Kompang Group Singapore: Hire Malay Kompang Drummers
A full kompang group for your Malay wedding procession, Hari Raya celebration, VIP arrival or opening ceremony, booked through one agency with one clear quote.
A kompang group in Singapore is usually 6 to 12 drummers in matching baju Melayu who play interlocking rhythms on hand drums, often while walking in procession. Most bookings are for Malay weddings (the arrival of the bride and groom), Hari Raya events, corporate VIP welcomes and school or community openings. A standard procession set of 15 to 30 minutes typically costs SGD 600 to 1,500, and larger groups or longer sets can reach about SGD 2,500. Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead, and earlier for weekends in the Hari Raya season.
- What a kompang group does at your event
- Events we book kompang groups for
- Group size and what you get
- Kompang group prices in Singapore
- How the wedding procession works
- Adding silat, an emcee or a live band
- How to book
- FAQ
What a kompang group does at your event
The kompang is a Malay frame drum: a round wooden frame with a skin stretched over one side, played with the palm. On its own it is a simple instrument. The sound comes from the group. Drummers split into parts and play rhythms that lock into each other, so 10 players sound like one big, driving beat.
A kompang group does two jobs. It announces an arrival, so every guest turns around and knows the moment has started. And it lifts the mood of the whole room for the next ten minutes. Many groups also sing short verses of selawat between rhythms, which matters to many Malay families at a wedding.
Our groups perform in coordinated baju Melayu with songkok and samping, so they look right in the photos at a void deck, a community club or a hotel ballroom.
2. OccasionsEvents we book kompang groups for
- Malay weddings: the berarak procession that walks the bride and groom to the pelamin for the bersanding. This is the most common booking by far.
- Hari Raya celebrations: office Hari Raya lunches, open houses and community events, where the group welcomes guests at the entrance.
- Corporate VIP arrivals: a minister, a CEO or a guest of honour walking in to a kompang welcome makes a strong first minute for an opening or launch.
- Grand openings and ribbon cuttings: a short burst of drumming before the cut gives the photographers their moment.
- School, community and National Day events: cultural showcases, sports days and heritage programmes.
- Multicultural events: paired with a lion dance, a Bollywood troupe or a Chinese drum group to represent Singapore's main communities.
Group size and what you get
Size changes the sound and the visual impact more than anything else. Pick it by venue and guest count.
| Group size | Works best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 drummers | Void deck weddings, small office events, shop openings | Enough volume for a corridor or a function room |
| 10 to 12 drummers | Hotel ballroom weddings, Hari Raya events with 200+ guests | The classic full procession sound |
| 15 drummers or more | Large corporate and community events, outdoor openings | Fills an atrium or an open space, ask early |
Every booking includes the drummers, their costumes, the drums and a team leader who takes the cue from your emcee or wedding planner on the day.
Kompang group prices in Singapore
These are the guide ranges we quote most often. The final figure depends on group size, set length, the day of the week and how far the venue is.
| Booking | Typical length | Guide price (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding procession, 6 to 10 drummers | 15 to 30 minutes | 600 to 1,500 |
| Hari Raya or corporate welcome, 6 to 10 drummers | 15 to 30 minutes | 800 to 2,500 |
| Larger group or two separate sets | 30 to 45 minutes | From about 1,500 |
Weekends in the weeks around Hari Raya Aidilfitri fill first, and prices sit at the top of the range then. A weekday corporate booking outside the festive season is usually the easiest to secure. For a full Malay wedding budget, see our Malay wedding entertainment guide.
5. On the dayHow the wedding procession works
- Arrival: the group gets to the venue 30 to 45 minutes early, changes and lines up out of sight of the guests.
- The cue: your emcee announces the couple. The team leader starts the first rhythm.
- The berarak: the group walks ahead of the bride and groom, often with the bunga manggar carriers, from the gate or lift lobby to the hall.
- At the pelamin: the group stops, plays a closing piece while the couple takes their seats for the bersanding, then steps aside.
- Optional extra set: some families ask for a short set later for the guests, or for the arrival of the second side of the family.
Tell us the route in advance: stairs, lifts and narrow corridors at HDB void decks change how the group lines up.
6. Add-onsAdding silat, an emcee or a live band
A kompang group pairs naturally with other Malay acts, and booking them together keeps the timing tight.
- Silat pengantin: a short silat display in front of the couple, a traditional part of many processions.
- Bilingual emcee: a Malay wedding emcee runs the programme and cues the kompang.
- Malay dancers: zapin or joget after the bersanding, see Malay dance performances.
- Live band: a Malay wedding live band for the reception once the procession is done.
For office celebrations, our Hari Raya entertainment page lists the acts that work well together.
7. BookingHow to book a kompang group
Send us four things: the date, the venue, the number of guests and the moment you want the drummers for (procession, welcome or a set). We reply with the group size we recommend and a fixed quote. A deposit holds the date, and the balance is due before the event.
Ask for a kompang group quote or message us on WhatsApp at +65 9428 4249.
8. FAQKompang group Singapore FAQ
How many people are in a kompang group?
Most groups we send are 6 to 12 drummers. Small venues work with 6 to 8. A hotel ballroom wedding usually takes 10 to 12, and large outdoor events can go to 15 or more.
How much does a kompang group cost in Singapore?
A typical wedding procession set of 15 to 30 minutes costs SGD 600 to 1,500. Corporate and Hari Raya bookings run from about SGD 800 to 2,500 depending on group size and timing.
How long does a kompang performance last?
A procession usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes, from the start of the walk to the couple sitting at the pelamin. A stage set for guests is often 10 to 20 minutes.
Can a kompang group perform at an HDB void deck?
Yes, void deck weddings are one of the most common bookings. Let us know the route from the drop-off point so the group can plan around lifts and corridors.
How far ahead should I book a kompang group?
Three to six weeks is usually enough. For weekends around Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the main wedding months, book two to three months ahead.
Can the kompang group perform at a non-Malay event?
Yes. Corporate launches, multicultural festivals and school events book kompang groups often, as a welcome or as part of a cultural programme.
