Singapore Armed Forces Band

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Singapore Armed Forces Band (SAF Band)
SAF Band logo.png
Emblem of the SAF Band
Active1994–present
CountryFlag of Singapore.svg Singapore
Branch Singapore Armed Forces
Type Military Band
Nickname(s)SAF Band
Motto(s)In Harmony
ColoursWhite and Red
Commanders
Senior Director of MusicME6 Philip Tng Liat Peng
Regimental Sergeant MajorME3 Lim Wee Beng Gilbert

The Singapore Armed Forces Band (commonly known as the SAF Band) form the musical arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. Consisting of the flagship SAF Central Band, SAF Ceremonial Band, the National Youth Winds and the SAF Volunteer Corps Band, the SAF Band provides musical support for key events such as the National Day Parade, SAF Day Parade, Passing Out Parades, Change of Command Parades and other military duties. Other than discharging ceremonial duties, the SAF Band also presents public concerts that aim to bring a wide range of music to the populace. They also seek to build up the band's music repertoire into an extensive array of styles and variety.

Contents

History

Members of the SAF Central Band at the Virginia International Tattoo in 2017. VATatt - Singapore Armed Forces Band (34356175666).jpg
Members of the SAF Central Band at the Virginia International Tattoo in 2017.
Members of the SAF Central Band at the Army Open House in 2022. Singapore Armed Forces Band during AOH 2022 300522.jpg
Members of the SAF Central Band at the Army Open House in 2022.

Singapore's military music would begin a year before it became self-governing. The formation of the Singapore Military Forces Staff Band on 1 June 1958 spelled the beginning of the nation's love affair with military bands. From this core group of 45 musicians would come five generations of military musicians from the country’s armed services.

WO1 Frederick Roy, the 15th/19th Hussars bandmaster became the first Director of Music of the SMFSB, a duty he did until 1962. The band's main duty then was as musical support to the Singapore Infantry Regiment's activities. One of his young musicians, SSGT Abdullah Ahmad, was sent to the Royal Military School of Music for further training, later becoming a warrant officer upon graduating. The band's first composition, the Singapore Infantry Regiment March, later became the Singapore Army's official march.

Lt. Edward Crowcroft of the York and Northumberland Brigade Band succeeded WO1 Roy in September 1962 as Bandmaster and Director of Music. By November, it became the Singapore Infantry Regiment Band, and WO1 Arthur Edward Hollowell, DOM of the Band of the Parachute Brigade, replaced Lt. Crowcroft. He became a captain by the commission and led the band to its first overseas visit in 1964: the band's visit to Kuala Lumpur as part of the Independence Day Parade on 31 August that year.

A year after, WO1 Ahmad was appointed the Singapore Armed Forces Director of Music, becoming a lieutenant, and later as captain. He led the new SIR Band to the very first National Day Parade on the Padang the following year. By 1968, the band made its first recording under his direction. By that time now LTA Ahmad was also responsible for the Band of the People' Defence Force, the official band of the armed forces' volunteer component. After different names, the band was dissolved in 1974 and personnel were given to the other bands.

At the same time, the Band of the Singapore Armed Forces was formed, with joint headquarters with the SIR Band at HQ 1 Singapore Infantry Btn., Beach Road Camp. They both later moved to HQ 3 SIB at Ulu Pandan Camp and later at 5 SIB at Portsdown Camp, and by 1972, the latter band was led by a Republic of Singapore Police officer, WO1 Ervin Dragon.

By January the next year, a new band, the NSF (National Service-Full-time) Band, was formed at Telok Pagu Camp at Changi. WO2 Alan Teo became its first conductor.

May saw the first name change for the bands. They were renamed as

  1. 3 Singapore Infantry Btn. Band, also known as the SIR Band
  2. 4 Singapore Infantry Brigade. Band, also known as the Band of the Singapore Armoured Regiment
  3. 2 Singapore Infantry Btn. Band

Alan Teo, by then a captain, left the DOM post at 2 SIB band by July that year, to join the then newly created SAF Music and Drama Company. Tonni Wei, then a sergeant and playing with one of the bands, was then studying at the Royal Military School of Music, graduating in October 1976 to become the bandmaster of 2 SIB Band, was commissioned as a second lieutenant (2LT)

In 1975, the 3 SIB Band soon moved to Jurong Camp, the 3rd Division headquarters.

In January 1977, Tonni Wei joined the MDC and Alan Teo returned to his old post. By February, 3 SIB Band became the SIR Band yet again, and Teo joined the now renamed Band of the Republic of Singapore Navy-the former 2 SIB Band-to Sembawang Camp and the RSN School of Naval Training. The SIR Band would later relocate itself at Jurong Camp that May. Peter Yan, then a musician sergeant with the army, and a part of the SIR Band, was then studying at Uxbridge at the RAF School of Music for Director of Music training. He graduated the next year and soon joined the RSN Band as its director.

CPT Ahmad retired from his post in May 1979.

In 1981, SGT Terry Seah Cheong Lock, who started his military music career earlier in 1975 with the Singapore Armoured Regiment Band, returned to Singapore from the UK after graduating from the Royal Air Force School of Music in England. He was commissioned as an officer upon his return, as well as being appointed the new Director of Music of SIR Band. CPT Terry Seah Cheong Lock led the band for 13 years, up to 1994.

As the 1980s progressed the public image of the bands was positive indeed, reinforced with increased participation of the service bands in the NDP and major military events such as the Open Houses as well as their concerts. By 1982, the SAR Band (4SIB Band) was soon relaunched as the Republic of Singapore Air Force Band, and would later move to Tengah Air Base. The SIR Band was also relaunched as the Singapore Army Band, but the band's new name and image never caught on. In 1986 the RSN Band welcomed its first lady musician. Their first appearance together in the NDP was in 1987's edition in the Padang conducted by the SAF's first Senior Director of Music MAJ Ervin Dragon, with another joint performance in 1990. 1988 saw the rebirth of the SAF Music Board and the formation of the SAF Symphonic Wind Band.

The SAF Band was formed in 1994 from men and women of the Singapore Infantry Regiment Band, Republic of Singapore Air Force Band and Republic of Singapore Navy Band. The formation of SAF Band come in a restructuring of the bands within the Ministry of Defence for more effective distribution of manpower. From 1994, the different bands within the SAF Band operated at different camps and locations. The SAF Central Band and SAF Band HQ(RSNB) were by the time of the merger in Tanglin Camp, Parade Band B (RSAFB) in Tengah Airbase and Parade Band A (SIRB) in Pasir Laba Camp, as they formerly represented the three branches of the SAF before their 1994 merger which resulted to these bands playing for the SAF at various events, including their participation in the National Day Parade as regular participants and arrival honours ceremonies at the Istana. These sections combined in November 2003 after the completion of renovations work to the 'White House', the former British Officers’ Mess in Nee Soon Camp.

In 2009, the Parade Bands were renamed as the SAF Ceremonial Band to reflect their duties more accurately.

The logo of SAF Band is a combination of the three services within the armed forces. Light blue signifies the air division, red signifies the land division and deep blue signifies the sea division. They are all united within the lyre, which is a universal symbol of military musicians. The logo is topped with the National Coat of Arms which was launched on 3 December 1959 together with the National Flag and National Anthem at the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara at the City Hall steps and adopted by government agencies nationwide. Below the logo is a banner inscribed with the Band's motto, "In Harmony". The logo was designed by MAJ Tonni Wei and SSG Goh Poh Wah.

Structure of the SAF Band

SAF Band is the musical arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It comprises HQ SAF Band, the SAF Central Band, SAF Ceremonial Band, National Youth Winds and the SAF Volunteer Corps Band.

HQ SAF Band

HQ SAF Band is led by Senior Director of Music, ME6 Philip Tng and Regimental Sergeant Major, ME3 Gilbert Lim.

SAF Central Band

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band was formed during the merger of the tri-service bands in 1994 to serve as the nation's premier military band. Staffed by professional military musicians, the SAF Central Band is often seen at the Istana, performing for Presidential events and all State Welcome Ceremonies for visiting foreign dignitaries.

Recognised as one of the most prolific military bands in the world, the SAF Central Band has performed in numerous countries including Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States of America.

On the domestic front, the SAF Central Band is an integral part of the annual National Day Parade. Through its popular "Chamber Repertory" and "In Harmony" concerts at the Esplanade Concert Hall, the SAF Central Band has collaborated with many notable conductors, composers, and instrumentalists including Alan McMuray, Douglas Bostock, Frank Ticheli, Evelyn Glennie, Jan Van der Roost, Toshio Akiyama, Yasuhide Ito, Eric Whitacre, Hardy Mertens, Philip Sparke, James Barnes, Steven Mead and Tsung Yeh.

In 2022, the SAF Central Band launched the highly successful National Education School Outreach Programme, where the band promotes National Education and Commitment to Defence through music at various secondary and tertiary institutions.

As musical ambassadors of Singapore and the SAF, the SAF Central Band fosters close relations with the local and international populace. The SAF Central Band projects the professionalism of the SAF and rouses the spirit of the nation in peacetime and war. Through its international reach and captivating performances, the SAF Central Band generates goodwill, strengthens defence relations with foreign armed forces, and furthers Singapore's defence policy space.

SAF Ceremonial Band

Made up of Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) and Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen), the SAF Ceremonial Band supports the monthly Istana Changing of the Guards Ceremony, Officer Cadet School (OCS) Commissioning Parades, Guard of Honour (GOH) Parades for visiting dignitaries and other internal SAF ceremonies. The Ceremonial Band continues the heritage of the bands of the Singapore Infantry Regiment and the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

National Youth Winds

Founded in 2009 with the mission of celebrating youth talent and fostering musical excellence, the National Youth Winds (NYW) was re-established in 2024 with renewed vigour and purpose.

Presented by the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band, NYW aims to identify and groom talented Singaporean musicians aged 15–25. Members are provided with opportunities to learn from and perform alongside musician-mentors from the SAF Central Band

In collaboration with the Band Directors Association (Singapore), NYW gave their debut performance at the Festival Winds Gala Concert on 15 December 2024 at the School of the Arts Concert Hall. They presented a well-rounded programme that included Eric Whitacre's melancholic October and Philip Sparke’s virtuosic The Year of the Dragon.

The combined clarinet sections of NYW and the SAF Central Band then performed on 1 February 2025 at the Esplanade Concourse. As part of Band Weekend, they played familiar tunes from jazz, ballet, and musical theatre classics transcribed for the rich sonorities of the instrument. The ensemble also took the opportunity to feature local arrangers and composers, highlighting their contributions to classical music in Singapore. The local composer featured in this programme was Germaine Goh, who was commissioned to write a suite of folk songs for clarinet octet.

Key Appointment Holders

Ceremonies and parades

Performances

The SAF Band had also represented Singapore at international music festivals. These include:

SAF Ceremonial Music

Salutes

TitleEventComposer / arranger
President FanfarePresidential FanfareTonni Wei Shi Ren
PM FanfarePrime Minister FanfareJohnson Lee Kah Hee
Salute No.1Head of State SaluteTonni Wei Shi Ren
Salute No.2Prime Minister SaluteTonni Wei Shi Ren
Salute No.3Minister SalutePeter Yan P. T
Salute No.4Chief of Defence SaluteErvin E. Dragon
Salute No.5Service Chief SaluteTerry Seah Cheong Lock
Salute No.6Reviewing Officer Salute – Military reviewing officer of general rank including foreign ambassadorsTonni Wei Shi Ren
Salute No.7SAF Salute – Senior military officers of colonel rank and belowA. Abdullah Sumardi
NS 45 SaluteUsed in NDP 2012 to pay tribute to national servicemen of the past and presentJohnson Lee Kah Hee
Advance in Review OrderSAF DayChua Siong Loo

Slow Marches

TitleEventComposer / Arranger
First and ForemostVarious Parades
Honour and GloryVarious Parades, SAF Commando Formation, Trooping of ColorsTonni Wei Shi Ren
Pride, Discipline and HonourVarious Parades, SAF Military Police Command, Trooping of ColorsJohnson Lee Kah Hee
Standing VictoriousVarious ParadesTonni Wei Shi Ren

Quick Marches

TitleUnitComposer / Arranger
Tentera SingapuraSingapore Armed ForcesA. Abdullah Sumardi
Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) MarchSingapore Air ForceErvin E Dragon
Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) MarchSingapore NavyAlan Teo Chwee Lye
Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR) MarchSingapore ArmyF. W. Roy
The Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) MarchDigital and Intelligence ServiceME2 Dax Wilson Liang
Marching with PrideTri-ServiceErvin E. Dragon
Upwards and OnwardsSingapore NavyArranged by Peter Yan P. T.; Edited by Muhammad Yusri
BandstandSAF BandTonni Wei Shi Ren
BergerakSAF Combat EngineersA. Abdullah Sumardi
BerjuangSAF Signals-
Guard of Honour MarchGOH ContingentsTonni Wei Shi Ren
Pride of Our NationArranged by Tonni Wei Shi Ren; Edited by Philip Tng Liat Peng
Singapore Artillery Centenary MarchSingapore ArtilleryTsao Chieh
Spot OnSAF Military Police CommandErvin E. Dragon
The CommandosSAF Commando FormationA. Abdullah Sumardi; Arranged and Edited by Johnson Lee Kah Hee
The LogisticiansSAF Logistics-
We are OneSingapore InfantryMusic and Lyrics by Yeo Kai Loon; Arranged by Tan Aik Kee
We are OneSingapore InfantryMusic and Lyrics by Yeo Kai Loon; Arranged by Tonni Wei Shi Ren; Edited by Philip Tng Liat Peng
We are One 128Singapore InfantryMusic and Lyrics by Yeo Kai Loon; Arranged by Johnson Lee Kah Hee
We are ReadyNational Cadet CorpsArranged by Tonni Wei Shi Ren

Ceremonial Music

TitleEventComposer / Arranger
Majulah SingapuraSCGP POP, OCS Commissioning, SAF Day, NDPMusic by Zubir Said; Arranged by Phoon Yew Tien; Transcribed by Philip Tng Liat Peng
A Nation's MarchNDP 2012Syawaludin Kassim
A Triumphant SpiritVarious NDPsSyawaludin Kassim
Auld Lang SynePassing out parades, OCS Commissioning, ORD paradesTraditional
For The People for the NationVarious ParadesJohnson Lee Kah Hee
JubilationVarious Parades
March of the Blue BeretsVarious ParadesJohnson Lee Kah Hee
Munneru ValibaOCS CommissioningTraditional
Negara KitaOCS CommissioningTerry Seah Cheong Lock
Officer of The DayCOG CeremonyR.B. Hall; Arranged by Norman Richardson
One in UnityNDP 2013Johnson Lee Kah Hee, Joshua Low
Our Country Our HomeNDP 2014Johnson Lee Kah Hee, Joshua Low
Point of WarNational Day ParadeTraditional
Reach Out for the SkiesVarious ParadesJohnson Lee Kah Hee
Salute to the NationNDP 1994, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2011, 2019-
To Mount with LoyaltyVarious ParadesTan Aik Kee
Training To Be SoldiersBMTC POPArranged by Sin Jin How
Trust Me SingaporeOCS CommissioningErvin E. Dragon
Untuk Rakyat Dan NegaraSAF DayArranged by Terry Seah Cheong Lock
We Are SingaporeTan Aik Kee
We The People of Singapore / Our HomelandNDP 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018 Johnson Lee Kah Hee
Will You?Various ParadesMusic and Lyrics by Jimmy Ye; Johnson Lee Kah Hee
Dead March from SaulMilitary Funerals George Frideric Handel; Arranged by J. Hartmann
Laid to RestMilitary FuneralsJohnson Lee Kah Hee

SAF Songs

TitleEventComposer / Arranger
The SAF DreamVarious ParadesMusic & Lyrics by ME2 Dax Wilson Liang
APGCians Marching OnAir Power Generation Command (APGC)Lyrics by MAJ Chan Chin Ann; ME4 Johnson Lee Kah Hee
Officer Cadet School SongOfficer Cadet SchoolArranged by Tan Yan Zhang
Sons of The SeaRepublic of Singapore Navy-
The Medics of The FieldSAF Medical CorpsLyrics by Dr Cheong San Than; Dr Koh Eng Kheng
With Pride We LeadSpecialist Cadet SchoolJohnson Lee Kah Hee