The Goh Soon Tioe Leadership Award celebrates the 110th birth anniversary of Mr Goh Soon Tioe and enables students to further their musical growth.

It is our honour to announce the Goh Soon Tioe Leadership Award, an endowment fund established by Ms Vivien Goh. Beginning from 2022, the Award will be given to Singaporean Year 3 or 4 students to pursue international festivals, internships or programmes in orchestral instrument performance.

The Award celebrates the 110th birth anniversary of Mr Goh Soon Tioe (1911-1982), who is remembered as one of Singapore’s greatest musical pioneers. An accomplished violinist, conductor, teacher and impresario, he nurtured a generation of leading Singapore classical musicians and also brought hundreds of international performers to the Singapore stage. He formed and led the Goh Soon Tioe String Orchestra, as well as the Singapore Youth Symphony Orchestra (now the Singapore National Youth Orchestra). In 1963, he received the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) for his contributions to music in Singapore. In his memory, the Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Fund was established by Ms Vivien Goh to support outstanding young string players who wish to build a career in music.

Ms Vivien Goh was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 1983 and is a member of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Governing Board. She has been nurturing young musicians in Singapore since graduating from the Eastman School of Music in 1969. As Music Director and Resident Conductor of the Singapore Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1980-1990, she played a seminal role in the formation of the youth orchestra movement in Singapore. Her wide-ranging contributions to music education in Singapore include private violin teaching in the Goh Soon Tioe Music Studio, teaching in schools, and generously sharing her expertise with musical groups across Singapore. She is currently an adjunct faculty at the School of the Arts Singapore.

Ms Goh said, “It is my pleasure to establish the Goh Soon Tioe Leadership Award at YST in memory of my father. In a young musician’s journey, it is crucial to have opportunities to grow through working with new environments, colleagues and challenges. The Award enables YST students to expand their learning and develop as musicians who are well-placed to lead with their artistry, just as Goh Soon Tioe did. It is my hope that this Award will encourage generations of aspiring Singapore musicians to reach out to the world and, being inspired by new experiences, return to enrich the musical life of Singapore.”

Assoc Prof Ho Chee Kong, Interim Dean of YST shared, “We are excited for this prize, which enables our students to further their musical growth by working with mentors and peers on major international platforms. Our deepest gratitude to Ms Vivien Goh for her numerous contributions, not only to YST but also to the Singapore music scene at large as a performer, educator, leader and benefactor. As we honour the 110th birth anniversary of Mr Goh Soon Tioe, we seek to continue nurturing young musical talents and developing the local music landscape.”