In a heartwarming collaboration, the Singapore University of Social Sciences Music Interest Group’s (SUSS MIG) Philharmonic and Jammers worked with Jurong Health Campus for their Music-on-the-Move programme. This initiative aims to bring comfort and joy to patients through live music performances, highlighting SUSS’s commitment to community engagement and well-being.
The event on 17 October 2024 saw nine enthusiastic performers from SUSS engaging with 19 patients, hospital staff and volunteers. The vibrant atmosphere created by the live music and the audience’s participation was infectious, with the latter singing and engaging with the music by shaking and tapping small percussion instruments.
Philharmonic members and MIG staff mentor Jave interacting with the patients and handing out percussion instruments before the performance.
The theme of the performance was “Oldies”, comprising of hits from the ‘50s to ‘70s, such as “The Moon Represents my Heart (月亮代表我的心)” and “Fly Me to the Moon”. The performers also played familiar local tunes like “Singapura, Sunny Island” and “Rasa Sayang”. One particularly touching moment during the performance was when a patient teared up and exclaimed that she used to listen to these songs as a child.
MIG Philharmonic in-charge and final-year English Language and Literature student Cheryl Loo shared her experience: “I loved the cosy setting with the audience seated close to the stage. All the audience were responsive to us, even though some were a bit shy, and I’m thankful that they all came to watch the performance with open hearts. Likewise, this being my first time performing at a hospital, I came in not knowing what to expect, but I left with my heart full. It was a wholesome and fun experience; I hope we’ll have many more such performances to come!”
The JCH patients enjoy an evening filled with nostalgic music performed by the MIG Philharmonic.
“Planning this concert was a breeze, thanks to the incredible support and seamless communication from the organiser, Naseema. Our members were also eager to perform and even took on roles like emceeing with great energy and passion,” said Soh Shu Jian, Vice-Chairperson of MIG and Year 2 Bachelor of Translation and Interpretation student. “A special shoutout to our staff mentor, Jave, who gamely accepted our invitation to sing Wa Meng Ti (我问天) on stage.
“Bringing joy to the patients and brightening their evening made this experience truly rewarding for all of us.”
MIG’s staff mentor, Jave, sings to the patients with MIG Jammers.
Volunteer Coordinator Naseema expressed her appreciation to the performers. “Thank you to you and all your talented and cheerful friends from MIG for organising a concert for our patients at JCH. It was a hit as we witnessed patients with big smiles singing along, swaying and shaking their instruments to the beat. We are grateful for your gift of time and for sharing your passion for music with us.”
This inaugural partnership between SUSS and JCH marks a significant step towards fostering a supportive community. The Music-on-the-Move programme enriched the lives of the patients and performers and strengthened the bonds between SUSS and the wider community.
Want to learn more about SUSS MIG? Follow their Instagram @sussmig! You can also catch SUSS MIG at their annual year-end concert, Coda 2024, on 14 December 2024.