| Siong Leng Musical Association (Siong Leng) | |
| Alias: | 湘靈音樂社 |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Origin: | Singapore |
| Genre: | Nanyin, Chinese traditional music |
| Years Active: | 1941–present |
Siong Leng Musical Association is an arts company in Singapore that preserves and promotes Nanyin.
In 1901, Heng Yun Ge Nanyin Association (Horizon Cloud Pavilion), was founded by immigrants from Southern Fujian, China to meet the cultural need of the local Hokkien community in Singapore and the earliest Nanyin performances were then organised by the association.[1] [2] The association then became popular across Malaya.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the association held fund-raising concerts for China.[3] Due to the Japanese protesting against the fund-raising in Singapore, the British colonial government in Singapore stopped its activities as the British was neutral in the war. The disruption of activities caused internal conflicts within the association leading to its eventual disbanding. Some members of the association founded Yun Lu (Cottage of Cloud) Nanyin Association to continue to raise funds for China. The renewed fund-raising resulted in more protested by the Japanese, resulting the operating license of Yun Lu being withdrawn.
In 1941, some of Yun Lu members established a new group in 1941 called Siong Leng Musical Association to promote Nanyin and Liyuan opera.[4]
However, during the Japanese occupation of Singapore during World War II, all activities were disrupted. After the war had ended, the group resumed its activities. Musical performances were organised to celebrate festivities or charity events. A musician most renowned for his contribution to Siong Leng during this time was Quanzhou born Teng Mah Seng (1915–1992). He composed many new Nanyin pieces and helped promoted Nanyin in Singapore.[5] In 1970s he was appointed as chairman.[6] As Siong Leng’s chairman, Teng worked to reform and revive Nanyin with Siong Leng by writing new lyrics and music that were livelier and more relatable. Teng received the Cultural Medallion in 1987 due to his passion and love for Nanyin.
In 1983, Siong Leng participated in the 37th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in North Wales and won third place in the folk solo category with Teng’s work “Reminiscence”, and fourth place in the folk ensemble category with the traditional Nanyin piece “Trotting Horse”.
In 1994, Teng's son, Teng Hong Hai, took over as the chairman of Siong Leng.[7]
In 2010, Siong Leng took part in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and won the first prize in the folk solo category with Teng’s work “Facets of Life”.
In 2017, Siong Leng was the recipient of the inaugural Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award awarded by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.[8] In 2021, Siong Leng was awarded The Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award by the National Heritage Board of Singapore.
Through participation in various folk and traditional music festivals around the world, the group has won many awards and international recognition.
Siong Leng took part in annual performances at Thian Hock Keng and the Chinese temple in Kusu Island, Siong Leng also regularly takes part in various contemporary music festivals in Singapore and abroad.[9] The group also performed in their annual Multi-sensory Banquet[10] with different and unique theme each year.
To ensure that the musicians maintain close relations with other Nanyin musicians over the world and keep up with the development of Nanyin, the company actively participates in international Nanyin symposiums held in Asia, to contribute to the efforts of promoting and developing the ancient art form. Siong Leng has also toured and performed in major cities and countries in Europe, Asia, and the United States of America.
Siong Leng has organised the inaugural Southeast Asia Nanyin Conference in 1977, the International Nanyin Concert & Symposium in 2000, International Youth Nanyin Concert and Symposium in 2015, as well as the International Youth Nanyin Festival in 2018.