WHEN 38 students belonging to the Raffles Girls' School (RGS) string ensemble took to the stage on Monday, they had with them home-grown violinist and old girl Siow Lee Chin as guest performer.

The classical music event at the Esplanade concert hall was dubbed 'Lee Chin & Friends: A Strings Extravaganza'.

Present was President S R Nathan, who was presented with a cheque for $130,000 for children's charities under this year's President's Challenge, his annual fund-raising effort.

The concert was the first of the premier girls' school's 'Alumni Tribute Series'.

Other concerts are being lined up to bring together RGS alumni talented in the arts to partner the school in support of worthy causes.