Global Music Exchange

The CIS True North Band recently completed a five-day music study tour in Singapore. Led by CIS music faculty, nearly 40 students experienced music as more than performance—to understand culture, build connections, and grow together.

At Jurong Pioneer Junior College (JPJC), students took part in two days of joint rehearsals and musical exchange with local peer ensembles.

Composer Lee JinJun joined the students in person, guiding them through the musical ideas and craftsmanship behind the works, and sharing the stories that inspired his compositions.

By attending a performance by the professional band In Harmony, students experienced how diverse cultures meet, blend, and resonate through music.

Beyond rehearsals, students connected with local students through shared activities, stories, and moments of laughter.

From iconic city landmarks to everyday streets, students explored real urban spaces and felt the rhythm of Singapore’s multicultural life.

Through visits to the Peranakan Museum and handson traditional dessert making, students discovered Southeast Asian culture through daily aesthetics—bringing art into everyday life.

Beyond the music rehearsal rooms, students explored Singapore together, learning through creative encounters and activities, observation, conversation, and shared experiences.

A band is, by nature, an art of collaboration. Prior to departing for Singapore and whilst in Singapore, the band spent hours and hours rehearsing—refining intonation, rhythm, balance, and collective sound. This reinforced a core lesson: great music is never about individual display, but about listening, trust, and shared responsibility. These same qualities form the foundation of teamwork and lasting friendships. 

The opportunity to engage directly with composers and professional musicians in Singapore raised students' expectations of themselves and strengthened their commitment to excellence.

At CIS, music education is not about training a small number of future professionals. Its purpose is far broader. CIS offers structured music instruction to all students from Pre-Kindergarten all the way to Grade 12 with a Secondary Wind Orchestra and a Junior Choir. Every CIS student begins learning at least one musical instrument from Grade 5 onward—not just to "play," but to build habits that become character, and character that pushes them toward higher standards.

Five days and four nights may seem brief, but the impact is lasting. Students returned not only with memories, but with deeper friendships, broader perspectives, and a clearer understanding of themselves. They traveled with their instruments—and came back with far more: a stronger sense of purpose, a richer view of the world, and the confidence to grow beyond their comfort zones.