9th National Day Sing-along
文：欧雅丽（本刊记者）
To celebrate the 50th birthday of our nation, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) jointly organised the “9th National Day Sing-along” on 1st August 2015 at Toa Payoh HDB Hub. The evening concert attracted more than a thousand general public, singing together the National day songs and local folk songs that encapsulate our collective memories and heart-felt emotions. They were pouring out their very best wishes for Singapore.
The audience gave a warm welcome for the arrival of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Communications and Information, Mr Lawrence Wong. He was accompanied by President of SFCCA, Mr Chua Thian Poh and Secretary-General Mr Lee Kwok Kie. They were singing together a local specialty “Kopi-O” as they marched in. The whole assembly stood up for the National Anthem and the Pledge thereafter.
As in past years, the famous TCR Music Station provided the orchestra and chorus for this annual gathering. The masters-of-ceremony were well-known broadcast personalities: Wendy Xiao Ying, Gan Yeok Thiam and Leelian Chua. The combined school choir from Kheng Cheng School and Whitley Secondary School led the mass singing session. The Ukulele Troupes from YiShun South and Punggol West Community Clubs presented “Where are you my love” (爱的你呀何处寻), “Friends”(朋友) and etc.
Throughout the night, singing in a seemingly unending stretch were various ethnic songs like the Malay “Di Tanjung Katong” and Indian “Munnaeru Vaalibaa”， Hokkien “Bang Chhun Hong”（望春风）and “I ask the heaven” （我问天）, Cantonese “From the heart of a loafer” （浪子心声）and “Friends”（朋友）.
The three MCs energised the audience relentlessly. The thousand over mass totally immersed into the remarkable atmosphere. Their passion attracted many passers-by who stopped and joined in the chorus. As the night drew to a close, the lovely patriotic song “Home” brought the 9th National Day Sing-along to a grand finale.
