Conserved Building
2 Bukit Pasoh Road
Applicable Guidelines
Historic District Guidelines
Conservation Area
Chinatown - Bukit Pasoh Conservation Area
Historic address: 2 Bukit Pasoh Road
Siong Leng Musical Association
About
Siong Leng Musical Association was founded in 1941 to promote and preserve traditional Nanyin and Liyuan Opera in Singapore. Nanyin is one of the oldest and best preserved ancient musical art forms in the world and has been recognised as a UNESCO intangible heritage.
The History
During the 1970s, Nanyin went into decline with the onslaught of westernisation. It was at this critical juncture that a successful businessman, Teng Mah Seng, took over the leadership of the Siong Leng Musical Association. He implemented plans to reinvent and rejuvenate Nanyin, and led the association to organise the International Nanyin Symposium in Quanzhou and Xiamen. He also organised tours to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan with the purpose of promoting the ancient art form.
The Legacy
The association is committed to keeping the ancient art form of Nanyin music alive in today's multicultural, technologically advanced Singapore. To educate the younger generation about Nanyin more effectively, the association has reached out to students through the Traditional Arts Education Scheme, publishing two textbooks on Nanyin and Liyuan Hokkien Chinese opera for use in class. Over the past few years, it has also sent specially selected young talents for training in China, raising performing standards on stage, enriching its repertoire, and establishing Siong Leng's professional standing.
At the 37th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 1983, the association won third prize in the folk solo category and fourth prize in the folk ensemble category. In 2010, the association won first prize at the same competition with a new song composed by Teng Mah Seng, entitled "Facets of Life". With these awards, the association has put Nanyin on the world map of music.
Guidelines and Procedures
All proposed works will need to comply with the Conservation Guidelines and the Specific Restoration Guidelines (SRG). Conservation Permission is required before all additions & alteration works and operations of new use can begin.
Residential Fronts are characterised by timber casement windows flanking a double-leafed timber door. All buildings with residential front which is existing and/or identified in the 'Specific Restoration Guidelines', regardless of land use zoning, shall be retained and restored.
Explore Street View
The building can be found at this street.