Singapore Soka Association promotes and supports arts events and cultural activities with the objective to foster members’ potential and to contribute to the community.
Currently, more than 700 members are actively involved in the 13 choral, movement and musical groups. These groups showcased their performances at numerous in-house and community events.
In the early 1980s, the YMD Choir and YWD Choir were formed as platform for fostering the youths. After the Youth Peace Culture Festival in 1985, the Youth Choir was formed and it eventually evolved into a Four Division Choir in 1990 after the Youth Peace Culture Festival that was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. It was renamed as Soka Chorus in 1993 and began to participate in community events. In 1994, it emerged among the top 10 choirs in the Sing Singapore’94 Competition. Two years later, the youth members of the Soka Chorus won first prize in the Sing Singapore’96 Competition. In 2002, it was awarded a Silver Diploma in the qualifying competition in the Second Choir Olympics held in Busan, Korea.
Besides performing at SSA events, the Soka Chorus also actively participates in community events and collaborate with other choirs sharing the joy of singing. In 2001, the Soka Chorus was invited to perform with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at the Victoria Concert Hall. From 2005-2009, the chorus supported the “Voices of Spring – A Chinese New Year Songs Singing Festival” which was initiated by SSA. In 2014, the choir brought the festive cheer to the visitors at the Istana Lunar New Year Open House through their beautiful rendition. In 2016, the Soka Chorus joined a few SSA cultural groups to cheer the patients at the Singapore General Hospital.
The Rhythm of Peace, formed in 1990, is a Men Division Choir which seeks to spread the message of peace through its choral performances. The group has performed at several SSA events and community functions.
In 2003, the Rhythm of Peace visited the Pelangi Home and gave cheer to the residents through their singing. From 2005 to 2009, the choir joins several community choirs to bring the festive cheer to the community at the Voices of Spring – A Chinese New Year Songs Singing Festival. In 2016, the choir performed at the SGH Culture Night to bring cheer to patients during the festive season.
The Tulip Chorus, which comprises members from the SSA Women Division, was formed on November 10, 1995. The Tulip Chorus seeks to contribute towards peace and happiness in society through their cultural endeavours.
The Tulip Chorus has participated in many SSA events and supported community events such as the “Voices of Spring – A Chinese New Year Songs Singing Festival” (2005-2009).
The Soka Junior Choir was formed in 1993. It provides opportunity for members aged 9 to 16 who love to sing to give full play to their potential. The choir was awarded the consolation prize in “Sing Singapore’98”, and was invited to perform at the Senior Citizens’ Week launch in 1999. In 2001, together with the Soka Chorus, they were invited to perform the song “Spring” composed by SGI President Ikeda to the accompaniment of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra at the Victoria Concert Hall.
The group performed at the “Piano Festival 2003 (Singapore) Mini Concert” at the Young Musicians’ Society. They also supported the “Voices of Spring – A Chinese New Year Songs Singing Festival (2005-2009) as well as the “Singapore Chinese Orchestra National Day Concert 2004” at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. In November 2007 and 2008, the National Library Board invited the choir to showcase a selection of songs at the Asian Children’s Festival. In 2014, the Choir brought cheer to the patients at the Singapore General Hospital during Chinese New Year. Their hope filled and joyous performances never fail to a smile on the faces of the audience.
The Golden Lion Dance Troupe was one of the pioneer cultural groups in SSA, formed in 1979 by a group of Young Men Division members who had keen interest in the art of Lion Dance. It serves as a groundswell for capable young men infused with a courageous spirit. In 1988, it won second position at the National Southern Lion Dance Competition.
Over the years, the group gradually evolved to incorporate martial arts in their training. The members have won several awards at the National Wushu Competition. In 2006, the group clinched the champion position in the Group Fist event during the National Wushu Competition and obtained second position in the same category at the 2015 National Wushu Competition. The group has also supported in training participants at the Chingay Parade and the National Day Parade as well as several community events. On December 22, 2013, together with Soka Youth Dance Crew, the Golden Lion Dance Troupe members represented Singapore in presenting a dance at the 27th Southeast Asian Games 2013 Closing Ceremony in Myanmar.
Officially formed in 1985 with the motto “Making the Impossible Possible through Itai-Doshin”, the Gym Core Group is a group of dedicated Young Men Division members who train themselves with solid unity and strive to inspire through their gymnastic performances. Though the trainings of the Gym Core group are carried out with great discipline and strictness to ensure the safety of each member, warm and trusted human bonds are forged through the shared struggles.
Since 1980s, the group members have been the trainers and choreographers of the mass display items that SSA put up at the many National Day Parades. In 2002, the group participated for the first time in the Cheerleading Competition held at Ngee Ann City and emerged as runner-up. The group also performed at SSA Youth Peace Culture Festivals, National Day Parades, Chingay Parades and supported in the running of community events.
Previously known as Urban Passion, the dynamic dance group has been performing at both SSA and community events since January 2005. In December 2006, the group named itself as Human Revolution Crew (HR Crew) with the vision to create a platform which allows youth dancers to come together to train and learn from one another.
On November 18, 2008, it was officially named as Soka Youth Dance Crew (SYDC) with the motto “Let’s create dances of Hope & Happiness for Humanity”. Since then, SYDC has represented SSA to perform at Mediacorp Channel 5 Countdown show at Marina Bay 2008, Chinese New Year Light-up at Chinatown 2009, ‘Voices of Spring’ held at The Arts House, Istana Lunar New Year Open House, Y-Fest organized by the Esplanade, and several other public events. On December 22, 2013, SYDC together with SSA’s Golden Lion Dance Troupe members, represented Singapore in presenting a dance at the 27th Southeast Asian Games 2013 Closing Ceremony in Myanmar.
The Sunflower Dance Ensemble (SDE) was formed in 1983 and initially named Modern Dance Group. In 1986, it was named as Sunflower Group by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and renamed as Sunflower Dance Ensemble in commemoration of her 20th Anniversary on September 10, 2006. With the motto “Courage, Perseverance and Pure Faith” at heart, SDE aims to spread peace, hope and happiness through their passion for dance.
Since 1980s, the members had undertaken the responsibility as trainers and choreographers for the mass display items that SSA put up at the National Day Parades. SDE has performed at SSA Youth Friendship for Peace Concert, Chinatown Mooncake Festival Light Up Ceremony, Istana Lunar New Year Open House, Singapore General Hospital Cultural Night and other community events.
Named by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, the Peony Dance Group, comprises Women Division members, was formed on August 8, 2009. Through the dance activities, the group members hope to manifest one’s innate potential and contribute to the community through the artistic display.
Besides performing at SSA events, the group has participated in Chinatown Light Up 2010, National Day Parade 2010, Cultural Exchange in Bintan, and SG50 NDP in 2015.
The Fife-and-Drum Corps was established on July 16, 1975 with the mission of “emissaries of peace”. It comprises a marching band and a baton twirlers dance group. In the 1980s, the group performed at Chingay Parades and the decentralised National Day Parades.
Initially, the band only had woodwind instruments. Brass instruments were introduced in August 2004 and the debut performance with the new instrumentation was made at the Youth Peace Culture Festival in July 2005. Besides performing at SSA events, the group also held her very own Spring Concert Series bi-annually since 2001. In 2014, together with the Young Men Division Courageous Musicians, they put up a band performance in Act 4 of the National Day Parade held at Marina Bay.
The Young Men Division Brass Band had its roots since 1986, with the motto “Peace through Music”, to foster capable leaders for Singapore kosen-rufu. Made up of Young Men Division members, the group seeks to bring hope and joy to people through its music. On July 10, 1994, the band was renamed as “Courageous Musicians” by SGI President Ikeda, hoping that its members will grow to become courageous individuals striving for the happiness of mankind. The guards group of the band was also established in the same year.
With the renewed sense of mission, the band embarked on various public performances like Chingay Parade ‘98, NECDC Stars on Parade 1999, Mid-Autumn Festival Street Parades and various outdoor performances. In 2002, the band performed at the “1st Youthopia” organised by the National youth Council. In 2014, together with the YWD Fife and Drum Corps, they put up a band performance at Act 4 of the the National Day Parade held at the Floating Platform.
In 1970s, a group of members formed the Chinese Orchestra and practised at the Geylang West Community Centre. Subsequently, the group moved to the SSA centre at Telok Blangah and held their weekly practices at the Rainbow Hall. The group was named as the Rainbow Chinese Orchestra in 1991.
The orchestra, comprising members of the four divisions, has been actively involved in collaborated performances with different community centres to promote Chinese music since 1997. The Rainbow Chinese Orchestra also held its maiden concert at the Soka Culture Centre in 1998. On June 28, 2014, the orchestra participated in the “Our People, Our Music 2014” event organised by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra t the newly completed National Stadium with 3,345 performers.
In 1993, the Soka Symphonic Band was formed to share the joy of music in the community and aims to bring hope, confidence and courage to all people. It was renamed as Soka Wind Ensemble (SWE) in 2000. In 2005, a string ensemble was set up and later merged with SWE to form the Soka New Century Orchestra (SNCO) which was named by SGI President Daisaku Ikeda on May 3, 2006.
Since 1993, it held a series of concerts titled “Symphony of Joy” and also held joint concerts with other local bands, collaborated with several guest conductors and held a number of workshops. In July 2001, the band won the Gold Award in the Harmony Band 3rd Division at the “14th World Music Contest 2001” held in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
