When the Alam Shah Wind Orchestra (ASWO) takes the stage at the World Music Contest (WMC) in Kerkrade, Netherlands, this July, they will carry far more than just their instruments. Representing Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS), one of Malaysia’s premier residential boarding schools, the all-boys ensemble is making history as they compete at the prestigious international festival for the very first time.
Entering the high-stakes Youth Division, the orchestra faces a stacked lineup of world-class international competitors. Taking the stage on Friday, July 31 at 13:45 (GMT+2) at the Kerkrade Theatre, ASWO will share the two-day division schedule with formidable powerhouses, including Hong Kong’s Ying Wa Primary School Symphonic Band, Raimondi College Wind Orchestra, and HKUGA College Symphonic Band, China’s Shanghai No.3 Girls’ High School Wind Band, Colombia’s Banda Sinfónica Juvenil de Villeta, the UK’s Haberdashers Elstree Symphonic Winds, and fellow Malaysian ensemble Seri Puteri Symphonic Winds.
The trip marks a monumental milestone: 2026 is ASWO’s 30th Anniversary. Founded in 1996, the band has spent three decades building a dominant legacy at home, collecting ten Overall Champion titles at the Fully Residential Schools (SBP) Wind Orchestra Festival and standing as the only SBP school to earn top honors at the Malaysia International Winds Festival. In recent years, they have expanded their footprint across Southeast Asia, capturing Gold and Champion titles at the 6th North Eastern Winds International Festival in Korat, Thailand, alongside collaborative exchanges with ensembles like the Suranaree Girl’s Wind Symphony.
Now, as part of their milestone year, which also saw the launch of their collaborative initiative “ASWO HEART-BEAT: Building Ensemble Artistry Together“, the band is taking its biggest leap yet onto the global stage under the direction of Singaporean conductor Muhammad Asyahari (Hari) Hussaini.
While many refer to the WMC as the “Olympics of wind music,” Conductor Hari views the stage through a slightly different lens.
“To me, it is closer to the ‘World Cup of wind bands’, as it brings ensembles from around the world together on a major international stage every four years to share each other’s culture and music,” Hari explains.
“Alam Shah Wind Orchestra has a rich history in the Malaysian wind band scene, and I felt it was time to take the next step: to elevate our standards and open the students’ eyes to the larger world of wind band music. Our students are hardworking, disciplined, and aspiring young leaders. It would be a waste if all their effort and potential were not developed to see what they are truly capable of achieving.” he adds.
For the young musicians on stage, performing in Kerkrade is the culmination of months of intense preparation balanced against strict academic routines.
Band Major Qaeed Putra, leading his peers through this journey, reflects on the commitment behind the music:
“Representing my band at the World Music Contest is a dream come true,” Qaeed shares.
“As the competition gets closer, I feel excited, grateful, and nervous. The months of preparation have been physically and mentally demanding. Every rehearsal has pushed us to improve our musical skills, discipline, and teamwork. Although the long hours of practice were tiring, they have also brought us closer as a band and reminded me that success comes from hard work and determination.
Traveling to the Netherlands is more than just going to a competition; it’s a chance to represent my school and my country on an international stage. I look forward to learning from talented musicians from all over the world, experiencing new cultures, and making unforgettable memories with my bandmates. Regardless of the final results, I believe this journey is already an incredible achievement.
My biggest wish is for our band to perform with confidence, passion, and unity. I hope we give our best, make our supporters proud, and come home with valuable experiences that help us grow as musicians and individuals. No matter what happens, I will always treasure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he expresses.
That sentiment is echoed across the ranks by Muhammad Hareez Khairil, a Form 3 clarinetist and one of the junior members of the band:
“Every musician dreams of performing on a stage where the bands from around the world compete to determine which band is the best in the world,” Hareez says.
“For us, that dream is the World Music Contest 2026 held in the Netherlands. Representing Malaysia and my school at this internationally renowned event would be an opportunity to showcase my band’s abilities while making my country and school proud. Participating in WMC 2026 is much more than a competition. It is a chance to learn, gain memories and experience, and grow both as a musician and as an individual.
Music has the ability to connect people regardless of language or culture. Through our performance, we hope to share Malaysia’s culture and music while building meaningful friendships with participants from different countries.
Representing Malaysia at the World Music Contest 2026 would be a dream come true. We would give our very best in every performance, knowing that we are representing our country and school in one of the best stages in the world. It would be an unforgettable experience that inspires us and making Malaysia and our school proud,” he shares.
Preparing for an international contest of this scale while living in a boarding school environment requires immense discipline. At Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, musical excellence cannot come at the expense of academics.
According to the band’s Head Teacher Siti Rodiah, participation in the band is a privilege that must be actively earned through responsibility in every area of life:
“As the Teacher-in-Charge of the Wind Orchestra, I see this as a major educational experience for our students,” Cikgu Siti explains.
“Throughout the preparation, they have had to balance their academic responsibilities, rehearsals, personal discipline and duties as members of a team. We have seen them become more independent, resilient and responsible. They are learning that excellence does not come from talent alone. It requires consistency, sacrifice, humility and the willingness to keep improving even when the process becomes challenging. Travelling overseas to participate in a competition of this level will also expose them to different cultures, performance practices and international standards. Regardless of the final result, the confidence, discipline and global perspective they gain from this experience will be extremely valuable for their future.
At Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, students must maintain a minimum academic standard before they are allowed to participate in activities outside the school. Therefore, the boys are not only under pressure to prepare musically, but must also remain committed to their studies. Any student who falls below the required academic standard will need to explain how he intends to improve and demonstrate his commitment to academic success. This teaches the boys that participation in the band is a privilege that must be supported by responsibility in every area of school life,” she explains.
“Administratively, organising a trip of this scale is not easy,” Cikgu Siti adds.
“It requires careful planning, coordination and the support of many people. However, I believe that the experience will be worth every effort. The teachers work closely with a very active parents’ support committee, and together we support the band in every possible area. This collaboration between students, teachers and parents is one of the greatest strengths behind the band’s journey to WMC,” she says.
To prepare for WMC, the band underwent a rigorous routine to sharpen their fundamentals before polishing their competition repertoire.
“The preparation has been very intensive because the students must balance their academic responsibilities, boarding school routines and rehearsal commitments,” Hari notes.
“We began by strengthening the fundamentals such as sound quality, intonation, rhythm, ensemble balance and stamina before gradually developing the complete competition programme. Our rehearsals are not only about correcting notes. We spend a great deal of time helping the students understand the musical character, phrasing, movement and story behind each composition. Sectional rehearsals, full band rehearsals, leadership training and sessions with specialist tutors have all been important parts of the preparation process.
We were also honoured to work with Yoshihisa Fujishige (JPN) Sensei and Mdm Tan Soh Hwa (SG) as our clinicians this year. Their experience allowed them to assess the band from a broader and more advanced perspective while providing valuable advice on our musical interpretation, ensemble sound and overall performance approach,” he says.
ASWO’s WMC Youth Division program showcases technical versatility and regional pride:
- The Prescribed Work: Impressions of Caucasus by Amir Molookpour – The mandatory work for their division, challenging the band through its rhythmic energy, contrasting colors, and distinctive cultural character.
- The Regional Showcase: Tarian Overture by Malaysian composer Yeo Chow Shern – Connects strongly with their regional identity and rhythmic spirit, bringing local heritage to an international jury.
- The Technical Test: Pulsing Onward: A California Pastorale by James M. David – Demands absolute technical precision, warmth, maturity, and a strong sense of musical direction.
“The repertoire was not chosen simply because it is technically demanding,” Hari emphasizes.
“Each work teaches the students something different about ensemble playing, expression, discipline and musical communication. Together, the three pieces allow us to present a programme that reflects both who we are and the level of musicianship we aspire to achieve,” he highlighted.
Behind ASWO’s success is a strong support network composed of school administration, dedicated alumni, and an active Parents’ Support Committee (supported by initiatives like the DANABUDI Symphony Concert series).
For the parents, sending their sons to Europe for the first time involves quiet dedication behind the scenes. Nur Ainee Mohd Zin, mother of junior clarinetist Hareez, shares:
“As a mother, seeing my son, a member of the Alam Shah Wind Orchestra, chosen to represent his school and Malaysia at the World Music Contest 2026 in Kerkrade, Netherlands, the world’s most prestigious competition for wind orchestras, is a dream come true,” Mdm Ainee shares.
“Behind this remarkable opportunity are countless hours of practice, juggling between academics, unwavering discipline, and sacrifices. It is not easy, but seeing the boys’ passion and dedication makes every sacrifice worth it. Representing our nation at the World Music Contest 2026 would be a defining moment in his life. At only 15, it will be an unforgettable milestone that will inspire him for years to come.
As his mother, my preparations go beyond simply sending him off. I find myself making sure he has everything he needs, from shopping for suitable clothes for the Dutch summer, helping him carefully pack every essential, to constantly reminding him not to forget the little things especially his precious instrument! Most importantly, I make sure he stays healthy and well-rested before the trip, because I want him to be at his very best when he steps onto that world-class stage.
As ASWO steps onto this monumental stage, my prayers are constantly with him and the entire band. I believe ASWO will do their absolute best, play with all their heart, and above all, enjoy every second of this beautiful journey. Whatever the outcome, these young musicians have already made us immensely proud”, she says.
As the band counts down the days to their contest day, Conductor Hari reflects on the true core of this massive undertaking:
“This will also be the furthest that the school has ever travelled as such a large group. It is a significant challenge not only for the students, but also for the teachers, parents, volunteers and everyone supporting the journey. However, the beauty of this experience lies in the teamwork behind the performance. It is not only about what happens on stage, but also about everything that brings us there. I believe this journey will build a stronger sense of belonging and patriotism among the boys. They will understand the responsibility of representing their school and country, not only through the quality of their performance, but also through their behaviour, the way they carry themselves offstage and how they present themselves in public.
Of course, we hope to perform well. However, the greatest achievement is the journey itself: preparing consistently, overcoming challenges and learning to work together towards something much bigger than themselves,” he states.
We wish the Alam Shah Wind Orchestra the very best as they take the stage at the World Music Contest 2026 on Friday, July 31 at 13:45 (GMT+2).