| 1948 |
Taught
to play the violin by his uncle |
| 1949 |
Played
violin duets and trios with classmates |
| 1950 |
Attracted
to piano sounds and attempted to play simple tunes on his own |
| 1951 |
Taught
music lessons in five primary schools and composed the first
school song |
| 1952 |
Sang
in Singapore Music Society Choir and Chamber Ensemble Choir |
| 1953 |
Piano-accompanied
Rediffusion vocal broadcasts. Founded the Rediffusion Youth
Choir which gave weekly broadcasts. |
| 1954 |
Won
the SMS Bassoon Scholarship o study with Fred Krempl. Took piano
lessons with Noreen Strokes. |
| 1955 |
Left
for 3 years' studies in UK, at the Guildhall School of Music. |
| 1958 |
Joined
the Teachers' Training College as a lecturer in Music. Founded
the Metro Philharmonic Society. |
| 1964 |
Conducted
Smetana's full-length opera The Bartered Bride. |
| 1967 |
Left
for Paris to study with Nadia Boulanger. |
| 1968 |
Appointed
Resident Conductor, National Orchestra of NTT. Conducted
Mascagni's full-length opera Cavalleria Rusticana. |
| 1971 |
Appointed
Head of Music Department, Institute of Education. |
| 1975 |
Left
for Newcastle upon Tyne on Music Education Study. |
| 1982 |
Elected
Chairman, Singapore Composers' Circle. |
| 1982 |
Awarded
Cultural Medallion. |