Formed in 1967, Swiss Winds, the pride of the Swiss Cottage Secondary School and the Command Band of the Singapore National Cadet Corps, is a composite unit dedicated to delievering uncompromising quality of music through the channels of a parade band, a concert band and our herald trumpets fanfare team.
The Swiss Winds has, in the past 42 years, seen active service in the life of Singapore, performing for many cultural, community and national events, including the state National Day celebrations, entertaining the public at the Istana and our various parks and various musical events such as Sentosa’s Fountain of the Youth series and the SYF Band Fiesta, just to name a few.
In 1999, under the guidance of then Principal Mr Gan Chee Hau and Chairman of the NCC Council Dr Arthur Beng, Swiss Winds comenced a new chapter of musical partnership with the Singapore National Cadet Corps. This relationship has provided a wider horizon of active service for the Band and has seen the Swiss Winds NCC Command Band increase its presence on the national level through supporting various military occasions that include the Teacher-Officer Cadet Commissioning Parades, Officer Cadet Passing Out Parades, Dining-ins, Buglers for the annual Remembrance Day services, Affirmation Ceremonies and Anniversary Dinners.
In addition, The Command Band Swiss Winds also supports various Charities and National Events that include the President’s Challenge, Children’s Charities, Celebrate Christmas in Singapore Launch, and the Singapore Youth Festival Opening Ceremony.
The Band’s repertoire is eclectic and ranges from marches to classical to Latin American and encompasses a wide popular range from Big Band music of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman right up to ABBA and more recent hits.
Through our music repertoire, the Swiss Winds NCC Command Band hopes to evoke among the general public an awareness that the Concert Band is not only capable of performing specifically Wind Band repertoire but also capable of capturing the carious foot tapping music genre that is recognisable to all.
This year, the Swiss Winds will be joining the Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Police Force Bands in providing music for Singapore’s 45th National Day Parade. Swiss Winds is the first secondary school band in our Nation’s history to play alongside the SAF and SPF Bands in our country’s birthday bash.
