Chinese Orchestra

INTRODUCTION RICO began 18 years ago in 1987. Despite 2 previous setbacks in forming an orchestra, Mdm. Jane Sow Chan determinedly set up Raffles Institution Chinese Orchestra (RICO) with the support of the then Headmaster Mr. Eugene Wijeysingha. Due to his strong belief that Raffles Institution was headed towards becoming an international and multi-culture school, and that the Chinese Orchestra was a means to help achieve this, Mr Wijeysingha rendered invaluable support to us, helping RICO through this period of uncertainty.

As such, RICO grew under the tutelage of conductor Mr Goh Yew Guan from 1987 to 2002. From 2002 to the present, Mr Yeo Puay Hian took over the helm and led our orchestra to scale greater heights. Mr Yeo is currently the arranger-in-residence for Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Together with specialized professional instructors- Mr Lin Sin Yeo, Ms Shen Qin, Mr Ong Yi Horng, Mr Voo Chee Kee, Mr Ling Hwee Loong and Mr Ngoh Keng Seng, RICO grew from strength to strength. Highlights of our 18 years include combined performances with the most prominent school orchestra in Beijing, the Golden Sail Chinese Orchestra, Voices of the Dragon I and II, held in Beijing and Singapore respectively. The orchestra has also been holding exchanges with elite school orchestras in Ipoh and Penang. In year 2001, we hosted Jinhua Guozhong Chinese Orchestra from Taipei. In Feburary 2003, we held a successful joint performance (Voices of the Dragon VI) with CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School. In December 2003, we held a combined concert in Singapore Conference Hall with the Jit Sin High School Chinese Orchestra from Penang. In March 2004, we had a successful music exchange programme in Penang and also performed to a sold out concert of 1000 audience at Sri Dewan Penang Conference Hall. Voices of The Dragon VII was also successfully held at Singapore Conference Hall in April 2004. To date, in Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging Competitions from 1988-2005, we have attained 1 Bronze Award, 3 Silver Awards, and 5 Gold Awards. RICO throughout these years have also grown from a small ensemble to a 85-member full orchestra. ACHIEVEMENT 2005 3rd Dec 2005 : Collaborated with Central Singapore CDC to perform in monthly CLAP! Programme at Toa Payoh Library amphitheatre. 13th Nov 2005: Collaborated with Central Singapore CDC and National Parks Board to perform in Bishan Park 2 in conjunction with Clean & Green Week "Community In Blooms Carnival" 4th - 6th Nov 2005: Embarked on a 3 Day 2 Night Music Exchange Programme to Johore/Malacca. Interacted with Foon Yew High School Chinese Orchestra in Johore. 30th Oct 2005 : Performed to 5000 audience at the Singapore Expo for the Renci Hospital's Gala Charity Dinner "Grandeur of Chefs" . Guest-Of-Honour: Mr Khaw Boon Wan (Minister of Health) 29th Oct 2005: Invited By Viriya Organisation to perform for senior citizens at Kolam Ayer District. Guest of Honour: Mr Yacoob Ibrahim(MP for Kolam Ayer) 25th Sept 2005: Collaborated with Central Singapore CDC and National Parks Board to perform in Bishan Park 1. " Musical Delights In The Park" 11th Sept 2005: Invited to perform at "Lilies On The River" Charity Carnival by Viriya Organisation at Singapore River/ UOB Plaza Guest-Of-Honour: Mr Khaw Boon Wan (Minister of Health) 22 April 2005 : Attained Silver Award in Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging Competition 2005.

PROGRAM (TRAINING SCHEDULE & METHODS)

Sectional Practices are held once a week every Monday or Wednesday for 3 hours. All members will be practicing in their own sections, namely, percussion, erhu, cello/ bass, plucked string section, dizi and wind (guanyue) section. All our instructors are currently musicians with Singapore Chinese Orchestra and the best teacher available. Full Orchestral practice is held once a week at the new Raffles Junior College Chinese Orchestra Room every Friday for 3 hours under the baton of Mr Yeo Puay Hian. This is the time where all the different sections come together and learn to play together in harmony.