Deck the Halls with Family and Music

For Gabriel Hoe, the piano has always been more than just an instrument. Starting with the Yamaha Electone and piano at just four years old, Gabriel is now a classically trained pianist who has built a career around sharing the joy of music and bringing people together. 

Since 2023, he has been a familiar presence behind the keys at Voices of Singapore (VOS), accompanying rehearsals, concerts and touring with the VOS Children’s Choir. He also plays for special events in VOS, accompanying various choirs across our VOS State Choirs and Community Impact programmes.

Gabriel Hoe is a pianist for VOS and several major arts organisations, sharing his music at concerts and community events across Singapore and beyond.

At this year’s Christmas carolling at the Capitol Singapore Singing Tree, something different happened. For the first time, Gabriel performed alongside his parents, Chris Hoe and Celina Tan, who had recently joined the Community Silver Voices at St Luke’s ElderCare in Bishan. The VOS Christmas carolling is an annual event to fill the air with familiar holiday tunes and spread festive cheer throughout the city.

The event was more than a performance and felt like a full-circle moment. For years, Gabriel’s parents had supported his musical journey from the audience, encouraging him through performances and long rehearsals. None of them imagined they would one day stand on the same stage. 

Gabriel Hoe shared the stage with his parents, Chris Hoe and Celina Tan, in a heartwarming moment that celebrated music and years of family support.

From Supporters to Stage Partners

Gabriel did not know exactly when his parents joined Community Silver Voices. He later found out they were preparing for a Christmas sing-along at the Singing Tree. When he learned they would be performing, he took the opportunity and requested to accompany them for their set. 

“It’s really them I have to thank for a large part of making me the person that I am today,” Gabriel reflects. Sharing the stage was a way of expressing gratitude in a language he has always understood: music.

Chris Hoe and Celina Tan performing together at the Capitol Singapore Singing Tree.

Chris and Celina did not grow up as musicians. Singing in public was unfamiliar, and for Celina, especially daunting. “Chris is more daring. For me, I’m very shy. I would not have agreed if it wasn’t for Gabriel,” she shares.

What surprised them was how much they enjoyed the process and rehearsals became something to look forward to. Chris found himself learning vocal techniques he had never encountered before, from breathing exercises to chest and head voice and solfège. “I learned a lot of new things… that was quite nice,” he says. Over time, the choir became a space where they could step into their son’s world and experience music together.

Chris Hoe singing his solo part during the carolling performance.

On the day of the performance, Chris and Celina each sang short solo lines. From the piano, Gabriel watched his parents take their place in a musical setting he had known for years and felt a quiet joy.

For the first time, the roles shifted. The parents who had cheered him on for so many years were now performers and he was there to support them. It was a simple moment that carried years of family love, witnessed through music.

Music as a Bridge Between Generations

Gabriel has long seen music not just as an art form, but as a way to bring people together. “I’ve come to realise… it’s really the people that are the very core of society and music is really the glue that really just brings us all together,” he shares. 

That evening, the choir and audience at the Singing Tree created an atmosphere that felt warm and welcoming. Music became a bridge, not just between performers and listeners, but between generations.

Gabriel Hoe performing alongside his parents at the Capitol Singapore Singing Tree Christmas carolling.

For Chris and Celina, seeing their son play music he loves is a source of constant pride. “He’s doing something he really loves, it’s his passion. How many people can get to be in that kind of position? That in itself is already a very big joy,” Chris says. Celina adds simply, “We’re happy as long as he just keeps doing what he enjoys.”

For Gabriel, performing with his parents was an acknowledgement of their support. It was a way to honour the encouragement that shaped his journey. For his parents, it marked a new chapter with music, one they now look forward to each week with Community Silver Voices.

This Christmas carolling was not the grandest stage Gabriel has played on, but it was among the most meaningful. A pianist who has spent years supporting others finally supported the people who supported him first. It became a quiet celebration of love, gratitude and the bonds that carry us through life.

Gabriel Hoe and his parents, Chris Hoe and Celina Tan, together with other members of the Community Silver Voices at SLEC Bishan.

The moment also reflects the broader mission of Community Silver Voices. The programme brings singing into Active Ageing Centres (AACs) across Singapore, creating a welcoming space for seniors to connect through music. Led by trained volunteers, participants also perform at community events such as Chinese New Year celebrations and Senior Citizen nights. 

For many, including Chris and Celina, the programme brings a feeling of togetherness and renewed purpose. It is a reminder that music can unite generations and enrich lives far beyond the stage.