We are located in central Singapore with close access to two MRT lines and various bus stops.
1 Aljunied Walk, Singapore 387293
The Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble Music Exchange
Nexus recently had the pleasure of welcoming The Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble from Australia to our campus as part of their tour through Singapore. This special visit was more than just a performance—it was an inspiring exchange of musical ideas, creativity and community spirit.
The visit had a particularly meaningful touch for Dr Cassie Maxwell, our Learning Area Leader (Primary Music), who once played with the band during her time in Australia. The connection came full circle when the band’s conductor, Dr Martin Hardy, reached out to Nexus with the idea of sharing their music with our learners.
During their time at Nexus, the band performed a lively and varied selection of pieces, including an original composition by one of their own trombone players. It was a true showcase of collaboration and passion for music—and a brilliant way for our learners to see that music can be a lifelong pursuit, full of opportunities to connect with others around the world.
Beyond the performance, the band took time to introduce our learners to the different instruments in a wind band ensemble—sparking curiosity and lots of questions. The session ended on an unforgettable note: learners were invited to try their hand at conducting, and one lucky student from each session stepped up to the podium to lead the band. Their faces said it all—pure joy and newfound confidence!
In the final session, a few of our own Nexus musicians had the chance to rehearse and perform a piece called “Bamboo Warrior” with the Northern Beaches Community Band. Playing alongside experienced musicians was an incredible opportunity for them, and we’re so proud of how they rose to the challenge.
One of those learners, Chiara, who plays the alto saxophone, described the opportunity as “an incredible experience” and spoke about the insight she gained from being immersed in a professional-style rehearsal.
“We were exposed to different ways that their band operates—from the way they tune their instruments, to the way they are conducted,” she explained.
She also reflected on how valuable it was to connect with fellow saxophonists in the band, saying it was “truly inspiring to collaborate and work with people that have taken this instrument and elevated it to such a high level.” A few of the musicians shared their own journeys with her—stories that began with a similar passion and grew into lifelong pursuits. “Hearing about the dedication required has definitely given me the motivation to continue pursuing my musical aspirations,” Chiara added.
Dr Martin Hardy, conductor of the Northern Beaches Community Band, also shared his reflections on the visit. He described the experience as “exceptional,” praising both the warm reception from the Nexus community and the school’s facilities—including the auditorium and music classrooms.
He was particularly struck by the attentiveness and enthusiasm of our learners throughout the concerts, noting, “The engagement of the learners and their attention was very impressive.” Dr Hardy also highlighted the final workshop with our Nexus musicians as a memorable moment, describing how “the students involved were incredibly receptive to our adults and seemed to enjoy the experience of performing next to them.”
Experiences like this are about more than just music. They are about sparking imagination, building confidence, and opening young minds to what’s possible. For many of our younger learners, this might be the moment they look back on and say, “That’s when I knew that I wanted to learn an instrument.”
At Nexus, we believe in making that journey accessible. OurInstrumental Programme offers small group lessons to keep costs manageable and trial sessions so learners can explore different instruments before committing. If your child felt inspired by the performance, this could be the perfect next step.
We’re so grateful to Dr Cassie, Dr Martin, and the Northern Beaches Community Band for bringing their music and their passion to Nexus.
