Reigniting his Passion after 20 years...
Firmly grasping the microphone, a deep voice escapes the lips and envelops the onlookers during the regular karaoke session at the LB AAC @ Bendemeer 32.
Concentrating and embodying the song, LB senior Tan See Ching, 79, with his eyes squeezed shut, croons and sways to the song’s beat as always, on point with his showmanship.
The former nightclub singer still commands the attention of the crowd after 61 years of singing, albeit with a slightly softer voice now after suffering a mild stroke last year…
“Singing is like breathing to me. Funny enough, I didn’t know I actually could sing before! I only dabbled with the guitar and the piano with my friend as my informal teacher!” laughed See Ching, reminiscing on how his musical journey started.
It all began with “苦酒满杯” (Ku Jiu Man Bei, A Cup Full of Bitter Wine), a classic Chinese song of heartbreak and longing.
Its slow, melancholic melody, accented by the poignant vocals, captivated See Ching.
“I began to wonder how to play the instruments for it, and eventually, I wanted to learn how to sing to it,” he added saying that he and his Navy colleagues dedicated weeks just to get the song right.
Their perseverance got them a long-standing gig with a renowned hotel where the multi-department Navy colleagues performed together as the D’Novas!
While juggling two jobs for over two decades, See Ching was surprised to find that his music was not only a source of joy but also a significant contributor to his income.
This revelation spurred him to take a leap of faith, dedicating himself entirely to his musical pursuits.
Shattered Dreams…
Then, tragedy struck.
A motorcycle accident shattered his dreams.
The loss of the tip of his pinky finger, dealt a devastating blow, rendering him unable to play his instruments…
See Ching continued his love for singing, however, soon, the nightclub business was slowing down, and the mounting financial pressures of supporting his family became increasingly overwhelming.
He retired from the stage and became a taxi driver for more than 20 years to support his family of three kids and a wife.
“I put aside my passion throughout that period to concentrate on my growing family. Once I retired, I joined this AAC to make new friends and join their fun activities and knowledgeable programmes. I was content leaving my past behind when the AAC reignited my passion again,” he shared.
Little did he know this marks his second coming of age. I was content leaving my past behind when the AAC reignited my passion again,” he shared.
Reminiscing the past, See Ching said he remembers when karaoke became a regular activity at the AAC here.
Igniting Dreams, Inspiring the Next Generation
“I was among the first to join the activity! Despite my singing capabilities, I try not to hog the microphone and let others enjoy singing too!” he joked, happy that he can continue singing to an audience and sharing the camaraderie among the other seniors at the AAC.
It was there, amidst the laughter, shared stories, and impromptu singalongs, these lively sessions became his entry point back into the world of music.
He also emerged as the first runner up of the Inter-AAC singing competition, representing the AAC a few years ago!
Realising an opportunity to share his passion, See Ching began offering one-on-one singing lessons to friends, and even to curious strangers, in his home!
His enthusiasm was infectious, inspiring his two grandchildren, along with their parents, to start singing karaoke in their own homes too!
“I am happy that Lions Befrienders has provided a platform for me to re-ignite my dreams and now I could even inspire the next generation.”
We hope that these stories would inspire you to reach out and touch the lives of others.
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