Symphony of inclusivity

Some cannot see. Others learn differently. Together, they harmonise with music that comes from the heart and stirs the soul

- By KINTAN ANDANARI

When Ms Siti Sakinah Zainal sits at the piano, fingers poised on its keys, she begins not by looking at the conductor’s purple baton, but by listening intently.

She focuses on the sound of his slow, measured breath, amplified through his microphone. On cue, she starts Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite No.1, launching the rest of the over 80-strong orchestra.

Born seeing only some light and shadows, the conductor’s breath is among the cues (see other story) guiding Ms Sakinah through the music as a blind pianist. She started playing the piano at six.

"A musician once asked how can I start (a song) if I cannot see. Excuse me! (Some) people think we (always) need help with music, but that’s wrong," the 29-year old administrative assistant says.

As the sole pianist of The Purple Symphony (TPS), Singapore's largest inclusive orchestra, she performs alongside musicians with and without disabilities aged 11 to 79. Around half of its members are persons with disabilities.

Started in 2015 by the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC), TPS blends Asian and Western instruments from five key musical sections: Strings (Plucked), Strings (Bow), Wind, Percussion and Choir.

More than 80 members of TPS’ over 120-strong ensemble thrilled audiences at its second full orchestra performance overseas in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 26.

The group rehearsed weekly since September to prepare for the concert at the over 800-seat Dewan Filharmonik Petronas concert hall, in a performance presented by Temasek Foundation, Raja Zarith Sofiah of Johor Foundation and the Central Singapore CDC.

They were invited by the Queen of Malaysia Raja Zarith Sofiah, who hosted their first overseas concert in Johor Bahru in 2023.

"Fusion sound has become our signature and (reflects) inclusiveness," says TPS’ artistic director and founding member Quek Ling Kiong, 58. He is also Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s (SCO) principal conductor.