The 11th edition of ChildAid, one of Singapore's biggest charity concerts, opened with a bang last night at the Grand Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS).
Dance crew Sugar Rush from the Little Arts Academy performed a slick number choreographed to ChildAid's original theme song, A World To Imagine, composed in 2006 by the late Iskandar Ismail.
The seven boys and five girls of Sugar Rush, all beneficiaries of The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, are champions of Danceworks 2015, an annual contest held by the Central Narcotics Bureau.
ChildAid was started in 2005 by The Straits Times and The Business Times (BT).
It raises funds for The ST School Pocket Money Fund and The BT Budding Artists Fund, both of which help disadvantaged children. MBS is the event's official venue partner.
This year's show, which had its music direction helmed by Cultural Medallion recipient and jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro, was a polished and intimate presentation of diverse dance and music acts.
More than 19 acts featured 123 performers aged seven to 19 years old.
These included an instrumental rendition of the main theme from the Game of Thrones drama series, as well as a performance of One Summer's Day, the well-loved theme song of Japanese animated movie Spirited Away.
Ten-year-old Isaiah Hui also performed his own lilting composition, titled Joy of Music.
The event was graced by guest
of honour President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his family, as well as Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng and his wife.
Isaiah, who is performing at Child-Aid for the second time this year, hopes his participation would enable the Budding Artists Fund, which helps young people afford lessons in the arts, reach out to more beneficiaries.
"Sometimes, I feel angry but music helps me to relax. Working alongside talented musicians also taught me to be humble," he added.
Yuen Sin
• ChildAid 2015 will be staged at Marina Bay Sands' Grand Theatre tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets from $18 to $38 are on sale at www.marinabaysands.com/ticketing, or call 6688-8826
