Chronology of Major Events

Pre-establishment of the Society

Jun- Aug 1992 Mr Li Lie Gang, the founder of Glorious Music Studio, spearheaded the first National Children’s Mandarin Songs Singing Competition, jointly with the Lions Club of Singapore Oriental, and Citizen’s Consultation Committee of Jurong. The competition was a big success and attracted the coverage of Lianhe Zaobao and the Straits Times.
5 Nov 1992Mr Li Lie Gang initiated and organized the concert entitled “Melody in Harmony” showcasing the talents of winners of the Children’s Mandarin Songs Singing Competition at the Auditorium of RELC.    

The Founding of the Society

Jan 1993     Mr Li initiated the establishment of Hua Xia Philharmonic Society, together with 14 other members from the choral groups under his charge, including musicians, writers, and businessmen and women who are music lovers. Dr Ho Kah Leong, then the Parliamentary Secretary of Singapore, and Prof Kuo Chen-Yu Eddie, then the Dean of The School of Mass Communication, NTU, served as the advisors.      
Jan 1993    The Society was officially registered with ROS on 9 Jan 1994.

Major Activities

8 Feb 1994  The Society held a grand opening ceremony cum concert at the Oriental Hotel. Mr Pan Shou, renowned Singapore choreographer and poet, was also invited to be one of the advisors. 
21 Mar 1994Organized the concert entitled “An Evening of Poems and Songs” (宋词今曲欣赏会). It was an event combining calligraphy, singing and recitation.
Venue: DBS Auditorium.
15 Aug 1994Organized the concert entitled “Voices of Angels” (天使之音) showcasing the talents  of  Hua Xin Children’s Choir, Taipei, Taiwan.
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall.  
28 Dec 1994  Organized “Joann Huang In Concert – A Night of Poems and Romance” (浪漫诗情之夜). 
Venue: Victoria Concert Hall.

26 Feb 1995     		Presented the concert entitled “A Rendezvous with Tang Poetry“ (唐诗新韵).  The event was a combination of recitation and singing with lyrics printed in the programme.
Venue: The Victoria Concert Hall.
Apr – July 1996Launched and organized the National Children’s Wholesome Songs Composition Contest.  The event was completed jointly with Lianhe Zaobao and Mediacorp Capital 958 城市频道.
27 July 1996  The final contest was held at the Auditorium of Singapore Press Centre. The event also included a public talk by Mr Yan Liang Kun (严良坤先生), a renowned Chinese musician and great conductor from China. He was the chief judge of the contest.
Apr – July 1997Launched and organized the 2nd National Children’s Mandarin Songs Singing Competition, jointly with Lianhe Zaobao and Lianhe Wanbao.
20 July 1997Presented concert showcasing the finalists of the singing competition. The concert entitled “Songs of Angels” (天使知音演唱会) was held at the Auditorium of DBS.
July 1998   Compiled and published the book recording the music scores of all the winners of the  national children’s wholesome songs composition contest and production of a CD of  these new songs.
15 Nov 1998Initiated and organized the first series of public forum entitled “Music and Life” (音乐与人生)讲座,  jointly with Lianhe  Zaobao.  The three speakers were: Mr Jin Xiang, renowned Chinese composer (中国资深作曲家金湘) , Prof Xi Mu De, veteran vocal music specialist cum educationalist from Taiwan (台湾声乐教育家席慕德), and well-known concert pianist Prof  Yu  Jun Yu (新加坡著名音乐家郁君眙).  Chairman of the event: President Li Lie Gang.
Venue: Auditorium of Singapore Press Holdings.
26 Sept 1999  Invited well-known artists and cultural medallion recipients Mr Kuo Bao Kun  (郭宝崑)  and  Ms Goh Lay Kuan  (吴丽娟）
to give a talk on the couple’s tireless journey of search in arts. The title of the talk in Mandarin was: 追寻艺术的心路历程- 谈艺术游戏. 
Venue: The Boardroom of the Pine Gove Club.
2 Jan 2000Organized the 2nd public forum on “Music and Life”, jointly with Lianhe Zaobao. The three speakers were: Vocalist Mr Liu Ke Qing (刘克清） from Germany. Mr Wu Long  (吴龙), concert pianist from Boston, and Mr Choo Thiam Siew (朱添寿), Executive Director NAC of Singapore. The event was chaired by Mr Li Lie Gang, president of Hua Xia Philharmonic Society.
Venue: Auditorium, Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
3 Jan 2000   Organized the concert entitled “Sing to the New Century” (世纪之歌
) and presented by the three renowned vocalists: Mdm Hu Xiao Ping (胡晓平) from Canada, Mr Liu Ke Qing (刘克清) from Germany, and Mr Li Lie Gang (黎列刚) from Singapore.
Venue: Victoria Concert Hall.
26–28 May 2001Produced and organized the stage performance of an original Mandarin musical entitled 【Serenade】(歌中情–原创华语音乐剧
). The musical was a big success and was commended by local critics as “A pioneer in the production of Mandarin musicals in Singapore”. Mr Li assumed multitasks by being the producer, music director, composer, and the main male role. A total of 26 original songs were composed by Mr Li. The project was spearheaded by the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society jointly with the New Horizon Music Society. Two other organizations also assisted the completion of the project via participation in fund raising dinner concert in Feb 2001.
Venue: Kallang Theatre for 3 nights
23 Mar 2002  Organized concert entitled: My Heart’s Desire (心愿) . The concert was presented by Ms Dong Ming Xia，soprano (女高音董明霞) , Mr Zhang Jiang Lu，base/baritone (男中低音张建鲁) from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and Singapore tenor Mr Li Lie Gang and Singapore soprano Stella Zhou, together with choral members from the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society and those from New Horizon Music Society.  
Venue: VCH.  
24 Mar 2002 Organized the 3rd forum on “Music and Life”, focusing on the production of musicals. The three speakers were: Dr Zhang Guo Yong, Head of Shanghai Opera House (上海歌剧院院长张国勇博士
),  Mr Yu Wei Jie, Head of the Drama Department, NAFA (南洋艺术学院戏剧系系主任俞为杰) and Mr Li Lie Gang, president of Hua Xia Philharmonic Society (华夏知音协会会长黎列刚).  Chairperson: Mrs Kuo Effie Lo (罗伊菲).
26 Nov 2002Spearheaded and organized the charity concert entitled “Light of Life” (爱的光芒) . There were 100 plus choral members taking part in the concert to raise fund for Singapore Home Foundation.
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall.    
2003(No major activities were carried out during 2003 owing to SARS pandemic)
28 Mar 2004Presented the concert entitled “Splendor is the Starry Night” (星光灿烂).
Venue: Theatre, Raffles Hotel.
19 Feb 2005  Public talk on vocal music by Mr Li Lie Gang.
Venue: Auditorium, the Nanyang Girls School 
26 Feb 2006Organized a grand talent show of several outstanding members in the area of short film production, writing and singing.   
Venue: Board room of Garden Hotel    
The following projects were accomplished jointly with the New Horizon Music Society
25 July 2004  Organized the concert entitled ”Night and Day” (日月之恋) highlighting the splendor voices of American soprano Ms Blythe Merrifield and Singapore tenor Mr Li Lie Gang accompanied by concert pianist Ms Ma Si Hong from Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
04 Sept 2005 Organized concert entitled “Magic of Emerald” (神奇的绿宝石
) and presented songs from Chinese musicals and movies by a total of nearly 100 choral members.
Venue: VCH
04 Mar 2007   Organized the concert entitled “Let’s Celebrate Spring in Splendid Voices” (声乐璀璨迎新春) showcasing the talents of 12 outstanding vocalists in Singapore.
Venue: VCH    
04 May 2007Organized the concert entitled “I Have a Dream” (我有一个梦),  presented by 5 choral groups including children’s choir and youth choir under the directorship of Mr Li Lie Gang. The repertoire included many songs from Western musicals such as “Mama Mia”, “Phantom of Opera”, “les Meserables’, “Lion King” etc.
Venue: VCH
06 Apr 2008   Organized the concert entitled “In the Field of Hope” (在希望的田野上). The concert was presented by Ms An Jin Yu and Mr Wang Zhen, two vocalists from Xian Conservatory of  Music, and Mr Li Lie Gang.  Venue: VCH 
30 July 2008  Organized the concert entitled “One Song, One Dream” (同一首歌
), inviting 12 vocalists and Shiyan Choir to deliver songs in celebration of Singapore’s National Day, Singapore’s success biding to host the World Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and the opening of 2008 Olympic Games in August in Beijing .
Venue: VCH
25 Apr 2009Organized the concert entitled “Love as the Azure Sky” (爱如蓝天).  The concert was presented by three vocalists i.e. Ms Hang Ying, soprano, Mr Li Lie Gang, tenor and Mr Yin Zuo Fa, tenor, accompanied by the renowned concert pianist Mr Ong Iip Tat. Venue: VCH 
22 Apr 2011Organized the concert entitled “The Crescent Moon” (弯弯的月亮).   The concert was presented by three choral groups under the directorship of Mr Li Lie Gang.
Venue: Li Foundation Theatre, NAFA
02 July 2011 Shiyan Choir, under the charge of Hua Xia Philharmonic Society won the Gold Medal at the 3rd Singapore International Chinese Choral Festival.
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall  
10 Sep 2011 Organized the concert entitled “Splendor is the Harmony” (美妙的和谐). The concert was presented by 9 vocalists and three choral groups.
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall
06 Oct 2012   Organized the concert entitled “A Fishing Village Far Away” (遥远的小渔村).  The concert was presented by Ms Yang Li Xia, young soprano from Yun Nan, China, and Singapore tenor Mr Li Lie Gang, together with the choral group that won the Gold Medal in 2011 and dancers from “Origin Dance Troup”, led by young choreographer Ms Hao Na.
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall
18 May 2014  Organized the concert entitled “Carnation in May – Li Lie Gang and His Students” (五月的康乃馨 – 黎列刚师生演唱会).
Venue: Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA
05 July 2015 Organized the concert entitled “Sing to Singapore with Love – Songs of Li Lie Gang” (我爱新加坡 – 黎列刚创作歌曲专场音乐会).  The event was a tribute to Singapore by new and old immigrants in celebration of SG50.
Venue: Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA
19 Aug 2015 Presented another concert entitled “Sing to Singapore with Love – Songs of Li Lie Gang” (我爱新加坡 – 黎列刚创作歌曲专场音乐会). Venue: Recital Studio, Esplanade.
17 Aug 2016  Organized the concert entitled “Music of the Night” (夜之音乐). Venue: Recital Studio, Esplanade.  
20 May 2017Invited Mr Li Dun, the renowned “God Father” of Chinese musicals to Singapore and presented public forum entitled “Stories that Sing, In conversation with trailblazing musical producer, Li Dun” (开拓新局，引领时代 – 中国音乐剧教父李盾一席谈) on the development of musicals in China. The event was held jointly with Singapore University of Social Sciences.  
Venue: Performing Arts Theatre, SIM Headquarter.
22 Aug 2017 Organized the concert entitled “On Wings of Songs” (乘着歌声的翅膀
).  The concert showcased the talents of Ms Xu Yu Ping and Ms Zhao Shi Wa, young sopranos from Shanghai and Singapore tenor Mr Li Lie Gang, together with choral members of the two societies. Venue: Recital Studio, Esplanade
19 Aug 2018Organized the concert entitled “Songs from Two Cities” (两地曲).  The concert was presented  by Mr Li Lie Gang and his students from Shanghai and Singapore. Venue: Recital Studio, Esplanade.
30 Aug 2019Organized the concert entitled “The Enchanted Night” (夜之魅力).
Venue: Theatre, China Cultural Centre, Singapore
07 Sep 2019Organized an identical concert “The Enchanted Night” (夜之魅力).
Venue: Recital Studio, Esplanade.    
15 Feb 2020Moved all activities online and started voice training of students who were members of the two music societies.
16 Jan 2021Published a book in Chinese entitled “Principles of Voice Training – Chronology of Online Voice Training Classes” (歌唱声乐慕课–线上教学记要). The book was written by Prof Li Lie Gang, president of Hua Xia Philharmonic Society and artistic director of the New Horizon Music Society. The book was launched at 16th floor of the National Library.
21 Oct 2021Launched the production of a cantata adopted from “SERENADE”, a large-scale original Mandarin musical staged in May 2001. The cantata entitled “Serenade amidst Pandemic” was trial tested at the Recital Studio, Esplanade. It is expected to be officially launched in 2024 in celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society.
25 Jun 2022The book entitled “Thirty Years Journey Down Melody Lane” (行云踏歌三十载), was published and launched officially at the 16th floor of the National Library. The book in Chinese, which recorded faithfully the achievements of the two societies, was written by Mrs Kuo Effie Lo, in her capacity as the founding president of the New Horizon Music Society and the founding secretary of the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society.
26 Jun 2022  Prof Li Lie Gang gave his 1st talk of his Public Lecture Series entitled “Li Lie Gang’s Sharing of Vocal Teaching and Stage Performance” at the Auditorium of School of Humanities and Social Sciences, NTU.  The talk was organized by the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society and the New Horizon Music Society, in collaboration with the Chinese Heritage Centre and chaired by Prof Yow Cheun Hoe, the president of the Chinese Heritage Centre.
02 Oct 2022Prof Li Lie Gang gave his 2nd talk of his Public Lecture Series entitled “Li Lie Gang’s Sharing of Vocal Teaching and Stage Performance” at the Auditorium of the Grassroots Club. The talk was also organized by the two music societies in collaboration with Chinese Heritage Centre, and chaired by Prof Yow Cheun Hoe, the president of the Chinese Heritage Centre.
26 Mar 2023Prof Li Lie Gang gave his 3rd talk of his Public Lecture Series entitled “Li Lie Gang’s Sharing of Vocal Teaching and Stage Performance” at the Auditorium of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). The lecture was chaired by Prof Kuo Chen Yu Eddie, the adviser of the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society since 1994 and Emeritus Professor, NTU. SCCC agreed to offer venue partnership with the Hua Xia Philharmonic Society for the event, which attracted full house of more than 500 audiences.  
05 Aug 2023 The President was invited by the Futsing Association for the 8th consecutive year to serve as Chief Adjudicator of the National Clan Associations Cup Karaoke Singing Competition.
07 Sept 2023  Presented “Cherish Today” — A Concert by Prof. Li Liegang and His Students.
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio.
16 Sept 2023  Organised the lecture “Walking and Life”.
Speaker: Dr Zhao Xiumin.
Venue: Xijingdu Club.
08 Oct 2023   Vice President Mrs Kuo Effie Lo held the book launch of  “Effie’s Reflections: A Fifty-Year Journey Through Life”
Venue: Observation Lounge, Level 16, National Library.
21–22 Sept 2024Staged the original Chinese musical Reviving Serenade (再现
·歌中情) over two consecutive evenings.
Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium
24 Oct 2024 Organised the “Golden Autumn Fujian Music Exchange Tour”.
Led by the President, the Huaxia Male Choir and Donghua Female Choir participated in the 150th Anniversary Commemoration of Mr Tan Kah Kee at Jimei University.
25 Oct 2024 Participated in the Masterclass “Singing Diction and Interpretation”,
conducted by Prof. Li Liegang, President of Huaxia, by invitation.
Venue: School of Music, Jimei University.
26 Oct 2024 Invited to perform in the “Your Gaze” —  China–Singapore Choral Exchange Concert in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Mr Tan Kah Kee’s birth.
The artistic exchange concert was jointly presented with the Choir of the School of Music, Jimei University and the Xiamen BellaVoce Philharmonic Chamber Choir.
03 Nov 2024Hosted the “Huaxia 30th Anniversary Celebration cum Donghua 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee Gala Evening”.
Venue: Peach Garden Restaurant, Thomson Plaza.
Dec 2024  Commemorative CD Presentation:
To mark the 30th Anniversary of Huaxia, the President presented his personal collection of three treasured CDs —”Songs of Huaxia”,  “Panis Angelicus”, and “Another Hundred Years” to all members as a commemorative gift, together with his heartfelt congratulations.
11 June 2025Organised the “Hailar, Inner Mongolia Exchange Performance”.
Led by the President, Huaxia and Donghua Choir engaged in exchange performances with the Hulunbuir Arts Theatre and local music groups.
Venue: Hailar, Inner Mongolia.
24 Aug 2025In celebration of Singapore’s 60th National Day, organised a public vocal lecture entitled “Helping You Discover the Beauty of Your Voice”.
Speaker: Professor Li Liegang (Li Tianming), President of Huaxia.
Venue: Yio Chu Kang Grassroots’ Club.
10–16 Nov 2025Organised the “Shanghai–Hangzhou Music Exchange Tour”.
11 Nov 2025 – Invited to present an exchange performance with the Shanghai Huachang Arts Ensemble. Venue: Dongming Cultural Centre, Pudong New Area, Shanghai.
12 Nov 2025 – Invited to present an exchange performance with the Hangzhou Philharmonic Choir. Venue: Xizi Concert Hall, Hangzhou.
29 Nov 2025Invited to participate in the overseas Chinese joint singing project “Deep Affection, Lasting Friendship”, organised by the Shanghai Xiangyu Public Welfare Foundation and co-organised by the Shanghai Huachang Arts Exchange Centre, in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the passing of Premier Zhou Enlai.
A video recording of the song “Deep Affection, Lasting Friendship” was produced.