Cyril Terrence de Souza RIP - A Horace Wee Tribute - Andy 60s Music

Terrence de Souza

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He leaves to dance with the flowers and butterflies. To jam with his pals again in heaven.  

Cyril Terrence de Souza was another unsung hero of the Singapore music industry.

He was a warm, kind and generous person and never had a harsh word and always had a calm pleasant disposition. Known by many in the musical circles, he was never one to push himself to the forefront, preferring to diligently play his designated role as a pianist accompanying many of the industry stalwarts.

Over the many years that I’ve known him, playing together in the radio orchestra or meeting him somewhere when  he was playing a solo piano gig or with a small group, it was always - hi, haven’t seen you for ages, how are you and a grin. A quiet man of few words, I never actually engaged in a long conversation with him. When I tried, he always responded in a sentence, probably followed with an agreeable nod or a yes. Very sparing in his words. He did move about with his residences, and I would often ask where he stayed or generally what he was up to. At one time he was staying across the road from me at a house in Gerald Drive.

He was already a working pianist from the 60s but worked in the library of Radio Singapore for many years. It was like he was a pianist-in-waiting for the radio orchestra. The day finally came when he secured the position of pianist. I guess he was really biding his time and jumped at the opportunity.

I would not categorize him as a jazz pianist though he could play in that vein. He could be described as an all round pianist, that could function in any music environment, group or as a solo lounge pianist. There were times I would get up to jam with him if I happened upon one of his gigs. He’d just ask for the tune I wanted to play, nod his head and proceed to play an introduction.

Besides gigging in his later years, he also gave piano lessons. I had heard he was living in Australia these years, and it was a surprise when I found he had returned to Singapore. That was only a few months ago, when his cousin Boni de Souza mentioned visiting him. From the photos, he had aged appreciably and was wheelchair bound.  One never knows the day when life ends and for Terry it was just a few months later. I’m still happy to have recalled some of the times in this quiet man’s company.

Condolences to the family.

Rest In Peace Cyril Terrence de Souza.

16th September 2021.

Written by Horace Wee [Copyrights Reserved].

Image from Val Ortega.

Love our SG musicians, do leave a comment...

Reynaldo Lachica RIP: A Tribute By Horace Wee

Photo: Copyrights reserved by Mun Chor Seng.

Condolences to the family of the late Mr Reynaldo Lachica.

Reynaldo Lachica, an affable man of Filipino heritage, a professional musician who played the Alto saxophone brilliantly. He doubled on clarinet, as this was a requirement for a saxophone player. Additionally he was a violinist. He spent a greater part of his professional music career as a member of the Singapore Radio & Television orchestra.

His ability to sight read any piece of music made him an invaluable asset in the at times, pressurised recording schedules in broadcasting. This also made him a “first call” musician when backing bands/ orchestras were required for international performers . Technically, he was on the alto saxophone as agile as a player like Paul Desmond from the Dave Brubeck Quarter. His tone however had more of a bite than Desmond’s sweetness and related more to a New York sound reminiscent of Cannonball Adderley. That said, he was capable of sweetness in tone when called upon. Like many players from the era of the late 50s and 60s, his background was jazz and his improvised solos reflected the influences of the bebop era exemplified by Charlie “Bird”Parker. Though I have heard him play in a Dixieland jazz format such was this man’s versatility.

His main side kick for his forays into modern jazz events was fellow orchestra member Olympio Galaura on trumpet. When these two played fronting a typical jazz quintet that comprised of a rhythm section with two front line horns, one couldn’t find a loose gap between their playing. They were so “tight” adjoined like Siamese twins. Early years found them playing at jazz cultural events and they were in regular attendance at Sunday jam sessions at the Golden Venus and subsequently in the 70s at the Jockey pub. An enthusiastic supporter for any jam session, he would play with anybody.

Like everyone, his life had it’s ups and downs . During rosy times, his social group comprised of himself, Olympio Galaura, Jose Daroya a pianist together with their wives. They went clubbing and everywhere together. Sadly the trio ended up all separated from their wives. Reynaldo had to care and bring up his four children. A boy Gerry, and the three girls Angeline, Nicole and Bridget. In recent times it was revealed that he was a good cook and could whip up many local delicacies. This has been imparted on his daughter Nicole, who’s a very good cook.

I’m unsure of the circumstances, but there was a period in his life that he became very religious almost to the extent of constantly carrying a bible. However as he got older things moderated.

In his years during retirement he played whatever music gigs would come his way with some show backing jobs and generally others with a varied lot of musicians.

As his physical health deteriorated possibly around 2008 or thereafter, he was eventually confined to a wheelchair and placed in an elderly home in Johore. His daughter Nicole decided it was a good idea if she brought him to live with her in Houston , Texas. Two years later he was back and word was that he was unhappy and missed all his local food. A happy note he related during his stay in Houston was that, people came on Sundays to church to hear his saxophone playing. It was gratifying as he commented that in Singapore no one bothered.
He was housed in an elderly home at Jalan Kayu in Singapore. I visited him a number of times and each time his condition deteriorated more. He passed away peacefully on the 14th of July 2020 at the age of 89 years old.

He is now playing saxophone solos with the angels and other great musicians there.

Rest In Peace Reynaldo.

Horace Wee
This article has been copyrighted
Sent from my iPad

Thanks to Horace for completing this tribute soonest. 

Reynaldo Lachica R.I.P.: A Tribute From Michael Bangar

Hi dear readers,

A Little Tribute To Our  Brother In Music - The Late Mr. Reynaldo Lachica. Condolences to the family.

14/03/1931 - 14/07/2020. 

Bro' Reynaldo Lachica (we used to be neighbours in the East Coast: Bedok South, Singapore) was a superb  multi-instrumentalist. 

He learnt the Violin in his childhood years and went on to take up his other instruments - the Clarinet,  Saxophone &  Flute. He came on the music scene, with his 2 other late brothers. Their musical times were the pre-Rock & Roll era. He did gigs & shows of that period - playing at clubs & cabarets & for the British Military Forces stationed here. Maybe Bro' Horace Wee can elaborate more on this. 

He then joined Radio Singapore & played with their Orchestra & Big Band. And when SBC was formed, they merged with Radio Singapore. When it all became Media Corp, Reynaldo & many others left, for their own reasons. He then went on to do free lance gigs, like the rest of us, until his retirement. 

Reynaldo was a great musician & a great friend to all who knew him. Need mentioning too, he was the father of the late founding member of The Flybaits - Gerry Lachica. 

RIP Reynaldo Lachica. 

We Are Gonna Miss You. 

Hey  Everyone. I am writing from memory. My Sincerest Apologies For Any Mis-Information. 

Michael Bangar.

🎶🎵🎻🎷

Thanks to Michael for writing this tribute without giving him much time and preparation.

Song: Nona Zaman Sekarang: Modern Hari Raya Lady

The form fitting modern sarong kebaya.

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I was lucky enough to have parents who thrived on English, Mandarin, Indonesian, Dutch pop songs and folk music.  As a teen I enjoyed the songs they played on the radio and gramophone records.  Some of them are still popular today and it's going back to the 50s with a You Tube video above that features Gus Steyn and his RTM Orchestra.

One of the finest band leaders Steyn was well-known in this part of the world.  The melody is an up-tempo piece and interpreted vividly with strings, brass and all. Personally it's the best version  I've heard for a long time. Delightful indeed to have rynamyra loading it. Thank you. (Videos will be deleted when the next posting appears).

Ger van Leeuwen - Nona-Nona Zaman Sekarang (Yusoff B) Thanks to ud. 000

There's another version below by Sandra Reemer, recorded probably in the 60's when folk songs had revivals and became popular again with new rendition of Kopi Susu, Nina Bobo and Bengawan Solo by pretty singers like Anneke Gronloh and Reemer.

These hits topped the music charts in our region and possibly in Europe too as many people of Dutch origin in RRI (Republic Ra'ayat Indonesia) migrated to Holland and the West during the Soekarno regime in the 60s. 

 But this song is different.  Nona Zaman Sekarang or Modern Day Women was composed by our own Singaporean Yusoff B. in the late 1940s.  Some of his other songs include: Semarak Hati, Suka Sama Suka and Wanita dan Teruna. 

He was one of superstar P. Ramlee's music mentor when he first joined Malay Film Productions.   Ramlee's early songwriting was influenced by Yusuf B's music arrangement  and style.  Ironically, Yusuff B would borrow ideas from the late Ramlee when composing his own songs.

Singers who performed it initially was A. Rahman, R. Azmi, Julia and a host of Indonesian and Malay singers. Sandra, a Dutch singer of Indonesian origin, took the opportunity and made it a big hit.  Apparently her version is still the most popular.

Ms Reemer (below in later years) had passed away in 2017.  A beautiful and talented young lady; she will be missed by all her fans, all over the world. RIP Sandra Reemer.

The word Nona means a young lady, like Miss in English. The song is about how bold young ladies are compared to those who lived in earlier times - no one can interfere nor prohibit their dress code.  These ladies with their short, transparent clothes and painted red cheeks have triggered much controversy and have either confused the male species with their attitude or aroused their sensuality, possibly the latter.

Article by Andy Young.

Nona Zaman Sekarang.  Liyana Fizi. Video: Klasik Beb.

Lyrics by Yusof B.                                             
Nona-nona jaman sekarang                                
tak boleh ditegur,                                                
tak boleh dilarang                                              
bajunya pendek,                                                
bertambahlah jarang                                          
itu menjadi hati gembira                                    
                                                                           
First Verse:
nona jangan bikin keliru                                    
tidakla kenal cina melayu                                    
pipinya merah pula disapu                                  
sekarang sudah jadi tak tentu                                .

Second Verse:
dalam dunia banyak musuhan                          
yang non dibuat perkara yang sopan                
dalam dunia banyak penggoda                          
banyak yang jadi rusak binasa                          

Nona Nona Zaman Sekarang by The Stylers. Randy Lee Keng played rhythm guitar and is still active today. He is on Facebook under the same name. Check him out.

Literal Translation
By: Andy Young.

About the ladies of today's generation:
Don't comment
Nor forbid them.
Their blouses are short
And more transparent
That make hearts flutter
 (Make hearts happy).

First Verse:
Ladies don't confuse us
Unrecognizable if Chinese or Malay
Cheeks are red and painted too
Causing much bewilderment.

Second Verse:
In this world of aggression
Ladies, be more careful
Or be teased, bothered
And fall into disrepute.


The mysterious East?

Written more than half a century ago, the lyrics painted an Asian society so different from today with strict moral values that many listeners, especially women, would question now.

A kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress combination worn by women in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Burma, Singapore, southern Thailand and some parts of Cambodia. It is sometimes made from sheer material and usually worn with a sarong or batik kain panjang, or other traditional woven garment such as ikat, songket with a colorful motif.

Images from flickr.com

Videos from You Tube.

Winston Filmer Radio TV Singapore Tribute by Horace Wee

The Late Winston Filmer
Image from: Mun Chor Seng

A time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
To everything, there is a season
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.

(Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes)

My time has turned for more than fifty years knowing Winston as a friend. Through all the changes, ups and downs in the world, changes in our lives, we remained friends till his passing on the 12th of January 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.

We were not close as best friends are, but our paths separate as they were, would cross over the years. There were arguments and disagreements over the years, something he said recently was the "foolishness of his youth". I left it at that.

When he left for Australia with his family in the eighties, there were only a few occasions that we came in contact. The last around 2012 when he came back to Singapore for the memorial service for his wife Teresa. Frail and having difficulty in walking, we managed to spend those few days together catching up on past years.

These last few years, we had conversations over the phone probably longer than we ever had in the past. He found it difficult to face the loss of his wife and found in me a willing person and confidant to listen to his outpourings of grief, aches, pains and recollections of all the years gone by.

Winston started his career as a sound assistant for the fledgeling Radio Singapore that operated from the Cathay Building next to Dhoby Ghaut. Later he progressed to selecting records and music for radio programs. As a musician, he had strong associations in the keronchong music community and was in demand to play his guitar for various events. 

Of course, he was also part of the club music scene of the fifties and played the current music then. Later, when he was introduced to his future wife Teresa née Khoo, they would form their own band and hold court at the Adelphi Hotel in Coleman Street.

The Late Winston Filmer is 2nd from left with bass
Image from his Facebook Page.

When I first met Winston, I vividly remember that day when he brought me to his home, one of the two-storey terrace houses along Geylang Road not far from Haig Road. Listened to some of his records and then took a trip to Sungei Road (thieves market) to browse around for electrical parts.

We would be working together many times after that. From the early recording sessions of the Crescendos, Ruby Wah a popular songstress at that time to a variety of commercial sessions at EMI, Kinetex, Reddifusion and Life studios. Not forgetting the various programs and shows on Radio and Television Singapura that included the Talentime series. He would be the bass player in all these sessions. Prior to leaving Singapore, his last stint was a bassist in the SBC orchestra.

He was not active as a musician in Australia, playing only a few occasional gigs. With failing health he spent his years in retirement.

With his passing, I wish him a safe journey to heaven and to reunite with his beloved Teresa.

My prayers are that he finds all the peace and happiness he has wished for.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen.

Goodbye Winston.
Sent from my iPad

MR HORACE WEE

Thanking Mr Horace Wee (professional guitarist) who wrote the above tribute to Winston Filmer. Also thanking Mun Chor Seng for the first photograph and Mr Filmer's family (Facebook Page) for the second photograph. 

Article by Horace Wee.
Image from Mun Chor Seng.
The article and images have been copyrighted.

BLOG'S

14 January 2018
1,335 Page Views Daily
A Record High

Winston Filmer RTS 60's Musician Has Passed On

Winston Filmer
(Straits Times Image)

 "Mr Winston Filmer passed away this morning at 11 am. Melbourne time.  May he Rest In Peace."  
(From Horace Wee who will write a tribute. This post is a temporary one. Please check this page again soon.)

"The fact that he was a part of our country's RTS Band during the heyday, he, therefore, deserves our respect for his talent."
(From Blog Reader FL.) 

Condolences to his family.

***********
Teresa Khoo Connection:
http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2012/12/memory-trail-teresa-khoo-music-pioneer.html

Winston Filmer (left)

Images are unclear and taken from Mr Filmer's Facebook page. If anyone can spare some pictures to publish on this blog, it will be great.

Rolling Good Times Singapore 2: Behind The Cameras

The Silver Strings appeared on the premier episode of Rolling Good Times on 17th May, 2015 (Channel 5) but the actual live recording was done on the 4th of May, two weeks before the show.  It is general knowledge that performers had to come in early for the shoot, hours before the audience arrived at 7.30 pm.  We met at Reception at three in the afternoon . Security is always tight so if you're going for a show, don't forget to bring your identification card.

Ushered into the underground studio and beneath the cosy comfort of Caldecott Hill, we faced a large sound stage that had hosted many a variety show in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. It was cavernous enough to seat a few hundred people.  We joined the performers scattered in the front rows waiting their turn to rehearse. (Image 1: Media Corp @ Caldecott.)

Dick Lee, Tabitha Nauser, Reuby, Mathilda D'Silva, Wendi Koh

We didn't wait long when Dick Lee came on stage with 19 year old Reuby, co-host Tabitha Nauser and Singapore's Tina Turner Mathilda D'Silva. They set the mood with Dick's and Tabitha's natural TV chatter as they introduced the show with a song. The resident band that accompanied them was incomparable.

When Wendi Koh performed she went into a spin and transformed the studio into a rock n roll, free for all, disco hall with her singing. We were wowed by all of them.  Such talent and artistry.  When Mathilda came on she looked extremely sexy with her outfit and special hairdo.  You'd think Tina Turner was out there. Then Reuby performed as he eased our nerves with a ballad. (Images 2, 3, 4: Sound studio; Artistes; Resident Band with Silver Strings.)

We knew our turn came when we saw drummer John Cher's throne of kings rolling in. There were drums everywhere on the sound stage with the percussion instrument elevated on a large box.

"And you're going to sit up there?" I asked him laughing.

Then Fender amplifiers were placed, together with the toy Nick Stravens was supposed to tinker with on national television (image above).

The whole session lasted for some time as the camera crew, lighting specialists and sound men went into action testing their equipment.  The Silver Strings managed the routine as Diana was introduced again and again during practice. Paul Anka's famous baby-sitter came alive once more. (Images 5,6: Silver Strings practice with Nick Stravens in the foreground; Audience.)

For the interview segment, we were seated with Dick Lee, and as places were established we thought it was going to be a long session practising but he managed the chat so professionally, we became engrossed in a conversation that went pretty well on screen. All in one take!

After the dry run we had our meals, heavy fried chicken with nasi-lemak, Chinese sweet and sour fish or a bee-hoon dinner, all served with vegetables. Then make-up time as we went into the tiny room filled with mirrors and facing professionals in black.  I thought it was a Batman costume party. Honestly, this group was the quietest and nicest ever as they went about their duty struggling hard to make seniors look like juniors. They had succeeded with Audie, Rickie, John and Nick. (Images: 7, 8: Wendi Koh practice; Rick Astley.)

After the make-up and costumes it was waiting at the wings for our turn as we chatted and met the other participants of the show. By then it was about 7.30 pm and members of the public came streaming in as they filled up the seats in the sound studio.  We watched between the curtains. The audience too had to go through certain routines with encores, sing-a-longs and music quizzes.

The live recording started on time and we did our segment around 8.30pm.  At the end of the evening before our famous guest star came on he managed some photo shots with the Silver Strings  Rick Astley was one of the most friendly and pleasant singing stars.

Andy Lim, Audie Ng, Rickie Chng, Nick Stravens,
John Cher (Silver Strings 2015 line-up)

If you've seen last week's telecast, you should know what happened afterwards. I think this first Rolling Good Times was a successful one.

If you have a chance to see it live get a ticket because I understand Media Corp @ Caldecott Hill may close soon to relocate. Uncertain though.

Nice visit for an SG50 family getaway before another iconic building disappears. (Images 9, 10, 11, 12: Rickie Chng, Audie Ng; Make Up artistes; John Cher; Andy Lim.)

Sunday Night: 24th May, 2015: The Dukes, Julie Sudiro, Veronica Young. Also interviews with the Western Union Band, Chris Ho and Najib Ali and Rahimah Rahim.
And don't forget JOHNNY HATES JAZZ in the final show on this series.

SLIP NOTE:

Other episodes on Rolling Good Times include 60s, 70s and 80s stars: Johnny Hates Jazz, Frances Yip, Rahimah Rahim, Ginger Bread, Maizurah, Ramli Sarip, Mel and Joe Ferdinands, Jacintha and today's stable of current Singapore popsters.

 Read Rolling Good Times Part 1. Click below:

(http://singapore60smusic.blogspot.sg/2015/04/rolling-good-times-again-with-silver.html).

                              Johnny Hates Jazz: I Don't Want To Be A Hero

Images: A personal collection and Google.                            

80s Stellar TV Show With Much Cash Give-Away

Jennifer Yen from Malaysia: 'Younger' 

YouTube Video by: smnsimon00

         


Janet Basco: Carnegie Hall, New York City.

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Money To Be Made:

Whenever the opportunity arises and if it's worthwhile news I would include local pop music items from the 80s and feature television shows that were well received. One possibly successful series that attracted Singapore sitting room audiences had cash vouchers given away to lucky winners which included a top prize of $150,000.  That was a lot of money, and still is today! In one year alone the production gave away about $1.8 million.  This newspiece was reported in a local magazine in 1981. 

Yeah, the 1970s ABBA song, Money, Money, Money on TV Show.

Both Local and International Artistes:

The shows were telecast 'live' and included an array of stars that were household names those years. They included Singapore's Kartina Dahari, Ali Ahmad, Paul Cheong, Tony Castillo, Jacintha and The SBC Dancers. There were guest artistes from overseas and it included Jennifer Yen from Malaysia, Janet Basco and the WEA Dancers from the Philippines, Linda Lou Allen from London and The Wright Brothers from the US.

Jennifer Yen RTM Talentime Winner 80s.

Yes, and these stars were at the peak of their career during the 70s and 80s. The host for this particular show was, Mr Versatile himself, Tan Swee Leong who has been featured on this blog a couple of times. (Check Labels below).

Paul Cheong: when he was at his best. With SBC Dancers.

Tan Swee Leong Show Compere

Carnegie Hall, Malaysian Talentime:

Janet Basco is a Filipino singer. She is known for her hits, You Made Me Live Again, Minsan Pa, and My Girl, My Woman, My Friend  where she sang with heartthrob and countryman Jose Marie Chan, two of the few Filipino entertainers to have ever performed in Carnegie Hall in New York.

She represented Philippines in the 10th Tokyo Music Festival in 1980 and in the Asean Song Festival in Indonesia. She has appeared in numerous concert halls internationally. (Listen to her on Right Bar of this blog).

Jennifer Yen, who was known as Malaysia's singing sweetheart and a winner of the RTM or Radio Talivishen Malaysia Talentime Competition sang selected songs from her two English albums. She was poised and captivating with a pleasantly charming voice that is still recognised today.


Kartina Dahari was honoured in a show @ Esplanade in 2013.

They had been together for many years and appeared on Filipino television regularly in the 80s, sometimes accompanying singers as background dancers but usually highlighted as group performers on stage.  Like Singapore's Sunny Low Dancers during the 60s, The WEA Dancers were just as well-known in the 80s. They proved their talent when they appeared on this show with the SBC Dancers.

Tony Castillo helped to build the music scene in Singapore.

Honoured By Esplanade, Boy Wonder, London, Broadway Jazz

Our own recording artistes Tina Dahari and Ali Ahmad need no introduction since both were regulars on the small screen (19 inches only remember?) over both the English and Malay radio stations. Kartina was featured recently at the Esplanade in 2013 where artistes of yore sang her hits from the 70s.

Broadway Hits from Linda Lou Allen

Tony Castillo was of course the jazz musician and singer whom Louis Armstrong called Boy Satchmo and arranged to have him perform at the Ed Sullivan in the US.  He had a big-band group, The Castillians that played in Europe and the United States.  Boy Wonder Castillo died at 64 in 2010. 

Paul Cheong was a home-grown talent and according to the magazine, "proves that he is capable of much more than cutting albums and spinning discs."  Another artiste in the series, Jacintha is a Singaporean singer and actress, well-known in parts of Asia-Pacific since the '80s.

Linda Lou Allen, based in London in the 80s, sang romantic ballads and Broadway jazz hits during the show. She was known for her versatility, energy and hot numbers.


80s WEA Dancers. They are on You Tube.

So what's the name of this show? Anybody still remember? Let me know. No prizes for the correct answer but it's so easy with clues everywhere. Which show can ever give away so much money?

Information and Images: Radio and TV Times 1981 and Google.
Thanks to Mun Chor Seng.

48th National Day 2013 Special Music Posting: Radio Singapore Orchestra 1945 - 1991

A HAPPY 48th NATIONAL DAY  EVERYONE AND SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI TO ALL MUSLIMS!

This posting is specially designed to showcase and honour members of our radio and television orchestra, the music-makers who accompanied the choirs, the classical soloists and vocalists.  The group started as a Radio Orchestra became the Radio Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra and bloomed into the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Orchestra. The article and photographs are provided by Mun Chor Seng who is a guest writer. Thank you Mun.



After the National Day Parade, the Radio Orchestra took part in the multi-cultural variety show at the City Hall Steps in 1963.

The Radio Orchestra, at it was known then, was formed in 1945.  The string section that predominantly made up the orchestra was filled by expatriate musicians.  In 1959, the Malayanairs was born but it produced music that went out of vogue. 

Inche Yusof Ishak, the Yang di-Pertuan of Singapore together with Mr. S. Rajarathnam (Minister of Culture) and Mr. John Duclos (Director of Broadcasting) met Mr. Gus Steyn and Radio Singapore Orchestra members  in the Radio Auditorium.

More musicians playing woodwind and brass instruments were added to provide a more versatile combination under the leader of the orchestra Mr. Dick Abel.  They provided recorded popular and classical music for transmission to all the section of Radio Singapore.  Some of the programmes featured then were:

a) Tiga Sekawan, and

b) Rayuan Sukma, included mainly Malay and popular instrumental numbers for 15 to 30 minutes programmes for all the radio networks.  Three to six musicians were involved for the above programmes.

c) Latin Six, a programme that was mainly music from Latin America.

d) Music Viva,  a classical programme mainly involved with Chamber Music, for violin, cello and piano.  During that time I heard over the English Network the complete work of Beethoven's Trio in B-Flat Major, "Archduke" Op. 97.  Such programmes were mainly broadcast over the weekend in the late evening.

e) The Malayanaires, with augmentees where local Malay and Mandarin and Indian singers were involved in the 30 minutes programme recorded for the respective sections.

The Malayanairs, as the new orchestra was known, started with only 9 musicians.  It had to be augmented when the need arose to serve the four different radio networks which closed down at 11 pm nightly.

Launching of the Suara Singapura service of Radio Singapore by Inche Yusof Ishak, the Yang de-Pertuan of Singapore with the finale item of the programme on stage.

 On 1 July 1960, commercial advertising was introduced on radio.  There was a higher demand for the radio orchestra for sponsored programmes which brought in extra revenue and audience participation.  The radio orchestra was then lead by Mr. Gus Steyn who was performing in the Broadcasting House in Caldecott Hill as well as outside venues such as the Cultural Centre, Victoria Theatre, Singapore Badminton Hall and City Hall Steps etc.

In 1963 with the introduction of television, the same orchestra was known as the Radio and Television Singapore (RTS) Orchestra.  The musicians then were Mr. Gus Steyn (piano), Mr. Ahmad Jaafar (Saxophone), Mr. Valentine Otega (Baritone), Mr. Reynaldo Lanchica (1st Alto), Mr. Olimpio Galaura (Trumpet), Mr. Lano (Trombone), Mr. Winston Filmer (Double Bass) and Mr. Rofino Solinao (Drum).  

In order to cope with the normal output for radio, it also had to bear the additional responsibility to provide additional music backing for the major live television shows.

A sponsored radio programme held at the Singapore Badminton Hall.

 On 19 Jan 1965, Gus Steyn gave his farewell performance as leader of the RTS Orchestra at a Chinese Variety show in Victoria Theatre.  At the end of the show, he was garlanded by members of the audience and gave a short speech.  Mr. Loo Koon Fun from the Chinese Programme Section presented a memento to Mr. Gus Steyn on behalf of the management of Radio Singapore.

In 1965, Mr. Ahmad Jaafar was the Deputy Director of Radio Orchestra.  He took over as leader in 1966 and as conductor of the orchestra from 1967 - 1982.  During that period, he established himself as a fine music arranger and composer for theme music for radio and TV productions.

When the station was converted into Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) in February 1980, the total number of musicians was increased to 31.  With those numbers, they could be divided to form two or three groups of smaller orchestras to meet the needs of the rapid bookings of the radio and television services of SBC.  Should the need arise, these musicians could be pooled together to perform as a concert orchestra.



Gus Steyn (left) with fellow musicians taken in Radio Auditorium of Broadcasting House.

 In 1980, SBC played host to the visiting Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Orchestra which performed successfully in Singapore.  In April 1981, the RTS Orchsestra paid a reciprocal performance in Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur under the title of "Puspasara" featuring the full RTS Orchestra in Concert. 

According to the Puspasara programme, which was distributed to the audiences then, there were 31 musicians featured.  It was divided into 4 different sections, strings, brass, woodwinds and rhythm & percussion. 

                Chinese TV Variety Programme featuring Miss S.K. Poon at the new TV Singapura Studio.

The SBC Orchestra then featured the following musicians: Strings: (1st Violins) - Wong Eit Sun, Braulio Bacsafra Jr, Chow Kum Leng & Quek Peng Hoon, (2nd Violin) Adams Lin Jui Fang, Yeo Teow Meng, Leslie Lim Wave Houng & Tan Kok Hwa, (Viola) - Julai Tan & Ng Boon Eng, (Cello) - Tham Chaik Kong & Patricia Wei. Brass: (1st Trumpet) - Jimmy Fong Pak Lee, (2nd Trumpet) Olimpio Galaura, (3rd Trumpet) Lit Woon Cheong, (1st Trombone) - David Chen Chao Hor, (2nd Trombone) - Tonni Wei Shi Ren, (3rd Trombone) - Louis Castillo.




RTM/SBC joined production of TV variety programme which took place at Angkasapuri, KL, Malaysia.

Woodwinds: (1st Alto) Reynaldo Lachica, (2nd Alto) Celso Lachica, (1st Tenor) - John Lee Boon Eng, (2nd Tenor) -  Leonard St John Fernandez, (Baritone) - Valetine Ortega. Piano & Synthesizer -  (Organ) - Terrence Cyril de Souza.  (Guitar) - Danny Lim Ai Koon, (Drums) - Louis Soliano, Piano & Synthesizer -  Charles Godfrey Lazaroo, (Bass Guitar) -  Winston Malvern Filmer, (Percussion) - Tan Chin Boo. 

(Leader and Conductor) -  Ahmad Jaafar and (Deputy Leader) - Rufino Varella Soliano. The stage production was by Mr. Vernon Palmer and the stage management by Mr. Steven Lee with Miss Mini Fok Wei Ya as the compere. Orchestrations by: Ahmad Jaafar, Iskandar Ismail, Charles Lazaroo, John Lee and Sam Gan.



National competition  - Asia Broadcasting Union (ABU) Popular Song Contest at Studio 5, TV Singapore.

 Mr. Ahmad Jaafar was honoured with the Pingat Pentadbiran Awan (The Public Administration Medal) award in 1969 and the Cultural Medallion in 1981 for his contribution to music to Singapore.  He retired in 1982 and passed away in 2009.

Rufino Soliano took over the leadership of the orchestra from 1983 till he retired in 1994.

In Jan 1987, Christopher Dainel, a graduate of Boston's Berklee College of Music was appointed as the new Director of the Orchestra.  By the early 1990s, the Radio Singapore Orchestra was disbanded.

If members of the Orchestra and their families are reading this article please write in. Let us know!

Images and article by Mun Chor Seng: Copyrights Reserved.