The Hwa Chong Chinese Orchestra (HCCO) was founded in 1974. It is currently under the accomplished baton of Dr. Wei Yanming, our teacher-conductor.

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Since its founding, our Orchestra has been taking part in the biennial Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Chinese Orchestra Competition, having obtained a total of thirteen medals to date. In 1985, our Chinese Orchestra was the only one to receive the "outstanding" award. In 2003, it also clinched the honourable title of "Best Junior College Chinese Orchestra".

More recently, from 2005 to 2011, HCCO consecutively clinched the Gold with Honours award, becoming the only Junior College Chinese Orchestra to accomplish this feat since the award's inception in 2005. In 2015 and 2017, our Chinese Orchestra continued to excel in the competition, achieving the Certificate of Distinction both times.

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HCCO also actively participates in both school and external events. This hones our musicians’ calibre and promotes deeper understanding and love for Chinese music. Apart from performing for the annual Open House, Chinese New Year Celebrations and Mid Autumn Festival, our Orchestra also takes pride in our biennial concert, themed “Heavenly Echoes” (“天籁回音”), which started in 1982. 

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Furthermore, our orchestra also organises annual interaction programmes for secondary school Chinese Orchestras during the December holidays. This actively involves partner orchestras in our activities, successfully forging stronger bonds for the appreciation of Chinese music. During the interaction, students come together for a day of exchange and fun activities, strengthening both musicianship and friendships. 

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To further nurture our students to become well-rounded individuals equipped with the awareness and sensitivities of foreign cultures, HCCO also brings its students on overseas immersion programmes, having been to Japan in 2010 and Taiwan in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

Through these events, hard work and determination, the Hwa Chong Institution College Chinese Orchestra has been and will continue to uphold its tradition of excellence for many years to come.