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The Orchestra of the Music Makers, winner of this year's HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Musical Excellence, was formed by alumni of various youth and school music groups only a year ago. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
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THOUGH just a year old, the Orchestra of the Music Makers has made such great strides that it will receive the 2009 HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Musical Excellence from President S R Nathan tonight.
The orchestra debuted in August last year as a musical backdrop to the ceremony for the same awards, but with three sold-out concerts under its belt since then, it has become a deserved recipient in its own right.
Formed by alumni of various youth and school music groups, it was intended to be an avenue for amateur musicians to make symphonic music.
The 95 musicians in their teens and early 20s now make up the orchestra's roster. They are led by conductor Chan Tze Law, who is associate director of Singapore's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and music director of the Singapore Festival Orchestra.
Everything from funding, rehearsal venues, promotional posters and the orchestra website were sourced and produced by the enterprising young people.
Maestro Chan said: 'The youths did not just make music, but they made music happen.'
Though doing everything themselves helped to cut costs, the group often found it a tough balancing act to keep things going.
Founding member and chairman Lee Guan Wei, 22, said: 'Our concerts have cost us between $17,000 and $30,000 each, with money going to the hiring of technical trainers, the renting of percussion instruments, rehearsal and concert venues.'
The orchestra hopes to use its musical talent for philanthropy - something HSBC and its $200,000 donation to the group, held in trust by the National Arts Council, will set in motion.
It is the first group to win the youth award for musical excellence. Past winners have been individuals, such as pianist Clare Yeo.
After the award ceremony, the orchestra will play in a charity concert which has raised $150,000 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
The HSBC awards were launched in 2001, and provide recipients with opportunities as well as funding support to develop their potential.
Receiving the HSBC Youth Excellence Award for Leadership and Community Service is Mr Daniel Tan Tai Leng, 27, for his work with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds), as the leader of its youth volunteer group.
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