A hearty musical tribute to SMU’s contributions and support of local talent over the years.

The SMU Chinese Orchestra’s concert for SMU25 and SG60 was a celebration of new beginnings, community, and inclusion. Featuring three world premieres alongside commissioned works from previous years, the evening showed how far the orchestra has come and where it hopes to go.

The concert opened with Sulwyn Lok’s Spring Love. The orchestra, dressed smartly in blue, the signature colours of SMU, filled the stage with bright energy, while butterfly visuals heightened the springtime mood. While there was certainly some nervous energy at the start, this only served to platform the sense of adaptation and growth. The piece captured the feeling of entering a new semester, a new year, with hope, and by the end the students seemed to find themselves, both musically and personally.

Next came Phang Kok Jun’s Trains of Thoughts, accompanied by sound effects by Evan Low. The work cleverly drew from the orchestra’s own surroundings, the Bras Basah-Bugis district, turning urban bustle into music. The dizi soloist showed great calm and composure, while bold anime-inspired visuals helped tell a story and connected the orchestra to its audience, leaving a lasting impression with a grand finish.

Phang’s 四艺音画, first performed in 2012, brought a striking contrast. Visuals of strings mirrored the opening texture, before the piece erupted into a raucous storm of cymbals and drums. Soloists once again stood out, with the dizi player nodding in quiet satisfaction after his turn, the suona producing a controlled and confident line. Across the opening half, the orchestra displayed precision and discipline, stopping cleanly and showing strong control at every ending.

After intermission, the orchestra returned with the world premiere of Continuum: 2560 by Germaine Goh. Inspired by the notes D–G–A–C, the piece was mature in mood, with conductor Wilson Neo guiding the students with clarity and authority. His upward gestures toward the sky felt symbolic: a leadership that points the orchestra and SMU toward the next 25 years.

Sulwyn Lok’s Moonbound, presented with The Purple Symphony, was timely with the Mid-Autumn Festival around the corner. The piece moved like a journey, echoing the ups and downs of collaboration and community. Pianist Siti kept steady pace with the orchestra, and the music carried a message of friendship. The repeated phrases suggested struggle, yet the work ended on a high, with a sense of hope.

Eric Watson’s And Beyond, performed under Quek Ling Kiong, began with resonant percussion like church bells. Quek skillfully slowed the pace to welcome the Thai khong wong yai and Vietnamese đàn bầu, while visuals sketched scenes of SMU. The percussion section was especially sharp, their timing impeccable, and Valarie’s turn on the angklung was a joy to hear. But while the performers gave their all, the music itself divided opinion, with some in the audience feeling Watson’s score was weak and unconvincing.

The evening closed with recent National Day favourite The Road Ahead. With Evan Low, who worked on the composition, present in the audience, the piece felt like a true culmination as it celebrated SMU’s 25 years and Singapore’s 60th with arrangements full of little “easter eggs” for the attentive ear. Wilson Neo’s erhu solo was clean, pure, and deeply moving, showing both his class and his connection to the ensemble. Finally, Quek Ling Kiong took the podium once more, bringing everyone together for a rousing finish that carried strong voice, identity, and verve for the future.

The SMU Chinese Orchestra may be a student group, but on this night they demonstrated poise, discipline, and artistry well beyond their years. The concert succeeded in bringing across sincerity, ambition, and collaborative spirit, making it it a moving celebration of both SMU’s journey, achievements, and Singapore’s cultural diversity.

Photo Credit: SMU

COMMISSIONS played on 11th September 2025 at the SOTA Concert Hall. More information available here

More information on SMU Arts Fest 2025: 2560 available here