The Singapore Symphony Orchestra was set up with the encouragement of the Singapore government in 1979. Choo Hoey was appointed their founding music director and resident conductor, a position he held until 1996. He is credited for developing the orchestra with his diverse programming. He was appointed conductor emeritus when he stepped down in July 1996. Lan Shui assumed the position of music director in 1997. With 96 members, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra now makes its performing home at the Esplanade Concert Hall, and also performs regularly at the Victoria Concert Hall, home of the orchestra since 1979. It gives over 50 symphonic programmes a year, with repertoire ranging from all-time favourites and orchestral masterpieces to exciting cutting-edge premières, with Asian and Singaporean musicians and composers featuring prominently in the concert season. The orchestra has made several tours and performed in America, China, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Turkey and the Czech Republic.