Several top international schools share with us why music education is so important in school.
As parents, we recognise the importance of having a holistic, well-rounded education for our children. This includes selecting the best academic pathway and exploring a school’s wide range of extracurricular activities. And, for some parents, part of their criteria involves scrutinising an international school’s music program to help them make a decision. After all, not only can music provide a source of comfort, refuge and joy, but music education is also key in helping your child develop and build their motor, language, reasoning skills and more. Well, we spoke to several international schools to find out more about their music education programs and why they’re so important. Read on below…
Canadian International School
If you’re looking for a school that emphasises the importance of music education, Canadian International School (CIS) might be the right choice for you. “CIS offers a unique combination of rigorous academic instruction, performance opportunity and one-on-one personal support,” shares a Middle Years Programme (MYP) music teacher. “All students in primary school through to grade eight enjoy compulsory music classes, and learn a variety of concepts, music fundamentals and language fluency,” he adds. “And, after school, students can also participate in a range of choral and instrumental programmes. These include concert band, symphonic band, junior and senior choirs, intermediate and advanced strings, a jazz band and 10 rock bands.” Cool!
Besides having an extensive range of music ensembles for students to join, CIS also actively encourages and inspires their students to get involved. How? “The school focuses on providing a programme that consistently demonstrates excellence, models compassion, features professional guidance and is tailored around students’ interests,” he says. “The arts are core to our being human. As Aristotle said, ‘Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.’”
Tanglin Trust School
Music is intricately interwoven into the very core of Tanglin Trust School, and is a big part of its holistic education approach. To ramp it up even further, a Scholars’ Programme was recently launched in August 2024 in conjunction with Tanglin’s Centenary Celebrations. It kicked off with a special concert at Chijmes, where all 12 scholars gave their all in mesmerising solos and duets. Eight of the new scholars also went on a wonderful music performance tour in Salamanca and Madrid, where they put on four dazzling concerts.
Olivia M, a Centenary Music Scholar in Year 13, shares that “being given the incredible opportunity to perform in a variety of settings has greatly boosted my confidence, and helped ease any pre-performance nerves. This programme has not only expanded my experiences, but also challenged my musical abilities”. Indeed, both scholars and non-scholars are given plenty of performance opportunities at Tanglin, with over 80 musical performances hosted within a normal school year! These include informal pop-up concerts, ad hoc retails, and large-scale concerts involving hundreds of students. As part of its Centenary celebrations, Tanglin will host a concert at The Esplanade in April 2025, where “A Bridge Across The Sea”, a specially commissioned piece by the acclaimed British composer Jonathan Dove CBE will be performed alongside Tanglin student musicians and Centenary Scholars.
German European School Singapore
At GESS, every child from two to 18 years gets the freedom to grow through the school’s many offerings. This includes a well-rounded music program that focuses on giving all students exposure to music and the opportunity to develop their skills further. In Grade 3, all students participate in an eight week-long string program which introduces them to violin, viola and cellos in ensemble classes. It culminates in an orchestral performance that allows students to enjoy both the learning and performance element of music making.
The school also has a unique Vocal and Instrumental Program (VIP) where students learn a variety of musical instruments in-depth. The trainers for this program are some of Singapore’s finest professional musicians who provide weekly one-to-one tuition in either 30 or 45-minutes slots. Each student will follow an individual lesson plan that changes according to the student’s progress. Eventually, the students will perform at the annual recital and the VIP gold concert to showcase their skills. Additionally, Co-Curricular Activities at GESS comprise of a wide selection of music offerings – brass sections, orchestra, choir, jazz band, rock and pop band and more. These after-school activities provide an additional avenue for students to learn how to make music in a ensemble and orchestral setting
International Community School (ICS) Singapore
At International Community School (ICS) Singapore, music is more than just a program. It not only exposes students to various genres of music, but it also offers students opportunities to discover a musical means through which they can communicate. ICS shares, “Along with the advantages and benefits of music education that we are familiar with, music has a tremendous power to train young people how to contribute, create and collaborate as a group.”
So how do you get your child interested in music? The school advises, “Have music as part of your home life – as long as it is age-appropriate, have your child listen and sing to a variety of musical genres. Once you see a seed of interest in musical activities, introduce them to a friendly, non-threatening means of musical training to get them started. What you should avoid is to force your child into learning a challenging and strenuous musical training that might plant a negative impression of music in your child.”
Stamford American International School
If you’re looking for comprehensive music education for your child, you might be surprised to know that Stamford American International School has been developing a world-class string program for its Early Years students based on the guidelines from the Suzuki Association of the Americas. The Head of Music explains: “The Suzuki program features full class instruction on the violin or cello for every Pre-K and Kindergarten student, followed by an additional program for those who choose to take their learning one step further. These students take part every week in one individual lesson and one group lesson with a certified Suzuki teacher. These are packed with fun activities, musical games and specific training in instrumental skills.” Apart from the Suzuki program, there are also general music classes for all ages within the school curriculum, from Pre-Nursery to High School Senior, taught by a dedicated team of music specialists.
With a budding world-class string program and already-established general music and instrumental music program, Stamford teachers are supported through a variety of ways to enrich student learning with pedagogy that is successful, engaging and current. “Teachers at Stamford are supported with a plethora of physical and digital resources, including subscriptions to online learning resources for classroom music education, beautifully designed classrooms, practice rooms, and performance spaces,” she shares. “Stamford also encourages its music teachers to attend professional development in a variety of specialised areas and provides support for musical events, allowing teachers to further develop their musical skills and expertise.”
UWC South East Asia
Being a part of an international school means your child is constantly learning about new cultures and traditions. One way UWC South East Asia (UWCSEA) teaches its students about diversity is through its curricular music program. “Music brings us closer to one another through greater understanding of how people express who they are, where they come from and what they value,” says the Head of Primary school Music at UWCSEA East. “At UWCSEA, our aim is for our students to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for common aspects of humanity through varied cultural contexts. They begin to see that music is a universal action, and that the rich diversity in musical sounds, techniques and styles encourages us to value the many different perspectives of the world’s people.”
That’s not all. UWCSEA’s academic music program also offers students numerous opportunities to pursue music and musicianship through an extensive instrumental teaching program, which engages expert technical instruction from external musicians in Singapore. And, the Head of High School Music at UWCSEA East adds, “Students are also encouraged to use their specific interests in service of others via a number of specialist programs offered in collaboration with some of our service partner organisations. One example is the Music with Reminiscence program, which our students help to facilitate at Apex Harmony Lodge under the guidance of a music therapist, and which aims to use music to enhance the lives of patients with dementia.”
This article was originally written by Melodi Ghui in 2020 and updated by Syazana Hishamuddin in 2024.
