The revival of the St Patrick’s Alumni Band for Homecoming 2025 was more than a performance. It was a reaffirmation of the brotherhood and musical spirit that shaped generations of Patricians, a spirit that Sebastian Koh felt deeply as he stepped back onto the podium after many years.
“It wasn’t inspiration that made me say yes. What got me back to the podium for this concert was a deep sense of duty and responsibility to all my brothers who have worn the shamrock with immense pride over the decades,” Sebastian reflects. “The Alumni Band was formed and continues to exist not only for past members to relive the best of times, but to serve our school. To prove that long after leaving the gates of St Pat’s, our commitment remains and the mission continues.”
When selecting the repertoire, Sebastian found himself thinking about the concert that never took place in 2020, a programme planned for the Esplanade that was cancelled when CCAs were suspended nationwide. With only twenty one hours of rehearsal time, he and the committee chose music that balanced challenge and familiarity, pieces that would resonate with both performers and audience.
“We will open the concert with Kingdom Hearts and end with Jupiter, exactly as planned in 2020 before the world shut down,” he says. Familiar favourites such as The Phantom of the Opera and Princess Mononoke were selected to evoke joy and nostalgia. “The gist of this concert is entertainment. We want our audience to laugh, dance in their seats, get goosebumps, maybe shed some happy tears, and for our younger brothers still in St Patrick’s to be inspired.”
For the organising committee, Homecoming 2025 was as much a logistical effort as it was an emotional journey. Luke Juan remembers how powerful it was to watch alumni from different decades fall back into the same rhythm the moment they picked up their instruments. “The best part was witnessing that sense of brotherhood come alive again,” he says. Kelvin Lek felt the same, sharing that even the planning became rewarding, grounded in the confidence that every member carried the same Patrician thread. Andrew Handono reflected on the remarkable diversity across the ensemble, with performers spanning more than thirty years. Over the months of preparation, he watched strangers become friends and the band grow richer in both sound and character.
To the wider St Patrick’s community, the concert carried a clear message. Luke believes it showed that once someone has been part of this band, they never truly leave it. Kelvin echoed this sentiment, describing how no one ever felt out of place, held together by a shared musical identity unique to St Pat’s. Andrew added that the Alumni Band has, since 1989, continued to embody the school’s heritage through generations who honour the same principles.
Among the evening’s highlights were the soloists. Bryan De Rozario found that stepping into the spotlight carried both excitement and responsibility. “It is not just about playing the solo well,” he says. “It is about showing the younger players what it means to step up. This performance is my chance to give back.” Zachariah Tnay shared that performing for old friends and mentors was both nerve wrecking and meaningful, especially knowing he could bring a smile to people who shaped his musical journey. Andrew reflected that these solo acts demonstrated the excellence and confidence instilled in every Patrician musician, supported by the full ensemble whose sound elevates each individual performer.
Returning to the stage stirred memories for alumni across all generations. Bryan found the experience deeply nostalgic, reminding him of why he first fell in love with music and performance. Zachariah described a similar sense of pride as he reunited with both familiar and new faces. Across the ensemble, the emotions were just as strong. Khristian Koh said it felt like coming home after thirty three years, and that once the music began, the old instincts returned along with the powerful St Pat’s sound. Salahuddin Bin Najmul Haque remembered hesitating to join because he thought he had lost his embouchure, only to discover at the first rehearsal that the muscle memory never left.
Meeting the same batch mates and seniors he had shared years of effort and laughter with felt surreal and magical. Nicholas Steven Lee Wen spoke about how no feeling compared to the camaraderie that resurfaced when he rejoined the ensemble, even if his embouchure struggled at times. Gabriel Loy, who has never missed a single alumni performance since he graduated, said everything clicked the moment they began playing again. To him, it was nostalgia, laughter, and that familiar spark that always drew him back.
Reflecting on these reunions, Andrew noted how each generation brings its own character and strengths into the ensemble. “The Alumni Band brings out a sound, colour, and energy that is uniquely St Patrick’s,” he said, describing qualities shaped by decades of shared heritage.
As rehearsals continued, the alumni found themselves thinking about whether the spirit they knew as students still remained. Khristian felt it had not only endured but grown stronger, transformed from youthful passion into deeper appreciation. Salahuddin noticed how the band improved with every rehearsal, a sign of the independence and commitment the alumni carried with them throughout their lives. Nicholas observed that while the camaraderie naturally evolved with each new era, the love for the Alma Mater and the unmistakable St Pat’s sound remained unchanged. Gabriel said the same energy was still present, only more grounded now, shaped by the life experiences each person brought back to the music.
This sense of continuity shaped the messages the alumni hoped to offer to the current St Patrick’s School Band members. Khristian encouraged them to treasure every rehearsal and every performance, reminding them that the music they play today will stay with them for life. “Once a Patrician bandsman, always a bandsman,” he said with pride. Drawing on years in the corporate world, Salahuddin urged students to value the discipline, teamwork, and bonds formed in band, and to remember that setbacks are temporary. Nicholas emphasised the importance of unity and camaraderie, advising them to listen widely, learn from the right people, and be inspired by those who came before them. Gabriel offered a final heartfelt message, reminding them that the laughter, challenges, and shared memories they create today will carry them far beyond their school years.
As the band prepares to take the stage for Homecoming 2025, the gathering already feels like far more than a concert. It stands as a living testament to the Patrician spirit, a moment where generations will stand side by side, united by music, memory, and the unmistakable sound of St Patrick’s.
Homecoming 2025
Sunday, 16 November 2025
Singapore Conference Hall, 2.30pm