Corak Seni Middle School Exchange - A Collaborative Approach to Music, Friendship, and Creativity

A new annual Middle School arts tradition took shape in February 2026, when The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) collaborated with two of our sister IASAS schools,  Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) and Singapore American School (SAS), to launch the inaugural Corak Seni Exchange involving band, strings, and choir.

As Paul McTigue, ISKL’s Middle School Activities & Athletics Director and Corak Seni organizer, explained: “What started as an idea to bring students from different schools together through music turned into the very first Corak Seni Music Exchange. It was a wonderful experience for our students and teachers, with so many special moments along the way. Most of all, it gave students the chance to come together through music, learn from one another, and share their creativity across schools. Providing this opportunity in their Middle School years is a great way of preparing students for the IASAS Cultural Conventions they have to look forward to in High School.”

The name ‘Corak Seni’ translates from Bahasa Melayu as “patterns of art” and was chosen to reflect the creativity, diversity, and artistic expression of the students. It captures the idea that each student contributes a unique artistic voice, coming together to form a unified and meaningful whole.

The Corak Seni logo was inspired by the traditional art form of batik, representing all three schools and the heritage, craftsmanship, and shared regional identities of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The layered patterns highlight how their cultures overlap, enriching each other through artistic collaboration. Central to the logo are the three mascot silhouettes of the ISKL Panthers, JIS Dragons, and SAS Eagles, illustrating the spirit and identity of each school while symbolizing connection, movement, and exchange. It is a permanent visual reminder of the collaborative nature of the Corak Seni program.

The values of cultural exchange and friendship are fundamental to the Corak Seni initiative. The primary goal is for students to learn from one another as well as from professionals in the field of artistic expression and creativity, gaining a real-world perspective on the arts. By performing collectively, students have the opportunity to share experiences and celebrate the idea that creativity can unite nations.

At the Middle School Band Exchange, held at ISKL, students participated in joint rehearsals, shared learning, and enjoyed music-making together. The exchange culminated in a concert with students from all three schools performing an ensemble that demonstrated another reminder of how Corak Seni connects communities.

Jonathan Baird, MS Band Director, reflects on what he observed in this first year: “Corak Seni lit a spark in our students, motivating months of practice not for competition, but for the pure joy of making music together. In just three days, they immersed themselves in something bigger than themselves, forming real connections with like-minded musicians and discovering what it truly means to belong to a musical community. There was laughter, intensity, and a shared sense of purpose that was deeply felt. By the end, their growth was undeniable; a powerful leap in musicianship shaped by connection, passion, and the beauty of music itself”.

The rotation of hosts and musical disciplines was the vision and concept behind Corak Seni, and while Band members met at ISKL, simultaneously, ISKL’s Middle School Strings students traveled to Singapore to be hosted by SAS for their exchange. The following week, the Middle School Choir traveled to Jakarta to enjoy their own exchange at JIS.

Each school contributed to the collective experience, and it is incredibly rewarding to know that each year this initiative will offer students the opportunity to explore differing cultural and musical environments. As shared by Paul McTigue: “We’re excited that all participating schools have agreed to make Corak Seni an annual event. Even better, next year ISKL will host the Strings exchange, which our students are already looking forward to.”

Click here to discover how ISKL’s Performing Arts program nurtures creativity, collaboration, and confidence by providing diverse and authentic opportunities for students to perform, create, and grow.