The Band Post continues 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.
This second part shifts the spotlight to the chamber stages and school bands across the Small Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Division 3, and Division 2A.
Beyond scores and awards, these platforms captured the essence of youth resilience and regional cultural exchange.
Chamber Precision and Ensemble Growth
In the Small Ensemble Division, the intimate chamber format required performers to listen intently, balance individual lines, and take collective ownership of every phrase.
For Siew Jing Cheng of the Sri KL Flute Ensemble, the festival served as a pivotal milestone in both technical execution and ensemble discipline:
“Personally, I feel that I have grown tremendously as a musician throughout this journey. The pieces we chose challenged me in many ways, allowing me to develop both my musicality and technique. More importantly, the experience greatly strengthened my ensemble skills and truly taught me what it means to work together as a team.
It was also amazing to see so many musicians from around the world come together to showcase their abilities and passion for music. I had the opportunity to witness many ensembles perform a wide variety of unique and inspiring pieces, making the entire experience truly unforgettable.
One of the most rewarding parts of the journey was watching our own ensemble grow and improve day by day. From our very first run-through to our final performance, every rehearsal, challenge, and achievement became a meaningful memory that I will always cherish.”
In the PE3 Percussion Ensemble Division, SemPer demonstrated how razor-sharp coordination, individual accountability, and dedicated mentorship form the bedrock of percussion performance under conductors Mr. Loo Zhen Yang and Mr. Faidhi.
Performer Liau Wen Loong Rayden shared the personal breakthrough behind their stage run:
“Being able to perform at SIBF was an unforgettable experience for me. At first, everything felt new and challenging. There were many times when I struggled, but I kept learning from my mistakes and never gave up. Through every rehearsal, I worked hard to improve despite the difficulties.
When it was finally time to step onto the SIBF stage, I felt both nervous and excited. As we started to perform, all the months of practice came together, and I focused on giving my best. Afterwards, I felt a deep sense of relief, pride, and gratitude for what my section and I achieved together.”
Section mate Mika Aidan Abdul Hafidz added his appreciation for the mentorship and peer support that guided them through every hurdle:
“Performing in SIBF for Semper was a very memorable experience. I had fun, but I was also nervous about making mistakes. Once we started to play, I felt relaxed and could really enjoy the performance. Learning the music was a struggle at first as I didn’t understand certain techniques, but I kept practicing and asking seniors and tutors for help. I soon gained confidence and felt proud of how well we managed to play together.
I am grateful to my conductors, Mr. Loo and Mr. Faidhi, for giving me the opportunity to perform, and to my section mates for encouraging me and giving me advice so I wouldn’t give up. I’m really thankful for this experience.”
Division 3: Primary and Junior Milestones
Division 3 brought youthful energy and vibrant regional exchange to the stage, featuring 10 bands from Singapore, China, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong. For these young musicians, the festival provided a meaningful international platform to build foundational confidence and musical discipline.
Conductor Philip Han, who led Rivervale Primary School Brass Band, Shenzhen Nanshan Foreign Language School Group Dachong School Shockwave Wind Band (冲击波管乐团) and CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity Brass Band, reflected on his students’ growth:
“What I am most proud of is not just the results, but how the students rose to the occasion despite the many challenges along the way. They demonstrated tremendous resilience, commitment, and teamwork throughout the preparation process. Seeing them step onto the SIBF stage with confidence and deliver a strong performance was incredibly rewarding.”
Division 2A: Regional Triumphs and Cultural Fellowship
Division 2A brought together upper-secondary and high school powerhouses competing at a high artistic standard. The division highlighted commanding international performances from Tshung Tsin Wind Symphony under conductor Ho Chee Kiang, Foon Yew High School Kulai Concert Band led by Chang Wen Jack, and Muar Chung Hwa High School Wind Orchestra under Cheng Chong Fu.
For Phoebe Gee Shu Zhen of Tshung Tsin Wind Symphony, the trip across the border left an enduring mark far beyond the performance stage:
“No words can truly express how I’m feeling right now. Even after returning home to Malaysia, I still can’t let go of this beautiful experience. SIBF for us wasn’t just about the competition; it was more about the journey we shared together as a band and how we came together as one to achieve a unified target!
What I’ll treasure the most are the moments we spent laughing, crying, supporting one another, overcoming challenges, and growing closer as a family. I’m so grateful to SIBF for giving me and my bandmates the opportunity to create these unforgettable memories together. Thank you SIBF for giving us an experience that will stay in our hearts forever, and we hope to be back again soon!”
For junior secondary students like Hoon Xin Yu from Foon Yew High School Kulai, SIBF served as a transformative introduction to the international stage:
“Taking part in SIBF is my very first official band competition since I started junior secondary school at Kulai Foon Yew High School. At first, I felt very nervous about performing on stage, even worrying about making mistakes or falling behind. But thanks to countless rehearsals and practice sessions, I grew more confident and calm. When I finally stood on stage, I was able to perform steadily.
During preparation, we faced many difficulties—parts we could not play together well, and techniques that were hard to master. I am so grateful to our seniors, who taught us patiently, guided us on breathing and rhythm, and helped us improve step by step. I also want to thank our coach, Mr. Jack Chang, for his tireless guidance, practicing with us and correcting our mistakes with care, as well as our advisor teachers for their constant encouragement.
To every band member—thank you for your hard work and cooperation. We built great teamwork, trusted one another, and performed together as one. From this experience, I have learned far more than just music; I have learned perseverance and the true meaning of teamwork. Only when we trust, support, and work in harmony with each other can we create beautiful music.”
Muar Chung Hwa High School’s Yeo Yiin Hui captured that pivotal moment when nerves gave way to pure artistic focus:
“It had been a long time since our band last joined SIBF, so this event felt especially meaningful. The trip was exciting, but we were all quite nervous and worried about wrong notes and intimidated by the judges and audience. When we arrived at the hall, the atmosphere was inspiring, though seeing so many participants from other countries made us even more tense. But the moment we stepped on stage and our conductor raised the baton, the music took over. Our nerves faded, and we played with joy and focus.
It was a truly rewarding experience, one that reminded us why we love music and one that we will never forget.”