At GESS, it is important to us to promote the creative and artistic talents of our students alongside an excellent academic education. It has been scientifically proven that making music helps to reduce stress and makes the brain more efficient. Dessy Hristova, who oversees the VIP, tells us more.
Why is playing an instrument so beneficial?
Playing a musical instrument can enhance cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and coordination. It is also important for our well-being as music can reduce our stress levels and anxiety. When we play in a group, it fosters teamwork and collaboration as we build social connections. Overall, playing an instrument offers a unique form of expression, creativity, and personal development, and can contribute to a more enriched and fulfilling life.
Music teacher: Mr Nazreen 
Head of VIP: Dessy Hristova 
Music teacher: Mr Chen
What is the Vocal and Instrument Programme (VIP)?
The VIP at GESS provides private music lessons to the wider GESS community, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and neighbouring families. We offer an opportunity to learn a variety of musical instruments within the GESS campus. The programme allows students to extend their exploration of the world of music beyond the classroom. Lessons focus on oral and practical tuition for all ages and styles, catering to all levels of ability and experience. Whether a beginner or advanced student, our experienced tutors will ensure that everyone will achieve the results they are looking for.
We offer lessons for almost every existing instrument plus vocal coaching in both pop and classical music.
What is your role in the Vocal and Instrument Department and could you tell us a bit about your background?
This is my 10th year at GESS, including seven years with the VIP. My background is in journalism, but after taking over the VIP, I fell in love with working with professional musicians and students who enjoy music. The most exciting part is to match the students with a tutor and eventually to see this “musical” relationship blossom!
My job includes but is not limited to sourcing music tutors, organising weekly schedules of both students and tutors, maintaining our practice studios and instruments, organising events such as Try and Instrument Day and VIP Recitals evenings, and more!
Can everyone subscribe to lessons?
The Programme is open to anyone from GESS as well as external students. We have teachers and parents as well as students from other school learning in the VIP. A few years ago, even our school principal at that time was a drums student of our VIP.
Music teacher: Ms Tan
What does a typical lesson look like?
Most students will come for a 30-minute lesson once a week. Our tutors customise the lesson’s curriculum to best suit each student’s needs.
The tutors usually have back-to-back lessons starting from the morning until 5pm. On our busiest days, we have 14 tutors teaching more than 75 students a day.
What equipment do we have at the Vocal and Instrument Department?
We have 10 practice studios equipped with quality Essex upright pianos and 2 specialised drums rooms equipped with adult-size and kid-size drum kits. We also offer flexible rental of variety of instruments such as keyboards, flutes, guitar, trumpets, saxophones, violines, etc.
What are the qualifications of our VIP teachers?
Our international tutors are some of the finest professional musicians from Singapore and overseas. All tutors go through a round of interviews before being hired. Many of them are famous in the local music scene!
Tell us a little bit more about your events.
Every year around March-April, we organise our Annual VIP Recitals. All students get the opportunity to perform and exhibit their skills in the Dieter Gumpert Auditorium. It is a grand performance on a big scene, and I am always amazed by the talent that our students showcase.
As the beginning of each Academic Year, we organise “Try an Instrument” Days where students have the opportunity to sign up for a 15-minute trial lesson of any instrument of their choice. This is a great opportunity to meet some of our tutors and to tour the facilities, as well as to explore what instrument the students might be interested in. Upon request we offer short trial sessions throughout the school year.
