ABOUT
STEPHEN TONG
Stephen Tong is a pioneer in Indonesian classical music society. Fatherless at the age of three, he
is a man of many gifts, born with extraordinary sensitivity to all art forms including music, painting,
architecture, and sculpture. Through careful observations and endless passion and perseverance,
he mastered architectural designs and music performances.
In 1985, Stephen led a seven cities concert rally for the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of JS Bach and GF Händel, attended by 27,000 people. He later founded Jakarta Oratorio Society in 1986, which annually performs concerts in Jakarta, performing great oratorio works. In December
2008, Stephen took Jakarta by storm when 9,000 people attended the 2-performances of Handel’s
complete Messiah choruses.
In 2009, Indonesia was blessed with its first ever classical concert hall of international standard -
Aula Simfonia Jakarta. It is another exhibit of Stephen’s architectural achievement, with Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra (JSO) as the newly formed and appointed orchestra-in-residence and Jakarta Oratorio Society (JOS) as the choir-in-residence, all inaugurated inOctober 2009 with a series of
concerts to celebrate. In its first decade alone, ASJ has hosted over 200 performances of classical
concerts.
Stephen is passionate about introducing classical music to the people of Indonesia and to the world. Beginning in 2017, JSO and JOS launched a Grand Concert Tour, performing in major cities across Indonesia. In 2018 and 2019, the tour expanded beyond Indonesia, with the ASJ ensembles-in-residence reaching audiences in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia.
As the home of ASJ, Jakarta was not left out, for its people witnessed one of the biggest crowds for classical music events in Konser Akbar Monas, taking place in 2019, 2022, and 2023, attracting more than 80,000 people of different backgrounds, age, race, and religion. Konser Akbar Monas
is the first open-door classical music performance in Indonesia.
Stephen Tong is the Artistic Director of Aula Simfonia Jakarta, Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra, and
Jakarta Oratorio Society.
JAKARTA SIMFONIA ORCHESTRA
Founded in 2009 by Stephen Tong, Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra (JSO) was established to fill the demand for classical concerts in the greater Jakarta Metropolitan area. As the orchestra-in-residence at Aula Simfonia Jakarta (ASJ), it is the first and only professional orchestra that performs monthly, JSO presents an estimated 15-20 concerts each year, showcasing a diverse repertoire that spans from the Baroque era to the 21st century.
JSO’s curated concerts are built on four pillars: the Masterworks Classical Series, the Choral Oratorio Series—performed in collaboration with Jakarta Oratorio Society (JOS) as the choir-in-
residence at ASJ, the Educational Series featuring the highly sought-after Family Concert, and the Pops Series, where audiences can enjoy Broadway and Movie Soundtracks.
Stephen Tong is dedicated to educating the Indonesian public about the beauty of classical music. Each curated concert offers a unique opportunity to entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Since 2019, JSO and JOS under the management of ASJ, have hosted Konser Akbar
Monas, Indonesia’s first and largest classical music concert, held at the National Monument (Monas). The orchestra has also given the Indonesian premiere of many important works, including
Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and No. 4, Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances, Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, and most recently, Gabriela Ortiz’ Antropolis and Eunike Tanzil’s Origin. In 2020, JSO established its contemporary group, Ensemble Kontemporer, to promote the appreciation of contemporary music and works by living composers.
In addition to regular performances, JSO, alongside JOS, has embarked on Grand Concert Tours, traveling to cities in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia under the baton of Stephen Tong, showcasing the musicality and professionalism of Indonesian musicians.
JAKARTA ORATORIO SOCIETY
In the 1980s, the concept of a choir dedicated to performing oratorio pieces was virtually unheard
of. However, Stephen Tong, a passionate lover of classical music—particularly oratorio—founded a choir with the vision of educating Christian churches in Indonesia about the masterpieces of great composers.
Established in 1986, Stephen gathered amateur singers and personally trained them through weekly rehearsals. Under his direction, the uplifting melodies of Handel’s Messiah, the remarkable
works of Mendelssohn, and the intricate compositions of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion came to life.
Singers learned both technique and phrasing through meticulous study, while also being taught the spirit of the age—Zeitgeist.
Over its 38 years of performances, the Jakarta Oratorio Society (JOS) has toured Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, and numerous cities across Indonesia. Since 2009, JOS has served as the choir-in-residence at Aula Simfonia Jakarta (ASJ), where they have regularly showcase Handel’s Messiah, Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, Bernstein’s The Chichester Psalms, Verdi’s Requiem, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and Mozart’s Requiem alongside Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra, the orchestra-in-residence of ASJ.
Despite being composed of amateur musicians, the singers of the JOS are exceptionally well-
trained, undergoing a rigorous training regimen designed to equip them with the skills necessary to
meet the demands of their diverse repertoire. Their training includes weekly rehearsals, vocal technique knowledge, and performance practice, allowing them to master complex pieces from various musical eras. This dedication to excellence ensures that they can deliver high-quality performances that resonate with audiences, showcasing their commitment to the art of choral music.
In celebration of ASJ’s 15th anniversary, the JOS showcased an impressive series of performances
featuring seven major oratorios across five concerts. This remarkable event highlighted a diverse repertoire, including Bach’s Magnificat, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn’s The Creation, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s The Seasons, and Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang (Symphony No. 2). These performances not only commemorated a significant milestone for ASJ but also showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of JOS, bringing together audiences to experience the beauty and richness of choral music.