[Photo: Violinist Siow Lee Chin (centre) performed with the string ensemble of her alma mater, Raffles Girls' School, at the Esplanade yesterday.]

WHEN 38 students belonging to the Raffles Girls' School (RGS) string ensemble took to the stage yesterday, they had with them home-grown violinist and old girl Siow Lee Chin as guest performer.

The classical music event at the Esplanade Concert Hall was dubbed 'Lee Chin & Friends: A Strings Extravaganza'.

In the audience were alumnae of the school, its current students, teachers and parents.

Also present was President S R Nathan, who was presented with a cheque for $130,000 for children's charities under this year's President's Challenge, his annual fund-raising effort.

The amount, a nod to RGS' 130th anniversary this year, was raised from the sale of tickets and donations from parents and well-wishers.

The concert was the first of the premier school's Alumni Tribute Series. Other concerts are being lined up to bring together RGS alumnae talented in the arts to partner the school in support of worthy causes.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.