- Aaron Ang
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In Singapore, the Direct School Admission (DSA) pathway allows primary school students to secure a place in their preferred secondary school based on strengths such as music, the arts, sports, leadership, and other specialised talents, beyond academic results alone. Its popularity has continued to grow, with a record 16,000 pupils from the Dragon Year cohort applying for DSA in 2024.
Since DSA was introduced, Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng ensembles have long been a preferred route for many students and parents, offering students a structured way to develop their musical abilities, gain performance and ensemble experience, and prepare for DSA applications. Click here to read why.
If you are a primary school student or parent considering DSA, read on to learn more about the application process and how you can better prepare and increase your chances of a successful DSA application.
Lately, I have received many requests for DSA coaching. I must confess that this has kept me so busy that I have been posting less frequently and releasing fewer videos. As a result, this post is only being published when this year’s DSA exercise is almost over. Nevertheless, while this post may be late for some, it is certainly not too late for others, especially since preparing for DSA can take quite some time.
Firstly, if you are already in Primary 5 or 6 and preparing to apply through DSA, you should ideally already know how to play an instrument or be actively involved in a related CCA. Otherwise, it may be quite difficult to prepare in time, unless you are exceptionally talented and able to progress very quickly.
Secondly, you must understand that DSA is essentially a competition for a limited number of places. It can be a golden opportunity to secure a place in your preferred school, but many students may be applying for the same position.
The demand for different instruments, such as the Erhu, Dizi, Suona, Ruan, Pipa, Yangqin and Guzheng, often depends on what the school orchestra needs that year. Instrument sections such as the Sheng, Suona and Dizi are usually more in need of players, especially in girls’ schools. Huqin sections, which include the Gaohu, Erhu and Zhonghu, may already have more players. However, many schools are still happy to accept skilled Huqin players, as stronger players can always contribute to the orchestra.
There may also be a place for a Guzheng player in a Chinese orchestra, but there is usually only one Guzheng position. Most Guzheng players will therefore apply to join a school’s Guzheng ensemble instead, where new members are needed each year.
For DSA, a live audition is usually required. However, before a school invites you for an audition, it may ask for supporting achievements such as competition awards or music examination certificates.
Secondary school Chinese orchestras and Guzheng ensembles are looking for students who are a good fit for their CCAs. They may prefer someone with strong instrumental skills who can eventually support or lead the section. Apart from assessing your playing ability, the school may also interview you to evaluate your communication skills, attitude and leadership potential. Therefore, it is important not only to play well, but also to express yourself confidently and show that you can work well with others.
How Early Should You Prepare for Music DSA?
To develop a high level of proficiency in a particular skill, we usually recommend starting as young as possible, ideally around the age of six or seven. This is why many parents enrol their children in individual lessons with us at Eight Tones Music School even before they join a CCA, which usually happens from Primary 3 onwards. In most cases, one-to-one lessons are needed to prepare for grading examinations and DSA, as school group lessons alone may not provide enough time to develop the required skills.
Starting earlier gives instructors more time to prepare students for grading examinations. It can take anywhere from six months to a year to complete each grade. Although some students may be able to skip grades, building up their skills and experience still takes time.
There have been cases where students started individual one-to-one lessons in Primary 5 or even Primary 6 and still managed to enter a school through DSA. However, this is not easy to achieve and can sometimes place a lot of stress on the student. Ideally, Primary 3 or 4, or even earlier, would be the best time to start preparing.
Ft. Our reliable teachers at Eight Tones Music School. That can assist you in getting through a successful DSA.
What Do You Need for a Music DSA Audition?
When it comes to achievements for a DSA application, my personal recommendation is to have at least a Grade 6 qualification, although the requirements may vary from school to school. A Grade 4 certificate may still help you secure an audition opportunity, especially if you are able to perform a technical piece at around Grade 6 level during the audition.
Having an award from a national competition would be even better, but such awards are often difficult to obtain because the competition can be very strong. Alternatively, being a member of the Singapore National Youth Chinese Orchestra may also help to strengthen your portfolio and improve your chances of securing an audition.
For the audition, you will usually need to prepare around two pieces, with each piece lasting approximately two minutes. You may use excerpts from your grading examination pieces, but the audition format can vary from school to school.
A parent once asked me whether her child could perform a pop song for a DSA audition. I advised against it, as pop songs may not showcase the student’s technical abilities as effectively. Instead, I recommended choosing grading examination pieces, as these usually demonstrate a wider range of techniques and provide the judges with a clearer understanding of the student’s playing ability.
Why Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng Ensemble Are Popular DSA Choices
For many parents considering Direct School Admission (DSA), Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng Ensemble have long been popular pathways.
One reason is that Chinese instrumental music offers students a relatively clear and structured way to demonstrate their individual ability. Unlike some CCAs where a student’s achievements may depend heavily on the overall performance of a team, Chinese instrumental students can build their own portfolio through graded examinations, solo performances, competitions, auditions and ensemble experience.
1. A Clear Grading System for Chinese Instruments
Chinese instruments in Singapore have established grading systems, similar to Western classical instruments.
Two commonly recognised systems are the NAFA-Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) Chinese Instruments Graded Examinations and the TENG Chinese Instrumental Music Grading Examinations.
These examinations provide students with a structured progression from beginner to advanced levels and give schools an additional reference point when assessing a student’s musical background.
For example, instead of simply stating that a student has learnt Guzheng or Erhu for several years, a student may be able to show his or her examination level, repertoire, performance experience and other achievements.
However, examination grades alone do not guarantee a DSA place. Schools generally assess applicants through auditions, interviews and other selection criteria, and may also consider musicality, potential, commitment and previous achievements.
2. Individual Ability Matters
Although Chinese Orchestra is an ensemble CCA, the ability of each individual musician remains very important.
A stronger individual player usually has better control of technique, rhythm, tone quality, musical expression and repertoire. These skills can translate directly into better performance within an orchestra.
This is why many DSA auditions require students to perform individually.
Students can therefore work on improving their own playing standard even outside their school CCA. They are not limited to waiting for their school ensemble to win an award or achieve a particular result before they can strengthen their DSA portfolio.
3. Students Can Build a Strong Individual Portfolio
Chinese instrumental students have several ways to demonstrate their progress.
They can work towards higher examination grades, take part in solo competitions, perform at concerts, participate in ensemble activities and prepare increasingly advanced repertoire.
Competition experience can also provide an additional indication of a student’s performance ability, particularly when the student has achieved strong results at recognised competitions.
Taken together, these experiences can help schools understand the student’s musical development more clearly during a DSA application.
4. Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng Are Available in Many Schools
Another major advantage is the size of the Chinese instrumental music ecosystem in Singapore.
Based on 2026 school CCA listings, approximately 26 primary schools offer Chinese Orchestra, while around 46 primary schools offer Guzheng Ensemble.
At secondary-school level, approximately 39 schools offer Chinese Orchestra and around 32 schools offer Guzheng Ensemble.
For DSA specifically, around 30 secondary schools list Chinese Orchestra as a DSA talent area, while approximately 18 offer Guzheng Ensemble. Some schools offer both, so these figures should not simply be added together.
Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng can be found in many established schools, including schools such as Raffles Girls’ School, Nanyang Girls’ High School, Hwa Chong Institution, Victoria School, Raffles Institution, Dunman High School, Catholic High School, Chung Cheng High School and River Valley High School.
This gives students a relatively wide range of schools to consider when planning their DSA applications.
5. The Pathway Can Continue Beyond Secondary School
Chinese instrumental music is also not limited to primary and secondary school.
Students can continue participating in Chinese Orchestra through Junior College, Polytechnic and University. We also professional schools like NAFA and many professional musicians in Singapore employed in Music Schools, Professional Ensembles and Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
This means that a child who starts learning a Chinese instrument in primary school can potentially continue developing the same skill for many years.
For parents planning a long-term musical pathway for their child, this continuity can be particularly attractive.
6. Chinese Orchestras Need Many Musicians
Chinese Orchestra is also a relatively large performing arts CCA.
A school orchestra may contain dozens of students across multiple sections, including Erhu and bowed strings, Guzheng and other plucked instruments, Dizi and wind instruments, percussion, cello and double bass.
Some school Chinese Orchestras have around 40 to 80 members, while larger Guzheng Ensembles can also have dozens of students.
Every year, graduating students leave the orchestra and younger musicians are required to take their places across different sections.
This creates an ongoing need for students who already have strong instrumental foundations.
The exact number of DSA places available for Chinese Orchestra or Guzheng varies between schools and from year to year, so a large orchestra does not necessarily mean that a school will offer more DSA places. However, the size and variety of the ensemble means schools need to continuously develop musicians across a broad range of instruments.
7. Individual Coaching Can Give Students an Advantage
Another important factor is the availability of individual coaching.
School CCA training is excellent for developing ensemble playing, teamwork and orchestral experience. However, a teacher coaching 30, 50 or even 80 students cannot always focus extensively on every student’s individual technique.
One-to-one lessons allow a teacher to identify weaknesses much more closely and work specifically on areas such as technique, tone quality, rhythm, musical expression, repertoire and audition preparation.
Students can also prepare specifically for examinations, competitions and DSA auditions.
In many cases, the strongest development comes from combining both:
Individual lessons develop the musician, while school CCA develops the ensemble player.
8. Starting Early Makes a Difference
For students considering Chinese Orchestra or Guzheng DSA, preparation should ideally begin well before Primary 6.
A student who starts earlier has more time to gradually build his or her technique, examination level, repertoire, performance experience and ensemble experience.
By the time DSA applications begin, the goal is not simply to have a certificate or competition result. The student should be able to demonstrate a strong overall foundation and perform confidently during an audition.
This combination of structured grading, individual achievement, solo opportunities, ensemble experience, widespread availability in schools and access to individual coaching is one of the reasons Chinese Orchestra and Guzheng Ensemble continue to be popular DSA pathways among students and parents in Singapore.
9. Considering Chinese Orchestra or Guzheng DSA for Your Child?
If you are considering Chinese Orchestra or Guzheng Ensemble as a possible DSA pathway for your child, starting early gives them more time to build strong fundamentals, develop their repertoire and gain valuable examination, performance and competition experience.
At Eight Tones Music School, our teachers provide individual lessons across a wide range of Chinese instruments and can help students develop their technique, musicality and performance skills progressively.
Book a trial lesson with us and let your child experience the instrument first-hand.
What Grading Examinations to Take?
In terms of recognition, the NAFA-CCOM grading examinations may have an advantage because CCOM stands for the Central Conservatory of Music, which is one of the top, if not the top, music conservatories in China. The certificate is issued by CCOM, while the examination is graded by NAFA.
However, NAFA-CCOM may not always be the best option for logistical reasons. There have been cases where results were released very late and students almost missed the DSA application deadline. The difficulty level also increases quite sharply, even in the earlier grades.
Personally, I would recommend the Ci-TENG examination. It offers sufficient recognition in Singapore, releases its results earlier, and also holds a mid-year examination for Primary 6 students applying through DSA.
A substantial number of students in Singapore have taken this grading examination over the years, so it is already recognised by most schools.
The Teng-Ci Grading Examinations
Information about the CI-NTU and The TENG Academy Chinese Instrumental Music Grading Examinations.
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