CYBERJAYA: Kuching Wind Symphony (KWS) emerged as the Gold Award Champion in the Concert Band Festival Division, reclaiming the prestigious title it last won at the 2024 edition held in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The fourth edition of the Malaysia International Wind Festival (miwFEST) 2026 featured 92 bands and ensembles comprising more than 3,000 performers from across Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong, making it the largest and most competitive edition of the festival.
Competing against some of the region’s finest ensembles, Kuching Wind Symphony successfully reaffirmed its position as one of Malaysia’s premier wind ensembles, leading a remarkable showing by Sarawak ensembles that earned multiple top honours across various categories at miwFEST 2026, held at Multimedia University (MMU), Cyberjaya, on June 21.
Among Sarawak’s outstanding successes at miwFEST 2026 are St Joseph’s School Marching Band, which emerged as the Gold Award Champion in the Marching Sport Standstill Category, and St Teresa’s School Chamber Winds, which secured the Gold Award Champion title in the Chamber Winds Category.
Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Private School Concert Band earned a Gold Award in the Concert Band Scholastic A Division, finishing as the Overall 2nd Runner-up.
Kuching Wind Symphony music director Wilson Tan Joo Lung expressed his gratitude following the announcement of the results as the ensemble’s achievements reflect the participants’ dedication and commitment to their excellent performances.
“This award belongs to every member of Kuching Wind Symphony, whose commitment, teamwork, and passion for music made this achievement possible. The success of Sarawak’s ensembles reflects the dedication of students, conductors, teachers, parents and supporters in nurturing music education across the state.
“We hope these achievements will encourage more young musicians to embrace the joy of making music together and continue raising the standard of the performing arts in our state,” he said in a statement.
“As miwFEST continues to establish itself as one of the region’s leading international festivals for concert bands, chamber ensembles and marching arts, the outstanding performances by Kuching Wind Symphony and Sarawak ensembles bring pride to Sarawak while also showcasing the high standard of music education and performance talent being cultivated in the region.”
