by 24/25 gaohu member Nicholas Cheah

Ever since my early days in Chinese Orchestra (CO), I’ve dreamed of joining the SNYCO family. I first learned about it through my secondary school instructor, who was an alumna, and over time I got to know more people from the orchestra. Naturally, I heard many inspiring stories and realised how enriching the experience could be. Despite juggling a hectic JC workload and preparing for my A Levels, joining SNYCO is still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and one I’ll never regret.

Looking back on my first year, it turned out to be so much more than I expected. It wasn’t just about making music, but also about the friendships we built along the way. With everyone being so warm and welcoming, I ended up getting to know many people outside my own section too. The laughter in the pantry before rehearsals and the yummy post-concert suppers at Lau Pa Sat and Haidilao reminded me how supportive and inclusive the community is.

Gaohu pre-concert lunch at Guoco Tower! 😋

Being in SNYCO gave me opportunities I never imagined. I got to perform world premieres, work with renowned conductors, and share the stage with SCO musicians. On top of that, there were subsidised instrument lessons, exclusive masterclasses, and professional guidance from SCO musicians during sectionals, all of which greatly strengthened my technique and deepened my understanding of the music.

21 December 2024: Debut Concert — Youth Rhapsody

Throwback to my first Colour Week in SNYCO! During concert week, we had a different theme every day, and the whole orchestra matched our clothes accordingly. It was definitely one of the few things I looked forward to each concert.

One of the most memorable moments in my first year came with my debut concert, Youth Rhapsody. It was truly a dream come true to be conducted by guest conductor Mr Liu Chiang-Pin. I first came to know about him in the early stages of my CO journey, when I watched performances by the Hsinchu City Youth Chinese Orchestra. His artistry and passion for music left a strong impression on me and deepened my interest in CO.

On the third day of concert preparations, I remember him telling us he wasn’t satisfied with our performance. At first, many of us felt a little disheartened, and I began to think about my own playing. Later, we realised what he really meant was that we should never settle, so we’d always push ourselves to improve. That message has stayed with me and still reminds me to give my best in everything I do.

24 February 2025: Outreach Concert at Dunman High School

Me and my fellow orchestra mates performing at the Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall of Dunman High School

This was probably one of the most challenging concerts for me. We only had two days of combined rehearsals before the performance, so we had to squeeze in practice while also getting ready for the next concert. Our gaohu section had just three players, but the chemistry was so strong that we could feel each other’s energy and play together as if we were a much bigger section.

22 March 2025: Musical Voyage II

Conducted by SNYCO Conductor Dr Lien Boon Hua, we explored music from around the world, including Maestro Kuan Nai-chung’s A Trip to Lhasa and Mr Law Wai Lun’s Prince Sang Nila Utama and Singa.

This was us backstage before the concert!

A Trip to Lhasa is especially meaningful to me. The mysterious and majestic first movement, The Potala Palace, sparked my curiosity to visit Lhasa someday. The flowing melodies of the second movement, Yarlung Zangbo River, never fail to give me goosebumps. The third movement, Celestial Burial, offered me a deeper glimpse into Tibetan culture, and the final movement, Beating Ghosts, brought back fond memories of my very first SYF performance.

We also had the honour of premiering Bird’s Eye View, composed by Singaporean jazz musician Chok Kerong. It was my first time performing a world premiere, which made it both exciting and a little nerve-racking, but the blend of jazz elements with Chinese Orchestra created a sound that was truly fresh and unforgettable.

26 July 2025: Legacy III

Gaohu & Zhonghu section photo with our Teacher Artist, Ms Xu Wenjing!

I was deeply honoured to perform side by side with Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) musicians, and playing with them taught me a lot about ensemble playing and professionalism. To celebrate SG 60, the programme told Singapore’s story and featured two world premieres: Echoes of Legacy by Singaporean composer Germaine Goh and Gorgeous Singapore by award-winning composer Chow Jun Yi. 

My favourite part of the concert was Reflection of the Moon on Erquan with the combined SCO and SNYCO bowed-string sections. The stage was packed with bowed-string musicians and the rich, resonant sound filled the entire hall.

My first year in SNYCO has been such a meaningful one. From the music we played to the friends I’ve made and the little lessons along the way, it’s been an experience I’ll always treasure. Can’t wait to perform again with SNYCO after A Levels (and NS)!