At Dover Court International School, music is for all—whether you are a talented instrumentalist, an aspiring composer, or a student simply keen to explore something new. The music curriculum is designed to be inclusive and inspiring, offering students of all ages and abilities access to high-quality music-making through a wide range of opportunities. From lunchtime performances to co-curricular activities like rock bands, choirs, and musical theatre groups, the music department at Dover Court encourages every student to take risks, be creative, and share their love for music.
For students like Olympe, Max, and Seojung, music has played a major role in shaping their school experiences and who they are as individuals. Each of them has followed a unique path, discovering their musical identity through a blend of formal learning, performance, and passion-driven exploration.
Discovering the Passion for Music
Olympe, a Year 12 IB Music student, traces her love for music back to a ukulele she received as a gift at the age of seven. “That ukulele sparked a chain reaction, leading me to explore various instruments over the years. While I’ve tried many, I primarily play the ukulele, guitar, piano, and voice.” Olympe shares that learning the piano became an especially formative experience for her. “It took me about two years to start formal lessons, as I had to develop the determination and commitment required. In the meantime, I’d go to my old school's piano during lunchtime and try to play songs I had heard, like the Harry Potter theme,” she shares.
Singing, however, came as a surprise. “I used to believe that vocal ability was purely a talent you were born with rather than something that could be developed,” she admits. “But during COVID, I started teaching myself vocal techniques. I didn’t take it seriously until my band needed a singer for Battle of the Bands. I volunteered to sing, and after that performance, I found myself a vocal coach and have been expanding my skills ever since.” Now, Olympe says she is fortunate to have an incredible teacher guiding her through the ABRSM Grade 8 pieces, working on compositions by Haydn and Tchaikovsky.
Max, a Year 10 GCSE Music student, began his journey in Year 7 by forming a band and performing original songs. “We performed some songs that I wrote, they weren’t great—but everyone has to start somewhere!” he shares. When Max moved to Singapore and joined Dover Court in Year 8, he started a new band that’s since become a staple of school events. He credits one moment in particular with changing the way he saw music: “During that first Battle of the Bands, I was introduced to Radiohead - probably my biggest influence so far.” Max now plays guitar, sings, and is starting to learn the accordion.
Seojung, a Year 11 GCSE Music student, has been involved with music since early childhood. “I’ve been passionate about music from a young age, and my music teachers have always played a big role in encouraging my interest and helping me improve,” she shares. Seojung began learning violin in Year 1 and continued for six years before later joining the school orchestra. Over time, she also took up singing and piano. Inspired by watching older students perform, Seojung decided to take music as a GCSE. “Watching the GCSE/IB performances inspired me to pursue music for my GCSEs, a decision I’m really grateful for.”
The Benefits of Studying Music Beyond the Classroom
For all three students, music has offered valuable life skills that extend far beyond the classroom. “Music has taught me discipline, resilience and creativity,” says Olympe. “Achieving something you’re proud of requires consistent effort, and there are no shortcuts. The number of times I’ve had to repeat a tricky piano passage or refine a vocal riff has reinforced the importance of persistence.” She also points to the collaborative nature of music as key to her personal growth: “Playing in a band has also strengthened my ability to collaborate. You have to listen to others, contribute ideas, and combine different skills to create a cohesive performance.” These experiences have also made her more open-minded and appreciative of diverse musical styles. “I listen to everything from Indie Pop and Soft Rock to Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Musicals, and even Techno. Exploring different genres has helped me understand and respect the artistic expression behind each one,” she says.
Max agrees. “Music has helped me focus my skills and given me goals to look forward to - you can play anytime, no matter your mood! I feel at home when I'm playing or listening to music.”
Seojung highlights time management and teamwork as some of the most important skills she’s developed: “Studying music has taught me discipline, patience, perseverance, and collaboration. Managing different aspects of music has also helped me develop strong time management and organisation skills. Beyond that, music has given me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, be more creative, and try new things. Through music, I’ve learned to express myself more freely and collaborate seamlessly with others - experiences that have been incredibly valuable.”
Future Plans
Looking to the future, all three students have ambitious plans. Olympe is focused on building her stage confidence and exploring new vocal styles. “I want to achieve more fluidity in piano playing and expand my vocal range and techniques. Stage presence is something I struggle with since I’m naturally quite shy, but my passion for music pushes me beyond that fear,” she says. “I also want to explore new styles with my band, incorporating more complex techniques into our performances.”
Max is drawn to the world of music production and sound design. “I’d like to be a sound designer or producer in the future because I love the creation of music and mixing sounds to create ambient atmospheres and soundscapes,” he explains. His band is even planning to release an album soon.
Meanwhile, Seojung hopes to continue improving her violin techniques while exploring different styles of music. “I’d also love to keep performing and sharing music with others,” she says. “Music will always remain an important part of my life, whether through personal enjoyment or creative collaboration.”
Tips for Other Students
When it comes to advice for younger students, all three have something meaningful to share. “For students considering music in IB, I’d say it’s a subject that requires creativity, innovation, and a willingness to push boundaries,” says Olympe, “You’ll be composing, performing, and analysing music across different styles, so being open to genres outside your comfort zone is essential. Even if you don’t always get to play your favourite songs, give every piece your all—you’ll learn something valuable from each experience. Most importantly, like any art form, improvement comes from consistency. The only way to get better is to keep playing, keep experimenting, and keep challenging yourself.”
Max encourages students to embrace the full scope of music: “To all those intending to take music in the future, I’d say if you have a passion for all aspects of music, go for it! There is so much more to music than the performance and more than just the song created.”
Seojung adds, “Music is the most fun subject I've taken, and it will be very enjoyable if you have a passion for it. My advice would be to build a strong foundation by practising regularly and staying open-minded to creativity and collaboration. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and have fun with it!”
A Place to Grow
Whether experimenting with instruments, performing with a band, or producing music in a studio, Olympe, Max, and Seojung each represent the diverse journeys one can take in music. With a curriculum enriched by the Juilliard School and a wide range of co-curricular activities and performance opportunities throughout the year, Dover Court provides a rich and diverse musical environment for every student. Regardless of their starting point, students are encouraged to perform, collaborate, and grow as confident, resilient, and creative individuals.
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Dover Court International School has been awarded the Bronze Award in the Eco-Schools Awards 2024 from WWF Singapore. This remarkable achievement highlights the hard work and dedication of our Primary Planet Protectors—an enthusiastic group of Years 3 to 6 students—who are on a mission to make our school more eco-friendly.
