A stage for all: Inclusive concert unites students from special education and mainstream schools

New Paper

01-08-2025

More than 470 students took to the stage at the Theatre at Mediacorp on July 30 for An Extraordinary Celebration, an annual concert that champions inclusion through music, dance and shared performance.
Now in its sixth edition, the event was the biggest yet, bringing together children and youth from 12 special education (Sped) schools, 10 mainstream institutions and five overseas organisations.
Themed around Singapore's 60th birthday, it was supported by more than 200 teachers and volunteers.
The show featured students with and without disabilities performing side by side - from lively drumming numbers to stirring choral medleys.
For 11-year-old Kohana Kaur from CHIJ Kellock, it was both exciting and meaningful. "We get to learn about inclusivity," she said. "We get to meet people who are different from us."
'This is my dream come true'
Some of the most moving reflections came from the performers themselves. Farish Mateen, 10, from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School (CPASS) East, described it simply: "It's our dream to become performers."
He said he had "mostly seen others perform on stage", but this time, "my dream finally came true".
"I started a new life, turned my life around and started doing wonderful music in my class," added Farish.
Asked if he would return next year, he excitedly exclaimed: "Yes!"
Finding harmony
Students from Raffles Girls' School (RGS), who performed alongside their Sped peers, said the process changed their perspective.
"Many people have ill perceptions about them, but when you really interact, you will realise they are not much different from us," said 16-year-old Suzanne Lee.
"They're very empathetic. When you share stories with them, they really feel it with you."
That empathy came through in the choir segment I Will Sing You the Stars, which featured students from RGS, St Andrew's Autism School, Grace Orchard School and St Andrew's Mission School.
Anna Loo conducts with heart as students of all abilities perform side by side. TNP PHOTO: TEO YAN TING
The collaboration started as a small internal project initiated by RGS music teacher Anna Loo.
"I wanted my choir to promote the love of singing to children in special schools," she said.
"It began as a simple idea, but it grew when my friend told me about An Extraordinary Celebration. One thing led to another, and suddenly we were in full rehearsal mode."
Although it was her first time working so closely with children with special needs, Ms Loo called the experience "a blessing".
"Choir is beautiful because the voice is a free instrument," she said. "It doesn't matter what your academic abilities are, everyone can sing and listen in their own way."
To accommodate different needs, rehearsals were tailored with short sessions and breaks, engaging action-based activities, and space to explore the emotions behind each song.
"We didn't want to just sing the words. We wanted them to voice their feelings," she said.
The group had only three sessions together, but Ms Loo said tight planning and open communication between teachers made it possible.
A universal language
Mr Ivan Chin, director of Extra•Ordinary People, the charity behind the concert, said the event was born out of the desire to showcase inclusion "in a big way" through the performing arts.
"Performing arts, whether visual, music or dance, is a universal language. It brings people together regardless of whether they're neurotypical or neurodivergent," he said.
From rehearsals to the final bow, Ivan Chin is there to support every performer's journey. TNP PHOTO: TEO YAN TING
The theme for 2025 was tied to Singapore's 60th birthday.
"We've made great progress as a country, and we want to show that our work has come a long way too," he said.
Mr Chin noted that this year's edition was the most complex yet, involving students across time zones and multiple modes of rehearsals, including Zoom and in-person sessions.
"But everyone came together to make it work."
What stood out most to him was what happened when the performers bonded offstage.
"It continues to be very magical when I see the special needs kids interacting with the mainstream kids," he said. "There's no judgement, no discrimination. Just effort and love."
He stressed that An Extraordinary Celebration was never meant to be a one-off.
"That's why we keep doing it every year, and why we have programmes like the Extraordinary Music Company. Our students train year-round, and some even get paid for performing."
Looking ahead to the charity's 10th anniversary in two years, Mr Chin hopes to expand its reach and impact.
"We want our children to grow up, become independent, and use their craft as a form of employment," he said. "Extraordinary People is really just ordinary people helping each other by going the extra mile."