The Band Post concludes its story on the 10th Singapore International Band Festival (SIBF) 2026, organized by the Wind Bands Association (Singapore), celebrating a landmark milestone of cross-border camaraderie and artistic excellence.
Spanning three feature stories, SIBF 2026: The Shared Journey captures the full spectrum of the festival, from the symphonic statements of the Concert Division and Division 1, to the vibrant resilience and regional exchange across Divisions 2A, 2B, 3, and Percussion Ensembles.
Through the unfiltered reflections of musicians, conductors, and student leaders from Singapore, Malaysia, and beyond, this retrospective honours not just the awards won, but the enduring friendships and passion forged along the way.
In the final installment of SIBF 2026: The Shared Journey, The Band Post turns its focus to Division 2B, which is the largest and most fiercely contested division of the 10th Singapore International Band Festival.
Bringing together 24 secondary school and youth bands from Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Chinese Taipei, Division 2B was a profound showcase of student leadership, resilience in the face of unexpected setbacks, and the unwavering commitment required to perform as one.
Secondary School Leadership and Overcoming Adversity
Beyond the sheer scale of the division, the defining story of Division 2B lay in how young musicians navigated grueling preparation schedules, supported one another through last-minute hurdles, and discovered the true meaning of unity on stage.
For St. Margaret’s Secondary School Concert Band Band Major Music and flutist Choo See Yeon Erin, the journey underscored the value of shared persistence and ensemble unity:
“My SIBF journey this year was definitely a rollercoaster. When we first started preparing for the festival, I didn’t realise how much time, effort, and patience it would take. There were definitely tiring and frustrating moments, but all the practice was worth it in the end as we played as one band and got to enjoy the music made together.
Through the months of preparation, I have learnt that music is not just about playing the right notes and rhythm. It is about listening to each other and conveying our emotions through the music we play. Although things did not go perfectly on the actual day, I think being able to continue and enjoy the experience was what mattered most.
Preparing for and participating in SIBF has brought many tears, both frustrated ones during preparation and joyous ones when we won gold! In addition to developing my musical abilities, I have also learnt to accept feedback and improve on it.
Looking back, SIBF was more than just a performance or competition. It was the long rehearsals and extra practice, the inside jokes, and the people I got to experience it all with. These are certainly the things I will remember most from this special journey, which have strengthened me and gotten me ready for what’s to come.”
For Crescent Girls’ School Symphonic Band (CGSSB), Student Conductor and Trumpeter Iffah Nadhira recalled how the band weathered a critical test just 24 hours before taking the stage:
“Participating in SIBF 2026 was a journey that tested not only our musical abilities, but also our resilience and unity as a band. Just one day before the competition, we faced an unexpected challenge when a band member fell ill.
Instead of letting the setback shake us, we came together to find a solution. By adapting and supporting one another, we proved that even the toughest challenges can be overcome. When we stepped onto the stage, we carried with us not just months of preparation, but also the trust and determination to face adversity together as one band.”
For Temasek Junior College Symphonic Band (IP) President Isabelle Koh, navigating a demanding repertoire alongside academic commitments proved to be a defining test of discipline and teamwork:
“SIBF was a really great learning experience personally as well as for the band since our band was challenged to take on a relatively tougher piece than usual. Furthermore, the tight timeline and juggling of schoolwork made it quite a gruelling experience.
However, I still gained a lot from this SIBF as I learnt greater cooperation with my section and with other sections so as to produce better sound. SIBF was ultimately a memorable experience for me as our band was able to make music while also creating strong memories with one another. Through our hard work and dedication, we achieved results that made the experience even more enjoyable.”
For Khairul Anuar Bin Hashim of Malaysia’s Jenan Wind Orchestra, traveling across the border was the realization of an ambitious goal built on months of late-night rehearsals:
“If someone had told us a year ago that we would be representing Malaysia at the Singapore International Band Festival 2026, many of us would have smiled in disbelief. Today, looking back on this journey, we realize that dreams really do come true when they are supported by hard work, determination, and people who never stop believing in us.
Preparing for SIBF was never easy. Our days were filled with school lessons followed by long rehearsals that often stretched into the evening. There were moments when we felt physically exhausted and mentally challenged, but every obstacle made us stronger. What made this journey special was not only the music we played, but the family we built.
Travelling to Singapore was an unforgettable experience. Standing backstage before our performance, we were nervous, excited, and proud all at the same time. When we finally stepped onto the stage, all the months of preparation came together. Beyond our performance, SIBF opened our eyes to the beauty of music without borders, inspiring us to continue learning and dreaming bigger.”
For CTWinds Band Major Music and saxophonist Clare Ting, the preparation process offered vital takeaways in perspective and mental fortitude:
“As the Band Major Music of CTWinds, I have learned so much from this journey. Over the past few months, I watched the band grow tremendously while working towards our goal, spending countless rehearsals and hours of practice together. Seeing how the band overcame the challenges of learning new music made me feel extremely proud of their dedication.
Despite our efforts, we faced a few hiccups on the actual day of the performance. Nonetheless, I gained several key takeaways. Not everything goes according to plan, and challenges are inevitable in being a bandsman. The most important thing is not the numerical score that determines our ranking, but the fighting spirit, motivation, and ability to move forward by working harder for future events. What is done has been done, but what we can do now as a band is strive for greater achievements in the future and never lose hope.”
For the members of Nanyang Girls’ High School Concert Band, who reflected collectively on their campaign, the experience provided an avenue for deep musical growth and collaborative spirit:
“Nanyang Concert Band’s journey towards the Singapore International Band Festival (SIBF) has been one filled with challenges, growth, and countless memories. While the road to SIBF was far from easy, it pushed the band to grow individually as musicians as well as together as a band. Though we faced many long hours of rehearsals, and times when progress felt slow, our members continued to push forward with dedication and passion.
As we look back on SIBF, we are proud not only of the music we have prepared, but also of the journey that brought us here. Not only was this festival an opportunity for us to share our music, but more importantly, it was a chance to show NYCB’s growth and celebrate the countless memories we have made along the way.”
For Crestwinds Band Major Music and percussionist Syaista, the festival campaign became a rallying cry for collective perseverance and self-belief:
“What started with disbelief and uncertainty became a journey of growth, perseverance, and pride. When we first received our SIBF pieces, we did not know what to expect. As the weeks passed, we learned to push beyond our comfort zones, overcome challenges, and work together as one band. With the patience, guidance, and encouragement of our conductors and teachers, we grew in confidence and became more determined to give our best.
On competition day, the nerves were real, but as we stepped onto the stage, fear gave way to confidence. Walking off the stage, we felt a mixture of relief, satisfaction, and pride. Through SIBF, we GROW through challenges, GLOW through our achievements, and GO forward with greater confidence, resilience, and determination. This is only the beginning—let’s keep growing, glowing, and going!”
Student leaders Ellie, Haziqah, and Thawda from Yuan Ching Secondary School Concert Band celebrated the foundational growth achieved over months of rigorous preparation:
“From the start of our preparations until the end of SIBF, our band persevered through every challenge together, spending two and a half months working tirelessly on our set pieces and constantly refining every detail. Competing alongside outstanding bands from both Singapore and overseas reminded us of the high standards of musicianship and inspired us to continue striving for excellence.
Our conductor reminded us that this was our first major milestone together, and that reaching it was an achievement in itself. Looking back, our SIBF journey was filled with hard work, perseverance, and growth. We discovered the importance of resilience, discipline, teamwork, and believing in one another—lessons and friendships we will carry forward as we embrace new challenges.”
At St. Joseph’s Institution Symphonic Band, flutist Izaak Irwin Tan and horn player Matias New reflected on how personal bonds and shared discipline far outweighed competitive outcomes:
“Participating in SIBF was a major milestone for me, and I believe for my fellow bandsmen as well. What mattered the most wasn’t just the adrenaline on stage, but also the months of hard work practicing the same parts over and over again while building memories with my friends. Through this whole experience, I have learned what being a bandsman really means: resilience, discipline, and passion. Even more, I have learned what being a band really means: solidarity, growth, and unity.” — Izaak Irwin Tan (Flute Section)
“Having the chance to participate in SIBF has been one of the best experiences in my band journey in SJI thus far. This festival was much more than the rankings. Although it was nice to see our hard work pay off, what was most gratifying for me was that, in the process, we grew closer to one another—through the funny moments and even through the chaos. This special bond forged from what was supposed to be just a competition is truly irreplaceable.” — Matias New (Horn Section)
Closing out the three-part retrospective, Broadrick Concert Band student leaders Tan Jia Ying (Drum Major & Band Major Music), Kolby Ee (Band Major Music), and Aubrey Jones (Band Major Administration) captured the full emotional arc of the festival – from doubt and grueling rehearsals to the electric rush of taking the stage and trusting in one another:
“The journey leading up to SIBF was much harder than it seemed. There were many times when we felt discouraged and even wanted to give up. However, with the support of our teachers, conductors and fellow bandmates, and by constantly encouraging one another through the challenges, we were able to pull through in the end.
Through this journey, we learnt much more than just the music. We discovered what it truly means to be part of a band: lifting one another up, making sure no one is left behind, and persevering together towards a common goal. Along the way, we also strengthened our bonds and grew closer as a band.
When the day of our performance finally arrived, we walked onto the stage with confidence and walked off feeling fulfilled, knowing that we had given our best and that all our hard work had been worthwhile.
The atmosphere during the results announcement was vibrant, with everyone cheering each band on. However, when it came to our turn, everything suddenly felt tense for those of us waiting to hear our result. Already filled with anxiety and uncertainty, a surprising Oh? from the emcee made our hearts beat almost as fast as the tempo of Choose Joy! When the word Gold finally followed, we were filled with relief and excitement, while the rest of our bandmates celebrated together in our group chats.
Looking back, SIBF taught us to trust one another, trust our teachers and conductors, and most importantly, trust in the music and the work we had put in together.
We are truly thankful for this opportunity, not only to perform on the SIBF stage, but also to learn, grow and reach greater heights together as Broadrick bandsmen.”