Not many music schools can boast of a symphony orchestra. NAVEEN MATHEW MENON visits the L&J Conservatory of Music.


TALENTED BUNCH: Former members of the PJ Youth Orchestra.

A MUSIC school with an 80-member orchestra — that’s the L&J Conservatory of Music.

With such a big orchestra (it’s called the PJ Youth Orchestra), it is, of course, not your typical neighbourhood music school.

“The orchestra gives our students a chance to make good use of what they have learnt,” said principal Lam Siu Chong, who has been teaching music for the last 37 years.

The orchestra’s rehearsals are carried out at Tan Yew Lai Garden in Puchong. It holds three to four concerts a year at public halls such as PJ Civic Centre, Shah Alam Club and at the Bukit Jalil sports complex.
In addition, they perform at fund-raising and charity events, wedding functions and church events.

They have even performed in countries such as Japan and China.

“Due to a lack of sponsors, however, we have not been able to go overseas in recent years,” he said.

The L&J Conservatory of Music was born out of a “burning desire” to impart music to others, he adds.

Siu Chong, who co-owns the place with his sister Wai Ying, gave up a 12-year banking career and put in his life’s savings to start the school in 1981.

The school teaches piano, violin, viola, cello, double-bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, trumpet as well as the ever-popular drums.

Currently, it has 280 students aged between six and 40. The majority are teenagers aged between 15 and 19.

Students are prepared for exams conducted by professors from the Royal School of Music, Trinity College of London and London College of Music. Students advance from Beginner to Grade 1-8 and then take up three levels of Diploma-Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship.


The orchestra’s next concert will be held on July 29 at the Bukit Jalil Sports Club where dinner will be served. The theme for the concert will be Baroque. Tickets are priced at RM60. Call 03-7782-4496.

L&J Conservatory of Music is located at No. 17, Jln 1/21, Old Town, Petaling Jaya. It opens from 7am to 9pm daily except Sunday afternoons when rehearsals are held.