Page 112 - The Guide To Sarawak

110
THE ARTS
The SONS Music Society Orchestra performing a classical recital.
Classical Music
The Ministry of Social Development set up
SONS (Simfoni Orkestra Negeri Sarawak) in the
late 1980’s to promote and provide a platform for local performers. It has three arms - a classical symphony orchestra, a jazz orchestra and a choral ensemble. Based in Kuching, they
give occasional public performances and also play at government functions.
The Sarawak Music Society was set up in 1947 in Kuching, to promote western classical music, and work with musicians from other areas to co-ordinate performances for local musicians. It has served as an information exchange for music events, a contact
base for music enthusiasts, and a link to the music world, having organized the annual High Scorer’s Concert in association with the Associated Board of Music of the UK.
There are many schools
and institutions that hold concerts for their students. University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) run
a Faculty of Applied
and Creative Arts which presents performances at the end of semesters that are open to the public. These are music concerts or musical stage plays.
Radio and Television (RTM) Sarawak has its own combo of nine musicians that play for official as well as private functions. Their repertoire covers Malaysian songs, light music and jazz.
Acclaimed British classical guitarist Jason Carter giving a recital at the Sarawak Tourism Complex, organised by the Sarawak Music Society.