Symphonic Sounds 2025 marks a significant milestone for the Singapore Wind Symphony (SWS) as it features the SWS Youth (SWSY) alongside its main ensemble for the very first time. For Music Director Daniel Yiau, this collaboration is a natural evolution of the relationship between the two groups.
Since the Youth Band’s revival in 2023, both ensembles have been supporting one another, complementing each other’s musical journeys through joint performances and events. Daniel sees the Youth Band as an avenue for younger musicians to grow and transition seamlessly into the main band, forming what he envisions as a musical ecosystem where individuals can play from their teenage years well into their seventies.
This year’s calendar has been especially demanding for both bands. The main ensemble performed in Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with Tutti Wind Orchestra after their biannual Comworks series in March, while the Youth Band represented Singapore at the Asia and Pacific Band Directors’ Association Conference in August. Daniel explains that the idea of sharing a concert emerged as a way for both groups to come together and conclude a busy yet fulfilling year.
“It was an opportunity to take a breather while celebrating what we’ve achieved,” he says. But beyond convenience, the collaboration reflects his deeper belief in nurturing the next generation of wind players. “We should consciously and actively produce better players with each generation,” he emphasises. “Progress and change are key to sustaining vibrancy in an ever-changing soundscape.”
The 2025 programme, themed around emotional contrasts from reflection to resilience, includes works such as An American Elegy and A Brussels Requiem.
Daniel explains that this direction was shaped by the turbulence of recent years. “The world has been transformed by so many events, either by man or nature,” he reflects. “Here in Singapore, we’re reminded of how fortunate we are to live in peace.” The concert’s theme, Requiem, explores love and loss, the very forces that make life both invigorating and excruciating. Through tragedy, he says, great music often emerges to unify the human spirit. “There will always be a glimmer of hope. The human spirit will always triumph and prevail.”
Conducting both a youth ensemble and a seasoned symphonic wind band demands flexibility and empathy. Daniel admits that while musical issues often overlap, managing human dynamics can be trickier. “It often surprises me that dealing with the ‘6-7-tralalero-Skibidi-Rizz generation’ can be less complicated than adults,” he jokes.
With the Youth Band, rehearsals are energetic and structured, requiring firm guidance. With the adults, however, he must navigate personal emotions and professional pressures. “We constantly seek a balance between the human aspect and the musical demands,” he explains. For Daniel, cultivating a growth mindset is vital at every age. “We must keep our childlike wonder, always wanting to learn, staying curious, and having fun.”
For Ridwan, bassoonist with SWS, performing Bertram Wee’s Kinderszenen (2025) is both nostalgic and challenging.
“It brought back so many memories of my childhood in Singapore,” he says. “Bertram did a wonderful job weaving together familiar songs and chants we used to sing as kids, things children today might not experience in the same way.” The piece also demands precision, particularly in sections where the tempo accelerates every two bars.
“Keeping it tight while maintaining momentum is no easy task,” Ridwan admits. The inclusion of the humble recorder, our very first wind instrument, adds a tender nostalgic touch. For him, Bertram’s writing connects deeply not just through sound, but through shared memory. “A mentor once told me, ‘If we as Singaporeans don’t support our local composers, who will?’ That still resonates with me.”
Ridwan also finds joy in performing alongside the Youth Band. “It reminds us of our own early days, the excitement, nervousness, and passion for music,” he says. Watching the younger musicians step into the same space fills him and his peers with pride. “Their dedication to performing beyond their school bands shows their commitment to growing as musicians and individuals. It gives us hope for the future of Singapore’s band scene.”
For Lucas Yap, a 15-year-old percussionist from SWSY, the experience has been both inspiring and eye-opening. “Rehearsals with SWS have been such a valuable experience,” he shares. “They give us feedback, point out details we might have missed, and serve as examples for us to follow.” Learning directly from the seasoned musicians has sharpened his playing and deepened his understanding of ensemble work. “This concert wouldn’t be the same without them,” he adds.
When asked which piece resonates most, Lucas immediately mentions Frank Ticheli’s An American Elegy. “At first, I thought it was slow and boring,” he admits with a laugh. “But after learning the story behind it, I realised it’s full of emotion and expression rather than just technical challenge.” Over time, he grew to appreciate the depth and hope within the music. “It’s definitely one of the highlights of this concert, and I hope the audience feels that same sense of hope when they hear it.”
Through Symphonic Sounds 2025, musicians across generations, from emerging youths like Lucas to veterans like Ridwan, guided by Daniel’s vision, come together in a shared celebration of artistry, reflection, and resilience.
For the Singapore Wind Symphony family, this concert is more than a performance. It is a living expression of mentorship, continuity, and the enduring power of music to bridge generations and connect hearts across time.
Symphonic Sounds 2025
Sunday, 2 November 2025
NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre, 3pm