For many, ACSWO is more than just an alumni band. It’s a homecoming, a reunion, and a living tapestry of friendships forged through decades of shared music-making. From the first notes played in ACJC Band to yearly returns for LegACy, the journey through music doesn’t end with graduation; it simply evolves.
Abigail Choong, who graduated in 2012 and now serves as the current ACSWO President, shares, “ACSWO has always been a big part of my life. Not just for the opportunities to make music, but for the many friendships built through years of playing together.” That sense of camaraderie lives on through LegACy, the band’s annual concert — a celebration that feels more like a giant family reunion (with supper after, of course). It’s a cherished tradition that keeps friendships alive amid the busyness of adulthood.
More than just a reunion, ACSWO is also a way to give back. “Being able to continually participate allows us to support the younger generation, from academic help to music tutorship and beyond. It’s always meaningful to stay connected with the juniors,” Abigail adds.
For Kim Bo Min, who graduated in 2017, returning to ACSWO this year was a deeply personal journey. “Six years ago was the last time I played with ACSWO or in a band, and I thought I had closed that chapter of my life for good. Coming back for LegACy 2025 wasn’t an easy decision, especially after such a long break. I still remember being a nervous wreck at the first rehearsal, worried I’d forgotten all the musical instincts and would struggle to keep up. But after a month of rehearsals with this warm and welcoming community, all those fears have melted away. Now, I’m just grateful to be making music again with so many familiar faces and bright new ones. Here’s to (hopefully) many more performances in the years ahead.”
Trombonist Peter Gale, who graduated in 2013, describes ACSWO as “a welcoming community of musicians for alumni and friends. We have a lot of fun at rehearsals, and we also get a lot of music done.” Over the years, he has performed everything from Poema Alpestre to El Golpe Fatal, and even his own compositions like The Spirit of Adventure and Hip Hymns Vol. 1. “It’s a privilege to hear my own music come alive with this ensemble; so different from how it sounds on notation software!”
For Saxophonist Benjamin Wong, joining ACSWO meant stepping into a legacy that stretches across generations since his graduation in 2023. “I was excited to play in a band with seniors from many batches before mine and hear about their time in ACJC Band. There’s something special about connecting through a shared passion. I hope to keep playing in this community that always strives for musical excellence.”
At the helm of ACSWO is conductor Jovan Neo, who sees each concert as more than a performance. “This year’s programme brings together works from Japan, the UK, and Australia, each with its own distinct sound world. It’s a musical journey that reflects the diversity of the band tradition, and also the shared memories we carry as musicians.”
This year’s concert features Les Trois Notes du Japon, Peterloo Overture, Colonial Song, and selections from How to Train Your Dragon, alongside Hip Hymns Vol. 1 – a fresh reimagining of familiar tunes penned by ACSWO’s own.
The concert will also feature the ACJC concert band, under the baton of resident conductor Jade Lim Hui Min.
“Being back feels like coming home,” Jovan adds. “We may not all have played in the same band at the same time, but it’s the AC identity that binds us is a shared culture of passion, perseverance, and pride.”
In the words of the school anthem: “Our Hearts, Our Hopes, Our Aims are one.” Through the music of ACSWO, that spirit lives on; echoing in rehearsal rooms, concert halls, and hearts, generation after generation.
LegACy 2025
Saturday, 2 August 2025
Singapore Conference Hall, 7.30pm
$25, $20
legacy2025.eventbrite.sg