Hearts Symphony Society orchestra performing at the Wesak Day celebration. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
BEING a part of a charity-oriented music troupe has allowed Tanzanian student Jesse Said Khatibu to reignite his interest in playing violin as well as interact with people of all ages and backgrounds.
He was part of an orchestra called Hearts Symphony Society that performed at the state-level Wesak Day celebration held at Bodhi Park and Samadhi Vihara, which are two adjacent temples in Section U12, Shah Alam in Selangor.
The mechanical engineering diploma student from Segi College, Subang Jaya, joined the music society founded by Wong Siew Ngan after signing up for private lessons with her.
Siew Ngan also teaches music at the college.
“I learned to play the violin for about a year when I was young.
“I connected with Wong through a fellow student and convinced her to teach me music and violin.
“She’s not only a great (music) teacher, she also teaches me about life,” said Khatibu, 20.
He said Hearts Symphony Society gave him the opportunity to do charity work and interact with people from all walks of life.
Selangor tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian was the guest of honour at the celebration.
He was representing Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who was away leading an investment mission in the United States.
Also present at the Wesak event were Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Buddhist Association Malaysia chairman Venerable Ming Ji, Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia general adviser Venerable Bhante Mahinda, Malaysia’s Buddhist chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Selangor speaker Ng Suee Lim, Yayasan Belia Buddhist Malaysia chairman Datuk Ang Choo Hong and Selangor Economic Planning Unit’s local authority section deputy director Mohd Sha’walludin Aziz.
The celebration included cultural performances and a bazaar featuring crafts and vegetarian food.
There was also an exhibition of Buddhist-themed stamps.
Selangor government, through its special committee for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (Limas), has been involved in the organising of the annual Buddhist festival since 2009.
Hearts Symphony Society Orchestra performed two songs –Gelang Si Paku Gelang and Jambatan Tamparuli – using a mix of local music instruments such as angklung and traditional percussion along with regular orchestral instruments such as violin and viola.
“We started with only orchestral instruments, then discovered a variety of local musical instruments and incorporated them into our performances,” said Siew Ngan.
“We write our own music arrangements so we can feature both orchestral and traditional musical instruments.”
She said the society based in Puchong comprised musicians of different ages and backgrounds.
Performers range from young children to grandparents, and include refugees and children from marginalised communities.
“We offer free music lessons and channel donated instruments to orphans, refugees and children from marginalised communities,” said Siew Ngan.
“We believe in offering them an opportunity to learn music.
“We often play at charity events and shows that allow us to raise funds for our orchestra.”
She said the orchestra performed a wide repertoire of songs to reflect the diversity of its members, including songs from the South-East Asian region.
Among those who performed at the event were siblings Lim Zi Shian, Lim Jinnie and Lim Jin En and their mother, Wong Siew Wan.
They played violins, cello or provided vocal accompaniments.
Zi Shian said, “Music helped me get through a difficult period when I was 12 years old.
“It changed my life and is a platform for me to express my inner feelings.
“Being part of Hearts Symphony Society taught me how people from different communities deal with their circumstances in life.
“It has also taught me to have compassion, kindness and to be appreciative of what I have,” said the 22-year-old who plays the violin, viola and piano.
Jinnie, 20, said a music performance for children undergoing cancer treatment at a hospital had left a profound impact on her to this day.
“We played uplifting songs and it was touching to observe that they felt better after our performance.
“Music is more powerful than I thought and that is my motivation to continue playing every day,” she said.
Hearts Symphony Society orchestra performing at the Wesak Day celebration. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
(From left) Jinnie, Siew Wan, Jin En and Zi Shian are family members who perform together for Hearts Symphony Society.
Hee hitting a gong to launch the state-level Wesak Day celebration. With him are (from left) Ming Ji, Bhante Mahinda, Sri Dhammaratana, Ng and Ang.
Representatives from various Buddhist organisations and societies in Selangor performing a light offering ceremony to start the celebration.
Siew Ngan says the orchestra comprises people from different ages and backgrounds.
Hee Loy Sian (with watering can) planting a tree to commemorate the state-level celebration in Shah Alam. Beside him are Ng, Mohd Sha’walludin, Ang and Lee.
Khatibu says joining the society has given him the opportunity to do charity work.
The Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society Sinhala cultural dance troupe performing at the event.
