The Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra was founded in 1973, it has since matured into an orchestra Mr Tay was appointed to organise the orchestra in 1980.
The DUNMAN HIGH SCHOOL CHINESE ORCHESTRA was formed in 1973 and since then has matured into a complete and fully developed orchestra with a current strength of 250 members. It has also become one of the most well known orchestra in Singapore. The orchesta's director, Mr Tay Teow Kiat, is East Zone Chinese Orchestra Development Centre Music Director. He is also the President of the Singapore Chines
e Orchestra Association, the Music Director of NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts) City Chinese Orchestra and the sole recipient of the 1993 National Arts Council Cultural Medallion. Presently, the school has engaged Mdm Wang Gui Ying as the junior high orchestra's conductor and Dr Tay Teow Kiat as the senior high and combined orchestra's conductor, with eleven professional instructors to instruct the orchestra. Members benefit from the regular training provided by the NAFA City Chinese Orchestra instructors. The orchestra has often been invited to stage public performances at various important functions and celebrations. For example, festival performances at the Istana, the Millenium Chinese Cultural Festival Opening Ceremony and various International Conferences' Opening Ceremony. The orchestra was also invited to perform in the following countries and received high commendations:
1982: Thailand (Bangkok, Pataya)
1983: Taiwan (Taipei, Kaoshiung) and Hong Kong
1986: West Malaysia (Penang, Ipoh, Seremban and Kuala Lumpur)
1989: Brunei Darussalam and East Malaysia (Miri and Kuching)
1992: China (Beijing and Shanghai)
1994: China (GuangZhou and ZhanJiang)
1996: China (Beijing and Tianjin)
1998: China (Shenzhen and Guilin)
2000: China (Nanjing and Jiangsu)
2003: Malaysia (Melaka and Johor Bahru)
2004: China (Xi'an and Zhengzhou)
2005: West Malaysia (Penang and Kuala Lumpur)
China's authoritative music peridical, "Ren-Min Yin-Yue", commented that the Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra's performances in Beijing and Shanghai had shaken the local music circles and that the high quality of the performances had been an eye-opener for them. Since 1984, the orchestra has had its annual public concert at the Victoria Concert Hall. Since 1983, the orchestra has also participated in the biennial National Music Competition (Chinese Music Section) and has won many prizes:
1985: Best Performer's Award, 6 First Prize Awards, 4 Second Prize Awards and 8 Third PrizeAwards.
1987: 4 First Prize Awards, 1 Third Prize Awards
1989: 4 First Prize Awards, 4 Second Prize Awards and 4 Third Prize Awards.
1991: Best Performer's Award, Second Prize Awards and Third Prize Awards ( Ensemble Open Section)
1993: Second Prize Awards and Third Prize Awards ( Ensemble Open Section)
1998: "The Best Ensemble" Award, 2 First Prize Awards, 3 Second Prize Awards and 3 Third Prize Award
2000: Best Perfomer's Award (Ensemble), 1 Second Prize Award ( Intermediate Category), 1 Second Prize Award (Senior Category)
2002: Best Performer's Award (Ensemble), 1 First Prize Award, 2 Third Prize Award (Intermediate Category, 1 Second Prize Award (Open Category)
The Orchestra is also a regular participant in the Singapore Youth Festival (S*F) National Schools' Music Competition (Chinese Music Section). It won the S*F Award of Distinction and was given the honour of performing on the S*F Opening Night in 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997. In 1997, 1999 and 2001, it won the S*F Gold award and was also named the " The Best Orchestra of the Year". The Dunman High Junior High Chinese Orchestra was awarded "Gold with Honours" at the 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 S*F Central Judging. The Dunman High Senior High Chinese Orchestra has been established only since the start of the school's Integrated Programme. It took part in its first S*F in 2009, and was awarded "Gold with Honours". It won "Gold" in the 2011 S*F. The Duman High School Chinese Orchestra is a vibrant and high-spirited force on the Singapore music scene and it receives admiration and support from many sections of the community. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Er Kwong Wah, in commending the orchestra, said, "Devoted to their art, Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra has won the admiration of their peers and affirmed their Asian Heritage. The Senior Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and the Arts, Mr Ho Kah Leong, described the orchestra in the following manner: " The Chinese Orchestra is an orchestra of high calibre and is popular with both students and the general public. In fact, its annual perfromance is an event looked forward to by many music lovers." In March 1994, the Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for Mountbatten Constituency, Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng, in commending the orchestra said," The orchestra has built up a reputation for being disciplined, high-spirited and vibrant. ...It has done Singapore Proud." In December 1994, the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, Mr Yang Wen Cheng, in his message praised the orchestra as "a very vibrant musical group equipped with training of high quality. In recent years, the orchestra has not only contributed actively towards the promotion of Chinese culture by enriching lives of its audience, but also gone to concert tours to China to initiate Sino-Singapore cultural exchange activities, thus enhancing understanding and friendship between Chinese and Singaporean music practioners". In June 1996, the orchestra went on a concert tour to Beijing and Tianjin. The Chinese ambassador to Singapore, Mr Fu Xuezhang, said in his message:"...such consummate skill, harmonious combination, exuberant performance and precise conducting have given the Chinese audience and music circle a deep and beautiful impression. In February 2001, the Chief Executive Director of the National Art Council, Mr Choo Thiam Siew, mentioned in his message:" Dunman High School has always been highly regarded in academic and co-curricular activities performances. The school's Chinese Orchestra' brilliant achievement is widely known. Its performances both locally and overseas have received rave reviews. In the biennial National Chinese Music Competition, Dunman High School takes than stance of a regular winner. For a school orchestra to take its place among the many local orchestras is indeed an achievement." The orchestra will continue to strive for excellence, and through performances, interaction with others and exchange of knowledge, seek to raise our standard even higher.
22/11/2025
On 17 November 2025, our Woodwinds and Percussion Ensemble had the honour of performing at the Municipal Services Award Ceremony, an event that celebrates the OneService spirit of inter-agency collaboration and strong community partnerships in municipal service delivery.🤩
We were especially delighted to perform in the presence of Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade & Industry and the Ministry of National Development.☺️
22/11/2025
Thank you to everyone who stopped by today! 🥳 We hope you had an unforgettable experience watching our performance and visiting our booth 🔥🔥
Hope to see you again soon! ❤️
20/11/2025
On 8 November 2025, we were thrilled to be part of Team SG Flags Presentation Ceremony for SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, helping to launch the journey for our nation's dedicated athletes. Our percussion ensemble gave a spirited performance, contributing to the vibrant and celebratory atmosphere. It was a memorable experience for our members to share the stage with Singapore's sporting community.
We extend our gratitude to the TeamSG organising committee for this opportunity, and to our teachers and students for their hard work and dedication in making this performance a success.☺️
15/02/2025
Dear DHSCO Alumni,
We hope this invitation finds you well 🤩 Have you heard? 👀 DHSCO is back with a live concert, presenting stunning solos, beautiful ensembles, and moving orchestral pieces! Don't miss out on a night of delightful tunes, and an opportunity to see DHSCO live in action once more!
🗓 29 March 2025
🕖 5PM
📍 Dunman High School's Performing Arts Centre
🎟 $10 (Free seating)
We'd be honoured if you were to join us for a beautiful night of music 🎶 Get your tickets here NOW! Ticket sales end on 7 March 2025, so do get your tickets before then! 😙
Questions? Please contact Cheryl Wong at [email protected] or drop a DM to on Instagram 🙌🏻
We hope to see you there! 我们不见不散 ❤
21/01/2024
Dear DHSCO alumni,
We hope this invitation reaches you well 🤗 DHSCO is back with a live concert, this time a special preview of our first overseas performance in years to Zhuhai! Don't miss out on a night of delightful tunes~ 🎵
🗓️ 24 February 2024
🕖 5PM (only one evening show this time round 👀)
📍 Dunman High School's Performing Arts Centre
🎟️ $15 (free seating)
We'd be honoured for you to join us for a beautiful night of music 🎶 Get your tickets here NOW! Ticket sales are extended to 26 January 2024 😙
Any further queries? Contact Tan Kai Xin at [email protected] or DM us on instagram !
25/02/2023
Calling all DHSCO Alumni! 📣
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of DHSCO this year! 🎉🎉
As such, we need your help to share some photographs and short captions to accompany those photographs with us so that we can capture the fond memories and shared experiences by different batches of DHSCO alumni.
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity where you can sit back, relax and enjoy a night of wonderful Chinese orchestral music. 🎵🎶 What’s more, you can do so in the comfort of your own homes 🏠
Date: 23rd April 2022
Time: 7.00PM SGT
Should you have any further queries, please contact Lanice at [email protected].
We hope to have your continued support for DHSCO’s concerts! 😊
01/11/2021
Hi everyone! “An Evening of Chinese Rhapsodies” is back, with a virtual twist! 🥳 DHSCO will be holding our very first virtual concert on 6th November 2021, live streamed on Youtube at 7pm. You can get your ticket from the link below!!
Our theme for this year is 华夏情:绽放青春. Experience a wide range of pieces, from orchestral to chamber music, to soloists, all at the comfort of your own home🏠!
Should you have any further queries, please contact Lanice at [email protected].
We hope to have your continued support at DHSCO’s concerts! :)
25/01/2018
An Evening of Chinese Rhapsodies is back! Proudly presented to you by Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng Ensemble, on 3 March 2018.
The orchestra will be performing various pieces such as the 秦王破阵乐 by 吹打乐, 岁寒三友 and many more that will be sure to take your breath away!
What's more, in conjunction with Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra's 45th anniversary, we will also be bringing to you a Soloist Concert in the afternoon proudly presented to you by our very own members. The concert will feature many iconic solo pieces performed by selected members from each section, including Bian Tong from Guanyue, Jin Guo from Guzheng, Zhu Weixiang from Percussion, Cheok Teng Ang from Xianyue and many more!
For ticket purchase, please contact Lee Qi at 9113 6303. Thank you!
Note: Evening concert tickets have been sold out.
06/02/2017
Hand: "the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb". Hands are one of the many body parts we use to create music.
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What are you waiting for? Hand us 2 hours of your time and enjoy the melodious Chinese music brought to you by DHSCO.
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Date: 25 Feb (Sat)
Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Venue: DHS PAC Concert Hall
Tickets are priced at $10 each.
For further enquiries, please contact Anna at 83992854.
06/02/2017
Hand: "the end part of a person's arm beyond the wrist, including the palm, fingers, and thumb". Hands are one of the many body parts we use to create music.
----
What are you waiting for? Hand us 2 hours of your time and enjoy the melodious Chinese music brought to you by DHSCO.
---
Date: 25 Feb (Sat)
Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Venue: DHS PAC Concert Hall
Tickets are priced at $10 each.