The Band Post looks back at 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.
When the final echoes of SIBF 2026 faded across the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, they left behind a defining impression – music at its highest level is as much about human endurance as it is about artistic precision.
In the Concert Division and Division 1, ensembles stepped beyond standard contest boundaries. Here, the challenge was not merely delivering a clean performance, but constructing a complete symphonic narrative.
Concert Division: Mastery in Full Form
The Concert Division stands as SIBF’s most demanding arena, a format requiring bands to construct and execute a full 40 to 45 minute artistic program.
Led by conductor Mohamad Rasull, AudioImage Wind Ensemble delivered a masterclass in symphonic storytelling, proving what can be achieved when artistic vision meets relentless preparation. They shared the Concert Division stage with a remarkably diverse lineup of community and international talent, including the Singapore Wind Symphony Youth, conducted by Daniel Yiau, and Youka Wind Ensemble (Chinese Taipei), conducted by Liao Wen-Cheng.
For Siti Zubaidah Binte Said, President of AudioImage Wind Ensemble, taking the stage was the culmination of a half-decade vision. Reflecting on their milestone performance, she shared:
“Five years ago, when I decided to embark on this four-year SIBF journey with AudioImage, I never imagined we’d one day be named Concert Division Champion. Even convincing Rasull to take part in both the 2024 and 2026 editions was a challenge in itself, but looking back now, I’m glad he said yes.
To me, SIBF was never just about competing. It was a platform to provide our members and music directors with the opportunity to challenge themselves, to pursue excellence through music, to expand our repertoire, push our technical and musical capabilities, and see just how much we could grow as an ensemble.
Along the way, I saw members who were incredibly excited, members experiencing SIBF for the very first time, members reminiscing about their own SIBF journeys, and members who were nervous and scared, but chose to push through because they wanted to become better.
Naturally, because it is a competition, there was that mindset of wanting to do well and excel. That shaped everything from how we programmed our 40-minute performance to how rehearsals and sectionals were planned, and how we prepared ourselves mentally and physically.
Being named Concert Division Champion is something we’re incredibly grateful for, but I don’t think that’s the real story. The story is about the people who committed to the journey, believed in a shared vision, and grew together. The title is simply the ending to this chapter. For AudioImage, I believe it’s just another stepping stone towards what’s next.”
That sentiment of shared growth resonated deeply across the open category. For Priya Chuang, Secretary of Singapore Wind Symphony Youth (SWSY), the preparation redefined the ensemble’s internal bond from within:
“My journey to SIBF has been tough and rewarding. It really forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me the importance of perseverance, discipline, and consistency. Every rehearsal reminded me that progress is made by showing up and putting in the work.
For us as a band, the journey was about more than just getting ready for a competition. Each section had important things to contribute and each member had a role to play in our final performance. We made small improvements together and helped each other through tough rehearsals, which made us stronger not just as musicians, but as a band.
There were moments of pressure as we worked towards the competition, but there was also a strong sense of anticipation and determination. Standing together at SIBF, I felt proud of how far we had come. Regardless of the final outcome, I believe the experience itself was a success because of the friendships we strengthened, the lessons we learned, and the memories we created together. It reminded me that music is not only about achieving excellence, but also about the people you share the journey with.”
Division 1: Tertiary Powerhouses
Division 1 showcased the formidable talent brewing in tertiary and open-level institutions, where musicians balance demanding academic schedules with late-night rehearsals. Singapore’s tertiary bands made a sweeping statement alongside regional counterparts, featuring RP Wind Symphony (led by Tianze Luo), Singapore Polytechnic Symphonic Band (led by Adrian Chiang), Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band (led by Steven Tan Aik Kee), Tutti Wind Orchestra (TWO) (Malaysia, led by Chris Wong), and Millennia Institute Symphonic Band (led by Eddie Chng).
For Katherine Weilinn, President of TWO, performing at SIBF marked an emotional cross-border milestone for Malaysian community music:
“For Tutti Wind Orchestra, SIBF was far more than just a festival. It marked our very first cross-border musical journey from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As a community orchestra made up largely of full-time working adults and students, finding time for music is never easy, yet this experience reminded us why we continue to make that commitment.
From performing on the prestigious Yong Siew Toh Conservatory stage in our Malaysian batik attire, to listening to inspiring ensembles from around the world, every moment encouraged us to dream bigger. Our musicians benefited immensely from masterclasses with distinguished clinicians, were captivated by the phenomenal performances of the legendary Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra, and cherished the opportunity to share music with the Bedok community during our outreach performance. A special highlight was the masterclass with Mr. Surapol, whose insights transformed not only our sound but also our perspective on making music.
The weekend may have been short, but it left us with friendships, inspiration, and memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. We return home with renewed passion, a deeper appreciation for the global wind band community, and an even stronger desire to continue growing together through music.”
For Singapore Polytechnic Symphonic Band President Wayne Ong, stepping onto the stage provided a unique opportunity to celebrate local culture and pride:
“Leading up to the competition, our practice sessions grew longer and more intense, with many late nights. During the competition itself, it was like a blur. I was stressed like many others; I knew my preparation was there, but I felt nervous. However, I trusted the guidance of my instructors and played the best I could with confidence. It was an honour being the first band to play Sisters’ Island for an international competition, allowing us to showcase Singapore’s culture through our playing.
After the performance, I felt calm again, knowing that we had given our best. Naturally, I felt anxious about the result, but it quickly became less about the scores and more about the people I played with. The bonds I fostered and strengthened through those practices had become far deeper than what they once were. Looking back, SIBF had its ups and downs, but despite all of that, I am grateful for the experience and for forging stronger bonds with my bandmates. It wasn’t an easy journey, but this competition has made us stronger as one.”
That focus on emotional connection was echoed by Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band President Naomi Tnay, who emphasized the high point of their final run:
“SIBF 2026 was an incredible journey. The months of hard work, dedication, resilience, and perseverance brought the band closer together and helped everyone improve musically and as individuals. Our performance was the best run we had ever done—the music really touched our hearts, and we could feel everyone pushing themselves to give their best.
No matter the result, the journey and the qualities we developed along the way are far more valuable. I hope everyone can take pride in the music we made and the efforts put in. Trying is what keeps us going, and I am very proud that everyone gave their all from start to finish.”
Rounding out the tertiary showcase, Hailey Lim, President of RP Wind Symphony, looked back on how the festival expanded their horizons far beyond the campus walls:
“This was my first band competition besides SYF, and it felt higher stakes and more tense because it was an international event rather than just local bands. It was also more intensive for RPWS, stepping up to four practices a week compared to our usual two. Coordinating with all the members as a committee member was challenging because everyone had different schedules.
However, it gave us invaluable learning experiences. Having guest players and alumni with more years of playing experience join us brought fresh perspectives, alongside our masterclasses with Mr. Gavilan Neo. It also opened up new performance opportunities like Soundcheck II, giving us a deeper understanding of the local band culture and changing our view of the band scene. Everyone was supportive and open to friendly competition while genuinely celebrating each other’s achievements.
Participating in SIBF through WBAS offered opportunities we usually wouldn’t get, such as our exchange with New Taipei Municipal Hai-Shan High School Junior High Division Wind Band. We played together, learned their section dynamics, and experienced how conductors from other countries approach warmups and pieces.
Beyond the stage, the workshop with Dr. Sami taught us that music is universal as it truly brings people of different cultures and ages together.
As our conductor Tianze, reminded us, the true goal is that music lives on in all of us.”