The Musical City Student Tour
By Phang Kok Jun, ARTABLE and Mark Nicodemus Tan (Singapore)
An immersive arts-based learning journey that brings together music, architecture and Singapore’s cultural history.
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4 Jul 2025 – 3 Jan 2027 |
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2hrs 30mins |
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Various locations around Civic District |
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$35 |
This programme is recommended for those aged 9 – 12 years old.
To register, please email education@esplanade.com
Synopsis
What sound does a building make?
The Musical City Student Tour is an immersive arts-based learning journey that brings together music, architecture and Singapore’s cultural history. Inspired by composer Phang Kok Jun’s illustrated book, this tour brings the pages to life as students follow Pei, a curious girl who loves to listen to the world around her, on a journey through key heritage landmarks including Telok Ayer Green, Thian Hock Keng Temple, Nagore Dargah, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
At each site, Pei and the guides will introduce students to the stories and sounds that shape our city, revealing how melodies and rhythms can mirror the character of a place. Through listening, observation and simple creative activities, students uncover the connections between music, history and culture.
More than just a learning journey, The Musical City Student Tour is an arts experience that invites students to see and hear Singapore anew. Schools can also purchase The Musical City illustrated book to further enhance your experience.
Credits
Artistic Director: Pauline Teo
Writer: Mark Nicodemus Tan
Production Manager: James Tan
Production Coordinator: Kong Hong May
Learning Objectives
Through the tour, students will:
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Explore how music reflects and connects with Singapore’s multicultural heritage.
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Discover how architecture, environment and sound can inspire musical ideas.
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Recognise and experience key heritage landmarks in Singapore’s Civic District and understand their historical and cultural significance.
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Engage their senses through listening, observation and simple creative activities that encourage imagination and reflection.
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Develop a deeper appreciation for the ways music and places can shape our understanding of history, culture and identity.
ARTABLE Pte. Ltd.
ARTABLE Pte. Ltd. is dedicated to bringing the joy of art to people of all ages and abilities. Led by a team of artists, guides, and passionate facilitators, we aim to create meaningful, enriching and accessible art experiences for all. At ARTABLE, we believe art can educate, connect communities and spark imagination. Whether you're an experienced artist or someone who thinks you “can’t appreciate art”,we hope to inspire you to explore, experiment and discover your creative confidence. Since our early years, we have also supported National Gallery Singapore with various art tours and art workshops for school groups, families, corporate guests, and VIPs. Driven by genuine passion, we pour heart and intention into every experience we create, ensuring our programmes leave lasting impact and joy.
Mark Nicodemus Tan
Mark Nicodemus Tan is a performer and writer. With his collective The MadHatter Project, he won the 2015 Noise Singapore Award, under which he created his first full-length multidisciplinary production For The Time Being, in 2017. Sarong Party followed in 2019, commissioned by the Singapore Bicentennial, Yale-NUS and LASALLE College of the Arts. In 2022, he collaborated with Marc Nair and August Lum on Katong Dreaming, a first-of-its-kind hybrid performance and walking tour. Origin, developed with LASALLE for Singapore Art Week 2023, continued this trajectory. In 2025, he ventured into Theatre for Young Audiences, composing for Red Riding Hood with Wild Rice and music-directing Beautiful Oops with Freddo Children’s Theatre.
Phang Kok Jun
With a repertoire that also includes theatre, film and other forms of media, Phang Kok Jun is a multidisciplinary and international award-winning composer whose music transcends concert halls.
Based in the culturally vibrant Singapore, Kok Jun is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and works frequently with artists of various disciplines in order to discover new possibilities in music-making. He has been described as a composer who “comfortably melds Chinese, Western and popular idioms to excellent effect”.
Kok Jun has been part of several residencies and has had the privilege of being featured in major productions around the world—working with orchestras, theatre companies, chamber groups, directors, conductors, artists, designers and soloists.
What to Expect
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This is a guided walking tour across several sites in the Civic District; students and teachers should be prepared for outdoor walking.
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Each class will be led by one actor and two guides, with stories, music and short listening activities at each stop.
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Esplanade will provide all necessary tour information beforehand and will take reasonable measures to ensure a safe and smooth experience during the walk.
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Schools remain responsible for the care and supervision of their students throughout the tour, in line with their own risk and indemnity guidelines.
Advisory
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Students are recommended to travel light.
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This is a rain or shine programme and will only be cancelled in the event of heavy rain, thunder and lightning.
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Items we encourage you to bring:
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A raincoat or umbrella in case of rain
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Sunblock
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Drinking water
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to register.
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Latecomers will not be allowed to join the tour mid-way.
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More details (meeting point, tour route etc.) about this programme will be sent to schools.
The Musical City
An Esplanade Commission
Phang Kok Jun (Singapore)
Available for school purchase from 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2026.
Price: $15 nett (min. purchase of 30 copies)
This is an audio-visual illustration book which includes links to the digital experience. It is a digital programme suited for classroom and/or home-based learning.
Synopsis
A dog goes 'woof!', a car goes ‘vrooooom', a plane goes 'shweeeeshhzooom', but what sound does a building make?
Pei is a curious girl who always wonders about the sounds things make. In this audio-visual-illustration book, readers follow the journey of Pei as she interacts with different buildings in the heart of Singapore. They will join Pei in learning about the building’s historical and architectural elements through music and sound. Readers are also invited deeper into the experience by engaging in mini drawing activities related to each building they encounter.
Part-music and part-social studies, young learners will get to learn about instruments and music from different cultures, as well as the many heritage buildings nestled within the historical heart of Singapore.
Learning Objectives
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Recognise historical buildings in Singapore and understand their significance
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Identify musical instruments and musical features associated with different cultures
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Understand the connection between music, history and culture
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Develop an appreciation for Singapore’s cultural heritage
ARTABLE Pte. Ltd.
ARTABLE Pte. Ltd. is dedicated to bringing the joy of art to people of all ages and abilities. Led by a team of artists, guides, and passionate facilitators, we aim to create meaningful, enriching and accessible art experiences for all. At ARTABLE, we believe art can educate, connect communities and spark imagination. Whether you're an experienced artist or someone who thinks you “can’t appreciate art”,we hope to inspire you to explore, experiment and discover your creative confidence. Since our early years, we have also supported National Gallery Singapore with various art tours and art workshops for school groups, families, corporate guests, and VIPs. Driven by genuine passion, we pour heart and intention into every experience we create, ensuring our programmes leave lasting impact and joy.
Mark Nicodemus Tan
Mark Nicodemus Tan is a performer and writer. With his collective The MadHatter Project, he won the 2015 Noise Singapore Award, under which he created his first full-length multidisciplinary production For The Time Being, in 2017. Sarong Party followed in 2019, commissioned by the Singapore Bicentennial, Yale-NUS and LASALLE College of the Arts. In 2022, he collaborated with Marc Nair and August Lum on Katong Dreaming, a first-of-its-kind hybrid performance and walking tour. Origin, developed with LASALLE for Singapore Art Week 2023, continued this trajectory. In 2025, he ventured into Theatre for Young Audiences, composing for Red Riding Hood with Wild Rice and music-directing Beautiful Oops with Freddo Children’s Theatre.
Phang Kok Jun
With a repertoire that also includes theatre, film and other forms of media, Phang Kok Jun is a multidisciplinary and international award-winning composer whose music transcends concert halls.
Based in the culturally vibrant Singapore, Kok Jun is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and works frequently with artists of various disciplines in order to discover new possibilities in music-making. He has been described as a composer who “comfortably melds Chinese, Western and popular idioms to excellent effect”.
Kok Jun has been part of several residencies and has had the privilege of being featured in major productions around the world—working with orchestras, theatre companies, chamber groups, directors, conductors, artists, designers and soloists.
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All Primary, Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges / Centralised Institute & ITEs may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 50% of the programme cost.
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All SPED Schools may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 70% of the programme cost.
For more details, please contact Esplanade Box Office at 6828 8389 or email boxoffice@esplanade.com.
To purchase the illustrated books, please email:
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