Symphonic Beyond conducted by Dr Low Chee Meng sets the stage for a rousing, highly energetic, electrifying performance – befitting the orchestra that turned 14 in January. Founded in 2010 with a grant from the SiWu Education Trust Fund, the Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra (KVWO) has gone from strength to strength, observes Sook Mei who is a founding member of the orchestra that comprises people of all walks of life; mostly working adults and school or college students. Photos by Sook Mei.
By Foong Pek Yee
foongpekyee@gmail.com.
July 19, 2024
Themed Winds of Pop, KVWO’s annual concert was all about the different kinds of pop music; from the 70s era to the K-Pop wave.
From the 1980s Cantopop Medley , The Symphonic Beatles, Greatest Hits of Jay Chou , ABBA Gold, Puteh Ramlee to K-Pop Feel So Good; the overwhelming response from the audience at the RTM Auditorium, Ipoh on July 7 has again underscores the fact that music is borderless and transcends time.
The rest of the repertoire includes Santana- A Portrait, Billie Jean, Coldplay Symphony, Say Shava Shava and A Song by Jacky Cheung (arranged by Mateo Ng)
Upbeat: (from left) Hong Pick Sum, Natalie Liew, Sook Mei, Mateo Ng, Dr Low Chee Meng, Lean Lip Kok and Craig Fam
Looking back, Sook Mei says KVWO, the brainchild of the late Datuk KK Lim who wished to have a community band, has come a long way.
The KVWO was set up by the Kinta Valley Symphonic Society (KVSS) in 2010. Both organizations are based in Ipoh, Perak.
KVSS got a grant from the SiWu Education Trust Fund to set up KVWO
“The last two years saw KVSS added three new groups under its wings; KV String Orchestra, KV Chinese Orchestra and KV Symphonic Voices,” says Sook Mei who is into piano.
Like any organization, KVSS and KVWO have their fair share of ups and downs, but Sook Mei is glad that it has emerged stronger.
The good news is some members of the orchestra went on to further their studies in music and rose to become professionals, including lecturers in colleges.
Sook Mei is also proud to note that Natalie Liew, one of the two conductors at the concert, joined KVWO about 10 years ago as a player.
Dr Low Chee Meng was the guest conductor for the event.
Natalie Liew conducting Puteh Ramlee.
Sook Mei says KVWO is more active than before after the Covid- 19 movement control order got lifted.
It held its annual concert in July 2022, followed by an Outreach performance at the Imperial International School in Menglembu, Ipoh.
Year 2023 saw KVWO having a joint concert with KLPac in Ipoh’s SMJK Ave Maria Convent, followed by a performance in Ipoh Parade Shopping Mall in July, annual concert in November and a Christmas performance in December.
The orchestra kick off this year with a performance in DR Park. The Ipoh City Council had invited KVWO to do a Chinese New Year Celebration at the park’s new amphitheater.
KVWO was also invited by elected government representatives Jenny Choi and Howard Lee to perform in SJKC Chung Tack, Kampung Simee.
“I would say that over the years KVWO has grown from strength to strength and has made a name for itself within the community of Ipoh and beyond,” says Sook Mei who was president of KVSS in 2015 and 2018.
Big thank you : Kinta Valley Symphonic Society KVSS president Jeffrey Cheong Kok Yew ( (far right) and the concert organizing chairman Keith Lwee (third from left) with guest performers on stage.
Part of Asian Dhol playing drums.
Billie Jean with Michael Jackson impersonator Mervin Yong
