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Singapore National Youth Orchestra

The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) is a National Project of Excellence under the purview of the Arts Education Branch, Student Development Curriculum Division, of the Ministry of Education (MOE). The orchestra is a non-profit organisation and is funded entirely by the MOE. The SNYO Advisory Committee provides guidance on professional matters.

SNYO is singular in its quality, makeup and promise in Singapore today. Some 159 members of the SNYO come from 49 primary and secondary schools, junior colleges, international schools and tertiary institutions, as well as students in the international schools in Singapore.

The SNYO has a record that includes an impressive repertoire, overseas guest conductors and performers, collaborations overseas with international youth orchestras and participation in international concert festivals. Over the years, many outstanding musicians have passed through the ranks of the orchestra and become prominent professional musicians in their own right.

On May 13, 2010, German specialty chemicals company LANXESS announced the launch of LANXESS SNYO Classic, a three-year mentorship and cultural exchange programme developed with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. The programme is specially designed to enable young classical musicians to learn from a variety of world class artists skilled in different instruments. The LANXESS SNYO Classic 3-year collaboration which began in 2010 has been extended for a further 3 years to December 31, 2015.

SNYO is active in promoting works by Singaporean composers. The orchestra has commissioned and premiered numerous works by Bernard Tan, Er Yenn Chwen, Ho Chee Kong, John Howard, Leong Yoon Pin, John Sharpley, Joyce Bee Tuan Koh, Kelly Tang, Philip Tan, Phoon Yew Tien, Robert Casteels, Tsao Chieh and Chen Zhangyi.

Mission

Our priorities are our youth and their music. Within this broad framework, the aim of the SNYO is to provide each student exemplary orchestral experience and the highest quality professional music education and training, as part of the holistic approach to our education system. SNYO aims to identify, nurture and promote career-minded musicians as well as inspire and grow a pool of enthusiastic amateurs and dedicated music-lovers.

Vision

SNYO aims to be an orchestra where each student is encouraged and inspired in a challenging and supportive environment, where he can pursue the highest standards he can attain in the performance of music, and where he grows ultimately to enjoy the pleasure of music whether as a performer or as a listener.

SNYO Concert Tours

Over the years the SNYO has participated in several international music festivals. In recent years the participation included: