Date: 5 February 2023, Sunday

Time: 6pm – 7pm

Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Usher in the year of the Rabbit 兔(tù)-gether with Ding Yi Music Company and Jeff Ng at the Singapore Botanic Gardens! 

Presented under Ding Yi Music Company’s “Go Local!” series, which features local composers’ works that showcase Singapore’s rich and diverse arts and culture, this performance celebrates new beginnings this spring with refreshing re-imaginations of classic Chinese New Year songs such as Spring Blossom《不一样的迎春花》and familiar pop favourites like One Night In Beijing《北京一夜》. The ensemble will be joined by well-known local busker and performer Jeff Ng as he serenades the crowd with familiar Chinese New Year songs and pop favourites such as the JJ Lin Medley《林俊杰组曲》. 

Ding Yi Music Company’s Dizi and Suona musicians, Ng Hsien Han and Jacky Ng will also perform specially curated solo pieces for the evening. Come with friends and family to soak in the festive Chinese New Year spirit!

This concert is part of the Arts@SBG NAC-ExxonMobil Concert in the Gardens series. Singapore Botanic Gardens is a part of the National Arts Council’s Arts and Culture Nodes Network.

Ding Yi Music Company
Established in 2007, Ding Yi is Singapore’s most prodigious Chinese chamber ensemble and the pioneer of the two major local Chinese music events, the Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival and the international composition competition and symposium – Composium. The ensemble is a coterie of accomplished Chinese instrumentalists that trademark Singapore Chinese chamber music in the traditional and contemporary field.

The ensemble has captivated audiences with its distinctive approach to music-making and dedication to showcasing a vast repertoire that ranges from traditional Chinese music to contemporary interpretations and cross-genre works, and collaborated with prominent Chinese musicians including Min Huifen, Lu Chunling, Gong Yi and Feng Shaoxian in many concerts, receiving accolades from critics and audiences alike. 
 
Ding Yi’s mission is to advocate and promote its unique Singaporean identity and sound by producing iconic programmes locally and overseas, proudly flying our Singapore flag high, leaving footprints in many important international music festivals. Ding Yi is also a proud recipient of the third Chinese Cultural Contribution Award in 2019 and National Arts Council Major Company Scheme since 2016. For more information, please visit www.dingyimusic.com. 

Wong De Li, Dedric, Conductor
Wong De Li, Dedric aspired to be a conductor in his teen years, and his interest was ignited again by the renowned Chinese music educator and Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient Dr Tay Teow Kiat. With his master’s degree in orchestral conducting at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, under the tutelage of renowned Professor Yang Youqing and guidance from conducting maestro and Music Director of Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) Tsung Yeh, he aims to push Ding Yi up to new heights of artistic excellence and to develop a unique Singaporean musical direction.

In 2013, Wong was selected to participate in the Conducting Masterclass by renowned conducting maestros Prof Zhang Guoyong and Qu Chunquan, organised by the Taipei Chinese Orchestra. While in 2015, he was again selected to attend the Conducting Workshop by Tsung Yeh, organised by SCO.

As a 2014 National Arts Council (NAC) Arts Scholarship recipient and a two-time recipient of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts and Cultural Bursary in 2004 and 2006, he has performed in many countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

In 2016, Wong staged his conducting recital with the China Conservatory of Music Middle School Youth Chinese Orchestra with reputable conductor Gu Guanren. In the same year, he assumed the conductor role for the Cultural Symphony Orchestra and was also featured as an outstanding NAC scholar in the 2016 Straits Times Scholars Choice.

Jeff Ng, Vocals
A homegrown singer-songwriter, Jeff brings renditions of MandoPop hits with his soulful voice. He also released an independent solo EP in 2018, where he composed and sang 3 of his original songs. Over the years, Jeff has emerged champion in various singing competitions, held multiple music showcases and even staged a sold-out ticketed mini concert. Most recently, Jeff attracted crowds in the thousands for his busking act at the open space outside The Cathay.