The Purple Symphony and SPS PAC Band Concert

First-Ever Joint Inclusive Concert by The Purple Symphony and Singapore Prison Service Performing Arts Centre Band

Using music to connect communities and support second chances

SINGAPORE, 27 April 2026 – The Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) today partnered the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) to present a first-of-its-kind concert. The concert brings together The Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra, and the SPS Performing Arts Centre (PAC) Band, an ensemble made up of inmates.

2.       Featuring musicians of diverse abilities on a shared stage, the collaboration marks the start of a longer-term partnership to support reintegration and foster a more inclusive society.

A shared platform for growth

3.        This partnership draws on the strengths of both organisations to align community efforts with rehabilitation approaches in a coordinated way. While Central Singapore CDC is a community development platform with inclusiveness as a key driver that brings communities closer, SPS strengthens its rehabilitation efforts through structured arts‑based programmes such as the PAC and the Theatre Arts Programme (TAP).

4.        Introduced in 2007, the PAC uses music and the arts to foster positive character, behaviour and attitudes in inmates, providing a structured environment for them to develop confidence, discipline, social skills and work readiness under professional guidance. TAP, which began in 2011, equips inmates with foundational theatre and performance skills through drama, movement and stage management, while strengthening literacy, emotional regulation and problem‑solving abilities critical for reintegration. Together, the partnership underscores how community support and creative platforms can complement rehabilitation efforts and foster mutual understanding. Together the collaboration creates a shared space for connection, creativity and understanding.

5.        Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District and Adviser to The Purple Symphony, said: “Music is a universal language that looks beyond labels and celebrate abilities. At the Central Singapore CDC, we work with partners to create opportunities for individuals from different backgrounds to participate and contribute in meaningful ways. This partnership shows how collective effort can enable individuals from different backgrounds to grow and be recognised for their abilities. This is the start of CS CDC’s longer journey with SPS and Yellow Ribbon Singapore to build a kinder, more inclusive Singapore.”

6.       Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Matthew Wee Yik Keong, said: “The Arts have long played an important role in rehabilitation. Beyond skills, they provide inmates with a sense of identity and direction as they prepare for reintegration. Partnerships with Central Singapore CDC, through platforms such as The Purple Symphony, give inmates opportunities to take on purposeful roles and reaffirm the importance of collective support in making second chances possible.”

7.        The concert follows weeks of preparation, with both groups rehearsing separately before coming together for a joint rehearsal on 21 April 2026. Beyond refining the performance, the rehearsal provided opportunities for participants to interact, exchange perspectives and build rapport through music. At the conclusion of the TAP performance, inmates from the TAP presented postcards handcrafted by inmates to The Purple Symphony musicians in appreciation of the shared performance, including versions in braille. This gesture symbolised inclusion, gratitude and the shared effort underpinning the partnership.

Nurturing a more inclusive societ

8.        For The Purple Symphony, this collaboration reflects its ongoing mission to make music accessible to people of all abilities. Through performances at community and national platforms, the orchestra provides opportunities for musicians with and without disabilities to develop their talents, showcase their abilities and shift perceptions. In doing so, Central Singapore CDC works with partners to co-create inclusive initiatives, bringing together resources and connecting different groups through shared experiences that strengthen social bonds and foster a greater sense of belonging within the community.

9.        As part of SPS’s effort to strengthen its rehabilitation approach, SPS will continue to work with like-minded partners to build a broader ecosystem of support and drive acceptance for inmates. These efforts focus on strengthening social and community support, and contribute to nurturing a more inclusive society where inmates are better supported when they reintegrate into society.

10.       Central Singapore CDC and SPS will continue to explore similar initiatives that use creative platforms to celebrate diversity, support reintegration and strengthen social cohesion across Singapore.