Arts Festival
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SMU Alumni helm finale of SMU Jubilee showcase in Campus Green
- Alumni Koh Wei Ren from Class of 2018, School of Economics, and Jasmine Lim Li Hua, from Class of 2019, Lee Kong Chiang School of Business, hosting the final night of Live, Laugh, Lor, held in the campus green of their alma mater. The event brought together eight local institutions of higher education to deliver a dynamic showcase of music and dance. From 22 August to 28 September 2025, SMU transformed its campus and the surrounding Bras Basah Arts Precinct into a vibrant, open‑air stage celebrating student creativity and national heritage. Under the banner “2560” – marking both SMU’s 25th and Singapore’s 60th anniversary respectively – the six-week arts festival was its most ambitious yet, uniting students, alumni and collaborators in five flagship productions and a slate of campus-wide activities. While previous editions of the SMU Arts Festival offered many platforms for student collaboration, this year’s festival stood as a statement of how SMU and its community engage with culture, identity and ambition. Across six weeks, more than 460 performers – students, alumni and peers from other institutions – came together to celebrate not just milestones, but the expression and imagination of youth. It also reflected SMU's journey and growth over the past 25 years.
An elegent blend of tradition and hip hop anchors RE:TURN's Malay dance segment
- Return of RE:TURN is a high energy dance production that explores the disappearing grammar of traditional Malay, Indian and Chinese dance finding its way to influence, evolve and turn dance genres like hip-hop into fresh and exciting possibilities. Featuring the largest dance club, this production celebrates SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX) marking its 25th anniversary alongside SMU25 and SG60. In the Malay segment, choreographer Mr Hafeez Hassan (fourth from right) stepped onstage alongside the students, lending an authentic presence to the sequence’s unhurried tempo. The fusion of hip hop with traditional Malay movement evoked a pastoral simplicity, while the dancers—dressed in green and accompanied by a live musician—move with poised grace, conjuring scenes of tranquil kampong life.
The finale of RE:TURN celebrates cultural expression and collaboration, closing with a powerful ensemble performance under dynamic lighting
- On 20 September 2025, SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX) — the university’s oldest and largest dance club, also celebrating its own 25th anniversary — staged Return of RE:TURN at Drama Centre Theatre. The full-length dance production fused hip hop with classical Malay, Indian, and Chinese dance vocabularies. Under the mentorship of established choreographers, students explored how heritage forms could be reimagined through contemporary movement, creating a dialogue between the past and present. Return of RE:TURN showcased not just the technical skill of SMU’s dancers, but also their ability to use performance as a medium for cultural storytelling. The finale showed all groups of dancers converging in style, gearing towards unity through diversity, celebrating SMU's Jubilee and the nation's SG60 anniversaries.
Dancers from Indancity captures the evolution of self-discovery with contemporary moves
- Live, Laugh, Lor brought together all Singapore universities for the first time in an energetic four‑night collaboration with the Singapore Night Festival, showcasing the rhythms of contemporary Singaporean identity. The photo showcases student dancers from Indancity, SMU’s contemporary dance club. Their performance portrayed an evolving journey of self‑discovery—seeking purpose, shaping identity, and navigating change and growth—as meaning unfolds gradually through life’s pressures, choices, and experiences. Founded in 2006, SMU Indancity is the university’s official contemporary dance club. Guided by artistic director Mr Hong Guofeng and technique master Mr Andy Benjamin Cai, the club is committed to upholding strong technical standards and professional discipline. Beyond presenting its annual production, BEYOND, Indancy frequently performs at university events and offers public classes to promote appreciation of contemporary dance.
A curated display of zines created by students featured in the 25x25 exhibition during the 2025 Arts Festival
- As part of the 25x25 exhibition at SMU's de Suantio Gallery for the 2025 Arts Fest, a segment featured zines crafted by students in response to their interpretations of artworks from the SMU Art Collection. These zines—comprising poems, photographs, and visual compositions—express each student's unique approach and perspective on the themes and subjects explored in the original pieces.
A capivated audience in the orchestral production COMMISSIONS
- The SMU Chinese Orchestra (SMUCO) performed to a captivated audience at COMMISSIONS, held in the SOTA Concert Hall. In celebration of SMU25 and SG60, the concert showcased commissioned works from past years alongside multicultural pieces that highlighted Singapore’s rich diversity. The programme featured three world premieres composed specially for the dual milestone, a multicultural music segment, and performances by guest musicians — including artists from Singapore’s Purple Symphony. The hall buzzed with anticipation as attendees gathered to celebrate a landmark event and SMU’s tradition of nurturing original orchestral works. Their warm reception and enthusiastic applause throughout the evening reflected strong community support for both the university’s artistic endeavours and its commitment to showcasing multicultural and inclusive performances.
SMU Chinese Orchestra premieres a new composition Moonbound in collaboration with the Purple Symphony
- In the COMMISSIONS concert held at the SOTA Concert Hall, the SMU Chinese Orchestra premiered Moonbound, a new work by local composer Mr Sulwyn Lok, conducted by Mr Wilson Neo. The concert reaffirmed SMU’s long-standing tradition of commissioning local works, a rare initiative for a non-conservatory university. The premiere performance features eight guest musicians from The Purple Symphony, each with different disabilities and each taking on lead and solo roles. Their roles embody the values of inclusion, contribution, and strength through collaboration. This mirrors SMU’s belief in creating space for every voice to be heard and every talent to shine. In its spirit and structure, Moonbound becomes more than a composition; it is a living metaphor for SMU’s enduring values and future-facing vision. Moonbound takes on special resonance within the broader theme of “Celebrating Meaningful Impact – 25 Years and Beyond.” Just as the university has grown through bold vision, care for community, and a commitment to inclusion, the piece reflects a journey shaped by purpose and transformation. It invites the audience to reflect on how far SMU has come, and how it continues to progress— with grace, courage, and the shared aspiration to create meaningful impact. Looking skyward, Moonbound honors the past, embraces the present, and leaps into the future guided by grace, courage and care. About the composition : "Moonbound (Bēn Yuè, meaning “to fly towards the moon”) is a contemporary homage to the classic Chinese pipa suite The Moon Rises High (Yuè ér Gāo), reimagining its luminous heritage for a new generation. Taking its title from the legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess who ascended to the heavens, the piece reflects the enduring human desire to reach beyond the known, and to find beauty in the journey. Structured in three parts, the work begins with urgency and momentum — a rhythmic pulse that evokes not just youthful ambition, but the heartbeat of someone stepping into the unknown for the greater good. Like Chang’e, whose ascent was both a personal sacrifice and a quiet act of courage, this opening captures the spirit of transformation — a leap towards light shaped by love and purpose. The central section offers a moment of repose, drawing inspiration from The Grace of the Moon Goddess (Sù’é Yǐnǐ) — a delicate movement from the original suite that portrays quiet strength, inner clarity, and the gentle power of care. The final return brings back the energy of the opening, now transformed — brighter, more assured — as if guided by moonlight itself. In this reimagined flight, we are reminded that heroism does not always wear a crown — it can be found in every steady step forward, in every hand extended to others, and in the shared light of a community moving as one."
Food village vendors offering diverse food bites behind their colourful booths
- From 22 August to 28 September 2025, SMU transformed its campus and the Bras Basah precinct into a vibrant stage for youth expression, original works, and community connection. Themed “2560”, celebrating SMU’s 25th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday, the six-week Arts Festival was the university’s most ambitious edition yet, uniting students, alumni, and collaborators in five flagship productions and campus-wide activations. On 29 & 30 August and 5 & 6 September, Campus Green came alive as Live, Laugh, Lor drew in thousands as part of the Singapore Night Festival. The event wasn’t just about performances, it was a celebration of community. A buzzing food village drew festivalgoers, while Singlish-inspired games created a lively, carnival-like atmosphere. Featured in the photo are vendors offering a variety of food bites—including beef cubes, crispy crepes, corndogs, loaded potatoes, pastas, sushi tacos, and Thai snacks—bringing diverse flavours to the community.
Engaging with artworks by student artists in 25x25 Exhibition at 2025 Arts Festival
- Visitors viewing the artwork of three student artists in the 25x25 Exhibition at SMU de Suantio Gallery. Displayed on the left is "Time of Our Life", a series of photo prints on foam board by Ashlyn Seow. It was inspired by Grayson Perry’s "The Annunciation of the Virgin Deal" (2012), gifted to SMU by Dato’ Kho Hui Meng in 2023. Shown in the centre is an acrylic on canvas piece titled "Sa Gitna ng Gulo (In the Midst of Chaos)" by Rey Pastores, reflecting his response to Dawei Lay's Survival (2013), a gift from Ian Holliday in 2023. On the right are a set of photo prints titled "Signboards" by Celeste Wong. Her inspiration came from Chua Ek Kay's "Under Clear Skies (Seah Street)" (1992), a gift from the artist himself in 2006.
Student ambassadors engaging with guests at the opening of Arts Festival
- Student ambassadors shared a light‑hearted moment with guests (from right) Mr Piyush Gupta, Chairman of SMU, and Mr Lim Boon Wee, SMU Senior Vice President (Administration), at the opening of the SMU Arts Festival in August 2025.
Student ambassadors engaging with guests at the opening of Arts Festival
- Members of the SMU Student Ambassadorial Corps engaged and accompanied distinguished guests at the opening night of the SMU Arts Festival in August 2025. (From left) Ms Chloe Moh Hui Wen; Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS President; Ms Chang Hwee Nee, Chief Executive Officer, National Heritage Board; Ms Lee Chaehyun; Mr Heng Swee Keat, former Deputy Prime Minister; and Ms Ng Praise Gigatt.
Senior management from the universities in Singapore at the opening of the SMU Arts Fest : 2560
- A rare photograph capturing the senior management from the universities in Singapore, together with the CEO of National Heritage Board and former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore at the opening of the SMU Arts Fest : 2560. The festival in 2025 commemorates two significant milestones in Singapore’s history: the 25th Anniversary of Singapore Management University and the nation’s 60th birthday. The theme, 2560, carries deep symbolism —“25” celebrates SMU’s remarkable 25-year journey, reflecting the university’s youthful spirit and its aspirations for the future. “60” honours Singapore’s resilience, growth, and identity as a vibrant global city. Together, the theme bridges tradition and innovation, connecting past achievements with future aspirations. The festival also marks an unprecedented historic moment when all eight Singapore universities --NUS, NTU, SIM, SIT, SMU, SUTD, SUSS, and UAS collaborated, united by creativity, to share one stage, powerfully expresses solidarity and inclusivity through the arts. First Row (From L-R): Prof Wei Kwok Kee, SIM President & CEO ; Ms Euleen Goh, SIM Chairman ; Prof Kwok Kian Woon, UAS Vice-Chancellor ; Prof Lily Kong, SMU President ; Mr Piyush Gupta, SMU Chairman ; Dato’ Kho Hui Meng, SMU Board of Trustee ; Ms Chang Hwee Nee, National Heritage Board, CEO ; Mr Heng Swee Keat ; Mr Lee Tzu Yang, SUTD Chairman ; Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS President Second Row (From L-R): Associate Prof Michelle Lee, SMU Associate Provost, UG Education ; Prof Mark Chong, SMU Associate Dean of Students ; Associate Prof Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice-Dean of Students, Office of Student Affairs and Vice-Dean, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music ; Prof Ho Han Kiat, NUS Dean of Students ; Prof Alan Chan, SMU Provost ; Mr Lim Boon Wee, SMU Senior Vice President (Administration) ; Prof Venky Shankararaman, SMU Vice-Provost, Education ; Associate Prof Themin Suwardy, SMU Associate Provost, PGP Education ; Ms Linette Lim, SMU Director, Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance ; Mr Lee Chin Ek, SMU Director, Office of Safety and Security Third Row (From L-R): Ms Shameen Nilofar Maideen, SMU Libraries, University Librarian ; Prof Sabine Benoit, SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Professor of Marketing (Practice), Associate Dean (Impact) ; Ms Edwina Tang, UAS Deputy Director, Strategic Planning ; Ms Wendy Gwee, NTU Deputy Director, Student Affairs Office ; Ms Zoe Peters, NTU Director, Student Affairs Office ; Mr Jimmy Ye, SMU Director, Office of Student Life ; Mr Harminder Singh, SUSS Vice-Dean of Students ; Mr Kenneth Chan, SIM Director, Student Life ; Mr Lawrenz Sim, SIT Director, Office of SITizen Experience ; Ms Jobina Tan, NUS Senior Associate Director, Office of Student Affairs ; Ms Goh Mia Yang, NUS Senior Associate Dean of Students, Office of Student Affairs
Musician from the Purple Symphony performed alongside SMU students in the orchestral production COMMISSIONS
- The SMU Chinese Orchestra (SMUCO) performed in COMMISSIONS, a concert that celebrates SMU25, SG60 and SMU’s longstanding commitment to commissioning new orchestral works — including three world premieres. Reflecting the university’s support for local talent and its dedication to inclusion, SMU also collaborated with The Purple Symphony for the premiere of Moonbound. In this performance, eight guest musicians from The Purple Symphony were featured, each with different disabilities and each taking on lead or solo roles. Their contributions embodied the values of inclusivity, participation, and the power of collaboration, aligning with SMU’s belief in providing space for every voice and every talent to shine. Pictured is Lucas Ong (wearing a purple tie) playing the zhongruan, a Chinese string instrument with a moon‑shaped body renowned for its warm, mellow, and resonant tone.
Malay wedding ceremony brought to life with vibrant dance performance
- Live, Laugh, Lor brings together all of Singapore’s institutions of higher learning for the first time in a vibrant four‑night collaboration with the Singapore Night Festival, celebrating the heartbeat of contemporary Singaporean identity. The photo showcases student dancers from Ilsa Tari, the Malay dance group from NUS. They brought the traditional Malay wedding ceremony Adat Bersanding to life, complete with expressive customs, lively kompang rhythms, and playful rituals that honour love, blessings, and the richness of Malay heritage. Ilsa Tari is a beginner‑friendly Malay dance group from NUS. Its name is derived from the word Asli—meaning “native”—reflects a bold reimagining of Malay dance that embraces radical creativity while honouring cultural roots. Drawing from traditional Malay dance vocabulary, Ilsa Tari explores contemporary themes and highlights prevailing social issues, pushing the boundaries of expression, innovation, and modernity within the art form.
SMU Eurhythmix reimagines tradition in high‑energy RE:TURN showcase for SMU's Jubilee celebration
- On 20 September 2025, SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX) — the university’s oldest and largest dance club, also celebrating its own 25th anniversary — staged Return of RE:TURN at Drama Centre Theatre. The full-length dance production fused hip hop with classical Malay, Indian, and Chinese dance vocabularies. Under the mentorship of established choreographers, students explored how heritage forms could be reimagined through contemporary movement, creating a dialogue between the past and present. Return of RE:TURN showcased not just the technical skill of SMU’s dancers, but also their ability to use performance as a medium for cultural storytelling. The performance opened with a modern prelude that explores the influence of social media in the dance amongst the youth, using trendy Tik-Tok favourite tracks ranging from K-pop to Billboard hits. At a point, the dancers performed behind a softly lit translucent screen animated with social‑media imagery.
Part of the 25x25 exhibition at SMU de Suantio Gallery in the 2025 Arts Festival
- The exhibition 25x25 spotlights a new wave of student creativity, featuring visual and literary responses to 25 works from the SMU Art Collection. Curated in collaboration with SMU Libraries, it invites cross-medium dialogue and fresh interpretations of the themes explored in the original artworks. Under the mentorship of artists Deanna Ng and Susie Wong, and poet Yong Shu Hoong, each student artist develops their own method and perspective, whether responding directly to the theme and subject of the artwork, or drawing parallel threads to their personal biographies and lived experiences. The exhibition was on view from 22 Aug 2025 to 6 Sep 2025 at SMU de Suantio Gallery.
Rentak reviving childhood melodies through Malay traditional percussions and music
- Live, Laugh, Lor brought together all Singapore universities for the first time in an energetic four‑night collaboration with the Singapore Night Festival, showcasing the rhythms of contemporary Singaporean identity. The photo features Rentak (which means Rhythm), the percussion wing of SMU Malay Language and Cultural Club (MLCC), sharing the rich heritage of traditional Malay percussion and music with the community. Their performance offered a heartfelt return to cherished childhood melodies, weaving warm, nostalgic medley of familiar tunes with the use of Angklung and percussions to celebrate the instruments and music that shaped many early memories. Rentak was formed in 2016 with the aim of sharing their love of Malay percussion and music with audiences from all walks of life. Since then, their early percussion works have expanded into a wider repertoire inspired by the diverse sounds of the Nusantara, incorporating nuances of Minangkabau, Javanese and Arabic musical traditions, among many others. Each song is thoughtfully crafted to stretch their musical capabilities, spark joy, and uplift both the performers and the communities they play for.
SMU Eurhythmix dancers blend hip hop and heritage forms in Return of RE:TURN, a full-length production honouring the club’s 25th anniversary
- Return of RE:TURN is a high energy dance production that explores the disappearing grammar of traditional Malay, Indian and Chinese dance finding its way to influence, evolve and turn dance genres like hip-hop into fresh and exciting possibilities. Featuring the largest dance club, this production celebrates SMU Eurhythmix (EMIX) marking its 25th anniversary alongside SMU25 and SG60. In collaboration with choreographer and Chinese dancer Ms Pang Xin Yi (left in picture), the EMIX dancers embraced a quieter, more refined expression of strength and grace, marked by poised control over overt spectacle, for the Chinese performance.
SMU President giving a welcome address at SMU Jubilee Arts Festival in 2025
- Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University (SMU), delivered the welcome address at the opening of the SMU Arts Festival 2025, a rare occasion graced by the gathering of senior leaders from Singapore’s universities, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the National Heritage Board and a former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore. Behind Professor Kong stood the festival banner bearing the theme 2560, which commemorates two significant milestones in Singapore’s history: the 25th anniversary of SMU and the nation’s 60th year of independence. The theme 2560 carries a rich symbolism. “25” marks SMU’s remarkable 25-year journey, reflecting the university’s youthful spirit, achievements, and forward-looking aspirations. “60” pays tribute to Singapore’s resilience, growth, and evolving identity as a vibrant global city. Together, the theme weaves tradition and innovation, bridging past achievements with future aspirations. The festival also represents an unprecedented historic moment, bringing together all eight universities in Singapore—NUS, NTU, SIM, SIT, SMU, SUTD, SUSS, and UAS—in a collective artistic collaboration. United by creativity and shared purpose, this collaboration powerfully expresses solidarity and inclusivity through the arts, underscoring the unifying role of culture within the nation’s higher education landscape.
Creative team and cast of MAD The Musical take a bow on opening night
- The creative team and cast of MAD The Musical take a bow on opening night — a triumphant close to SMU Arts Festval 2025’s six-week celebration of youth and imagination. The festival reached its peak with the premiere of MAD The Musical, staged from 26 to 28 September at the Drama Centre Theatre. Marking SMU’s first-ever original musical, the production was built on an original script conceptualised by Jo Tan, featured original songs by Jimmy Ye, and was directed and choreographed by George Chan and Andy Benjamin Cai respectively. Bringing together students, alumni, and even staff, MAD was more than a stage production—it was a coming‑of‑age moment for a new generation of storytellers. Blurring the boundaries between past and present, institution and imagination, the musical struck a resonant chord, with its anthem Mad About quickly emerging as a crowd favourite for its layered harmonies and stirring message of passion and conviction.
SMU Chinese Orchestra performs in COMMISSIONS, a concert celebrating SMU25 and SG60
- Under the baton of Mr Heng Xiangle (pictured), Mr Quek Ling Kiong and Mr Wilson Neo, the SMU Chinese Orchestra (SMUCO) performed in COMMISSIONS, a concert celebrating SMU’s track record of commissioning orchestral works — including three world premieres. SMU had consistently supported local talent by commissioning new orchestral compositions. To celebrate SMU25 and SG60, the SMU Chinese Orchestra presented a special concert featuring commissioned works from past years alongside multicultural pieces that celebrated Singapore’s rich diversity. The programme included three world premieres of original commissions and guest players, including The Purple Symphony, underscoring SMU’s commitment to inclusion. Since its inception in 2009, SMUCO has distinguished itself through various cross-disciplinary works and creative programming under the baton of Mr Quek Ling Kiong. In 2019, the orchestra marked its 10th anniversary with the commemorative concert Perfect 10 – FM SMUCO. Despite the interruption of live performances during COVID‑19, SMUCO remained agile and imaginative, presenting virtual productions such as the 2020 showcase "To Gather" as part of the SMU Arts Festival. In 2022, the orchestra made its return to the stage with Spring Rhapsodies. Today, SMUCO is led by its principal conductor Mr Heng Xiangle, who trained under Mr Quek Ling Kiong and made his conducting debut at the age of 21.
Celebrating cultural confluence with Dan Bau in the orchestral production COMMISSIONS
- Guest musician Mr. Dinh Cao Tue is a Viet–Vietnamese creative and arts practitioner based between Singapore and Vietnam. Apart from writing, he performs on the Dan Bau, a traditional Vietnamese single‑string instrument, through which he explores and shares stories of cultural confluence. Tue has participated in numerous intercultural arts projects within his university’s arts groups as well as in various initiatives across Singapore. In celebration of SMU25 and SG60, the concert commissioned works from past years alongside multicultural pieces celebrating Singapore’s rich diversity. The programme includes three world premieres of original commissions written specially for SMU25 and SG60, a multicultural music segment and performances by guest musicians --including artists from Singapore’s Purple Symphony. It reaffirmed SMU’s long-standing tradition of commissioning local works, a rare initiative for a non-conservatory university. The concert also features unique instruments from Asian countries where SMU has her overseas centers -- Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, highlighting SMU’s commitment to inclusion and cultural exchange. The Đàn bầu (or Dan Bau) is a distinctive Vietnamese monochord, a one‑stringed zither celebrated for its haunting, voice‑like tones created through harmonic techniques. Traditionally crafted from bamboo, a gourd, and a flexible rod, it has long held a central place in Vietnamese folk music, often accompanying poetry recitations and storytelling. Contemporary versions often crafted with metal and wood, incorporate electric pickups to enhance projection and sound quality.
Five-university dance crew delivers electrifying high energy performances to the stage of Live, Laugh, Lor
- For the first time in the history of the Singapore Night Festival, all eight higher education institutions—including NUS, NTU, SUTD, SIT, SUSS, UAS, SIM, and SMU—shared a common stage in the vibrant music and dance showcase held at SMU's campus green. The area burst into life as thousands gathered to watch the performace Live, Laugh, Lor. More than a showcase of performances, the event became a celebration of togetherness, capturing the very essence of SG60: a story of unity, vibrancy, and youth expression. The featured photograph captures Dreamwerkz, the resident street dance club from SIM. Their performance took audiences on a high‑octane dance journey through Singaporean culture—from the thrill of a first‑class SIA flight, to a warm welcome by locals, and finally a festive finale at Sentosa Beach—honouring movement, diversity, and the joy of Singaporean identity.
25x25, a multidisciplinary art exhibition in collaboration with SMU Libraries
- (From left) Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Vice-Chancellor of UAS; Professor Lily Kong, President of SMU; and Mr Shuvan Sasidharan, a student from the SMU Ambassadorial Corps, appreciating Silent Nature, an artwork by student artist Hadirah Binte Mohd Hazarul, featured in the 25x25 Exhibition as a part of SMU's 2025 Arts Festival. The exhibition highlighted a new wave of student creativity, presenting visual and literary responses to 25 works from the SMU Art Collection. Curated in collaboration with SMU Libraries, the exhibition, held in SMU's de Suantio Gallery, fosters cross-medium dialogue and offers fresh interpretations of themes explored in the original artworks. Silent Nature, comprising photo prints on foam board, was inspired by Bernar Venet’s 2004 sculpture 97.5° Arc x 8. The sculpture was installed at SMU's campus green as a gift from Dato' Kho Hui Meng in 2015. "When I first saw Bernar Venet’s 97.5° Arc x 8 (2004), I was skeptical due to its simplicity. Alas, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Venet’s sculpture aims to capture the process behind it, rather than the aesthetic of it. I was soon inspired by the concept art that Venet is presenting: the effect of nature and time. How nature slowly yet surely alters the man-made structure surrounding them, shaping it to conform and accept nature. Through my artwork, I aimed to capture the subtle yet powerful signs of decay that are seen in our daily lives, yet often overlooked. To remain true to the theme, all the photographs that I took and displayed were raw, unedited shots." -- Hadirah Binte Mohd Hazarul, Year 2, School of Accountancy.
SMU Chinese Orchestra premieres a new composition And Beyond in the SMU25 Arts Festival concert
- In the COMMISSIONS concert held at the SOTA Concert Hall, the SMU Chinese Orchestra premiered And Beyond, a new work by local composer Mr Eric Watson, conducted by Mr Quek Ling Kiong. The concert reaffirmed SMU’s long-standing tradition of commissioning local works, a rare initiative for a non-conservatory university. The premiere featured collaborations with guest musicians Ms De Silva Alicia Joyce and Mr Dinh Cao Tue, performing on the Khong Wong Yai and Dan Bau respectively. Alongside the Angklung, these instruments represent the musical traditions of Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia—countries where SMU has established overseas centres. Their inclusion reflects SMU’s dedication to diversity, cross-cultural exchange, meaningful contribution, and the strength that emerges from collaboration. This mirrors SMU’s belief in creating nurturing spaces for every voice to be heard and every talent to shine.