The Hwa Chong Institution Chinese Orchestra (HCICO) was established in 1985 to display and enhance the musical and cultural side of the Chinese students studying in Hwa Chong Institution (then known as The Chinese High School).
The Hwa Chong Institution Chinese Orchestra is also known throughout Singapore as an orchestra of sterling quality. Having been constantly ranked within the top 5 Chinese Orchestras of the nation since the establishment of the Singapore Youth Festival, the orchestra has constantly received top awards throughout its rich history.
Recently, the HCICO's accolades are as follows:
SYF 2005: Gold With Honors SYF 2007: Gold SYF 2009: Gold With Honors SYF 2011: Gold
The Hwa Chong Institution Chinese Orchestra was also selected to perform as one of the three secondary school Chinese Orchestras at the Closing Ceremony for Chinese Orchestras, Singapore Youth Festival 2009.