Mr Quek Ling Kiong, a young and renowned homegrown percussionist and conductor, joined the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) in 1997. He is currently the Assistant Conductor cum Principal Percussionist of SCO, Conductor of the Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra, Conductor of Nanyang Technological University Chinese Orchestra and many schools and Institutions, Member of Singapore Chinese Instrumental Music Association and Honorary Committee Member of both the China National Orchestral Music Society and China Percussive Art Society. In 2002, Mr Quek received the Young Artist Award presented by the National Arts Council (NAC).

Since his school days in Dunman High School, Mr Quek has been actively involved in the Chinese orchestra as a percussionist. In 1982, he joined the then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation Chinese Orchestra (Present NAFA City Chinese Orchestra) to further his learning in percussion instruments. In 1994, under the encouragement of his mentor, Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient and renowned local conductor Mr Tay Teow Kiat, he furthered his studies in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In the same year, he was awarded scholarships from the NAC, Lee Foundation and Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, and continued his degree in the conservatory. Upon graduation in 1997, he joined the SCO.

During his overseas learning, Mr Quek studied under famous Chinese percussion maestro and theorist Prof. Li Min Xiong, majoring in Chinese traditional percussion music. At the same time, he also learnt Western classical percussion from Prof. Xue Bao Lun. He received tutelage from renowned Chinese percussion masters Prof. Li Zhen Gui, Mr An Zhi Shun and Mr Zhu Xiao Lin. In addition, he also studied Orchestral Conducting under Prof. Xia Fei Yun.

Mr Quek’s performing experience is rich and diverse. He has performed in Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China (Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen, Tianjin), Malaysia and Egypt. In many major concerts and performances, Mr Quek frequently held the position of soloist and lead performer such as in the Singapore Arts Festival, National Day Parade and Chingay Procession.

Other than being active on the performing stage, Mr Quek is also actively involved in various international music activities. In 1996, he participated in the International Percussion Festival in Taipei. In 1997, he held a solo concert organised by the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Shanghai International Cultural Exchange Centre, which was shot and broadcast by the Shanghai Oriental Cable Television. In 1998 and 1999, he was invited to be the judge of the Chinese Instrumental Solo Competitions in Penang, Malaysia. With sponsorship from the NAC and Lee Foundation, he has participated in the 1998 Percussive Art Society International Convention (PASIC) in Florida, Orlando, America and took part in the 1st China National Percussive Art Seminar. As an enthusiastic artist, Mr Quek has always been keen to upgrade his knowledge and skills. Again with the support of NAC and Lee Foundation, he completed the 30th International Orchestral Conducting course held in Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane, Australia in 2001. In 2002, under sponsorship of the SCO, he attended the 11th Practical Workshop for Orchestral Conducting held in Kromeizi, Czech Republic.