For Novo Winds, celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday was not just about performing music. It was about honouring the stories, voices, and spirit of home. The Beautiful Sunday concert at the Esplanade on 3 August presented a full programme of works by Singaporean composers, making it one of the band’s most personal and meaningful performances to date.
“Celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday through an all-local programme was incredibly meaningful to us, not just as musicians, but as proud Singaporeans,” said Art Esteban, President of Novo Winds. “These works reflected our landscapes, our shared memories, and the evolution of our cultural voice. Performing music written by fellow Singaporeans allowed us to connect more deeply with the material and with our audiences.”
Taking this commitment one step further, Novo Winds had invited members of the band to take part in a small-scale arranging initiative. Three of the pieces in the programme were opened up for reinterpretation, giving aspiring arrangers the opportunity to contribute their own voice to the celebration. “It became more than a concert,” Art explained. “It became a showcase of Singaporean composers, arrangers, and performers, all coming together to tell a shared story.”
Among the featured works were The Sisters’ Island by Wang Chenwei and City of Dreams by Benjamin Yeo, both of which painted vivid musical portraits of Singapore. For Novo Winds, these pieces were more than compositions; they were stories waiting to be told.
“We saw ourselves not only as musicians, but as storytellers. Each note carried meaning, and each piece became a narrative thread connecting performer and listener,” said Art. To better understand The Sisters’ Island, the band had made a trip to the islands themselves, immersing in the environment that inspired the piece. They even performed the “Sisters’ Motif” on-site; a powerful and emotional experience that helped bring the music to life.
In preparing City of Dreams, the band explored each movement’s context and emotional arc. “We wanted to reflect the driven optimism of the first movement, the lush lyricism of the second, and the resolute confidence of the finale,” Art said. “Each section had to be distinct in character but flow together as one unified expression of Singapore’s ever-evolving dream.”
Another highlight of the programme was a new arrangement of Semoga Bahagia, created by Art himself in collaboration with jazz pianist Toh Xin Long. The duo reimagined the beloved National Day song through a jazz-inspired lens, while preserving its original soul.
“Semoga Bahagia was deeply rooted in our collective memory. Many of us sang it in school without realising how rich it is musically,” Art shared. “Its chord structure shared strong similarities with jazz standards, which gave us a perfect foundation to reinterpret the piece for today’s audiences.” The arrangement blended traditional harmony with modern rhythm and texture, offering a fresh yet respectful take on Zubir Said’s work.
“It was playful, nostalgic, and forward-looking all at once, much like Singapore itself. Our hope was that it spoke to listeners across generations, inviting them to hear something familiar in a new way.”
Beautiful Sunday concerts were known for their accessibility and family-friendly atmosphere, something Novo Winds embraced wholeheartedly. “We saw this concert as an invitation,” said Art. “Many Singaporeans may not have been familiar with wind bands, but this programme offered something for everyone.”
To further bridge the gap, the band had included vocal features by guest vocalist Joanna François, adding a lyrical element that made the concert more welcoming to wider audiences. “Her voice offered a familiar and emotional touchpoint, drawing in listeners who may have been new to instrumental music.”
Reflecting on the journey of Singapore’s band scene, Art believed that community ensembles like Novo Winds were playing an increasingly vital role. “Community bands are the heart of Singapore’s musical ecosystem. We’re not just continuing where school bands leave off – we’re building something that lasts.”
Novo Winds ran outreach programmes throughout the year, from SYF engagement to concerts like In Youthful Company and Red Dot August, offering students a sense of continuity and belonging. “We wanted young musicians to know that their journey didn’t end with graduation. There was a home for them here.”
As Singapore’s music scene grew, Art saw community bands stepping into a larger role, not only preserving music but pushing it forward. “We were becoming platforms for storytelling, experimentation, and innovation. And we were proud to shape what the next generation of Singaporean music could be.”