Age no barrier for these musical seniors and their melody journey
In a world where age is often seen as a barrier to new endeavours, two seasoned souls are defying stereotypes and embracing their passion for music with unyielding fervour. Meet Chin San Sooi and Lam Siu Chong, the dynamic duo behind ProMuzika, a budding music company aimed at enriching Malaysia’s cultural tapestry with original operas, musicals and more.

Chin and Lam, both distinguished seniors, share a lifelong love affair with music that has only grown stronger with time. Their journey, though perhaps unconventional in its timing, embodies the essence of ageless creativity and determination.

“We are two of the oldest people in the industry and we’ve started the ‘youngest’ group in town,” says Chin, with a glint in his eye.

The octogenarian is a luminary in Malaysian theatre and boasts a storied career spanning over six decades. Renowned for his direction of both Shakespearean plays and Broadway/West End musicals, Chin has received numerous accolades including the prestigious British Council scholarship in 1968.

His directorial prowess has graced stages worldwide, from Singapore to the United States, with productions like Emily of Emerald Hill earning him critical acclaim.

A founding member of Five Arts Centre, Chin has directed numerous iconic works, from Shakespearean classics to local productions.

His multifaceted talent extends to playwriting and teaching, making him a revered figure in the theatre community.

Chin (right) and Lam had never worked together before this; in fact they were only introduced two years ago. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star

Seventy-four-year-old Lam, on the other hand, is the principal and founding director of L&J Conservatory of Music in PJ Old Town, established in 1978 to provide an avenue for anyone to master the art of playing musical instruments regardless of age, to elevate and to promote the standards of appreciation of classical, jazz and many other genres of music.

Lam also helms the PJ Philharmonic Orchestra (PJPO), made up of varied individuals – professionals, students and hobbyists of all ages – who have been gathering to make music and perform together for over 40 years.

While both have had long and illustrious careers in the country, their paths have only crossed just recently.

Chin says: “I actually didn’t know him at all. Only two years ago, a mutual acquaintance introduced us. And since then we have gotten on very well. I guess it was fate that brought us together.”

“Mr Chin wanted to show me something,” Lam recalls.

“He said he was working on a musical about resistance fighter Sybil Kathigasu and handed me his script. Because I am not very familiar with musicals, I thought I might as well turn this into an opera, especially since we have the benefit of an inhouse orchestra.

“I read through the script and though at first it started off really slow, suddenly things started to pick up and I found myself working on it relentlessly. I was waking up every day as early as 5am just to get to work so I could continue writing the music! The manuscript was so long, I spent many hours bent over the piano writing,” Lam says, adding that because he’s not adept at using the computer, he still does things the old-fashioned way, scripting the music for the entire orchestra by hand at his piano in seven months.

Chin and Lam’s inaugural project, The Solace of Papan, serves as a testament to their vision. The 16-scene original opera, which will be brought to life by a 70-member orchestra and 10 actors, is set against the backdrop of Malaysia’s rich history.

Chin (right) during a rehearsal session for Story of Papan recently. — ART CHEN/The Star

Weaving together themes of love, loss, faith and resilience, the Story of Papan is one that will resonate with many Malaysians, Chin feels, because it’s a narrative of triumph over adversity, of finding solace in the face of hardship.

The genesis of ProMuzika stems from a shared desire to contribute something unique to Malaysia’s vibrant arts scene. Its mission is twofold: To provide a platform for Malaysian composers and musicians to share their unique voices with the world, and to inspire and encourage the creation of new musical compositions that reflect the cultural heritage and contemporary experiences of Malaysia.

The enigmatic Chin says: “We want to set a benchmark as no one else has done an English Opera in Malaysia. There are lots of musicals these days,” he says, and interjects his own train of thought adding: “Do you know I was the first person in Malaysia who did a musical? It was in 1980 and called Refugee: Images” then quickly reverts to making his point.

“There are also many groups singing classical music like Verdi, Puccini; but no one is doing anything new and original (in terms of opera).”

In a career that spans close to four decades, Chin has been involved in more than 30 productions. - filepic

Beacons of enduring creativity

Chin shares that he had been toying with the idea of writing about Sybil Kathigasu, famously known for helping the resistance during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya; she was arrested by the Japanese in 1943 and tortured by the Kempeitai Japanese military police corps.

“I had always wanted to stage a play about Sybil since my youth, but it was only during the pandemic that I found the time,” he says, revealing that during the lockdown in 2020he did nothing but “eat, sleep and write” for months.

“In four months, I surprised myself by writing eight scripts! Two have been done already. And this is now the third one, which I wrote in about five days. Suddenly the ideas just started pouring in and I knew then that it had to be an opera!” he says dramatically. “Sometimes when the muse takes you, you just go with the flow.”

Why Sybil? “I read Sybil’s book No Dram of Mercy in 1957 and I was horrified at the atrocities of war but at the same time I was moved and inspired by Sybil’s faith in God,” Chin says.

“I wanted to write a play but I found it very difficult to do this because I didn’t know enough about her background. So I got inspiration from the book and rather than go into a historical background of knowing the details I used poetic licence with this opera.”

Lam enthusiastically points out that setting the opera against the backdrop of the war greatly enhanced the musical score. “For example, we use the orchestra to ‘ignite the bomb’! The orchestra fills you in on the aeroplanes flying above. It’s all very exciting!”

Seventy-four year old Lam is the principal and founding director of L&J Conservatory of Music in PJ Old Town. - Lam Siu Chong

Chin says he approached Lam for this project because “Lam has full of music in his head”.

Lam nods in agreement saying that the duo complements one another: “He uses words. I use notes.”

Moving forward with ProMuzika, Chin and Lam aim to not only create compelling original works of art but also provide a platform for local talent to shine. Their commitment to nurturing homegrown talent is evident in every aspect of their company, from auditions to rehearsals.

Chin says that he has already handed Lam another modern-day cantata to work on, and has also completed another script on Puteri Gunung Ledang. “It’s about pollution and politics,” he excitedly informs and Lam nervously interjects with “I don’t know if I can do it. It sounds like it’s going to be very challenging for me to write this.”

In an industry that typically favours the young, Chin and Lam shine as beacons of enduring creativity. Their steadfast commitment and infectious enthusiasm are poised to make a lasting impact on Malaysia’s cultural scene.

As they continue to share their passion and talent, they will undoubtedly inspire a new wave of artists to embrace their craft with fervour and dedication.

And finally when asked what it feels like to be still so actively involved in the arts at 83, Chin says with gusto “Life begins at 80!”
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Defying ageist stereotypes, musical stalwarts Chin San Sooi and Lam Siu Chong form their own music company to enrich Malaysia's music tapestry.