Keat Hong Chinese Orchestra (KHCO) was formed in 1974 and it is a cultural group under the administration of Singapore Chua Chu Kang Community Club. With over 80 members, KHCO is a well-known amateur orchestra in Singapore. The orchestra has been actively developing young talents and contributing to the promotion of Chinese music in Singapore.
KHCO has been awarded with various honors. These include the Singapore National Youth Service Award (1993), first prize winner and Best Performance Award consecutively in the National Music Competition (1987-1993). In 1996, KHCO was awarded the National Youth Letter of Commendation.
KHCO holds regular concerts annually and has also worked with many renowned musicians like Zhou Cheng Long, Song Guang Hai, Wai Sing Fat, Chew Hee Chiat and Zhang Nian Bing. In recent years, KHCO has also invited overseas orchestras to hold joint concerts in Singapore, including Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra, China Chengdu National Orchestra, Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Professional Cultural Center Orchestra, Australia Melbourne Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra and Taiwan Tao Yuan Yueh You Chamber Orchestra. In recent years, KHCO has been invited to perform at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay for its Beautiful Sunday Concert.
In 1992, KHCO was invited to represent Singapore to perform in the Cultural Festival in honor of Her Majesty, the Queen of Thailand, in Bangkok. KHCO has also been frequently invited to perform overseas, including Hong Kong (1988, 1994, 1999 & 2004), China Chengdu (1995), Changsha (2003), Australia Melbourne (1998 & 2002) and Malaysia Kuching (1993, 1995 & 2006). In 2009, KHCO has also performed in Hong Kong Music Lover 30th anniversary concert and Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Professional Cultural Center Orchestra 20th anniversary 《Twenty Years Initiator》international concert.