Announced in May 2021, the OKK Wind Prize is an endowed gift donated by Ms Ong Su Pin and Mr Mervin Beng. The Prize recognises a Year 2 or 3 Woodwind or Brass student who is a strong performer with broad-based engagement in the wider landscape, and supports them in pursuing a career development project of their own.

The prize is named after teacher and bandmaster Mr Ong Kim Kiat, affectionately known as OKK to his students, who taught in schools for three decades. Mr Ong was bandmaster to two military bands and a bagpipe band (possibly the first in a Singapore school) at Anglo-Chinese School. Not formally trained in music, he taught himself music theory and a plethora of woodwind instruments (to a high proficiency) so that he would be able to teach his students.

Ms Ong Su Pin is the daughter of Mr Ong Kim Kiat, and an accomplished pianist and cellist. Mr Mervin Beng, her husband, is chairman of the Resound Collective, a classical music reviewer for the Straits Times, and is a former member of the YST Governing Board.

AWARDEES

2023: Javlon Khayitov (Year 3, Bassoon)

2022: Zhou Di (Year 3, Tuba)

2021: Stephen Mak Wai Soon (Year 2, Bassoon).