The SSO Symphony Ball on 16 May 2026 took guests on a dazzling journey to Austria. Themed Eine Nacht in Wien (A Night in Vienna), the annual fundraising gala was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, welcoming 390 guests with Acting Minister for Culture, Community & Youth Mr David Neo gracing the evening as Guest-of-Honour.
Led by Ms Paige Parker chairing the Symphony Ball Committee, the evening was inspired by SSO Quantedge Music Director Hans Graf and his homeland of Austria. As Maestro Graf concludes his six-season tenure with the SSO, the Ball paid tribute to his artistic leadership and legacy with a Viennese-inspired theme – reflected in the performance, a specially-created menu, as well as classic decor. Guests responded in turn with effervescent enthusiasm and bid actively in the live auction which raised $189,000 for SSG.
The pièce de résistance of the evening was a live performance by the SSO conducted by Maestro Hans Graf, featuring works by Johann Strauss II. Following the lively Overture to Die Fledermaus, attendees enjoyed a bubbly lineup of three polkas – the Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Annen Polka, and On The Hunt Polka. True to Austrian tradition, the well-loved tune On The Beautiful Blue Danube followed with a special surprise: SSG CEO Mr Kenneth Kwok took to the dance floor with Ms Anna Graf (daughter of Maestro Hans Graf) – a call to guests to partake in the music by joining in the dance, which was heartily taken up.
Driving home the core message of the evening was the encore, Perpetuum mobile. As Maestro Hans Graf shared, while the piece evokes a machine that is able to run in perpetuity by itself, the orchestra requires support from its surrounding community to continue creating musical resonance for generations to come. This was emphasised too by SSG Chair Mr Goh Yew Lin and Ms Paige Parker.
What we see of the SSO today did not happen overnight. It took vision, perseverance and decades of support – from audiences, donors, musicians, and the Singapore government. Now here we are: An orchestra every Singaporean can be proud of, and one that has been ranked among the finest in the world.
The Symphony Ball is an intense and beautiful labour of love – from artistic direction and guest experience, to sponsors and auction items, and storytelling across the evening. All this work in the ballroom allows the SSO to keep doing its important work on stages and in the community, to delight and nurture through music.
We express our heartfelt appreciation to the Symphony Ball Committee as well as our in-kind sponsors, donors and table hosts for their support in making the ball possible.
The next edition of the SSO Symphony Ball returns on 15 May 2027, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. For table adoption or other ways to support the event, please contact chelsea.zhao@sso.org.sg.
With Heartfelt Appreciation to Our Donors
Platinum Donors ($50,000 and above)
Andreas & Doris Sohmen-Pao
DBS Bank Ltd
Dr & Mrs Antoine & Christina Firmenich
Dr Thomas & Mrs Mary Zuellig
Elaine and Eduardo Saverin Foundation Ltd
Mr & Mrs Goh Yew Lin
Ms Paige Parker & Mr Jim Rogers
Gold Donors ($25,000 and above)
Andrew & Stephanie Vigar
Dr Geh Min
Far East Organization
Farhana Sharmeen
Geoffrey & Ai Ai Wong
Geraldine Choong & Dennis Au
Kenneth Kwok
Kris Foundation
Mirian & Merle Hinrich
Neo Group Limited
Patek Philippe Southeast Asia
Prof Chan Heng Chee
UOB
Yao Hsiao Tung
Silver Donors ($15,000 and above)
Adsec Singapore Pte Ltd
Andy, Raymond, Bubble & Breton Tan
Azeeza Aziz Khan
Bernard Ryan & Michael Rowe
Cara & Tamara Chang
Dennis Au
Dr Karen Soh
Eva & Nilay Patel
Guy Hentsch & Geoffrey Yu
Joy Tan
Kris Foundation – Lim Kang Ning
Liew Wei Li
Lito & Kim Camacho
Mr Tony & Mrs Melanie Chew
Sameer Sain
Sing Lun Group
Stephen Riady Foundation
Tiffany Lim
Tower Capital Asia
Wendy Yap
Anonymous
Donors of $10,000 and above
Ayesha Aziz Khan
Chuin Wei Yap
Daniel Choo & Family
Dr June & Peter Sheren
Dr Kevin T Yap
Frans & Marie-Pierre Mol
Geraldine Lim & Lim Him Chuan
Goh Swee Chen
Marina Bay Sands
Paul & Lena Ng
Prof Gralf & Silvia Sieghold
Timothy & Selena Hia
Donors of $5,000 and above
Adrian Chua
Anthony & Chloe Tan from ACE Team Foundation
Brown-Forman
Clarissa Chow
Cubeassociate Pte Ltd
John & Pauline Foo
Kenneth Kan
Maisy Koh
Ruyters Audrey
Anonymous
Donors up to $4,999
Adeline Ang
Andrew & Jacqueline Tan
April Mak
Benedict Teo
Cham Gee Len
Cheng Sok Theng
Chong Mi-Li Pamela
Cynthia Chee
Dr June Goh
Gallery NaWei Pte Ltd
Hirotaka Ueyama
In Memory of Timothy Kok Tse En
Jazz Chong & Edmund Ng
Julian & Sandra Chang
Kris Wiluan
Lawrence & Celeste Basapa
Low Eng Huat Peter
Martin Siah & Wendy Long
Michael & Katherin Puhaindran
Mr & Mrs Tan Soo Nan
Naserah Tyebally
Patricia Lim
Ren QiMei
See Chai Geok
Suzanne Lim
Wang Pei Zhong
Zheng HongBo
Anonymous (19)
A standing ovation to our Partners, Auction & In-Kind Sponsors for their generous contributions to the Ball:
Official Auction Partner
Phillips
Official Luxury Media
Prestige & PIN Prestige
Auction and In-Kind Sponsors
Brown-Forman Worldwide L.L.C.
Fiore Dorato
Patchi
RJ Paper
Superskill Graphics Pte Ltd
Anthony & Chloe Tan from ACE Team Foundation
Mr Goh Yew Lin
Mr Desmond Lim
Ms Irene Tedja
Mr Lee Ming San
Mr Sameer Sain
Anonymous (2)