In upholding its long tradition of bringing world-class musicians to Malaysia, UMW Toyota Motor conducted the 2016 Toyota Classics performance on 2 November 2016, at the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, Kuala Lumpur.
This year’s Toyota Classics featured the performance by the Baltic Neopolis Orchestra, from Poland, under the masterful baton of its artistic director and violinist, Vasko Vassilev, and pianist and composer Pamela Tan Nicholson.
Initiated as a unique way to raise funds for the underprivileged, the Toyota Classics has evolved into a much-awaited annual event for the musically discerning, who are delighted to know that their contribution will make a difference to society.
The company was delighted that this year’s proceeds from ticket sales and corporate donations amounted over RM380,000 which was more than its initial projected target.
The proceeds were channeled to two organizations for specific purposes. The first recipient – UiTM Faculty of Music will utilize the fund donated for a research project to create, preserve and conserve bamboo as one of the musical instruments through (music) composition, performance & education.
While the second recipient – Youth Trust Foundation will use it as Youth Grant to selected recipients to projects identified by their management team that meet UMW Toyota Motor criteria of benefiting youths, sustainable and has high impact to the community.
Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor commented, “We really appreciate the strong support of the Malaysian public, music lovers and UMW Toyota Motor’s business associates, which reflects the generosity of Malaysians towards charitable causes.“
“Since the inception, Toyota Classics has supported 63 charitable and non-governmental organizations nationwide amounting to almost RM8 million. We are glad to see how our contributions have made a difference to the lives of the people in the organizations we have supported,” said Datuk Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor.
This year’s donation theme of Youth Empowerment is our way of investing in the future, by developing youth and fulfilling their passion. Simply put, it is our way of Paying It Forward, by being enablers for the youth today so that they can learn important values, life skills and leadership qualities necessary, to create a better world in the next generation and beyond,” he continued.
Toyota Classics is one of UMW Toyota Motor’s main pillars of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Over the last 2 decades, Toyota Classics has developed a life of its own, with performances by different orchestras and beneficiaries. Yet the philosophy behind the Toyota Classics programme remains, which is to allow Malaysians to enjoy an enchanting night of music, at the same time donate to charity.
