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A music feast for the community

THE Puchong Community Orchestra and Choir does not only play enchanting music; it tells heartwarming stories, too. The audience who attended its launch and maiden concert at the Shah Alam City Council auditorium recently was mesmerised by the group’s talents.
When choir member Datuk Dr Khairuddin Yusof took the microphone to perform Beautiful Maria, he had the orchestra holding on for a few moments.

“I would like to dedicate this song to my wife Khairiah Khairuddin, who is also in the choir.
“Life was difficult and she was the pillar of strength for our family,” he said affectionately.
The audience backed him up with thundering applause as he altered one line of the lyrics – from “beautiful Maria” to “beautiful Khairiah”, gesturing towards his smiling wife.
Aside from solo performances by Khairuddin and choral director cum conductor Peter Wong (who belted out Moon River), the choir charmed the audience with Memory, Tanah Pusaka, Impossible Dream, Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin (The Moon Represents My Heart), Ye Lai Xiang (The Evening Primrose) and Kiss the Girl a cappella.
The orchestra members, meanwhile, rendered melodious tunes such as MacArthur’s Park, Joget Hitam Manis, Dia and Hungarian Dance No. 5 that drew resounding cheers from the audience.
The launch, sponsored by SP Setia, also featured a special performance by the Tom Tom Boys of Skills Academy, who played Money, Money, Money on drums and percussion.
Selangor senior executive councillor and Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok, who is the patron of the group, donated RM10,000 to the orchestra for its future activities.

At the end of the two-hour concert, the atmosphere was charged with excitement with the orchestra and choir members all on cloud nine.
“I feel very happy now that we have actually done it!” choir member Priyenshar Sebastin, 16, said excitedly.
The SMK Convent Sentul student had no problem singing the Mandarin songs as she had attended a Chinese primary school.
“This choir builds me up and helps me improve my singing. We’re like a family,” the lass said.
Violinist Hu Por Yih, who performed Czardas with pianist Chan Yuen Kaye, modestly said that she needed more practice to perfect her skills.
“After this concert, we can probably try something more difficult,” the 37-year-old violin teacher said.
For music director and conductor Romualdo Danny Francisco, the concert was just a beginning.
“I am satisfied that the members played professionally and I will definitely keep their standard up,” he said.
Francisco also wrote the intriguing overture, which depicted the changing times in Malaya during the British occupancy.
The Puchong Community Orchestra and Choir welcomes more music lovers to be part of its big family.
An audition will be conducted in May and Francisco hopes to rope in French horn, oboe, trombone, viola and double bass players to expand the richness of the orchestra.
The group will be performing in Summit USJ from 8pm to 10.30pm on June 28 in aid of United Voice, a society catering to people with learning disabilities.
Tickets can be obtained by donation of RM30 and RM50 from Vibrante School of Music.
For details on the charity concert, call Joanne Ho at 03-5638 4269.
To reach the orchestra and choir, email recomserv@gmail.com, or call Neil Rode at 012-381 0775.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/4/6/central/3599983&sec=central