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Musicale 2025: Celebrating 45 Years of Music, Passion & Legacy

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Cristofori Music School celebrated its 45th Anniversary in grand style with Musicale 2025, a spectacular showcase of music and artistry that brought together students, teachers, alumni, and families in a heartfelt evening of performances and memories. Held on 8 November 2025, the concert captured everything Cristofori stands for — creativity, excellence, and the joy of making music together.

A Journey from Humble Beginnings

Founded in 1980, Cristofori began with a single dream — to make quality instruments and music education accessible to every home in Singapore. From one small piano store, we have grown into the nation’s largest music school network, having taught over one million students and delivered more than 60,000 pianos to homes across the island. This incredible journey has been guided by one enduring belief: music is for everyone.

A Celebration of Music and Community

Musicale 2025 was not just a concert, but a living tribute to 45 years of passion and progress. The programme unfolded in themed acts that traced the school’s musical story.

Act I – The Legacy Begins opened with Bach’s Air on the G String, performed by this year’s CMS String Ensemble led by Teacher Erwin Sudarmanto setting a tone of elegance and reflection. This was followed by childhood favorites of many generations, including works by Joe Hisaishi for Studio Ghibli, reminding us of the timeless foundations upon which Cristofori was built.

 

Act II – Piano Energy & Healing showcased the piano at the heart of our identity. From the poetic lyricism of Weissenberg’s En Avril, à Paris to Liszt’s dazzling Tarantella, performed respectively by pround Cristofori Alumni Carmen Wee, and William Wei respectively. Each performer displayed both technical brilliance and expressive artistry. Anime-inspired pieces by Animenz added a modern touch, connecting classical training with contemporary creativity.

Act III – Rhythm & Power lifted the energy with percussion and ensemble performances that filled the hall with vitality. From K-Pop Demin Hunter’s Golden to Strauss’ Radetzky March that featured the audience as part of the performance, Beeethoven’s Romance No.1 in G major, and Celebration by Kool & The Gang, the spirit of joy was unmistakable — a reflection of the community that music builds.

The concert concluded with Act IV – A Grand Celebration of Passion, bringing together a full cast of young musicians and vocalists for show-stopping numbers such as Divas Medley of songs from Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish, Yellow, and The Greatest Show. The finale embodied the unity and confidence of a generation raised on Cristofori’s belief in the transformative power of music.

 

Honouring Our Legacy and Looking Ahead

A highlight of the evening was the return of distinguished alumni Carmen Wee and William Wei, whose performances and reflections reminded everyone how far a Cristofori education can carry a dream. Their journeys stand as a testament to our mission — to nurture not only skill, but also artistry, character, and lifelong passion.

As Cristofori moves beyond its 45th year, we remain committed to inspiring future generations through music learning, innovation, and community collaboration. From classroom lessons to concert stages, our mission continues: to bring music into every home and every heart.

A Heartfelt Thank-You

To our dedicated teachers, talented students, and supportive parents — thank you for being part of this extraordinary milestone. Musicale 2025 was not just another school concert, but a celebration of who we are, what we’ve achieved, and what we continue to strive for together.

🎉 Here’s to 45 years of music, passion, and legacy — and to many more years of inspiring generations to come.

Catch more photos from Musicale 2025 on our Facebook page!

 

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A Celebration of Music and Friendship: William Wei at the Singapore–China Gala Symphony Concert

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26 October 2025 – The Singapore–China Gala Symphony Concert at Esplanade Concert Hall was an evening that celebrated the power of music to bridge cultures. The programme brought together the Shanghai Nine Trees Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the distinguished Tang Muhai, one of China’s most respected conductors whose illustrious career has spanned leading orchestras in Europe, America, and Asia. Renowned for his expressive musicianship and deep understanding of both Eastern and Western repertoires, Tang brought poise, authority, and unity to the evening’s cross-cultural programme.

A celebration of cultural harmony: William Wei with conductor Tang Muhai (second row, fourth and fifth from left), members of the Straits Ensemble (front row), the talented musicians of the orchestra, and some of the dedicated supporters who made this concert possible.

The concert opened with Felix Phang’s Pasat Merdu, performed by the Shanghai Nine Trees Philharmonic Orchestra together with the Straits Ensemble. Featuring ethnic percussion and local instrumental colours, the work painted a vivid sonic portrait of Southeast Asia — alive with rhythm, texture, and community spirit. The collaboration between the orchestra and ensemble created a sonically rich dialogue between traditions, setting a fitting tone for a night devoted to cultural harmony.

One of the concert’s emotional highlights was The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto, a timeless fusion of Chinese melody and Western symphonic form. Soloists Zhu Lin (erhu, Singapore Chinese Orchestra) and Kong Zhao Hui (violin, Singapore Symphony Orchestra) delivered deeply expressive performances, intertwining their instruments in lyrical conversation. Their nuanced phrasing and heartfelt storytelling brought this enduring love story vividly to life.

William Wei with conductor Tang Muhai, and the Shanghai Nine Trees Philharmonic Orchestra.

The evening also featured the international premiere of Danny Dong’s Dreaming of Fengpu, a four-part orchestral work inspired by the true story of the residents of Fengpu who joined hands to raise funds to build a bridge for their community. The piece traced this narrative of unity and perseverance through lyrical themes and vibrant orchestral colour, capturing both the spirit of a place and the collective strength of its people.

Singaporean pianist William Wei then took the stage for a stirring performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, performed on the C. Bechstein D282 concert grand piano. Making his homecoming concerto debut, William, a proud alumnus of Cristofori Music Singapore, played with elegance and depth, balancing Chopin’s youthful passion with moments of tenderness and reflection. His artistry and composure marked not only his growth as a musician — from a three-year-old in Cristofori Funan’s children’s group music class to an artist on the international stage — but also embodies a living bridge of friendship between Singapore and China.

The concert concluded with a delightful encore medley of beloved classical favourites “Hooked on Classics”, sending the audience home uplifted and inspired.

Taking a bow – from left: violin soloist Kong Zhao Hui, pianist Ge Xiaozhe who played with the ensemble for the first half of the program, erhu soloist Zhu Lin, William Wei, and conductor Tang Muhai.

More than a night of beautiful music, the Singapore–China Gala Symphony Concert stood as a celebration of shared artistry and cultural friendship. For us, seeing one of our own — William Wei — shine alongside musicians from across the region made this occasion especially meaningful, marking not just a milestone in his journey but a moment of harmony between nations.

Be sure to follow Bechstein Music World on Facebook and Instagram as well as True Music Singapore for the latest updates on more upcoming concerts and other events for 2025 and 2026!

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