Business Daily Media

The Times


.

Laura Ellington Music’s "Shining Star Amid The Straits" Captures Singapore’s Spirit

A Composition by Toni Thompson Explores Singapore’s Continuing Quest for Greater Intercultural Understanding, to Coincide with Racial Harmony Day 2024

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 July 2024 - Laura Ellington Music is happy to announce the release of a new music video for "Shining Star Amid The Straits," a song written by its creative director Toni Thompson, to coincide with Singapore's Racial Harmony Day 2024.

The artist hopes the new video—a live-action successor to the song's original animated video—will move listeners to deepen their individual commitment towards respect and appreciation for people of all origins in the Garden City.

Shining Star Amid The Straits Live Action Music Video
Shining Star Amid The Straits Live Action Music Video

The song touches on the racial tensions that characterized much of Singapore history from colonial times onward, and posits that even today—and indeed, every day—each person has a role to play in strengthening bonds within our multicultural society.

The new video, produced with the support of Singapore's Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) through its Harmony Fund, serves as a poignant reminder that the social pact at the heart of racial harmony is an organic entity requiring thoughtful nurturing and ongoing care.

The video's striking visuals capture the energy and emotional depth of Thompson's composition, inviting the viewer on a journey from the nation's turbulent past to its vital and hopeful present. The song puts Singaporean artists in the spotlight, and was specifically arranged to feature traditional musical instruments representing the different cultures that make Singapore so vibrant, including the erhu, sitar, accordion, guitar, and bamboo flute.

Binding the work still further to Singaporean identity and tradition are melodic references to regional folk favourites "Rasa Sayang" and "Jinkli Nona" in the chorus. The crucial message of "Shining Star" has been set within a lilting bossa nova framework, evoking the verdant tropical backdrop against which all Singapore life has unfolded from the earliest days to now.

More than just another music video, the "Shining Star" MV emphasises that the gains made in racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore are the result of deliberate focus, determination, and love of country. The song is intended as a tribute to those who believe in the nation's highest aspirations, and who work towards cultivating lasting goodwill among neighbours and communities, regardless of race, language, or religion.

MCCY support for the "Shining Star" project extended to the production of an eLearning video of a short children's play based on the song, involving local talent both in front of and behind the camera. This eLearning video will soon be made available as an educational tool on various platforms.

Enamoured of Singapore's heady amalgam of Eastern and Western influences, Toni Thompson, a Chicago native, has developed a profound fondness for the Little Red Dot; her "Shining Star Amid The Straits" is a unique pandemic-era creation born of that fondness, and she hopes it will resonate with people well beyond the single day the nation rightly sets aside for the celebration of multicultural unity.

Laura Ellington Music is dedicated to bringing the finest musical experiences to audiences worldwide, and this release is a testament to that commitment. "Shining Star Amid The Straits" has premiered on Social Media platforms inclusive of YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok & Facebook. Do experience this remarkable piece first-hand!

Hashtag: #lauraellingtonmusic #SSAS #ShiningStarAmidtheStraits #Music #RacialHarmony #Live







The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News from Asia

Allianz Global Wealth Report 2026: Markets Drive Record Wealth as AI Raises the Stakes

Markets on Autopilot: Global financial assets rose 8.6% to a record EUR268.4trn, with markets generating 4 in 5 euros of additional wealth.

Fewer than 1 in 3 Singaporeans have enough savings for prolonged critical illness recovery

2 in 3 Singaporeans expect recovery during their ‘health gap’ year to cost more than $200,000SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – Recovering from a critical illness (CI) can t...

Ping An Digital Bank Celebrates 6th Anniversary, Total Assets and Customer Deposits Both Surge Over 130% YoY, Net Interest Income Rises 55% YoY

Demonstrated Full-Licence Advantages, Strengthened Fee Income Capabilities, Expanding into High-End Wealth Management Segment to Forge New Growth Engines, Deepening Trade Finance to Support Governm...

iMotion Technology Establishes Japan Branch, systematically accelerating Overseas Expansion

TOKYO, JAPAN – EQS Newswire – 29 September 2026 – On September 28 2026, iMotion Technology (01274.HK) officially established its Japanese branch in Shinagawa, Tokyo. After the establishment of the ...

Over 1,000 Entrepreneurs Gather in Kunming for TOJOY 2026 "Jun's Circle" Fireside Chat

Spotlighting the AI Wave and Exploring Paths Forward for Private EnterprisesHONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 September 2026 - The second "Jun's Circle" Fireside Chat, initiated by Ge J...

Countdown to 2037: Strategic Public-Private Agenda Unleashes Blueprint to Double Thailand’s Economic Growth

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – Aiming to attain high-income nation status by 2037, Thailand is deploying an ambitious action plan across state agencies, financia...

Wesley Methodist School’s "Warkah" Puts Young Voices at the Heart of Nation-Building Letters to the Prime Minister capture students’ hopes, values and aspirations for Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – The hopes of young Malaysians for the country they will inherit, and the difference they hope to make, come through in Warkah...

Green GSM Officially Launches All-Electric Taxi Service In Northern Mindanao, Philippines

EL SALVADOR, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 September 2026 – Green GSM officially launches its all-electric taxi service in Northern Mindanao, Philippines, marking the brand's next ex...

ISABELLE.C Debuts Wearable Art and Intangible Cultural Heritage Masterpieces at New York Fashion Week’s China Institute Fashion Week

Hong Kong Heritage Luxury Brand ISABELLE.C Redefines Modern Chinese Aesthetics, Unveiling Its Intangible Heritage Collection at China Institute Fashion NightNEW YORK, US - Media OutReach Newswire ...

Beijing Marathon to Kick Off on October 18: Road Running Charm Blooms in the Golden Autumn Capital

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – On September 28, the 2026 Bank of China Beijing Marathon & National Marathon Championships held a press conference in Beijing, of...

Customer Service Is Becoming Part of the Small Business Sales and Marketing Engine

For Customer Service Week, 5-9 October, Thryv is urging small businesses to look beyond generating  enquiries and examine what happens after a custome...

Gift Cards as the gateway to agentic payments

Prepaid and stored value gives consumers the trust and control to try AI shopping agents By Blackhawk Network VP Head of ANZ Kieran Nolan For deca...

Why Data Accumulation Without Governance Undermines Sustainability Goals

In July 2026, Group 2 entities, the second cohort of Australian businesses, began their first reporting period under the mandatory climate disclosur...

Permanent $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off Gives Small Businesses Greater Planning Certainty

The Federal Government’s decision to permanently legislate the $20,000 instant asset write-off will give eligible small businesses greater certainty...

Selling a Small Business in Australia: Understanding the Capital Gains Tax Concessions

For many Australian business owners, selling a business represents the reward for years—sometimes decades—of hard work. Unlike employees who may bu...

Australian businesses lean into global strategic partnerships (GCCs) for next wave of outsourcing

The Australian corporate landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation in how it sources talent and innovation. While businesses have traditi...