Singapore School's New Award Offers Young Musicians a Professional Stage

SINGAPORE – January 13, 2026 – North London Collegiate School (Singapore) is positioning itself as a pivotal force in Asia's classical music landscape with the launch of its Young Musicians Award. The new competition, open to instrumentalists aged 5 to 18 across the continent, transcends the typical youth contest model by offering a direct bridge to the professional music world, signalling a bold move by the institution to become a regional hub for artistic excellence.

The initiative is not merely an extension of the school's extracurriculars but a manifestation of its core philosophy: that rigorous artistic development is inseparable from academic achievement. By opening its doors and resources to the wider Asian community, NLCS (Singapore) is making a significant contribution to the region's cultural ecosystem, providing a platform that could shape the careers of the next generation of virtuosos.

A New Standard for Youth Competitions

In the vibrant but crowded landscape of youth music competitions across Asia, the Young Musicians Award carves a distinct and ambitious niche. While many contests offer prize money and accolades, this new award focuses on providing tangible, career-defining experiences that are typically reserved for artists at the conservatoire level or beyond.

Finalists, shortlisted from an impressive pool of around 50 applicants from across the region, will perform in the school's state-of-the-art, 700-seat auditorium—a venue designed to acclimate young performers to the pressures and acoustics of a professional concert hall. However, the opportunities extend far beyond the stage. Through a strategic partnership with Songwork International, finalists gain access to Singapore's legendary Lion Studios for a professional recording session. Founded in 1980 by PolyGram Records, Lion Studios is the nation's oldest recording facility, its acoustically perfected rooms having hosted countless international and local artists. This rare opportunity introduces young musicians to the high-stakes environment of studio production, a crucial component of a modern musical career.

Furthermore, the award offers prizes that represent a sustained investment in a young artist's future. One exceptional musician will receive a S$5,000 scholarship to support their long-term development. Perhaps most coveted is the opportunity for selected concerto finalists to perform with a full symphony orchestra—an invaluable experience that provides a glimpse into the life of a professional soloist.

An International Calibre of Adjudication

Underpinning the award's prestige is a judging panel comprising luminaries of the international classical music world. The inclusion of such high-profile figures ensures that participants receive feedback benchmarked against global standards of excellence. The panel features Joshua Tan, the celebrated Associate Conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra; George Harliono, a British concert pianist and Silver Medallist of the prestigious 2023 International Tchaikovsky Competition; and Zhi Jong Wang, an internationally renowned violinist and professor at the esteemed Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

The presence of these adjudicators validates the competition's claim to offering professional-level critique. For aspiring musicians, the chance to perform for and learn from artists of this calibre is an educational opportunity in itself, providing insights and validation that can be transformative at a formative stage of their development.

More Than a School, A Regional Arts Catalyst

With this initiative, NLCS (Singapore) is moving beyond the traditional role of an educational institution to become a catalyst for cultural development. The school, which opened in 2020, has built its reputation on a 175-year heritage from its founding school in the UK and a commitment to academic rigor through the IB curriculum. Its investment in world-class facilities, including the auditorium, recording studio, and numerous music practice rooms, provides a solid foundation for its ambition to become a regional arts hub.

This outward-facing strategy is a deliberate choice, as articulated by Edward Jeffries, the school's Head of Music (Senior School) and the award's founding lead.

"The NLCS (Singapore) Young Musicians Award was conceived as a platform within Asia for young musicians to share their talent and celebrate their artistry," Jeffries said in a statement. "We are not a British International School that operates behind closed doors, but a community that seeks to champion excellence and provide our students and the wider community with opportunities to be inspired by exceptional young performers."

This philosophy of community engagement and regional enrichment sets the award apart. By extending these opportunities to young instrumentalists regardless of their school affiliation, NLCS (Singapore) is fostering a broader culture of musical excellence and contributing directly to Singapore’s growing status as a nexus for arts and culture in Southeast Asia.

Redefining Educational Excellence

The Young Musicians Award is the most public expression yet of the school's deeply integrated approach to education, where the arts are not an afterthought but a central pillar in developing confident, disciplined, and creatively ambitious individuals. This holistic model challenges the conventional separation of academic and artistic pursuits, arguing instead that they are mutually reinforcing disciplines that cultivate critical thinking, perseverance, and expressive communication.

This approach aligns with a growing trend among leading international schools to serve as cultural centers, but NLCS (Singapore)'s initiative is notable for its scale and professional focus. By providing a clear and accessible pathway for artists as young as five to engage with the professional music industry, the school is actively bridging the gap between youthful passion and a viable artistic career.

The strong regional response, attracting dozens of shortlisted applicants in its inaugural year, demonstrates a clear demand for such high-calibre, professionally-oriented programs. As these young musicians take the stage, receive feedback from world-class judges, and step into a professional recording studio, the award does more than just identify talent; it actively nurtures it, strengthening the entire ecosystem of classical music for a new generation of artists across Asia.