UTP Chinese Orchestra Musical
UTP Chinese Orchestra is established in February 2006 as a new division of UTP Orchestra (UTPO) with the aim of promoting traditional Chinese culture, developing music and rendering the arts and music among varsity students.
Currently, it has a membership of around 100 students under the coaching of Mr. Steven Goh Suk Liang. Since its inception, the team has made its debut performance in university level, national level and international level. On 4 April 2009, the team successfully held the first concert in UTP that received great responses from students and outsiders. On 22 March 2008, the team performed in Melodious Affinity Concert at National University of Singapore (NUS). Besides, in the early year 2008, the team had been invited to perform in the PETRONAS forum series at Putrajaya Marriotte hotel. In university, the team had performed in CoQ Appreciation Night 2006 followed by Convocation Lunch and Convo Fair (2006, 2007 and 2008) and the Symphony Fest Gala Night (2007 and 2008). In April 2009, UTPCO organized its first event in UTP – Melodious Rendezvous, a cross-cultural musical show. Furthermore, on 26 March 2010, UTPCO had organised Red Sonata Fiesta which was a cultural concert night. Also, UTP was the first university in Malaysia that was given an opportunity to perform at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, KLCC whereby the event was known as Tapestry of Colours which was held from 6th-8th August 2010 and UTPCO was one of the performers in the event.
In addition, the Renowned Taiwanese maestro Qu Chun Quan guest conducted the UTP Chinese Orchestra in a repertoire of Western, Malay and Chinese classics arranged for traditional Chinese musical instruments. Featuring celebrated sopranos –Beijing-born Li Lu and Malaysian Yen Chock, Shanghai Er Hu soloist Yi Ting Ying and rising star conductor Goh Suk Liang. In 2011, UTP Chinese Orchestra (UTPCO) made a significant appearance at their annual concert night, Red Sonata Fiesta 2- Sun of Summer on the 25th of February 2011 at the UTP Chancellor Complex. This very concert which aimed to raise funds for the UTPCO had successfully attracted students of UTP and also the community of Bandar Seri Iskandar and Tronoh. On the 1st of June 2011, UTPCO was once again invited to perform for Royal Concert 2011 in conjunction with the 83rd birthday celebrations of His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah. UTPCO in collaboration with Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Gamelan UTP and UTP Virtuoso had put up a memorable and yet wonderful performance for the 2 hours Royal Concert.
UTPCO was given an opportunity to perform together with Hsinchu County Chinese Orchestra when they were on their Taiwan Cultural Exchange trip from 19th September to 25th September of 2011 and Malaysia Cultural Exchange Trip on 8th April of 2012. The Mayor of Hsinchu County was present during the concert night to acknowledge the visit of UTPCO to Taiwan. 15th October Convofair marked a vital day for the UTP graduates and UTPCO was called upon the stage to entertain the guests with a few songs. UTPCO finally made their debut appearance for 21st Century International Arts Festival competition at Genting Highlands from 21st to 24th November 2011 with a total of 37 players. In addition, UTPCO had managed to grab 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals to make the university’s head held high. Furthermore, the Foundation Graduation and Dean List Award Ceremony which was held on 30th November 2011 invited UTPCO to put on a small performance to soothe the audiences.
In the year 2012, UTPCO once again attained a glory achievement in the 22nd Century International Arts Festival competition at Genting from 26th to 30th November 2012. They successfully grabbed one gold medal and 3 silver awards with honour. Moreover, UTPCO had the golden opportunity again to perform at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, KLCC where the event Tapestry of Colours was held on 4th April 2012. Besides this, UTPCO also was given the chance to perform in IKIM where the performance was broadcasted as live through radio on 1st July 2012. Apart from these, UTP Chinese Orchestra had also performed under invitation at various club events and occasions.
Dedicated to its vision of becoming an elegant orchestra to flourish the colourful world of Chinese music, arts and cultures for all walks of life and embedded new recognition to Chinese musical in all races, UTP Chinese Orchestra is united in its commitment to move into the higher level of achievement. With a contemporary momentum and spirit, it aims to strive for the peak in music and attain the status of a well-established orchestra that will be the pride of the university.