Music and Drama Company (MDC) began as the Singapore Armed Forces Music & Drama Company (SAF MDC) in 1973, and was formed by then Minister of Defence Dr Goh Keng Swee as a vehicle to boost the morale of soldiers and spread national education messages through live music, and song and dance performances. SAF MDC kept the troops entertained and slowly earned recognition as the public face of the SAF through public performances and collaborations with the then Radio and Television Singapore.