Who we are
Ding Yi Music Company is a cultural force representing Singapore on the world stage in Chinese chamber music. We dream of captivating listeners in a soundscape that blends tradition with the vibrant sensibilities of our musicians.
Ding Yi had its genesis in 2007 as a coterie of NAFA youths, initially known as the Arts Sphere Chamber Ensemble. Young but illustrious, they quickly made a mark by winning the National Chinese Music Competition in 2008. Over time, they transitioned into a professional ensemble and a full-fledged music company, boasting a talented team of musicians and dedicated management.
In Chinese, our name conveys our aspiration to reach the pinnacle of artistic expression and mastery – 鼎 (dǐng) symbolises strength and majesty, while 藝 (yì) represents art and culture.
Our immersive performances entice audiences to close their eyes and savour the beautiful symphony of Chinese instruments, although our ensemble’s expressive performance makes it equally difficult to divert one’s gaze from the stage!
A key milestone in our journey was collaborating with internationally renowned film composers Harry Gregson-Williams and Richard Harvey in creating Orchestral Tools’ Phoenix Orchestra and featured in Disney movie ‘Mulan’, while concurrently working with numerous award-winning composers and developing a repertoire of eight original works and adaptations for our 15th anniversary.
Ding Yi has also premiered numerous compositions by award-winning composers such as Eric James Watson (UK) and Chen Yi (USA), and collaborated with prominent musicians including Min Huifen, Xia Feiyun and Gu Guanren.
Besides making our mark among orchestral and chamber greats on the international scene, we aspire to cultivate an appreciation for Chinese chamber music among people of all ages and from all walks of life, at home and abroad. Free-of-charge performances in the community and special showcases for private engagements are some ways we reach new audiences.
We also pioneered two iconic major events that have grown from strength to strength: the Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival since 2013, and Composium since 2012. By 2022, we have showcased 15 eminent groups by invitation at our music festival, while Composium has drawn over 210 entries from 10 countries by 2021, with a record 88 participants in that year alone.
Ding Yi is constantly exploring ways to define and refine a uniquely Singaporean interpretation of Chinese instrumental music and we invite music lovers to join us on this journey.
So turn your sound on. Catch us in action or engage us for your event.
Vision
To be an internationally recognised Singapore Chinese chamber music ensemble characterised by musical excellence and diversity.
We aspire to be a well-regarded Chinese chamber ensemble both in Singapore and abroad, striving to hone our artistry in both the classical and contemporary genres of traditional Chinese music, while incorporating creative diversity through exploring various artistic elements, forms and genres.
MISSION
To promote and cultivate interest in and appreciation of Singapore Chinese chamber music.
To establish a distinct Singapore Chinese chamber music identity by forging bridges between traditional and contemporary Chinese music compositions.
Diving beyond performing the traditional Chinese chamber music, with a unique Ding Yi interpretation, that invokes familiarity and a distinct Singapore Chinese chamber music identity that is tailored by and for Singaporeans. Holding it true to our hearts, we aspire to make our music, our fresh and contemporary sound, accessible to all.
Our achievements
| 2022 | Ding Yi Music Company marked its 15th anniversary by publishing a compilation of original Chinese chamber music by local and international composers commissioned over the years. The score book was launched at the Ding Yi Chinese Music Festival in December 2022 |
| 2021, 2022 | Created a first of its kind immersive and binaural audio experience in the Metaverse for audiences under Pluritopia, a joint initiative by the National Arts Council Singapore and the Arts Council Korea |
| 2021 |
Initiated the First Holographic Teresa Teng performance in Singapore, a commission by the National Arts Council as part of Silver Arts 2021
Debuted at the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2021 “Compassion: Chamber Music Series - Healing Rhapsody”. |
| 2020 | Co-produced and published an audiobook, The Musical Canvas, with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as part of its Feed Your Imagination (F.Y.I) series for schools |
| 2019, 2016, 2013 | National Arts Council Major Company recipient, a status awarded to arts groups that demonstrate strong organisational and artistic excellence |
| 2019 | Recipient of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award (Organisation), presented by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre in recognition of our contributions to the promotion and development of Chinese culture in Singapore |
| 2018 | Recorded traditional Chinese instrumentation and techniques for the Phoenix Orchestra sample library by Orchestral Tools |
| 2013 | Launched the inaugural Ding Yi Chinese Chamber Music Festival, a biennial event that showcases prestigious Chinese chamber music ensembles from Asia |
| 2012 | Launched Composium, a triennial composition competition and symposium festival to foster new works in Chinese chamber music by composers from around the world |
| 2011 |
National Arts Council Seed Grant recipient
Silver Award at the 28th Shanghai Spring International Music Festival |
| 2009 | Champion at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod held in Wales, United Kingdom |
| 2008 | First Prize at the National Arts Council’s Chinese Music Competition |
KEY EVENTS
| 2024 | Paricipated in the Youth Chamber Musician Exchange Program, launched by Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble (Hong Kong) with the support of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council |
| 2023 |
Participated in the Echoes of ASEAN Bronze concert in Sabah, Malaysia
Performed for Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a state banquet hosted by Singapore President Halimah Yacob Represented Singapore and made debut performance in Vancouver at the Rising Dragon, Soaring Merlion concert alongside Sound of Dragon Ensemble |
| 2020 | Performed at the Public Diplomacy Week organised by the Korea Foundation |
| 2019 | Performed at the China-ASEAN Music Festival (Nanning, China) |
| 2018 | Performed at the Hong Kong International Youth Chinese Music Festival |
| 2017 | Performed at the Canberra International Music Festival |
| 2016 |
Performed Resonance concert at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Drama Theatre, at the Consulate-General of The Republic of Singapore in Hong Kong
Performed for Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang at a state banquet hosted by Singapore President Tony Tan Performed at the Taoyuan Traditional Music Festival (Taiwan) |
| 2015 |
Performed for China President Xi Jinping at a state banquet hosted by Singapore President Tony Tan
Performed concert Remembering Lee Kuan Yew – A Tribute to Singapore’s Founding Father and Celebration of SG50 in Suzhou and Performed the Sights and Sounds of Singapore concert at the Heilig-Kreuz Kirche in conjunction with SG50, at the Singapore Embassy in Berlin Performed at the 10th Sharq Taronalari, an international music festival (Samarkand, Uzbekistan) |
| 2014 |
Performed at the Taoyuan Traditional Music Festival (Taiwan)
Performed at the Jogja International Performing Arts Festival (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) Performed at the Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival Performed at the Borneo World Music Expo |
| 2012 | Performed at the ASEAN Arts Festival (Singapore) |
| 2010 |
Performed at the Philippines Arts Festival
Performed at the Shanghai World Expo |
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