Please Note : KLGE II has disbanded since Dec 2013 and is not functioning any more until further notice. Any enquiries etc should be directed to Simon Cheong (email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

The Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II was formed by Simon Cheong sometime in March 2002 with the objective of giving concerts as well as performing at functions. Due to the members' busy teaching schedules, KLGE II had very little time to practice nor give performances. In 2004, the Ensemble gave a preview in a short performance at the 2004 Guitar Camp organized by the Classical Guitar Society of Malaysia. 

In 2005, the Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II activities started with a performance on Malaysia Hari Ini, a TV3 programme, as well as at a wedding function that was graced by Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and his Deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. The ensemble also received a write-up in Harian Metro.

In July 2006, KLGE II was invited to perform at the Ordu International Guitar Festival, Turkey. At this festival, KLGE II in its inaugural performance played two concerts and was interviewed live on ORT (Ordu Radio & Television Station). 

On December 3, 2006 KLGE II presented An Evening with the Classical Guitar in Kuala Lumpur graced by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism Datuk Dr Victor Wee and a very special guest Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain.

Further on, in 2007, in the concert organised by the Classical Guitar Society entitled Tanah Pusaka, KLGE II premiered 'Tanah Pusaka', an arrangement for guitar quartet by Simon Cheong. This arrangement is on a Malaysian nationalistic song and the concert entitled Tanah Pusaka was in celebration of Malaysia's 50th anniversary of independence. In this concert, Duolisme from Holland were the guest performers with the Dutch ambassador, His Excellency, Mr Lody Embrechts, gracing the concert. This concert, at the same time, is a celebration of 50 years of Malaysian-Dutch diplomatic relations.

In 2008, the Classical Guitar Society organised the world premiere concert entitled Gubahanku on 9 & 11 December with KLGE II's guest Isabelle Heroux from Cananda. In this concert, the late John Duarte's Variations on an Indonesian song 'Gubahanku' op 124 was given its first performance by Simon Cheong. 

In July 2009, KLGE II was invited for a performance at the Bangkok International Guitar Festival 2009 as well as to sit in as adjudicators for the competition & in Nov, they played in Chiangmai. 

Today, KLGE II is made up of Ernest Thomas, See Sew Hong, and Simon Cheong. 

KLGE II's programme for a concert is varied; playing solos, duets and trios giving an interesting mix. In an effort to widen the repertoire of the classical guitar in the Malaysian context, arrangements for classical guitar on Malaysian tunes have been arranged by Simon Cheong. These arrangements are cultural hence promoting and airing Malaysian tunes to the world. More importantly the mainstay of KLGE II's repertoire are the two compositions by John Duarte - one, on a Malaysian tune and the other, on an Indonesian tune. [Variations on a Malaysian song op 125 (Getaran Jiwa) and Variations on an Indonesian song op 124 (Gubahanku)]

Historically...
The name Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II was specifically chosen in memory of the original KLGE of which Simon was a founding member. The original KLGE came into being in An Evening of Music and Dances held in Dewan Tunku Chancellor, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur on 31 March 1978. This concert was organized by The Selangor Vocational Guidance Association in collaboration with The Malaysia Conservatorium of Music and The Federal Academy of Ballet, under the patronage of YAB Dato' Hormat bin Rafei, the then Menteri Besar of Selangor. It was the first performance by a group of guitarists brought together by Mr Andrew Chye, the principal of The Malaysia Conservatorium of Music. 

The original KLGE went on to give numerous concerts that were highly acclaimed, creating a strong following for their concerts. Unfortunately, as the members of the ensemble went on their way to pursue their careers in various fields, the ensemble faded away after three years.

The original members of KLGE were Victor Wee (leader), Daniel Chan, Deborah Tan, Yong Mei Yuen, Dr Vincent Chong and Simon Cheong. Later, as Daniel left for London to pursue his studies, Jimmy Tan joined us and then later still Eric Eng. 

Former members of Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II were Fung Tong Sen, Richard Siaw, Chua May Ling, Adee Ariffin and Ong Peng Yang.

If you are interested in having KLGE II for a concert, festival or any particular event... 
Please contact me at e-mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please Note : KLGE II has disbanded since Dec 2013 and is not functioning any more until announced. Any enquiries etc should be directed to Simon Cheong (email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )