Seremban-based Arioso Sinfonia was formally established in 2011, and has gained a reputation as one of Malaysia’s leading youth chamber orchestras. The group – under the guidance of Angel Lee and Jonathan Oh Ban Hin – has a repertoire ranging from classical to pop, which provides the students with the versatility needed in today’s world of music.
The group’s motto – teamwork – is the key to its every successful endeavour. Members of the orchestra who have benefited from this experience have been selected to participate in prominent youth orchestras, such as the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO), as well as the Southeast Asian Youth Chamber Orchestra (SEAYCO) in Thailand.
Past orchestral engagements included performances for Miss Malaysia Universe, MASif World Children’s Day, World Parkinson’s Day, Prestige Magazine’s 10th Anniversary, Thermik’s 20th Anniversary, The Curve’s New Year Concert, the World United Nations Day 67th Anniversary Celebration, and a private concert in 2013 dedicated to DYMM Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir on the occasion of the 65th Birthday of His Royal Highness.
Two of the most prominent performances held were the Aritisans United Charity Benefit Concert held at Seri Pacific Kuala Lumpur, and a charity concert themed “Cultivate Hope Charity Concert”, which raised funds for the Malaysian National Movement Disorder Society. The latter was a full concert held in conjunction with the JB Arts Festival, and featured a collaboration alongside Malaysia’s top pianist Loo Bang Hean.
Over the years, Arioso Sinfonia has performed for numerous dignitaries, including the Austrian and French Ambassadors to Malaysia. In 2014, the ensemble was specially invited to perform at the Residence of the French Embassy in honour of the French National Day Celebration.
For both 2012 and 2013, Arioso Sinfonia bagged First Prize in the Chamber Ensemble Category at the “Malaysian Youth Music Festival”, held at the JW Marriott Putrajaya. Members of the orchestra also won several other prizes at the competition, including thirteen (13) first prizes, seven (7) second prizes and four (4) third prizes.
Arioso Sinfonia was invited as the Ensemble-In-Residence for the Euroasia Youth Music Festival for both 2013 and 2014, where the members had the opportunity to work with conductor Dante Milozzi, as well as to perform alongside renowned French musicians such as cellists Valerie Aimard and Florent Audibert, violinists Saskia Lethiec, Amaury Coeytaux and Maud Lovett, and pianist Frederic Lagarde.
The year 2014 was an especially momentous year for Arioso Sinfonia. In August, the ensemble was one of four finalists selected across Asia for the prestigious HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana International Ensemble Competition in Bangkok, Thailand, eventually emerging as the Second Prize Winner. In September, Arioso Sinfonia performed for the “Baroque Treasures” in conjunction with the JB Arts Festival, featuring Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” as well as another collaboration with pianist Loo Bang Hean. In November, the ensemble embarked on a three-city concert tour of Italy under the baton of Maestro Dante Milozzi, for which it received acclaim and ovations. Arioso ended the year on a high note when it won the 125th Year Ensemble Competition Peninsula Malaysia of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) for the Advanced Category (String Ensemble).
Arioso Sinfonia is proud to be affiliated with the Euroasia Association of Performing Arts.