From a student’s first nervous audition to their celebratory bow on the concert stage, each journey with the SNYO charts a progression that extends far beyond a single performance cycle – creating a space where young musicians not only refine their craft, but also develop transferable life skills, resilience, and friendships that endure well beyond their time in the orchestra.
As our national youth orchestra, SNYO occupies a distinctive space in Singapore’s arts landscape. It brings together students from across the country to perform major symphonic repertoire, tour internationally, and collaborate with established arts institutions. With its upcoming collaboration with the Singapore Ballet in June 2026 and further projects in the 2026/27 season, it is worth looking inward: at how the SNYO works and how, over 45 years, it has shaped generations of young musicians through its experience-led learning.
What is SNYO all about?
The SNYO is a National Project of Excellence recognised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) as an official Co-Curricular Activity (CCA). Unlike school-based CCAs, it operates at a national level, bringing together students from across different local secondary schools into a single orchestral community. It was first managed under MOE from 1980 to 2015, after which the Singapore Symphony Group took on management of the orchestra, with funding support from the National Arts Council.
The programme comprises two ensembles: the Singapore National Youth Sinfonia, which supports younger musicians as they develop essential ensemble skills through substantial repertoire and dedicated concert opportunities, and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra, for performance-ready players tackling the demands of full symphonic repertoire, including major concerts and tours. Each orchestra serves a distinct developmental role within a carefully structured ecosystem: Admission to either ensemble and progression to SNYO is by audition and based on readiness rather than age and tenure alone, to ensure the best pedagogical fit for students.
Under the leadership of Head of SNYO Ramu Thiruyanam, the focus extends beyond performance outcomes. Technical achievement matters, but growth in character, confidence and artistic awareness is equally central – shaping not only performers, but future collaborators and supporters of the arts.
SNYO is more than just a youth orchestra; it is a community of like-minded individuals where members challenge themselves and develop into better versions of who they aspire to be. I want SNYO to be a space where young people find their voice, learn to collaborate, and experience the transformative power of music; a place where we create the extraordinary and nurture a vibrant, flourishing music community in Singapore.
Experience Over Curriculum
What does being in SNYO look like?
The answer is that learning at SNYO is organised not around a fixed syllabus, but around what the team calls the SNYO Experience.
Members participate in a sustained programme that balances orchestral and chamber performance, musicianship training, enrichment through sectionals and masterclasses, opportunities to learn alongside professional musicians, exposure to varied performance settings, as well as overseas exchanges and tours. Repertoire is also carefully chosen to match the orchestra’s current strengths, challenges, and developmental needs – for example, some works sharpen rhythmic discipline; others deepen ensemble balance and tonal awareness. Programming is responsive rather than prescriptive, reflecting the orchestra’s current development rather than external expectations. Supporting structures – from instrument loans and practice spaces to tuition subsidies – are built in to ensure that musical development is accessible and continuous.
The SNYO Experience is continually refined in response to how students learn and respond to pressure. Where assessments once resulted in grades, the management team now provides individualised written feedback to support long-term development, addressing technique, ensemble skills, musical character, and professional habits to offer clarity on what each student can work towards.
This developmental approach is matched by deliberate care. When conflicts arise between rehearsals and school commitments, the management team works directly with schools to explore workable solutions. Beyond scheduling, SNYO recognises the pressures young musicians face. Open communication with families, attention to workload, and a culture that values musical enjoyment alongside technical discipline are treated as essential parts of the experience. Placement auditions and concert preparations can be demanding, but guidance and support are intentionally built into the process. As Ramu (who is himself an SNYO alumnus) shares, the process demands considerable behind the scenes effort – but is worthwhile because it ensures that every student develops holistically as a musician and individual, growing with purpose at every stage.
The result is an experience designed with young people in mind – one that recognises both their potential and their pressures, supporting students as they grow in confidence, capability and artistic awareness over time.
New Artistic Intersections
In 2025, SNYO embarked on its first multi-city tour to Macao, Shenzhen and Hong Kong under Music Director Joshua Tan, with award-winning Chinese violinist Ning Feng as soloist. Alongside performances, members participated in collaborative masterclasses with youth orchestras across the region, which provided valuable opportunities to rehearse and learn alongside peers shaped by different musical cultures.
Collaborations with SSO musicians are similarly intentional. In 2025, members performed under the baton of SSO Music Director Hans Graf at the Hans Graf & SNYO Concert, experiencing a different orchestral working environment and musical leadership context. SNYO members are also invited to observe Singapore Symphony Orchestra open rehearsals, offering a wider view of how a professional orchestra operates at scale.
Multidisciplinary projects extend this further. The SNYO first partnered the Singapore Ballet in 2023 and will collaborate with them once again this season, accompanying the Singapore Ballet in Ravel’s Mother Goose (Ma mère l'Oye) as well as performing Schubert’s Symphony No. 2 and Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. With the orchestra sharing the stage with dancers, young performers encounter the energy and immediacy that emerge when music and movement interact. The process encourages heightened awareness, responsiveness, and a broader understanding of how music functions within a collaborative artistic setting.
ChamberVerse: Where autonomy begins
Where large-scale projects build confidence, smaller platforms cultivate ownership. The ChamberVerse series allows SNYO and SNYS students to mix freely to form chamber groups – often beginning with a simple question: “Eh you want play anot?” (Do you want to play together?) Members take ownership of their performance, while supported by professional mentors, including musicians of the SSO, who guide students through performance preparation on platforms such as the Light to Night Festival as well as the Esplanade’s Cool Classics and March On series.
At a recent ChamberVerse performance, students asked if they could perform in onesies. The answer was yes – provided the musical quality remained uncompromised. While this was a small detail, the crucial message to students was clear: individuality and professionalism are not mutually exclusive.
Participation in SNYO does not presume a single destination. Within its national framework, students engage with music at a depth that brings them close to the Singapore music industry, while also taking on responsibilities that extend beyond music itself.
Recent initiatives such as SNYO’s Annual Dinner in February 2026 had students contributing to the planning and practical considerations such as logistics, budgeting, and dietary requirements. Students moved from participants to decision-makers, developing skills in communication, coordination, and accountability – all capacities that shape confidence and leadership as much as musicianship.
For members considering further study in music, guidance is available through mentorship and practical support, from audition preparation to navigating professional environments. At the same time, connections last beyond their time in SNYO. Alumni networks, guest opportunities and mentorship roles allow former members to remain connected, reinforcing that SNYO is not merely a phase, but part of a longer musical journey.
Some alumni go on to join professional orchestras, including the SSO, or pursue related fields such as music education or arts administration. Other enter entirely different fields, while still carrying with them experiences and values shaped through orchestral life that continue to inform how they listen, collaborate and lead.
SNYO creates not only a pipeline, but a network of pathways – and a foundation that supports lifelong engagement with music.
Bryan Chong, SSO Section Horn and SNYO alumnus, shares of his SNYO experience, “The SNYO showed me that music is more than just notes, it’s courage, growth, and shared extraordinary moments. It deepened my commitment to excellence as a musician and instilled values of perseverance, respect, and lifelong learning that guide me far beyond the concert hall.”
For Constance Lim, parent of SNYO member Christian Tan, the impact has unfolded through her son’s steady growth over the years:
"As a parent, and as a family with very little musical background, it never fails to impress me how far my son Christian has come along in his music journey. He joined the Singapore National Youth Orchestra at age 15, when he was in Secondary 3, transitioning from his school band CCA to SNYO as his main CCA. Under the dedicated mentorship of SSO percussionist Mr Lim, I saw his proficiency across the various percussion instruments improve tremendously through the extensive, professional-level training.
Beyond musical growth, SNYO has provided him invaluable exposure – performing on stage, practising alongside renowned musicians, and even serving as an emcee – all of which have strengthened his confidence, maturity and independence. He has also formed meaningful friendships with like-minded music enthusiasts of different ages and from different schools, making SNYO not just a musical journey, but a deeply enriching personal one for him."
The Choice to be in SNYO
In a time when students are stretched by academic and personal demands, committing to an orchestra like SNYO is not easy. Rehearsals require consistency, and concert periods can be especially demanding.
Yet over the years, members continue to show up, motivated by a community that challenges as well as supports, and a programme that values not just completion but genuine growth.
SNYO violinist Samuel Soekarno reflects, “Each programme has exposed me to different styles and composers, and learning from professionals during sectionals and side-by-side projects with ensembles like the SSO and Re:Sound Collective not only bolstered my musicality but also gave me a glimpse into the daily lives of professional musicians. Being part of SNYO’s internal committees has also given me valuable experience in pioneering and coordinating larger projects, contributing to the orchestra through student voice. SNYO is truly a special place: one that channels youthful vitality to create something quite extraordinary.”
SNYO flute member Carolynn Choo shares, “My time in the Singapore National Youth Orchestra has shaped me into a more aware, adaptable, and confident ensemble musician, exposing me to a wide range of repertoire and deepening my understanding of collective music making. I learned to listen critically, communicate musically, and make independent decisions in service of the orchestra, and opportunities beyond the rehearsal room have broadened my artistic perspective and strengthened my responsiveness across disciplines. I deeply treasure the memories and opportunities I have been given, and remain profoundly grateful for an extraordinary community that has shaped me well beyond music.”
SNYS trombone member Davina Long says, "Having been with the SNYO for almost six years now, the support and guidance here has played a big part in who I am as a musician and person. Working with my tutor and receiving consistent personalised feedback helps me understand my instrument and fundamental technique better, monitor my progress, and know my areas for improvement. Orchestra rehearsals show us how instrumental parts mesh to form kaleidoscopes of colour and emotions in the music we play. Through it all, the culture of the orchestra provides a safe place where we can learn, make mistakes and grow. Taking time amidst my busy schedule has never been easy, but being in the orchestra has helped me learn to balance my commitments and passions, to be proactive and diligent in what matters to me, and to take ownership and pride in what I do."
SNYS bassoon member Connor Chew shares, "It is an incredible feeling getting to play alongside so many talented musicians from different schools and of different ages. Performing in phenomenal concert venues like the Victoria Concert Hall with such amazing musicians pushes me to improve myself, and although I joined as a new bassoonist, my section-mates have been so supportive and welcoming. My confidence has skyrocketed as I am constantly motivated to improve! Outside of the orchestra itself, I also get ample opportunities to participate with my primary instrument, the saxophone — most recently, I played in jazz ensemble with both SNYO and SNYS as part of ChamberVerse. The wonderful community, mentors and culture at the SNYO has truly solidified my identity as a musician. I am so happy to be part of this family and cannot wait to make more music together!"
As the orchestra looks ahead to even more expansive projects beyond, one thing remains clear: SNYO’s achievement lies not only in the music it performs, but in the experiences, it designs, and the young people it shapes along the way.