In this landmark year between regional neighbours, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) join in celebrating both the 10th anniversary of the Singapore–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations by extending their own cross-cultural collaboration through a renewed Memorandum of Understanding.
The announcement was made by Mr Phil Smith, Acting Deputy Secretary, Creative Economy and the Arts for the Australian Government in Adelaide on Monday 3 November at the Australia–Singapore Arts Group Cultural Leaders’ Forum 2025, convened by the Office for the Arts (Australia) (OFTA), with support from Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (Singapore).
Chief Executive Officers Richard Wigley (MSO) and Kenneth Kwok (SSO) signed the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding covering 2026–2029.
“Extending our partnership between the Singapore and Melbourne Symphonies is particularly meaningful, set against the backdrop of our countries’ continued warm diplomatic ties,” said Kwok.
“This renewal reaffirms not only the power of music in building mutual understanding and friendship, but also our shared belief in talent development. Through these collaborations, we look forward to deepening artistic exchange and contributing to the growth of the orchestral field across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Wigley welcomed the signing of the latest MOU: “The Australian government committed to fostering a meaningful relationship with Singapore at the Leader’s Forum in 2015. The first MOU between SSO and MSO was signed in 2018, and I am delighted to be here with my fellow CEO Kenneth Kwok to announce its extension until 2029.”
“This agreement marks the third MOU between our Orchestras reflects our deep commitment to ongoing collaborations grounded in the values of excellence, leadership, and renewal,” Wigley said.
“Since 2018, these strong relationships have contributed to the growth and development of the orchestral field in the Asia-Pacific region – much to the delight of Australian and Singaporean audiences”.
The MSO/SSO partnership promotes music and the arts as a platform for mutual understanding, leading to innovation and continuous growth for both organisations and their people. This includes the exchange of musicians, administrative staff, conductors, and the development of co-commissions, digital collaboration, and touring.
The 2026-2029 MOU between the two Orchestras will continue to focus on three key areas of collaboration: talent philosophy and thought leadership, professional exchange and mutual learning, and artistic and educational collaboration.
During the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21, the orchestras paired up to deliver two side-by-side virtual concerts: Songs from Home, and Musical Friendship. Returning to live performances in 2024, SSO and MSO presented a monumental joint performance of Carmina Burana conducted by MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martín at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore.
Most recently the MSO co-presented SSO's Australian debut with a sold-out tour of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
