Symphony Ball Raises $1.5m for SSO
Funds raised will support the SSO’s mission to inspire audiences, nurture young talent and make music more accessible to communities in Singapore and beyond.
Singapore, 17 May 2026 – The Singapore Symphony Group (SSG) raised over S$1.5 million at the SSO Symphony Ball on Saturday, 16 May 2026. The annual fundraising gala was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore and welcomed 390 guests, with Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Mr David Neo gracing the occasion as Guest-of-Honour.
Themed Eine Nacht in Wien (“A Night in Vienna”), this year’s Ball also celebrated SSO Quantedge Music Director Hans Graf and his seven-year tenure with the orchestra, while paying tribute to his Austrian roots with a Viennese-inspired programme and curated experience.
Donors and guests showed their support through table reservations starting at $15,000, outright donations, and a live charity auction featuring eight exclusive items generously contributed by benefactors. The auction itself raised S$189,000.
The highlight of the evening was a special performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Hans Graf. The SSO delighted audiences with a lineup of waltzes and polkas composed by Johann Strauss II – the Overture to Die Fledermaus, Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Annen Polka, On The Hunt Polka, and finally On the Beautiful Blue Danube as guests took to the dance floor to join in the dance of the evening.
The evening marked significant achievements by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) in recent years including over 85,000 subscribers and over 30 million lifetime views on YouTube, top placements on international charts, and record ticketed audience of 85,000. Looking ahead, the SSO looks forward to its seven-city concert tour and continued growth in its affiliated performing groups – the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Choruses.
Since its inception in 1984, the Symphony Ball has been a fixture in Singapore’s social calendar. It plays a vital role in raising funds to sustain the Singapore Symphony Group, supporting its mission of creating memorable shared experiences with music. Contributions help the Singapore Symphony Orchestra to continue its work of inspiring audiences, engaging the community, representing Singapore internationally, and nurturing the next generation alongside its affiliated performing groups, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Choruses.
The next edition of the SSO Symphony Ball will return on 15 May 2027, at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY GROUP
The Singapore Symphony Group manages the flagship Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Symphony Choruses, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, the SSO Chamber & Organ series, the Singapore International Piano Festival and the biennial National Piano & Violin Competition. The Group also represents the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in Singapore.
The mission of the Group is to create memorable shared experiences with music. Through the SSO and its affiliated performing groups, we spread the love for music, nurture talent and enrich our diverse communities.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ong Shu Chen
Communications Lead, Singapore Symphony Group
E: shuchen.ong@sso.org.sg
M: +65 9636 5146
Elizabeth Low
Assistant Manager, Marketing Communications, Singapore Symphony Group
E: elizabeth.low@sso.org.sg
M: +65 9230 4868
Christie Foong
Account Manager
E: christie.foong@havas.com
M: +65 9866 8617
Meishan Poon
Account Executive, Havas Play
E: meishan.poon@havas.com
M: +65 9880 3552