PUBLISHED ONDecember 12, 2014 4:29 AM
It was an opportunity for all residents and singing interest groups from the five Tampines community clubs to come together as one voice.
On Dec 6, during Voices of Tampines, the Tampines GRC's PAssionArts Singing Festival 2014, the Tampines Round Market was transformed into a singing arena as everyone sang to local tunes.
The singing euphoria even caught on with the coffee stall owners at the market as they served kopi-o while singing along.
Residents belted out famous evergreen hits and local favourites such as Beautiful Sunday, Sha La La La, Dancing Queen, Chan Mali Chan, Rasa Sayang, Dayung Sampan and Tian Mi Mi while the Tampines Central Children and Youth Ukulele group strummed and added their youthful voices in two songs, It's A Small World and You Are My Sunshine.
Tampines GRC grassroots advisers also attended the event - among them Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli Masagos Mohamad, Mr Mah Bow Tan and Ms Irene Ng.
Since October, about 150 singing enthusiasts have been honing their vocals in preparation for the mass singing session. Among them was vocal trainer K.V. Godha, who has been teaching at the Tampines Central Community Club, who led everyone in the Tamil song Munnaeru Vaalibaa.
Said Mrs Godha, a Singaporean: "The rehearsals worked as ice-breaker sessions to get closer to other fun-loving residents, artistes, trainers and organisers.
"It was a great experience for me to have been a part of this nation- bonding fun activity and I hope to see more of the younger generation coming foward to be part of our community activities in the years to come."
The day was also significant for six-year-old Iira Abhijit Kolkhede (left) as she was one of the youngest song leaders at the event.
The Singaporean, who has been learning the ukulele at Tampines Central CC since April this year, said she enjoyed herself and was thankful for the chance to make new friends.
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