Our Music Directors
No orchestra can produce beautiful music without the work of a conductor who leads, inspires and nurtures. RACO is proud to present our talented conductors to you. Under the baton of these driven and passionate musicians, we share with you our music.
Cheow Xunqi
Xunqi was introduced to the Chinese Orchestra scene in 2000 when he joined the Raffles Institution Chinese Orchestra (RICO). He picked up the Erhu, and has since developed a strong passion for Chinese music and the Erhu.
In 2003, he started taking Erhu lessons under Mr. Wong Sun Tat, and obtained his Erhu Grade 7 Certificate of Distinction in 2004. In 2005, he obtained his Grade 9 Certificate of Distinction, and in 2007, his Performance Diploma Certificate. He continued his Erhu studies under the mentorship of SCO Concertmaster Mr Li Baoshun in 2008.
Always excelling in the orchestras that he participates in, Xunqi was the Vice-Chairman and student conductor of RICO, and Secretary of the Raffles Junior College Chinese Orchestra. He was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra (SYCO) members' committee in 2009 and 2010, and was the SYCO Concertmaster in 2005, 2009, and 2010. For his services rendered to SYCO, he was one of three musicians to be awarded the "Excellent Musician Award" by SYCO and MOE, in both 2009 and 2010.
Xunqi co-founded the Raffles Alumni Chinese Orchestra (RACO) in 2009. Under the tutelage of SCO Principal Conductor Mr Quek Ling Kiong, Xunqi conducted RACO in their inaugural performance in 2009. RACO has gone on to put up well-received annual concerts and has been invited to perform in venues such as the Esplanade and Gardens by the Bay on several occasions. Xunqi wishes to continue to lead the RACO project to grow from strength to strength in the years to come, as he believes a growing group of alumni will only benefit the current students.
Xunqi graduated from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in 2011, and is currently a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon at Sengkang General Hospital.
Our Former Music Directors
RACO would also like to acknowledge the contributions of our former Music Directors, some of whom still contribute to RACO in other capacities.
Edmund Yuen
Edmund’s first encounter with the cello was in primary school, when he was a member in the Catholic High School (Primary) String Ensemble. Edmund was an active participant in the Raffles Institution Chinese Orchestra and Raffles Junior College Orchestra, taking on the important roles of sectional leader and quartermaster respectively.
As a young performer, he had never missed any opportunity to participate and perform in concerts, and actively participated in external orchestras as well. In the past 13 years, he had performed in no less than 20 public performances.
As a sectional leader, Edmund held high standards for himself, often staying back during lunchtimes, or late in the night when others had headed home. His diligence and efforts were well recognised by his peers, and has led him to be one of the most respected leaders in RACO.
Over the years, Edmund immersed himself in both Western and Chinese classical music. Currently, Edmund participates in both the NUS Symphony Orchestra, as well as RACO. Not only did he manage to excel in both styles, he has also developed a unique ear for detail and musicality that is unparalleled by his peers.
As a music lover who had never received any formal music training or owned an instrument, Edmund is grateful for the guidance and opportunities given to him by seniors, schools and peers alike.