You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
Harmony for Hope
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About Us
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Visitors Information
Contact Us
Patient Care
Specialties & Services
Your Clinic Visit
Cancer Information & Patient Support
E-Services
Find a Doctor
Research & Innovation
Research Labs
Programmes
Facilities
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Overview
Professional Development
Division of Cancer Education
Events
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Sponsorship
Scholarships
Giving
Why Give
Get Involved
Your Gift at Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Our Campaign
Volunteer
Specialties & Services
Back to Home
Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre
Haematology
Medical Oncology
Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH and NCCS
Radiation Oncology
Oncologic Imaging
Supportive & Palliative Care
Comprehensive Liver Cancer Clinic
Cancer Genetics Service
Lung Multidisciplinary Clinic
Nursing
NCCS Oncology @ SKH
NCCS Oncology Clinic @ CGH
Department of Psychosocial Oncology
Cancer Education and Information
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Book an Appointment
When seeing a doctor
Pharmacy
Outpatient Pharmacy
Oncology Pharmacy
Search a medication
FAQ
Medicine
Charges & Payment
Financial Aid
Video Consultation
Rights & Responsibilities as a Patient
Cancer Information & Patient Support
Back to Home
For Patients
For Caregivers
Publications
Cancer Information Booklets
In Good Health
Inspirational Patient & Caregiver Awards
Patient Stories
E-Services
Back to Home
Make/Change/Cancel Appointment
Request for Medical Report
Health Buddy App
Find a Doctor
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About Us
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
Vision & Mission
NCCS Leadership
Annual Report
Awards
Key Milestones
Whistle-blowing Policy
Newsroom
Press Releases
Check Fake News
Visitors Information
Contact Us
Feedback Form
Patient Care
Back to Home
Specialties & Services
Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre
Haematology
Medical Oncology
Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH and NCCS
Radiation Oncology
Oncologic Imaging
Supportive & Palliative Care
Comprehensive Liver Cancer Clinic
Cancer Genetics Service
Lung Multidisciplinary Clinic
Nursing
NCCS Oncology @ SKH
NCCS Oncology Clinic @ CGH
Department of Psychosocial Oncology
Cancer Education and Information
Your Clinic Visit
Book an Appointment
When seeing a doctor
Pharmacy
Medicine
Charges & Payment
Financial Aid
Video Consultation
Rights & Responsibilities as a Patient
Cancer Information & Patient Support
For Patients
For Caregivers
Publications
Patient Stories
E-Services
Make/Change/Cancel Appointment
Request for Medical Report
Health Buddy App
Find a Doctor
Research & Innovation
Back to Home
Research Labs
Cellular & Molecular Research
Medical Sciences
Clinical Trials & Epidemiological Sciences
NCCS Research Committee & Scientific Advisory Board
Research Divisions Organisation Chart
Programmes
Disease Focus
Research Themes
Joint Breast Cancer Registry
Asia-Pacific Hepatocellular Carcinoma Trials Group
The VICTORY Consortium
Facilities
Overview
Specialised Units
Shared Facilities
Shared Services
Research Contracts and Commercialisation
Our Researchers
Division of Medical Oncology
Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH and NCCS
Division of Radiation Oncology
Division of Oncologic Imaging
Division of Supportive and Palliative Care
Cellular and Molecular Research
Division of Medical Sciences
Clinical Trials & Epidemiological Sciences
Research Biennial Book
Clinical Trials
About Clinical Trials
Current Clinical Trials
ECRU
About Clinical Trials & Epidemiological Sciences
Clinical Trials Office
Biostatistics and Epidemiology Unit
SingHealth Research
Education & Training
Back to Home
Overview
Professional Development
Continuing Medical Education
Continuing Nursing Education
Continuing Pharmacist Education
Division of Cancer Education
Undergraduate Education Unit
Postgraduate Education Unit
Nursing & Allied Health Education Unit
Faculty Development & Support Education Unit
Primary Care Oncology Education Unit
Communications, Mentoring, Ethics and Professionalism Education Unit
Medical Humanities Education Unit
Events
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Sponsorship
Career Conversion Programme
Scholarships
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
About Us
Funding Innovative Research
Preventing Cancer
Advancing Medical Education
Helping Our Patients
Furthering Donor Impact
How Your Gift Helps
Get Involved
Honouring Your Gift
Become a Corporate Donor
Leave Your Legacy
Fundraise for Us
Join a Special Event
Your Gift at Work
Stories of Hope
Researchers in Action
Support for Patients
Our Work in the Community
Training Future Experts
Be Informed
Our Publications
Financial Statements
Make a Gift
Our Campaign
Make More Survivors
Jeans For Genes
Women VS Cancer
BCAM 2023
LCAM 2023
Volunteer
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Harmony for Hope – Hitting all the right notes
Harmony for Hope – Hitting all the right notes
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
By: Alson Tan, Corporate Communications
Page Content
I remember walking out on stage for my first public performance. Full confession: I was terrified! I was no older than 6 years old and learning to play the piano –something I was forced to take up at a young age by stereotypical ‘kiasu’ Singaporean parents. The concert didn’t go exactly as planned, mistakes were made, but I survived (barely). I could have never imagined how I transitioned from that traumatic experience to walking out on stage nearly 30 years later feeling a mixture of nerves, pride and excitement.
I’ve been working at NCCS for over 4 years. During this time, I’ve unfortunately met friends in the outpatient clinics and even been on my own journey as a caregiver to my mum who was treated for cancer here. My mum passed on this year after a long and brave fight. During the last leg of her journey, some days were really dark. It’s hard to describe this state of mind and emotions to someone who hasn’t been through a similar journey. So I was incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer with the Recital of Joy music interest group. That opportunity gave me the chance to see patients, caregivers, survivors and staff members letting go of all problems and just enjoying the process of making music for a couple of hours. Their pure, innocent, unrestrained joy inspired me and helped me fall in love with music again. When the opportunity came to support the concert and perform two items, I jumped at the chance.
ATU Nurse Xiao Yulian performs a chinese dance with the ROJ Jam Band
Fast forward to the Harmony for Hope concert held on 3rd November at the National Library Drama Centre Theatre. All the performers were huddled backstage before the concert started coping with nerves in our own way. Naturally, some of the young guest performers from Bedok Green Secondary School were still recovering from being star struck by Special Guest Performer Benjamin Kheng.
What struck me most about the concert was how each item was deeply personal for the performers. It wasn’t necessarily about the talent – after all, we weren’t professionals – but the pure joy of sharing a piece of their hearts with others. The evening began with a wonderful medley of cheery songs by the Recital of Joy music interest group. These songs were personal requests from some of the members and you could see the pride at performing age-old favourites like “Stand by Me” and “Ja Jambo”.
Cayden Chang shared his personal cancer journey and an original song performance. Then it was my turn to perform as part of the band. I was greatly moved by an original song composed by Yvonne – who sang about her personal journey. It resonated with my late mother’s journey.
The multi-talented Benjamin Kheng wowed the audience with three songs in memory of his late mother who he lost to cancer when he was just 12 years old. He showcased his music talent and soulful vocals, performing acoustic covers of “What A Feeling” from the movie Flashdance and “Can’t Stop The Feeling”. He ended with an exclusive sneak preview performance of his latest single “Wicked”.
The ROJ Jam Band consisting of (clockwise from top left): Steven Ong on Acoustic Guitar, myself on Bass Guitar, Steven John on Percussion, Dr Larry Francis Hilarian on Electric Guitar, Priscilla Fok on Violin and Joy Khau on Keyboards.
Not to be outdone, I trotted out with the plucky NCCS staff band to perform a medley of Mandarin, Malay and English songs. We ended the performance with NCCS’ Medical Director leading “Fight Song”, to send an encouraging message to patients and caregivers to fight on.
From L-R: Steven and I from NCCS, accompanied by vocal percussionist Gerald Lee
I felt pride walking out on stage. This journey made me rediscover how music can be such a balm for the soul – something that I can’t thank the recital of joy music interest group enough for. This wonderful group is filled with encouragement, laughter and inspiration and I’m grateful to be one of them. Until the next concert!
==============
NCCS would like to thank the following partners and sponsors for their support for Harmony for Hope 2019.
Harmony for Hope was organised by National Cancer Centre Singapore and Supported by Music Solutions.
Organising Committee
Music Directors:
Joy Khau and Derrick Kam
Ukelele Trainer:
Joy Khau
Vocal Coach:
Derrick Kam
Stage Manager:
Mabel Leong
Music Interest Group Facilitators: Flora Yong, Ng Yong Hao and Angie Liu
Official Caterer:
Delihub Catering
Official Makeup:
Makeup Course Singapore
Official Printer:
Naili Print Media Pte Ltd
Emcee:
Karen Lim
Dancer:
Xiao Yulian
Special Guests:
Benjamin Kheng
Cayden Chang
Accord
Vox Brilliance
Special Thanks to
Bedok Green Secondary School
Dr Larry Francis Hilarian
Impact Audio Visual Services Ltd
Julie’s Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.
MOMA Marketing Pte Ltd
Music Solutions
Neo Garden Group
Priscilla Fok
Qingo Singapore
Recital of Joy Music Interest Group
Selfiprint Singapore Pte Ltd
Tokunaga Isa
Volunteers and helpers
1/17/2020 2:31 PM
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Condition & Treatment
Home
Appointment
E-services