PERAK'S VERY OWN WIND ORCHESTRA

The Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra (KVWO) made its debut in Ipoh on 4 July 2010. Held at the Syuen Hotel before an audience of more than a thousand, the concert delighted both young and old with a wide musical repertoire ranging from pop to jazz to classical, infused in a charming blend of east and west.

The KVWO was made possible by its founder, Datuk K.K. Lim who had a passion for the performing arts and envisioned Perak having a philharmonic orchestra. Bringing in the well-known Eugene Pook as musical director and conductor was a logical step. Included in the orchestra were professional and amateur musicians. The months of putting together an orchestra, preparations and rehearsals paid off when the KVWO took Perak by storm with its outstanding performances.

Eugene Pook with Doreen Kam

The concert also showcased the prowess of individual performers like Joost Flach who fascinated all with his oboe recital, Philip Boey who played a haunting melody on his Gu Zheng while Foo Cheong Lin, a saxophonist, was inspiring with his flawless rendition of The way we were. Also featured were two vocalists, the elegant Estee Pook, singing in Chinese and Malay (Bukan cinta biasa and a Teresa Teng medley) and the suave Alan Low who mesmerised the audience with a Chinese number and a smooth delivery of Can’t take my eyes off you.

Alan Low with Doreen Kam

There was satisfaction all round at the end of the concert. The KVWO concert may be the first of its kind for Perak but it certainly won’t be the last.