Making Music In Puchong

Puchong will soon make a name for itself as perhaps the first and only township in the country to have its own orchestra.

This is not a pipe dream but something that is slowing taking shape as the Puchong-based Regent Com-munity Services is getting the music playing to form the Puchong Mini Orchestra and Choir.

According to Regent director Neil E. Rode, after some brainstorming, it was decided that having an orchestra was one of the most viable ways to bring the community together.

“We decided that forming an orchestra is a great way to touch the community through music. It’s high time we do something to bring the community together,” he said.

Some people may not consider the idea possible or practical, given the fact that Puchong does not seem to have the sort of cultural environment with high-tech modern concert halls that the big cities have.

But Rode is confident that, with initiative and hard work, accompanied by moral and financial support from the authorities and people, the project will be a resounding success.

“We know it is so much easier if we park ourselves in other areas like Petaling Jaya, where the financial status of the people is much higher,” he said.

“But our ultimate aim is to develop the lower-income group and we feel that we could be a guiding light in Puchong,” Rode said.

According to Rode, the non-profit, non-religious and non-racial project will be a channel for music makers to develop their talents and at the same time provide wholesome entertainment for the community.

“Some people may be interested in playing in an orchestra but they don’t have the professional level required to join the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO),” he said.

“So, we are creating an opportunity for these musicians to learn and develop their skills. They need not worry about the lack of qualification or experience as we will provide them the opportunity to be trained,” Rode said.

Anyone 12 years of age and above, and people from the nearby townships, are invited to join the orchestra and choir.
The main criterion required to join the orchestra and choir is the love for music. Of course, the ability to play musical instruments is essential.

“We don’t expect them to be great performers, but at least they must have a feel for it and have some knowledge for music in order for them to progress,” voice trainer Peter Wong said,

The Regent hopes to get the orchestra going by November and it will have regular practices and performances, especially during festive seasons.

“We want to allow it to evolve. It does not belong to us. We are only the initiators and we want the Puchong people to see and love the orchestra as their own,” Wong said.

Currently, several auditions had been conducted and a few music schools had also expressed interests in working with the Regent.

“One of the principals is keen to have his students perform in our orchestra,” Wong said.

The Regent also welcomes sponsors to provide financial and other resources, such as musical instruments, to help the orchestra develop.

“Music learning and training is expensive and we hope there will be some sponsorship from established corporate houses to provide training for the people from the lower- income groups,” Rode said.

Auditions will be conducted on two Sundays — Aug 24 and Aug 31 — at 2pm at the Regent Centre located at 67B, Jalan Kenari 20, Bandar Puchong Jaya, Puchong.

For more details or to make an appointment for auditions, call Francisco at 016-656 7413 (musicians) or Wong at 017-651 2499 (singers).

Source: The Star