ABOUT US

...And then listen more closely still; do you hear melodic references to regional folk favorites like "Rasa Sayang" and "Jinkli Nona" in the refrain? Those traditional touches come together with the fresh tune in a lively mix--just as we ourselves come together here in the Garden City: ​ "... as one united people, tidak kira apa bangsa, bahasa, atau ugama, சமத்துவத்தையும், நீதியையும் அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்ட ஜனநாயக சமுதாயத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்கு 并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，共同努力." ​ The "Why" Such gains as we have made as a single people of myriad origins and cultures is no accident. It is the continually evolving product of deliberate focus, determination, soul-searching--and perhaps above all, love of country. Of course the results of these practices can only be sustained by collective effort--through meaningful actions, great and small--each and every time we join together with others. ​ "Shining Star Amid The Straits" is a tribute to all who feel the nation and her dreams are worthy of--and bound to--the energies we direct toward cultivating true harmony among neighbors and communities. ​ ​ Heartfelt Thanks Last but not least in this admittedly leisurely write-up--we'd like to offer a giant "THANK YOU" to the awesome local artists who made this production possible! ​ THE SONG: ​ "Shining Star Amid The Straits" Words and Music by Toni Thompson ​ Arrangement by Toni Thompson and Nor Mohamed ​ Olynn Saleh (Vocalist) Alhafiz Jamat (Flute, Accordion) Nor Mohamed (Guitar, Bass, Congas, Percussion) Deborah Siok (Erhu) Priya Bedekar (Sitar) Special thanks to Mohammed Ali Abdullah and to Rachma Lim for their much-appreciated contributions to the final arrangement. Recorded at Snoots Music Studio, Singapore Mohammed Ali Abdullah, Producer and Recording Engineer THE VIDEO: "Shining Star Amid The Straits" Illustration, Animation, and Video Editing by Ong Lai Art Ong Wei Ting, Owner and Artist ​ ​ PS: While you're here on the site, why not check out Lyricist Toni in the video and pix in our GALLERY section? The admittedly "Blair Witch"-quality gonzo-style video was shot in near-total darkness at the People's Association "Echo Music Series: Everlasting Love Songs" event, a sold-out evening at My Tampines Hub's Festive Arts Theatre on 5 November 2022. The concert was also live-streamed for fans of classic Mando-Pop.  That night Toni dusted off her rusty Mandarin to perform an iconic love song with massive audience participation, and didn't get booed off the stage. So you know--there's that.