Penso Percussion Ensemble

Due to the deep-rooted interest in percussion music and to bolster the efforts to commercialise the genre, PENSO was formed in the year 2013 to cater for these purposes. The group name came from the words Percussion Ensemble of National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia. Being the brainchild of its leader, Mr. Chia Cheng Kok, Percussion & Timpani player from Malaysia National Symphony Orchestra, the team comprises of 16 regular members.

PENSO is an outreach program by National Symphony Orchestra, and PENSO wishes to introduce more variety of the percussion instruments and percussion ensemble repertoire to the public, especially schools, universities etc. PENSO also will include more young musicians to let them have more opportunities to play together with the entire wonderful professional percussion members in the ensemble.

Musicians from PENSO do not pay any fees to join this ensemble. PENSO depends on donations and sponsors from well-wishes and performance to raise the necessary funds to carry out our vision and mission. PENSO has put up a few free admission concerts, performed at private functions and joined international competition. In addition, members have the opportunities to attend workshop conducted by experienced/ professional musicians.

PENSO Vision & Mission

PENSO was eager to communicate the breadth of its activities to its audiences and we therefore embarked on coming up with a new vision and mission. In coming up with the new vision, PENSO combined the values of innovation, collaboration, curiosity, egalitarianism, education and community with a summary of what the ensemble stands for the vision as follows:

1. To introduce more percussion instrument and ideas of different sound produce, musicality, innovative, to students, communities and public
2. To provide an opportunity for life-long musical expression and enjoyment, promoting artistic enrichment
3. To translate its vision of music as a uniting force in the world not only through creating and performing fantastic percussion music and educating its members but also in providing service to the communities which it serves
4. To create a new model of egalitarian artistic collaboration that respects history, champions innovation and curiosity, and creates an essential social bond through service to our audiences and our communities.

PENSO Achievement/ Involvement

2015- Champion in Winter Guard International (WGI) in International Open Categories and

National Open Categories in Malaysia

• Collaboration concert Percussive Synergy with Singapore Wind Symphony Percussion Ensemble (SWSPE)
• Invited for commercial video shooting – Warna Warni Astro Award
• Special guest of the 41st Klang Music Festival Malaysia
• Master class with Max Riefer (Germany contemporary percussionist)
• Involve in concert The Wind Project III at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre

(Klpac)

- Invited to perform at Malaysia Institute of Accountants(MIA) annual performance.

2014 - Workshop with David Herbert (Principal Timpanist of Chicago Symphony Orchestra) at Singapore

• Organised concert - It’s Time to Dance
• Involve in Malaysian Youth Music Festival, Dancepot Charity Show at Damansara Performing Arts Centre (Dpac), Musical Journey at Istana Budaya, Malaysia
• special guest performance for Bentley Music School on their percussion masterclass program
• Special guest performance for Malaysia Youth Of Foundation(MYOF) music festival Malaysia.

2013 - Founded by Mr. Chia Cheng Kok, Percussionist/ Timpanist of National Symphony

Orchestra

• Organised concert Time to PENSO, It’s Time
• Orgamised concert It’s Time 2 Party
• Involve in concert A Tea Time, Arco & Mallet

PENSO Members

1. Chia Cheng Kok
2. Mathew Khoo Hiok Giam
3. Farizal Bin Zulkafelley
4. Iylas Thoene Bin Mustafa Fuzer
5. Chua Su Ting
6. Cheah Ji Hau
7. Mohamad Aris Huzaimi Bin Mohamad Asri
8. Ong Jia Yong
9. Nicholas Chang Zhe Yi
10. Mohd Mikhael Bin Nadzrin
11. Chong Mee Hun

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Pensopercussion