PENANG, 30 November 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia Jazz Band Concert (USMJB) 2013 successfully held their 17^th annual concert with the theme "From Classical to Jazz Pop" by collaborating with three organisations, namely SRJK (T) Subramaniya Barathee (SRJKTSB), the Resource and Education for Autistic Children Association (REACh) and SMK (P) St. George’s (SMKSG).

“We are trying to bring something new and exciting to the concert this year since we wanted to give the students exposure while practicing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of the ticket collections will be donated to the three organisations,” said Project Director, Ng Soon Sun.

The donations amounted RM1,600 each were presented to SRJKTSB, REACh and SMK Guar Chempedak by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey. She also launched the concert with the representative from the event’s major sponsor from Fulian (M) Sdn Bhd.

A hundred musicians were involved in the event, including seven from Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand; SMKSG; and USM 24 Chinese Drums. Various musical instruments included string instruments, woodwind, ukulele, bass trombone, French horn, tenor saxophone and flute were played as well.

A total of 20 songs performed included USMJB Overture – Big Band Salade Prelude, A Song for VV, Jazz Etudes, Zheng Fu, Melodi and The Prayer. Special appearances were made by SRJKTSB and REACh in the Finale: Potpourri - Marches Parody with a medley of songs such as Jalur Gemilang and The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

USMJB adviser who is also the music conductor, Assoc. Professor Dr. Razif Mohd, commented that the special appearance was very impressive and that this was very important since they had little opportunity to involve the community.

Also present were the wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Datin Noraizan Jamaluddin; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal and his wife; the wife of the former Vice-Chancellor of USM, Puan Sri Masrah Abidin; and Dean of the School of Arts, Associate Professor Mohamad Omar Bidin. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Text: Rafizah Nor Md Zain/Mohd Fairus Md Isa