Message from the National Acts Council Chairman Mr. Edmund Cheng

MESSAGE FOR THE HARMONICA AFICIONADO SOCIETY 10^TH ANNIVERSARY CATALOGUE

Congratulations to the Harmonica Aficionado Society (HAS) on its 10^th Anniversary!

Since its inception in 1996, the Society has grown from a small party of harmonica enthusiasts into an important driving force, promoting the practice and development of harmonica music in Singapore .  The Society puts up regular major performances every year and organized the 1^st National Harmonica Competition in 2005.  I am heartened to learn that participation doubled in this year’s competition.  It is a clear indication of HAS’s success in bringing the appreciation of harmonica music to a wider audience.

HAS is also an influence in the international harmonica music scene. An active participant in the biennial Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival, its members have also been invited as speakers and adjudicators for the event.  The Society will further put Singapore in the international spotlight when they host the 10^th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival here in 2010.

The National Arts Council is proud to have supported HAS in its musical journey over the decade. The Society has been a beneficiary of the Council’s Arts Housing Scheme since December 1998 and is also a recipient of many project and travel grants from the Council.  

I look forward to its continued success and wish HAS many more rewarding years ahead.

EDMUND CHENG
CHAIRMAN
NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL