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Singapore Armed Forces Band
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About us

Dedicated to musical excellence and ceremonial distinction, the SAF Band represents Singapore on the world stage with professionalism and pride.

Last updated 7 July 2025
Uniformed military band playing bugles at steps of war memorial, with SAFTI tower behind.

Our vision

To join the ranks of the world's finest armed forces bands.

Our mission

To provide quality music support at major State and Singapore Armed Forces functions, parades and ceremonies.

To project the professionalism of the Singapore Armed Forces through musical excellence.

To foster closer relations with the local and international populace as musical ambassadors of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Our band

SAF Band in formal black attire performing symphonic concert in a grand concert hall

SAF Central Band

The SAF Central Band stands at the forefront of military music excellence, representing the SAF and Singapore on both national and international stages.

SAF Band marching in ceremonial parade, led by conductor with baton and brass musicians

SAF Ceremonial Band

The SAF Ceremonial Band comprises full-time and operationally ready National Servicemen (NSF and NSmen), and is often seen at the monthly Istana Changing of Guards Ceremonies, Change of Command Parades, as well as Commissioning Parades of the Officer Cadet School.

Our history

SAF Central Band in ceremonial uniform performing under a conductor in a studio setup.

1958

The very first military band in Singapore was formed in 1958 and was called the Staff Band of the Singapore Military Force.

SAF Band marching past City Hall during a National Day Parade in the early years.

1960s

Later renamed the Singapore Infantry Regiment (SIR) Band, it supported military functions and ceremonies through the 1960s which saw the independence of Singapore and subsequently the formation of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Singapore Armoured Regiment Band members playing trumpets in a rehearsal room.

1971

In 1971, the Singapore Armoured Regiment (SAR) Band and the 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade (2SIB) Band were formed to share the SIR Band's ceremonial duties in the SAF.

SAF Band marching in formation at a National Day Parade in the civic district.

1975

With the establishment of the Republic of Singapore Air Forces (RSAF) and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in 1975, the Ministry of Defence decided that the three services should each have a band. The SIR Band remained while the SAR Band and the 2SIB Band became the RSAF and the RSN Band respectively.

SAF Symphonic Wind Band performing in a concert titled “Evening with the SAF Band”.

1980s

Although supporting their respective services, the three bands came together for major events such as the National Day and SAF Day Parades. The late 1980s saw a series of concert projects which congregated the regular musicians from all three bands to form the SAF Symphonic Wind Band (SSWB). The success of the concerts, which showcased more challenging wind band repertoire, initiated the re-structuring to form an elite band in the SAF.

SAF Band performing in formation with service-specific groups during a parade drill.

1994

In 1994, the vision was realised and the SAF Central Band was established. Made up of regular musicians and supplemented by proficient full-time National Service (NSF) musicians, it embarked on a quest to be amongst the world's finest armed forces bands. The remaining NSF musicians were re-grouped into two ceremonial bands, Ceremonial Bands A and B, to support routine functions in the Singapore Armed Forces.

SAF fanfare trumpeters performing on the grounds of the Istana in ceremonial uniform.

2009

The SAF Band was subsequently re-distributed into four bands in 2009, with the incumbent Central Band being the flagship band and three other bands making up the Ceremonial Band.

The White House

Home of the SAF Band

A night image of the White House.

The White House was initially conceptualised in 1936 to be the Headquarters of the Royal Artillery Force in Singapore. Over the next 60 years, the building has had many occupants, using it to different purposes.

It was not until the 1990s that the Ministry of Defence and the Centre for Heritage Services earmarked it as one of the military installations to be preserved. Proposals were drafted to convert this two-story classic colonial building into the home of the SAF Band. Renovation works soon began where great care was taken to keep as many of the external features as intact as possible.

Today, the White House still sits majestically on a hilltop, boasting facilities essential for our musicians' pursuit of musical excellence.

Concert Band Studios

The White House holds two concert band studios, fully equipped with state-of-the-art recording facilities as well as an elaborate inventory of concert percussion instruments. The concert band studios are also equipped with sound absorbing panels to provide better acoustics for rehearsal.

Sectional Studios & Individual Practice Studios

The White House holds 29 air-conditioned Individual Practice Studios. The studios are carpeted and soundproofed to create a conducive environment for musicians to focus on honing their individual craft.

Bigger than an Individual Practice Studio, the five Sectional Studios in the White House allows musicians to come together for smaller ensemble practices as well as rehearse in their individual sections.