50 schools to keep a grand piano each from Sing50 fund

Singapore

FIFTY schools will get to keep 50 grand pianos that were previously on long-term loan from the Sing50 fund.

This will be carried out via the Adopt-a-Piano programme.

The 50 pianos were featured at the Sing50 concert organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times in 2015.

Edmund Cheng, chairman of the Sing50 Fund, said: "Through the full ownership of the pianos, we hope that this will serve as a greater impetus and further empower the 50 schools to continue their work in promoting Singapore music within their school curriculum and activities."

The gift of the 50 pianos coincides with the third anniversary celebration of Singapore Rhapsodies, a music series which has served as a key platform for young musicians and students to perform original compositions and promote Singapore's music and songs.

Today, more than 2,000 students from over 70 schools and arts groups in Singapore have performed at public places as part of the series.

Singapore Rhapsodies has been held at National Museum of Singapore for the past year since July 2017, and was previously held at National Gallery Singapore in 2016.

Angelita Teo, director, National Museum of Singapore, said: "Through Singapore Rhapsodies, the National Museum aims to continue to support our home-grown artists by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents, while strengthening our exciting programmes at the museum."

For the third year running, DBS/POSB will be making a S$60,000 donation to the Sing50 Fund in support of the programme. DBS/POSB has been the programme's presenting sponsor since its inception.

To mark this occasion, a special edition of Singapore Rhapsodies - Appreciation Day will be held at the National Museum of Singapore, which for the past year has been programme partner for the series.

The programme for this edition will feature performances by Victoria Chinese Orchestra, River Valley High School's String Ensemble, singer-songwriter Annette as well as young aspiring songwriters Isaiah Hui and Stefanie Loh, who will be performing their original compositions.