When Dr. Tay Teow Kiat led us, it was a more classical, traditional stance. Then when Mr. Quek Ling Kiong came in, we started thinking about being a contemporary ensemble—not just in the music we play, but also in how we run things,” says Dedric. “We asked ourselves, how do we shift our mindset from being orchestral musicians to chamber musicians? Because chamber music is very different. It’s more intimate, more flexible, more collaborative. And now, at this stage, it’s time to reflect: what is Ding Yi’s legacy? We can’t just start a legacy from nothing—we need to build towards it. And for us, that means asking, how do we make our music become classic?”

It is from there that Ding Yi has decided that now is the time to decide how they can leave a lasting impact, and establish their place in history. “We want to be the pioneers in defining what the ‘classics of tomorrow’ are. There are the old, established classics, but what about new works? How do we decide what is worth keeping?” says Dedric. “This is why we’re working on things like curated playlists on Spotify—so people can discover what could be considered future classics. We’ve already recorded CDs, but how do we get the word out? How do we make our works more accessible, whether it’s through YouTube, streaming, or other online platforms? These are things we’re thinking about.”

“For us, what we need is more resources—scores, recordings, funding. We need more researchers and composers who can help us define and refine our music. That’s why collaborations like our work with Dr. Lee Ming Yen are so important. She’s researching the relationship between music and different art forms, helping us analyse whether what we’re doing is effective. It’s about making the artistic process deeper and more meaningful.”

What lies ahead then, is for Ding Yi to ensure that they are constantly innovating and pushing their artistry, while also ensuring there are more accessible elements for the general public to find an entry point into Chinese chamber music. “For me, programming is always about balancing avant-garde works with more accessible, classical pieces. Take Traversing, for example. It’s a concert series that’s now three years old, and it’s quite heavy thematically and musically,” says Dedric. “But it’s exactly what we love to do—pushing the boundaries of Chinese chamber music, challenging musicians with difficult pieces, and creating something that resonates with younger professionals. At the same time, we don’t just want to be experimental for the sake of it. We want to create music that has meaning.”

“We’re always asking how we can make our concerts more relatable. Our Disappearing… series explores traditions that are fading—things like lion head craftsmanship for lion dance. But instead of just showcasing them, we ask: is this still relevant today? A craftsman might say, ‘Oh, we don’t make lion heads anymore, we just buy them from China.’ And sure, it’s practical, but in the process, we lose something culturally. We want our audience to think about these things, not just passively watch a performance.”

Ding Yi then believes that to find the heart of what they stand for, they must go back to their roots, and understand the history that made Chinese chamber music what it is today. “Chinese music is different in Singapore. Yes, our instruments are Chinese, but we are Singaporean. That means we have a responsibility to find our own roots, to learn folk songs and understand the traditions we are building upon,” says Dedric. “Ten years ago, the idea of a ‘Nanyang’ or Singaporean identity in Chinese music felt too young. But now, we’re really thinking about it—how do we develop a new branch of Chinese music that is distinct to Singapore?”

“Now, we’re seeing more chamber ensembles emerge around the world, and the question is—how do we position ourselves as a leader in this field? One way is by defining our identity: what do we specialize in? What do we contribute to this genre?” he adds. “Another way is through collaborations. For instance, we’ve worked with Western instrumentalists to see how their expertise can be integrated with Chinese music. This cross-cultural exchange is part of what makes Ding Yi unique.”

And of course as one of the earliest, most successful Chinese chamber ensembles in Singapore, many others have followed in their steed, and Dedric muses on the development and rise of more community orchestras. “There are many community orchestras, but it’s hard to gauge how well they’re doing or how they are being received. Sometimes I feel there needs to be a larger, more cohesive plan for community arts. It’s not just about having more groups—it’s about how they can thrive, grow, and contribute to the arts ecosystem.”

At the end of the day, Ding Yi is more than happy at the current pace they’re moving at, and more than looks forward to what lies ahead. “For us, it’s not just about applause. It’s about establishing our identity to the world and staying on that journey towards new discoveries. Do we need to stick to a certain style? No. We need to keep changing, keep exploring,” concludes Dedric. “Our strength has always been our flexibility—our ability to adapt and innovate while staying true to our chamber music roots. And that’s something we will continue to build on, as we move towards defining our legacy.”

Traversing (2025) plays on 14th March 2025 at the Victoria Concert Hall. Tickets and more information available here

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