Playing It Forward: The Purple Symphony Celebrates SG60 with Music, Love, and Inclusion

As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, The Purple Symphony, the nation’s largest inclusive orchestra, is commemorating the milestone by “playing it forward” — using music to unite communities and uplift vulnerable groups through heartfelt outreach and performance.

Following its 10th anniversary in 2024, the orchestra continues to amplify its mission of inclusivity and compassion. Its 11th Annual Concert, themed ‘Perhaps, It’s Love’, will take center stage on 14 and 15 June 2025 at the Singapore Conference Hall, kicking off a year of meaningful engagements across the island.

The concert will explore love in its many forms — from personal growth and artistic passion to friendship, community, and national pride — through a moving musical journey. Expect a vibrant repertoire that includes timeless classics like ‘Canon in D’, pop anthems like ‘Viva La Vida’, and visually stunning backdrops. A major highlight is the debut of ‘Fortitude’, an original composition by Ms Liong Kit Yeng, the orchestra’s Assistant Conductor and Composer-in-Residence. Inspired by Singapore’s resilience, the piece pays tribute to 60 years of nation-building and the collective spirit of its people.

Gracing the concert will be Minister Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development, as Guest-of-Honour, with Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District and Adviser to The Purple Symphony, serving as host.

Beyond the stage, 2025 has seen The Purple Symphony performing almost monthly — from its Rhapsodies of Spring concert in January to its debut at the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA) in May. The orchestra is set to continue its outreach into the third and fourth quarters of the year, bringing music directly to heartland communities, seniors, and at-risk groups.