The 22nd APBDA 2025 Conference in Singapore was held over five days, from Friday, 22 August to Tuesday, 26 August 2025. It was organised by the Band Directors’ Association (Singapore) (BDAS) and co-organised by the Asia and Pacific Band Directors’ Association (APBDA).
As the 2022 Taiwan conference was limited to domestic participants due to the pandemic, this marked the first full-scale international event in seven years since the Conference 2018 in Hamamatsu, Japan. A total of 27 bands from eight countries and regions—Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand—gathered to celebrate the excellence of wind band music in Asia.
22 August: Opening Concert
The five-day conference commenced with the Opening Concert held at the School of the Arts (SOTA) Concert Hall in Singapore. The conference opened with a resounding fanfare by the brass section of the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band, followed by the ceremonial raising of the APBDA flag.
The concert featured performances by the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble (Singapore), Cyber Symphonic Winds (Hong Kong), and the Kanagawa University Symphonic Band (Japan), all of whom delivered highly focused and outstanding performances.
The finale brought together all participating ensembles for a massed performance of Freude: March to Joy!, conducted by the composer himself, Benjamin Yeo. Inspired by Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, this collaborative performance celebrated peace, hope, and harmony beyond borders, embodying the spirit of APBDA.
23 & 24 August: Indoor and Outdoor Concerts
On 23 and 24 August, a diverse range of programmes offered audiences multiple perspectives on wind band music. Indoor concerts were held at two venues—the School of the Arts Concert Hall and the Lee Foundation Theatre at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) —where each ensemble presented performances of distinctive character and high quality.
At the same time, outdoor concerts were staged against the backdrop of Singapore’s beautiful natural and urban landscapes. These took place at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens and the futuristic Gardens by the Bay. The programmes focused on accessible and popular repertoire, attracting both tourists and local residents, who responded with applause and cheers, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Exhibition Booths
At the School of the Arts Concert Hall, exhibition booths were set up in the adjacent gallery space, allowing participants and visitors to explore freely. Musical instruments and related accessories were showcased, drawing considerable interest and activity.
25 August: APBDA Showcase Concert
In the latter half of the conference, the venue moved to the Esplanade Concert Hall, one of Singapore’s premier arts venues. The APBDA Showcase Concert on 25 August featured ensembles selected through a
pre-event video audition process. Their performances demonstrated exceptional artistry and ensemble quality, earning enthusiastic applause throughout.
26 August: Gala Concert
The conference concluded with the Gala Concert. Performances were given by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band and the National Youth Winds, under the guest conductorship of internationally renowned composer Yasuhide Ito. The programme included some of his signature works as well as pieces connected to Singapore, performed with refined tone and musicality, providing a fitting conclusion to the event.
Clinics and Masterclasses
In addition to the concerts, educational programmes aimed at the development of band directors, educators and performers were held. At the Band Academy Singapore, five sessions were conducted over two days (25–26 August) by Benjamin Yeo, Brett Stemple, Keiichi Kurokawa, Hirokazu Amakasu, and Yeh Shu-Han.
Masterclasses by Keiichi Kurokawa and Hirokazu Amakasu were also presented, with bands from Macau and Hong Kong receiving dedicated instruction, fostering both technical development and the sharing of pedagogical approaches.
Participating Ensembles
Hong Kong
- Cyber Symphonic Winds
- Nova Wind Orchestra
Japan
- Kanagawa University Symphonic Band
- Niconico Sounds in BRASS
Macau
- Macao Pui Ching Symphonic Band
- Macau Youth Symphonic Band
Malaysia
- Sri Kuala Lumpur Secondary School Wind Orchestra
Philippines
- Pasay City Symphony Band
Singapore
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble
- Band Academy Singapore Ensemble
- ITE Concert Band
- Maha Bodhi Alumni Band
- National Junior College Symphonic Band
- National Youth Winds
- New Gen Wind Symphony
- Ngee Ann Polytechnic Alumni Band
- Riverside Secondary School Concert Band
- Rosyth Band
- Saint Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School Concert Band
- Singapore Armed Forces Central Band
- Singapore Chinese Girls’ School Band
- Singapore Wind Symphony Youth
Taiwan
- Shui Shang Junior High School Wind Orchestra
- Taipei Municipal Jinhua Junior High School Concert Band
- Taiwan Lin Kou Junior High School Wind Band
- Tung-Shin Junior High School Marching Band
Thailand
- Ratwinit Bangkaeo Wind Symphony
Closing Remarks
On behalf of the organisers, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants and audience members who attended the APBDA 2025 Conference in Singapore, as well as to everyone whose considerable efforts contributed to its successful organisation. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every performer who delivered such inspiring music.
It is our hope that the shared experiences and learning in Singapore will serve as a foundation for the continued growth and development of wind band culture across the Asia-Pacific region.
