When I look back on 20 years of Band Fusion, it almost feels surreal how something that began so small has grown into such a big part of my life. Back in 2005, social media didn’t exist the way it does today. If we wanted to promote a school band concert, it was word of mouth or five-cent text messages. Out of that simple need, Band Fusion was born.
It started with two trombonists from NP Concert Band, including myself, with the encouragement of our resident conductor, Mr Tan Aik Kee. Along the way, other enthusiasts joined in, lending their energy and ideas to help this vision take shape. What began as a personal blog became Concerts Weekly, a little site that helped school bands promote their concerts and events. Bands would write in with details, and we’d post them. Soon, the blog had listings for concerts, outdoor performances, recruitments, and even a small directory of Singaporean bands and resources.
By August that year, we launched a forum to bring people together, and on 30 October 2005, Band Fusion officially came to life. The name itself came from a simple idea — the band as a medium to fuse people, ideas, and communities together. It was never just about announcements. It was about connection, and about creating a space where the different parts of the scene could meet, share, and grow.
From the start, it was clear this was never about money. We never profited, and apart from a few sponsorships here and there, we mostly paid for things out of our own pockets. We kept costs as low as possible, but we also believed that the scene deserved good content. Passion was the only fuel we needed. As the saying goes, once a band member, always a band member.
Over the years, there were milestones that shaped the journey. In 2015, for our 10th concert, we partnered with the Orchestra Collective, a group of some of the finest young musicians at the time, many of whom had gone abroad and returned to give back to the scene. It was more than a concert — it was a celebration of how far we’d come together. In 2020, we had planned our 15th concert, but the pandemic brought the world to a stop. We only returned in 2023, collaborating with the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra to pay tribute to three important figures who gave so much to the band movement but had passed on.
And now, in 2025, Band Fusion turns 20. This time, we join hands with our long-time friends at West Winds for Our Spirit, Our Legacy. This concert is not just about Band Fusion. It is also about Singapore turning 60, and the Singapore Band Movement marking 60 years since its founding. It is about honouring the spirit that carried us here, and the legacy we continue to build together.
In between these milestones, Band Fusion grew in many ways. We covered countless concerts, festivals, and conferences. We became the official media for events big and small. We were even known for providing live SYF results before social media made everything instant. Along the way, we built relationships with community bands, associations, professional groups, and partners across the region. These connections gave us strength and helped us live up to our little tagline back then — “the daily dose of the scene.”
The biggest challenge has always been content. How do you create something professional yet personal, something that connects while staying true? We kept fine-tuning, listening to feedback, and adapting to new platforms. From long articles and reviews to mobile-friendly updates and video shares, Band Fusion kept changing with the times. Sometimes it felt exhausting, but the passion never faded.
The truth is, the most influential force behind Band Fusion has always been the Singapore band scene itself. Its growth, its ups and downs, its music and its people — all of that shaped us. The progress of the band scene has always determined the progress of Band Fusion.
These days, even though I run it alone, it doesn’t feel like a major effort anymore. That’s because of the volunteers who continue to help, and the wider community that understands what Band Fusion is about. At its heart, it has always been more than a website. It’s a mirror of the band scene’s growth, a companion to its struggles and triumphs, and a reminder of how much can be achieved when passion and community come together.
From two trombonists with a simple idea to a platform that has lasted two decades, Band Fusion’s story is proof that passion and perseverance can go a long way. And this September, we celebrate that journey together.
Be part of this milestone celebration on 7 September 2025 at Our Spirit, Our Legacy, presented by West Winds under the baton of ME6 Philip Tng.
Our Spirit, Our Legacy
Sunday, 7 September 2025
SOTA Concert Hall, 5pm