The Purple Symphony (TPS), Singapore’s first and largest inclusive orchestra, and Temasek Shophouse (TSH), social impact hub in the heart of the city, presented a performance series at TSH over three weekends from October to December 2022.
For its finale on 10 December, TPS’ Artistic Director, Mr. Quek Ling Kiong, led the TPS musicians to give a rousing full-house performance, with familiar tunes from Studio Ghibli and other popular classics, before wrapping it up with a Christmas Medley that everyone in the audience clapped and sang along to.
“It’s really hard work. Everyone is so unique and special. And I just want to do is to congratulate all of them for a wonderful performance!” says Jenny, an avid Purple Symphony fan.
TPS, initiated by Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) in 2015, aims to create opportunities and build an inclusive community for musicians with disabilities. It provides a platform for musicians, with and without disabilities, to learn and share music with one another, while celebrating their abilities and serving the community as one.
Let’s get to know more about the talented people behind the beautiful music.
For some, playing the flute might be daunting. But TPS performer Lawrence not only mastered the instrument, he did it despite being visually impaired. Influenced by his father, who is also a flutist, Lawrence’s passion for the instrument has helped him to overcome the myriad of challenges. He commits each piece to memory through listening to the recordings countless times, and also memorises the parts of other instruments playing before him.
“Music is my vision.” — that is the mantra that Stephanie Ow lives by. Besides her faith in God, music has played a pivotal role in enabling her to become who she is today. Born with retinal dystrophy, Stephanie is a talented TPS violinist, and a Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) graduate, with a Diploma in Music Performance. (P.S. She plays the Erhu too!)
Stephanie typically visualises images with her senses as she listens to and learns the various musical pieces, with the help of her teachers.
ABOUT TEMASEK SHOPHOUSE
Located in the heart of Singapore, Temasek Shophouse is the home of the Temasek Trust ecosystem and like-minded co-working partners. Temasek Shophouse works closely with partners from the Public, Private, and People (3P) sectors to convene change-makers, foster collaborations, and catalyse solutions to build better for every generation. The Temasek Shophouse extension, announced in August 2022 and scheduled for completion in phases, will better enable it to meet the needs of the growing community of change-makers based in Singapore.
Visit the Temasek Shophouse website, and follow it on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, for its latest updates.
