Inaugurated in 1973, the NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) has progressed to become a prominent and outstanding orchestra in the local Chinese Music Scene and is currently under the auspices of NUS The Centre for the Arts. Ever since its establishment, the prominent orchestra from NUS has participated actively in the promotion of arts, in particular Chinese music, not just locally, but also in many other cultures and countries of the world.
With over 100 musicians comprising undergraduates and alumni, the NUSCO boasts a varied repertoire that ranges from traditional music to challenging contemporary works by both local and overseas composers. Besides the usual repertoire of ditties, folk music and local compositions, the NUSCO eagerly taken on challenges in technically demanding ensemble pieces, fantasias and capriccios such as the 'Great Wall Capriccio', 'The Story of Lan Hua Hua' and 'Man Jiang Hong Concerto'.
The NUSCO musicians were given many opportunities to elevate and enhance their skills through the involvement in a great variety of performances both in local and overseas.
In its yearly concert, the NUSCO has incorporated many different elements to make the experience as memorable as possible, both for its musicians and its audience, for instance in “March Odyssey” (2007) its has a piece of Erhu solo with full orchestra accompaniment by Mr Lum Yan Sing (the NUSCO conductor) as the soloist, in “Melodious Affinity” (2008) its has 2 pieces of Vocal Solo with full orchestra accompaniment by Prof Koh Khee Meng from the NUS Mathematics Department as the soloist and Zheng Ensemble with partial orchestra accompaniment.
The NUSCO had also performed under invitation at various major occasions including the Millennium Concert at Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2000 and cross-cultural performances, such as the transposition of the Double Concerto composed by Dr. L Subramaniam in 2006 NUS Arts Festival and World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) Singapore 2007 – 10 Years of Real Music.
To enrich its musicians’ musical experience further, the NUSCO engage in trips to foreign lands on musical exchange programmes and concert tours. So far the NUSCO has travelled to Thailand (1983), Hong Kong (1987), Beijing/China (1991), Budapest/Romania (1995), Xi'an/China (1998), Zurich/Switzerland (2005), Aberdeen/Scotland (1999), Mauritius (2002), South Africa (Grahamstown International Arts Festival, 2002), South India (2003), Switzerland (2005) and Germany (2007). The overseas exposures had also launched NUSCO further into international music arena.
In order to promote a greater appreciation of music to the public to attract new audiences and recruit new blood, the NUSCO also involves in small public concerts during festivals and organises special activities. One of which is the Erhu Exchange in 2006, conducted to reach out to students in Secondary Schools and Junior Colleges by inviting students from various orchestras for an interaction session consisting of mini performances, quizzes and games. Furthermore, the NUSCO also open our doors to people outside NUS dedicated to Chinese music to join its performance as guest players.
