For the second year, SSA organised Voices of Spring — A Chinese New Year Song Singing Festival, held from January 22 till February 12. This year, the event brought together 14 choirs who will be presenting Chinese New Year songs at different locations like the Esplanade, Marina Promenade, National Library, as well as the heartlands during the first two weekends of February.
On January 22, Guest-of-Honour, Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman of the National Arts Council, launched the event at the opening ceremony held at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Accompanied by SSA Chairman Ong Bon Chai, Mr Edmund Cheng also presented tokens of appreciation to all the participating choirs. Four choirs namely, the Sing Melody Children’s Choir, Tampines Junior College Choir, Metro Philharmonic Choir and Soka Chorus performed at the opening ceremony which drew 200 people.
[“Voices of Spring — A Chinese New Year Song Singing Festival” was first launched in 2005. The idea of a Chinese New Year Song Singing Festival was mooted with the aim to spread the message of goodwill, peace and joy, through the heartwarming tunes and beautiful melodies of spring. The event was organised by SSA and co-organised by North East and South West Community Development Councils, Choral Association (Singapore), Singapore River HongBao Committee and supported by The National Arts Council, National Library Board, Singapore Botanic Gardens and the Lee Foundation.]
(SSA Times issue 232)
