Vivo Experimental Orchestra

Founded in 2003, Vivo Experimental Orchestra (VEO) is a Malaysian amateur experimental orchestra led by Stephanie Lem as Artistic Director. It is known for its seamless blending of eclectic music styles and of tradition and innovation showcased on an interactive platform.

In 2005, VEO won the Best Original Score at the Malaysian ADA Drama Awards with the children’s drama production, Hansel and Gretel. In 2010, VEO’s two ensembles won top and second runner-up positions in the Chinese Music Section at the 36th Klang Music Festival.

Between 2014 and 2016, VEO began exploring new concert formats. Two notable series are ‘Your Song My Story’ which featured new arrangements of oldies, and ‘The String Chamber Concert’, which totally broke away from traditional concepts with a full programme of Chinese string ensemble music only. These were followed by a music theatre, originally conceived and performed by VEO as part of the Pangkor Island Festival in October 2016. Two months later, in December, VEO members also participated in the Pulau Ketam International Arts Festival as leaders in the Youth Art Life Camp.

“Playing music with our love, touching you with our passion” has always been VEO’s motto in its bid to bring the audience closer to music, and help them understand and fall in love with it. As the orchestra’s Chinese name suggests, it is an effort to perpetuate the Chinese concept that “the greatest love of music is to share it”, and set the trend in modern Chinese music.