Siong Leng Musical Association

Siong Leng was established in 1941 and owes its success to the late chairman, Mr. Teng Mah Seng. Under his guidance, Siong Leng has become an arts company that preserves and promotes Nanyin. Mr. Teng received the Cultural Medallion in 1987 due to his passion and love for Nanyin. As Siong Leng’s chairman, he continuously worked to reform and revive Nanyin. He revitalised Nanyin by writing new lyrics and music that were livelier and more relatable. With his hard work and perseverance, Nanyin was given a new life.

In 1983, Siong Leng participated in the 37th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and won third place in the folk solo category with Mr. Teng’s work “Reminiscence”, and fourth place in the folk ensemble category with the traditional Nanyin piece “Trotting Horse”.In 2010, Siong Leng took part in the same competition and won the first prize in the folk solo category with Mr. Teng’s work “Facets of Life”.

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. 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.

In 2017, Siong Leng was the recipient of the inaugural ‘Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award’, awarded by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. In 2021, Siong Leng was awarded ‘The Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award’ by The National Heritage Board.Siong Leng was established in 1941 and owes its success to the late chairman, Mr. Teng Mah Seng. Under his guidance, Siong Leng has become an arts company that preserves and promotes Nanyin. Mr. Teng received the Cultural Medallion in 1987 due to his passion and love for Nanyin. As Siong Leng’s chairman, he continuously worked to reform and revive Nanyin. He revitalised Nanyin by writing new lyrics and music that were livelier and more relatable. With his hard work and perseverance, Nanyin was given a new life.

In 1983, Siong Leng participated in the 37th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and won third place in the folk solo category with Mr. Teng’s work “Reminiscence”, and fourth place in the folk ensemble category with the traditional Nanyin piece “Trotting Horse”.In 2010, Siong Leng took part in the same competition and won the first prize in the folk solo category with Mr. Teng’s work “Facets of Life”.

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. 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.

In 2017, Siong Leng was the recipient of the inaugural ‘Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award’, awarded by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. In 2021, Siong Leng was awarded ‘The Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award’ by The National Heritage Board.

History
The foundation of the group went back to 1901 when Heng Yun Association was formed to meet the cultural need of the local Hokkien community, and the earliest Nanyin performances were then organised by the association in Singapore (still part of Malaya at that time). Heng Yun association was founded by immigrants from Southern Fujian, China. While worked overseas to save money, some of them initiated to create entertainment to overcome their homesickness. Heng Yun association then became popular across Malaya. When Second Sino-Japanese War broke in 1937, Heng Yun participated in Fund Relief for China program initiated by Tan Kah Kee, but because Malaya is a neutral British colony, support to China was halted. Finally the group was disbanded. Some ex-member created new group called Yun Lu. The group's life was momentary. Some of the Yun Lu ex-member established new group in 1941 called Siong Leng Musical Association. However, when Japan occupied Singapore in 1942, all the activities were disrupted. Then, after war the group resumed. Musical performances were organised to celebrate festivities or charity events. A musician most renown 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. In 1970s he was appointed as chairman.

Through participation in various folk and traditional music festivals around the world, the group has won many awards and international recognition. In 1987, Teng Mah Seng was awarded Cultural Medallion from Singaporean government. The leadership then was continued by Teng Hong Hai in 1994.

Today, beside making musical events such as annual performances in Thian Hock Keng temple and the Chinese temple in Kusu Island, Siong Leng also regularly takes part in various contemporary music festivals in Singapore and abroad. The group also performed in their annual Multi-sensory Banquet with different and unique theme each year.

Performances and appearances

 * MAU: J-ASEAN Dance Collaboration, 2012.
 * Soul Journey – Cicada Zen, 2012.
 * Soul Journey – Nine Songs in Esplanade Theatre Studio, 2015.
 * Music of the South in Cheah Kongsi, Penang, 2015.
 * Getai Soul, 2016.
 * Family Fun Workshop in Singapore Heritage Festival, 2016.

Awards

 * Third prize for Solo in Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales, 1983.
 * Fourth prize for ensemble in Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales, 1983.
 * Cultural Medallion from Singaporean government awarded to Teng Mah Seng, 1987.
 * First prize in Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2010 with new composition by Teng Mah Seng, "Facets of Life".

Publication

 * The Complete Book of Great Nanyin Melodies (three volumes) by Teng Mah Seng.
 * New Nanyin Songs: A Selection of Compositions by Teng Mah Seng.

Links

 * Official website of Siong Leng Musical Association
 * Nan Yin Performance by Siong Leng Musical Association
 * Traditional Art of Nanyin
 * Interview with a member of Siong Leng