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Women have been at the cornerstone of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) since 1984, when they raised funds to purchase a pipe organ for the Victoria Concert Hall. At the SSO Benefit Dinner in April, members of the SSO Ladies’ League were roundly feted and applauded for their continued fundraising efforts for Singapore’s most celebrated orchestra. In his opening address, SSO chairman Goh Yew Lin gave special mention to SSO Ladies’ League chairwoman Odile Benjamin and her committee for their sterling efforts at the annual fundraising gala, inviting the team of outstanding ladies to stand up and be recognised amongst their peers. Guests cheered at the news that the $1.1m raised by the SSO Ladies’ League last year had gone towards activities for the orchestra, including an opportunity for them to travel to Europe to perform in the hallowed halls of Dresden, Munich, Prague and Berlin. Goh also acknowledged the efforts of the evening’s guest of honour Tommy Koh, ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, who also serves on the SSO Council. Koh’s role as the founding chairman of the National Arts Council from 1991 to 1996 strongly championed local arts, encouraged government funding and built infrastructure for Singapore’s art scene. “With all that on his plate, I don’t know how he finds the time to be Tommy Koh!” Goh finished to laughter and applause. A sumptuous four-course dinner commenced, which was a treat for all guests as it was the same menu that won Singapore top honours at the 2016 Culinary Olympics. In keeping with tradition, the SSO was in attendance to perform a repertoire of classical pieces with award-winning Singaporean musical theatre singer Mina Kaye. In her speech, Odile highlighted the generous $300,000 donation by Christopher and Rosy Ho, which will go towards the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (SSCC) over the next three years. The SSCC, along with the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, also performed with Kaye for the first time at the benefit, delighting all with their uplifting renditions of What a Wonderful World, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Sing, Sing, Sing. Ending the evening on a heartwarming note, host Adrian Pang announced that $1.16m was raised, topping last year’s $1.1m target—news that brought good cheer to the outstanding SSO.