Programme: Animal Fiesta

Sep 25

2 min read

Repertoire

Carnival of the animals

Mother Goose Suite

Finale from Firebird Suite

Birds in the Azure Sky

Interval

Perfection from Smallfoot

Bugs Bunny’s Greatest Hits - What’s Up at the Symphony?

Music from Jurassic Park

My Neighbour Totoro

Featuring Penang Philharmonic Winds

Established in 2018, the Penang Philharmonic Winds (PPW) serves as the wind ensemble wing of the Penang Philharmonic. The group was formed to provide a dedicated platform for woodwind, brass, and percussion players within the region, fostering a community of musical excellence and artistic growth. Its membership is comprised of a diverse collective of dedicated musicians, including students, educators, and working professionals, all unified by a shared commitment to high-quality wind band performance.

Under the musical leadership of conductor Ng Choong Yen, the ensemble maintains an expansive repertoire that spans multiple genres. Their programming includes foundational classical wind literature, contemporary compositions, cinematic scores, and works featuring distinct local cultural elements. This versatility allows the ensemble to engage with varied audiences while upholding the technical rigour required of a premier wind symphony.

The Penang Philharmonic Winds frequently engages in collaborative projects with school and community ensembles to further the reach of wind music. In 2025, the ensemble partnered with the Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra for "Animania 2," a large-scale concert production. This event featured a combined ensemble of both orchestras, focusing on the sophisticated performance of anime-themed orchestral arrangements.

Through such factual milestones and its regular performance seasons, PPW continues to contribute to the vibrancy of the Malaysian classical music landscape, serving as a vital hub for wind instrumentalists in Penang and beyond.