THE Occa and Illia Show is a local production designed to raise funds for communities in need while instilling positive values in children and youths. The event, featuring a musical drama and an orchestra ensemble, will take place on October 1st at 3pm at Wisma Bentley Music in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Mustafa (left) conducting a rehearsal with the orchestra. — Photo courtesy of WONG SIEW NGAN
The Hearts Symphony Society is presenting the show with support from Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra Outreach. Wong Siew Ngan, the founder of Hearts Symphony Society, explained that the goal is to raise funds for scholarships for orchestra members and to improve the learning space in a refugee center that they collaborate with.
The scholarships have two objectives. The academic aspect aims to inspire high-achieving students to continue their education, while the leadership aspect focuses on nurturing students’ commitment to community service and sharing their skills with others. Wong hopes to collect RM50,000 through ticket sales and public donations.
The Hearts Symphony Society, based in Puchong, Selangor, is an orchestra that includes musicians of different ages and backgrounds. Their performances involve not only adults but also children, college students, and individuals from marginalized communities and refugee backgrounds. The society sets itself apart by incorporating both Western and traditional music instruments into their shows.
Wong wears many hats as the show’s composer, music arranger and scriptwriter.Some traditional instruments that they incorporate are the sompoton, angklung, kalimba, ektara, Thai xylophone, rain stick, and bird whistle. Wong expressed gratitude for the donations of musical instruments by well-wishers and former students that allow marginalized communities to participate.
The Hearts Symphony Society was initially known as Amazing Orchestra and was founded in 2009. As a non-profit organization, they exclusively perform at charity concerts to assist those in need. Moreover, their outreach programs provide music education and performance opportunities to children from marginalized communities and non-profit learning centers.
Hearts Symphony Society orchestra members demonstrating some of the traditional music instruments that will be featured in The Occa and Illia Show, including sompoton, angklung, kalimba and Thai xylophone. -SHAARI CHEMAT / THESTAR
For The Occa and Illia Show, Wong enlisted the help of her good friend, former National Symphony Orchestra Malaysia resident conductor Datuk Mustafa Fuzer Nawi, to serve as the conductor for the one-hour performance. The show involves over 100 individuals, including stage performers, orchestra members, actors, emcees, and stage crew. Some musicians also volunteer as teachers to train younger children in acting, singing, and dancing. The props for the show were created using recycled materials.
The Occa and Illia Show is a family-friendly production that tells the story of two children from another planet. After playing a prank, the children go on separate adventures where they learn important values such as compassion and kindness. The musical features young performers like Joyce Chong Jing Jing and Charis Chong Zhi Yin, who are from Rumah Charis, a home for underprivileged children and orphans. Both girls also receive music lessons at Wong’s music center as part of the society’s outreach program.
Lim, 20, is one of the orchestra members in the upcoming The Occa and Illia Show.Joyce, who will be both playing the violin and acting in the show, expressed her preference for making music as part of a group compared to performing alone. She started learning the violin at the age of five and later picked up the ukulele. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her lessons, but she resumed them last year.
Mustafa described his experience working with the Hearts Symphony Society as wonderful and beyond his imagination. He feels blessed to share his knowledge with the talented children and appreciates the opportunity to give back to society. Wong also emphasized that working on the show has been a humbling and learning process for both her and Mustafa, as they learn from the children and collaboratively tackle challenges.
For ticket purchase, visit padlet.com/siewngan/the-occa-illia-show-7pkcfw8366gtrzfk
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
