Chinese Migrants who came to Singapore had brought along their Folk Music. From the North, the wood and percussion instruments were introduced. And from the South, the string and wind instruments (Sizhu).
These migrants had also set up Clan Associations in order to preserve their roots. Tao Rong was one such association who had later collaborated with MOE to bring in the Chinese Orchestra (CO) as part of the Chinese culture. After the National Theatre closed down, its CO was taken over by the People's Association. When the Singapore Chinese Orchestra was formed in 1996, the PA's CO members were auditioned.

At Present?

There was an initial flourishing of CO in Singapore, but many soon closed down due to the lack of funding. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra remains, and is now working on bringing its music to the grassroots. It has held free concerts at the Community Centres, and making providing chinese instrumental guides not only during such concerts, but also on their website.

Here's a video taken during their performance at the Bishan CC. The conductor introduces the different instruments used in the Chinese orchestra to the grassroots.

- quoth alibooboo at 9:14 PM