THE SELANGOR and Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir (SKOC) will be taking to the stage once more with their first live performance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s concert, titled Viva e Animata! (meaning “alive and animated” in Italian), will see musicians performing various numbers from famous western animations.
This includes tunes from popular classics such as Toy Story, Up and Shrek, as well as popular Japanese animes like Attack on Titan, Princess Mononoke and Your Name.
The two-hour concert will also feature a song from beloved local animation Upin and Ipin.
All music played by SKOC during the performance has been arranged in-house by a number of experienced senior musicians especially for its members, while taking into account the players’ skill levels.
In conjunction with the show, SKOC also revealed its new mascot, a hippo, which was selected during a recent in-house poster design contest.
Mascot designer Lynn Wong, a cellist in SKOC, said the hippo best represents the tenacity of her orchestra team.
“The hippo’s stumpy legs and robust body represents the steadfastness of the orchestra, standing firm in the face of adversity,” she said.
“(Similarly), we are coming back stronger after the pandemic to once again share our passion for music to the public.”
Reviving after 2-year hiatus
Back in early 2020, SKOC, a community-led orchestra focused on the learning and development of musicians, was forced to close its doors to aspiring musicians due to the pandemic.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions as well, the orchestra had to put a stop to its annual live concert series, a platform that allowed its musicians to showcase their talents and the fruits of their labour from the previous year of music learning and development.
Since then, SKOC’s musicians have banded together through online video call practice sessions to keep the spirit of the orchestra alive.
Despite various difficulties, SKOC has successfully tided over the turbulent period, opening its doors once again for musicians in November 2021 for in-person practices.
In June this year, SKOC successfully held its first virtual mini-concert, in hopes to share with its loyal supporters a sneak peek of the orchestra’s efforts in the past two years. Now, SKOC is ready to welcome back the public for a live concert.
The concert will take place on Sept 10, a Saturday, at 7:30 pm at the PJ Civic Hall in PJ New Town. Tickets are available at a minimum donation of RM30.
As a not-for-profit organisation, SKOC relies on the generous support from sponsors as well as donations from members of the public who share the orchestra’s love of music.
For more information, contact +6011 5428 0967 or email SKOC at [email protected] — Aug 14, 2022
Main photo credit: Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Orchestra and Choir
