Dear fellow musicians, vocalists and friends of PESSOC,

It has been some 10 months since the new Management Board and I were appointed to helm PESSOC and to re-structure it. Those few months have been very challenging for the Board members and me. As we pursue our task of re-structuring PESSOC into a more organized and effective organization, we encountered several criticisms, most of which were based on misconceptions and misguided sentiments. But at the same time, we received many words of encouragement from many musicians and friends of PESSOC and these have strengthened our resolve to pursue our task and mission.

The Management Board has appointed a new Concert Conductor, our very own Penang talent, Mr. Woon Wen Kin and a new Choir Conductor, Mr. Martin Rutherford.

To many musicians in Malaysia , Mr. Woon is a household name and his passion for music is irrefutable. Mr. Woon started his professional career as a concert conductor some 30 odd years ago. He and his musicians performed many concerts in many places such as in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing and at the Jeju International Festival, Korea, to name a few. Since his appointment as the Music Conductor for PESSOC early this year, Mr. Woon has attracted an assemble of young and talented musicians and PESSOC now has 80 musicians and we hope to see this number grow.

Mr. Martin Rutherford began his teaching career in 1962 in England . In 1967, he became Director of Music at the George Heriot's School, Edinburgh, and in 1981, the Melbourne Grammar School . He has directed orchestras which performed within Australia and overseas. Martin has always maintained a strong interest in choral work and has directed works like Messiah (Handle), Gloria (Vivaldi), to name a few. He is also a composer. At this point, Martin and his wife are under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program. The choir under him is 60 strong in number.

From the word go, Mr. Woon and Mr. Martin begun their preparation and rehearsal. PESSOC had a small concert-cum-choir in February in conjunction with the Penang Chinese New Year festival at the famous Khoo Kongsi. PESSOC did not stop there.

It is with great pleasure that I wish to announce that PESSOC is staging 2 major performances in the next 4 weeks. The first major performance is the Inaugural Concert of Mr. Woon Wen Kin on the 29 th of May at the Penang Town Hall . PESSOC is very fortunate to be able to secure the use of the Penang Town Hall and hopes to revive the Penang Town Hall its original stature and prestige. PESSOC wish to express its thanks to MPPP and the State Government for their cooperation in this.

This concert is on an invitation basis. I, on behalf of the Management Board of PESSOC would like to invite you musicians, vocalists and friends of PESSOC to this concert and the complimentary tickets are limited. Interested applicants are requested to contact Ms. Khor at this number 04-2622462 before 27 th of May, and it is on a “first come first serve” basis.

The second forthcoming major performance is by PESSOC choir group led by Mr. Martin Rutherford. The concert will be on the 3 rd and 4 th of July at the WOU Senate Hall.

PESSOC has also planned for more concerts and performances from now till the end of the year. PESSOC will be participating in the exciting jazz festival in Penang to be held on the 1 st week of Dec at a venue to be announced later.

I am equally proud to announce that PESSOC has embarked on a collaborative project with the famed Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Discussions have started and we are targeting October/November to present this project. We are also collaborating with MPO to give Master classes for our musicians from time to time.

Besides the concerts and performances, the Management Board of PESSOC has also begun to contact and approach various governmental bodies and private sectors for sponsorship. The Management Board has decided to draft a Charter for PESSOC to codify the vision and mission of PESSOC and the Charter, once ready, will be publicized.

I am looking forward to your continued support to promote and develop PESSOC to greater heights and achievements.

Thank you.

Irene Yeap

The Chairperson