30 years ago, in 1977, the National Theatre Trust actively recruited music makers from all walks of life to form Singapore’s first symphonic band – the National Theatre Symphonic Band (NTSB). Subsequently, the National Theatre Trust was dissolved in 1992 and NTSB re-registered herself as a society to embark on yet another era: the Singapore Wind Symphony (SWS).

The band has had many great opportunities to work with renowned conductors and musicians, local and foreign, such as Mr Mitsuo Nonami, Assoc Prof Ho Hwee Long, Mr Luk Hoi Yui, Dr Hardy Mertens and Mr Jan Van de Roost.

Over the years, SWS participated in numerous international competitions and performed in regional events such as the World Music Contest in 1992 (Gold + Top Scorer in Symphonic Band Division) and 2001 (First Prize, First Division), Janitsjarfestivalen Band Festival, Hamar in 1993, 9th (Hong Kong,1996) & 10th (Sydney,1998) Conference of the Asia Pacific Band Directors Association (APBDA). The band had the opportunity to perform at renowned locations such as the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and the Sydney Opera House.

In 1999, with assistance from the NAC Arts Housing Scheme, SWS moved to its current home at Ulu Pandan Community Building.

2001 saw the start of SWS’s series of specialised concerts, such as the Community series, ComWorks series, Guest Conductor series, and Composer series of concerts, to cater to a diverse range of tastes, from free public performances, to our regular pop concerts, to mini-concerts of concertos and symphonies targeted at discerning listeners.

In 2004, the Youth Winds and Percussion Ensemble were started to address growing interest in these two groups. The Youth Winds holds regular concerts and performances to channel the passion and enthusiasm of  the young. The Percussion Ensemble recently participated in 2005 WMC / Percussion Ensemble (Concert Division) and obtained a Silver award.

We hope to continue to attract musicians of all ages and calibre, to tap on our musician’s passion for symphonic band music, and to share that passion with our audiences.