"The Origin" Chinese Orchestra Concert

Performers during the rehearsal

“The Origin” Chinese Orchestra Concert was held at the Sungai Long Campus Multi-purpose Hall on 30 July 2016 by the UTAR Sungai Long Chinese Orchestra (UTARSLCO), a unit of the UTAR Sungai Long Campus Music Club.

Present at the event was UTAR Vice-President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat, UTARSLCO Conductor and advisor Goh Hong Lip, and UTAR Sungai Long Choir Club Coach Osamu Moroe.

UTARSLCO was founded on June 2015 by a group of UTAR students who share the same passion for traditional Chinese music. Since its establishment, the Chinese orchestra has participated in many activities. In 2016, the orchestra invited Goh to become their very first instructor and advisor. The purpose of this concert was to change the mindset of the public and to present a whole new image of the Chinese orchestra by performing various genres alongside traditional music.

A total of 13 songs were played during the concert. Among the songs that were played were the ‘Fishermen’s Triumphant Song’, ‘Laputa: Castle in the sky — Carrying You’, ‘Viva la Vida’, ‘Sada Borneo’, ‘Sakura-sakura’, ‘Star Wars theme song’, ‘Princess Mononoke’, ‘Harvest Festival’ and others. The audience were fascinated when the group played a refreshing mashup that combined Kitaro’s ‘Matsuri’ and the theme song from the blockbuster movie Ip Man.

Furthermore, the audience were taken on a journey into Sarawak’s rainforests when the group played ‘Sada Borneo’, translating as ‘the sound of Borneo’. The most anticipated piece, the Star Wars theme song, was followed by a performance of ‘Secret’ by OneRepublic.

Prof Ewe said, “In university life, it is important to participate in activities beyond your regular curriculum as it helps you to build skills and acquire knowledge out of the classroom. And music is definitely one of the important areas to pursue as it helps us to express our thoughts and emotions.”

“It is an honour to have such an opportunity to work together with the team to organise a concert where we learn about creativity, innovation and teamwork along the way,” said Chairperson of The Origin Lim Kim Je.

The orchestra playing the mashup of Kitaro’s ‘Matsuri’ and the theme song of Ip Man

The orchestra prepping before the concert

The orchestra playing ‘Princess Mononoke’ with the UTAR Sungai Long Choir