Our Nexus band, Red Prawn, recently proved that music has the power to make a real difference. Our IBDP learners, Alex (bass), Ari (guitar), Grace (drums) and Tomas (vocals) took to the stage at The Blackbird for a charity gig in support of the Haemophilia Society of Singapore (HSS).
The event went beyond a performance, raising over $1800 for the charity and transforming their passion for music into something truly meaningful.
A Band with Heart
Red Prawn formed when Alex, Grace and Tomas met during our Secondary production of Bugsy Malone in 2023 and discovered a shared love of music. Their line-up was completed when Ari joined from the jazz ensemble, and since then, the band has gone from strength to strength. They have performed at Nexus Beats, at multiple external venues in Singapore, and international events, including the FOBISIA Battle of the Bands, where they proudly took home silver.
This latest performance carried an even deeper significance. The idea for the gig came through Alex’s father, who works with HSS. He shared how the show could become part of the band’s CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) journey in the IBDP, giving them the opportunity to use their talents to support others.
Service Learning at Nexus
CAS is a core element of the IBDP at Nexus, designed to encourage learners to develop not only their academic strengths but also their sense of responsibility, creativity and compassion. Through service learning at Nexus, learners are challenged to step beyond the classroom, apply their skills in real-world contexts, and make a meaningful impact in the community.
Projects can range from environmental initiatives and local volunteering to creative endeavours such as Red Prawn’s charity performance. These experiences build resilience, leadership, and empathy, helping our learners to see themselves as global citizens who can use their talents to contribute to a better world.
Making Music, Making a Difference
The setlist stretched across two decades of music, with the band delivering classics from the 80s and 90s over two energetic sets. In total, they played for an impressive two hours, a remarkable achievement for a group of teenagers balancing schoolwork with their passion for music. Midway through, they hosted a raffle with handmade items contributed by Grace’s mother, another example of the Nexus community coming together to support a cause.
For the learners, preparing for the gig was a journey of discovery. “Before this, we did not know much about haemophilia,” they explained. “But Alex’s dad told us about it, and even gave a talk at the gig. It really brings things to a whole new level for us as a band – turning what we used to do for fun into something that makes a difference for something meaningful.”
