Teochew Chinese Orchestra’s Conductor
The conductor of the present Teochew Chinese Opera is Ng Cho Chin. He is also the Orchestra Master for the Sarawak Li Sheng Recreation Association, since their foundation. He teaches as well as leads the orchestra, and has also been the conductor of the drum ensembles taught in Kuching. He was taught to play Chinese Classical Instruments by his father from the young age of 12. He is now over 72 years old. Originally from China, he came to Kuching before the First World War. According to Ng Cho Chin, the skill of playing these instruments can be mastered through dedication and years of experience, and patience is needed in order to be successful. He claims that the music from the instruments is soothing and one can live longer by listening to it.
Earliest Sarawakian Cellist
Ong Eng Hin from Kuching was the earliest cellist ever mentioned in the Sarawak Gazette dated 7 September 1949. He was also one of the earliest musicians involved with the Sarawak Music Society since its formation in 1947, under President Norman Mace. The son of Ong Tiang Swee, a prominent figure in society, he was able to play numerous other musical instruments as well.
Earliest Er-Hu Player
Kuching’s earliest known Er-Hu player is Soh Chip Khiaw, aged 77 years. He was the Chairman of the Teochew Association in Kuching for many years, and was actively involved in the production of the Teochew Opera. The Er-Hu is a bow and string instrument and is played more or less like a violin. It is one of the most important instruments in the orchestra as it can correct any mistakes made by other musicians.
Teochew Opera and Music Expert
One of Kuching’s well-known teachers of the Teochew opera and music is Lau Song Tai, aged 77 years. He is able to play many of the Classical Chinese Instruments namely, Er-Hu, Pi-Pa, Ku Chen and so forth. He is also a well-known Chinese Calligraphy artist who has held numerous exhibitions in Kuching.
Oldest Chinese Orchestra Player
The oldest Chinese Orchestra player in Sarawak is Kho Siow Chian who is over 80 years old. He plays the Er-Hu regularly at the Teochew Association’s Chinese orchestra and has played in several concerts with visiting groups from Singapore and China.
Earliest Choir
Six young ladies from St. Mary’s School, Kuching began a choir in 1947 to accompany the first music society’s band. Choir practices were held at the St. Thomas’ Cathedral, at the request of Miss Andrews, principal of St. Mary’s school. This resulted in more girls becoming interested to sing, and about twenty more joind the Sarawak Music Society’s choir. It was an advantage for the choir, as two or three part songs for female voices were possible. Together with the band, the choir performed at the Astana for a cocktail party on 7 May 1947. Frank Harding was in charge of the choir, and Lorna Lightly was leader of the choir. She was considered a tower of strength, not only for her voice and knowledge of singing, but for her leadership of the young Chinese girls in the choir.
Earliest Bumiputera Brass Band
In 1901, the Catholic Mission on the coast district between the Rejang and Mukah rivers, established the first known bumiputera brass band. According to the Sarawak Gazette, 1 April 1905, the mission’s English school could be compared with the best schools in Sarawak. Therefore, music was taught as a subject to the boys, believed to be mostly Melanau, in the school. This brass band started with only 14 boys, from the under age of 12 years old, with the ability to play instruments credibly according to the notes. After regular training in more than six months, they could play several pieces while parading up and down the Sibu Bazaar, which drew interest from crowds of people.
First Well-Known Pi-Pa Player
Kuching’s first renowned Pi-Pa player is Kho Siew Thiam, who is now over 80 years old. He has been playing the Pi-Pa for more than 60 years, ever since he was a 20 years old labourer at the Kuching wharf. Besides the Pi-Pa, he can also play six other classical instruments.
A Pi-Pa is a classical Chinese plucked-string instrument with a fretted fingerboard, with strings made of silk. It resembles the guitar, in the sense that it sits on the lap of the player who plucks at the strings with the right hand, while the left hand’s fingers search for the right notes at the Pi-Pa’s narrowing neck to strike chords.
(To be continued)
