Monday, November 13, 2006

Resume of Practice + MAE announcements

All alumni members,

Please take note that Alumni Band Practice starts this Saturday (18th November 2006). There is a change for THIS WEEK PRACTICE timing. So please take note.

Practice date: 18th November 2006
Practice Time: 11 am
Venue: MSHS band room

We will be preparing for end of year POP concert. Trying out new pieces (a total of 6 pieces) for next year performances (2 Major Concerts).

Details of all performances next year will be given in this Saturday's practice.

There will also be IMPORTANT announcements for the band regarding next year events.

So all members are expected to be present for this Saturday's practice.

Thank you very much.

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+ Committee members will need to confirm details and others information of members. So please cooperate.

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Marist Alumni Ensembles Group Notice:

~~

MAP (Marist Alumni Percussion) members please take note, the ensemble piece has arrived. We need to settle the parts and get ready for practice. This piece will be a SINGAPORE PREMIERE. We are the 2nd group playing this Percussion Ensemble piece. ^^. Very nice piece. haha. I look at the score also nice. Not hard but the mood is nice!

~~

Saxophone Quartet - Sax Quartet piece (World Premiere) has arrived too. Please get all members ready for practice. Please do your best!
~~

Brass Ensemble - Brass ensemble scores has arrived too. Thus please confirm the members first. Clement and Caveat will be handling the members for the brass ensemble. The piece for the brass ensemble is World Premiere too, so do your best! ^^

~~

Flute Ensemble - alumni best section. haha. You all can find the ensemble you all want to play. I can't find any difficult and nice stuffs for Flute. So please find them unless you all want Lin Sheng to find for you all which may probably be very deadly. haha. ^^

~~

Fredy
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Projects 2006/2007

Dear all,

Please take note HK trip is cancelled. :)


Alumni Band Practices will resume in Mid November (18th Nov, tentative)



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Upcoming Event

2006

30th December: Passing Out Parade (POP) Concert
Alumni Band will be playing in the concert.

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2007

We will have 2 major performances in 2007.

From the survey that we have asked. We will do the Beautiful Sunday concert.

The details of the 2nd major performance will be announced during the 1st practice when Alumni resume. We still having meeting on that matter.

---------

fredy

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Hong Kong Project

As what I have announced earlier on, there is an invitation for us to go Hong Kong for concert (not alone! with HK Bands).

It will be a 5 days 4 Nights trip.

Cost: $ 850, exclude airport tax (we are trying to get lower than $850 BUT depends on members response)

Date: 18th - 22nd OR 19th to 23rd

Trip includes:

+ Cathay Pacific Air tickets Round Trip

+ 4 Nights stay in 4 stars Hotel in Tsim Tsa Tsui (shopping district) near Harbour

+ Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners

+ Tours Around Hong Kong - Victoria peak, repulse bay and others...

+ OPTIONAL Disneyland Tour* (for those who are interested only, I am not though. haha)

+ OPTIONAL Ocean Park Tour*

MAI DONG XI, CHI DONG XI, MAI DONG XI, CHI DONG XI

* Additional costs for those who wish to go for Optional tour.



This trip will also be opened for main band members and parents who wish to follow too. :)


Those who wants to know more details regarding this trip, Please Kindly contact Zhen Cheng.

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Please support our 1st invitation project hor~~ :)

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Of course after this we still need to work hard for next year our MAJOR performance! jia you!

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cheers,

Fredy


Monday, September 11, 2006

Lin Sheng conducting Philwinds Concert

16th September 2006

Saturday

Singapore Conference Hall

Conductor: Mr Lin Ah Leck

Bands: Philharmonic Winds Singapore
Philharmonic Youth

Programme: SLAVA!
Hans Christian Anderson Suite
Escape from Plato's Cave
Gelato Con Caffe

Tix: $15 (I try to see whether can get subsidy)

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This concert is conducted by Lin Sheng, so all Alumni members are encouraged to go for this concert!!

Those who wants to go for this Concert, please inform Zhen Cheng by wednesday, 13th september 2006. Thank you very much.

++ IF POSSIBLE, I would like the whole alumni band to go.

Monday, August 21, 2006

Announcements + Projects

++Please take note this blog is best viewed with 1280x1024 pixels setting, if not you won't be able to see the full blog pics++

How's everyone? Busy with work hor... yah.. busy mugging!!! busy having exams!!! yesh! me too! sad case.

Ok. Let's start with announcement first.

1. New President of the Alumni Band

Currently, the committee and conductors are still discussing and deciding on the best candidate for the band. So everyone please be patient, you all will know the President for this alumni band very soon.

For now, I will handle the alumni band matters for a while more because there are afew projects for Alumni Band and Lin Sheng asked me to handle them.

yes... that means you all will need to hear me nagging for a while more.... .... .... .... .... .... .... pai seh lo..................................... REN a while more ok? I will be gone once the new pres has been decided. :)

2. New Admin Committee members

The Committee has also decided to add on a few members into admin committee.
names and jobscope will be announced shortly in the next announcement.

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Now, Projects for alumni. I think we should actually go for both projects, very meaningful and good.

1. End of year Overseas Concert.

I think you all think it won't be possible right? Us? How can that be? I can't believe it too BUT we are.

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni has gotten an invitation from RAVE (a company that organized events, management and etc) to have a Concert in Hong Kong together with another 3 Singapore bands.

The trip will start on 17th Dec to around 23rd Dec (tentative date for return). The Concert will be on 19th December in Hong Kong City Hall which can house up to 1400 audience (yes, double of vch). The concert tickets will be sold by the Band Directors Association of Hong Kong, so we no need to worry about the ticket sales.

RAVE won't be able to subsidizing us because they are just the event planner (the one who earn money is the HK side) BUT they will be helping us to organize Fundraising Activities.

The first few quotes for now is around $900 - $1200. We will be asking for more and lower down the costs.

I need everyone's help in this project especially the fundraising part, we will do the same as WMC. I think we should be able to get abit of $ now.

+ We are trying to pull in the Main Band to go with us for this HK trip so as to give them more exposure.

I think we should seriously consider about this one. Since it is an invitation to us, I think we should consider it properly, especially this kind of chance is hard to come by.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2. Esplanade Beautiful Sunday Series

I have been asked whether we are interested to performed for the Beautiful Sunday series in Esplanade.

yes, I said ESPLANADE. That 2 durian - lookalike buildings.

Beautiful Sunday Series is a once a month FREE to public event organized by the esplanade to further promote the band music. Bands will be performing in the Esplanade Concert hall which can house up to 1600 audience.

Bands that has performed in the Beautiful Sunday series: Philwinds, SWS, Mus' Art, Yuhua River Valley Alumni and others...

I think we can go for this one too.

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Now, I need everyone in the Alumni band to give me their stands for these 2 projects. I need a definite answer whether you all want to do these 2 projects or not.

Just a Yes or No.

Please SMS me all the answer.

I personally urge everyone to go for these 2 projects as I am not sure whether we will even have these kind of chances anymore next time. So please cherish what you all have now.

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Fredy
president
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Pictures Update!

ok.. here are a few pictures taken during the NBC Honor Band Concert!!

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Flute!


Flute Section~~~ best section ne~~ These 5 play together quite KONG BU! In terms of playing they are good! haha.. Like what Lin Sheng said, they are probably the best Flute section in Singapore Schools! Well done for Competition, Honor Band Concert and RealM concert!!

From the back (right to left): Jin Yan, Hao Siang, Andrew

Front: Haryl, Raphael

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Oboe!

Oboe Section: these 3 make a perfect combi of the section! haha.. Nice! good job for Competition, Honor Band Concert and RealM concert!

Left to right: Rasull, Frankie and Yu Huai...

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Clarinet!


Clarinet section ar.. the members hor.. work very hard.. always tio scolding de... but not too bad on competition, honor band concert and RealM concert days.. :)

Left to right: Stanley, Kenneth, Wee Chong, Jeremy, Albert (the short one), Chang Jun, Wai hong (the contrabass clar). *

*Ren Xian, Hong Yi and Simeon not in the picture.

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Saxophone!






Saxophone section, haha, 1 per part leh.. see how strong our saxophone section is! haha.. all work very hard ne~~ the altos, tenor, bari and not to forget that soprano... :) all work hard to get their parts right and sound nice, especially that soprano sax, keep tio-ing my comments (also Mr Chiang and Lin Sheng but mine more).. hoho.. but nice one! indeed a good sax section! Well Done for Competition, Honor Band Concert and RealM concert!

Left to Right: Justin Mark, Douglas, Aloysius, Khairul.

*Adrian Chong not in the picture.

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Bassoon!

Bassoon section got 1 super BIG SIZE de.. as you all can see from the pic! the one at the right! that face round round de.. hahaha.. Lin Sheng still owe him 15 burgers.. hahahahaha... Good job for Competition, Honor Band Concert and RealM concert!

Left to right: Yunus, Jason Ng

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Horn!

Horn ar~~ this is the MOST problematic section! hmmm... wasted my money on Masterclasses! ahaha, cause I didn't see any BIG improvement unlike clarinet.. This section forever got scolding one.. haha... but Ok la.. next time work harder can liao.. now u all WORST section leh... JIA YOU! Work upwards! push the other sections down! Not too bad during concert.

Left to right: Edmund, Wai Hoe, Cleon, Zhao Duan

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Trumpet!



Trumpet section... ai yo... don't what to say, sometimes very worried about them, cause they sounded real bad.. haha.. Luckily they performed well during competition! nice! I don't want too much 'screaming' trumpet!! so please don't do those er xin de things!! haha.. Good job for Honor Band Concert, RealM concert!!

Left to right, Back: Shaune, Clement, Andrew

Front: Hong Chow, Matthew, Ryan

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Trombone!!



This section ar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Basically no need to worry too much!! haha.. They are good already! haha. Some ppl need to work harder ar.. then can play even better!! *winks winks* also dun forget dun drop mute! hahahahahaha *confirm tio slap by someone when he see this :P* Don't forget during the 'olden days' (our main band period)... you all are the best section hor!! come alumni le, don't lose to flute leh!!! Well done for Competition, Honor Band concert and RealM concert!

Left to right: Justin, Yao Feng, Alrick, Bernard, Yeong Chee, Aaron

* Caveat not in the picture.

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Euphonium!



AI YO! Our noisiest section, best attendance section, bla n bla n bla... hoho.. got improvement in playing wor!! haha... I still remember you 2 (not include mr chiang) keep playing the SWING feel for the runs... hahaha.. Work very hard leh.. haha.. I should say your section is most hardworking de! Before Competition, come down practice, even no need to come for sectional also come.. really good! I like this kind of attitude! During concert, Mr Chiang still stay back after main band and practice the WHOLE afternoon for his solo, then evening time, alumni band practice. Your section really work very hard... OK! Now I give ur section a NEW award!

THE 'MA JIE' AWARD! eh.. wait.. sorry.. pai seh.. coz MA JIE* very hardworking one.. hahaha... should be MOST HARDWORKING AWARD!! clap clap!

Good job for Competition, Honor Band Concert and RealM concert! That solo also! Very good!

* MA(1) JIE(3) - is olden days de maid... Very hard working will follow the employee all the way de.. very loyal also!

Left to right: Ben Yap, Mr Chiang, Zhen Cheng

* Chan Lun not in the pic

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Tuba!





Tuba section! still need to comment anymore things meh?? Our tuba section so loud and strong. haha.. Can feel that the being is being covered by a big aura.. haha.. No need to worry can stand on' ground'.. the 'band foundation' very good! Good job for Competition, Honor band Concert and RealM concert.

Left to right: Aaron, Zhenqiang, Ken Tan, Charles.

* Eng Seng not in picture

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Double Bass!





Double Bass ar.. at least got one! haha.. Help to beautify our slow parts of invictus with those pizzicato.. Well done for Competition, Honor Band Concert!!

Left to right: Aaron (tuba), Ian (double bass).

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Percussion!





FINALLY! We've reached the best out of the best! MUAHAHAHAHAHA.. Percussion section!! yeah yeah!! Come to think of it, without percussion, the band won't sound exciting, without percussion the band will lose alot of effects, without percussion the band will lose alot of details, without percussion the band will lose alot of colour! hahahahaha... actually applicable to all sections.. haha. BUT the excitement part, really depends on PERCUSSION!!

Everyone works hard ne! Coming down for practice and play the best for those parts! Percussion, next time must move more, enjoy yourself more! Percussion must give both listening and visual pleasure to the audience! Percussion let's work towards the best section award!! Bring down the flute section!! gogo!!

Well Done for Competition, Honor Band Concert and RealM Concert!!

Left to right: Fredy, Wai yip, Zhenhui, Sean, Garrett

* Chongmin not in the picture.

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After ALL THESE Section pictures, how can we forget to add in our WHOLE band pics??

















1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's do the Hand Sign again!! 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! say ONE!!!!






Picture with Lin sheng! See Lin Sheng smile till so Happy!!! :) mssba rocks!!!!!






After the Honor Band Concert, with the that big plaque!

happy, relieved, tired... all on everyone face. You all work very hard! Thank you guys!

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A bit on the concert day:

Those performance picture very blur! haha.. the camera man NO SKILL!!! JOSEPH!!!!!!!!!













Monday, July 31, 2006

Well Done! Mission Accomplished!

Dear members of the MSSBA,

WELL DONE for the concert! Although we didn't sound as great but really well done! I really hope you all did enjoy yourself.

So for now, after going through, Competition, Honor bands concert and our Concert (3 consecutive sundays at VCH!! I think is my personal record too.. 3 consecutive sundays), now Alumni will go for a BREAK! YEAH!! a break! haha... I know everyone very tired now... me too..

BUT BUT BUT BUT!!!! There will be a BBQ session this SATURDAY hor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will inform you all about the timing at later dates.

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OK! Now, Thank you very much for all the cooperation you all had given me during this period of time. I am very grateful for that.

So end everything nicely...

I want to say a BIG thank you too all of you in alumni band...

Lin Sheng, Mr Chiang, Haryl, Hao Siang, Andrew, Jin Yan, Raphael, Kenneth, Wee Chong, Stanley, Derek, Simeon, Ren Xian, Albert, Chang Jun, Douglas, Justin Mark, Aloysius, Yu Huai, Jason Ng, Bao Wen, Ben Yap, Chan Lun, Zhen Cheng, Wai Hoe, Zhao Duan, Edmund, Cleon, Ryan, Clement, Hong Chow, Andrew Chua, Yeong Chee, Pee Wee, Aaron, Bernard, Alrick, Justin yap, Yao Feng, Dick, Charles, Ken, Xing Hao, Zhenhui, Chongmin, Wai Yip, Sean, Garrett, Matthew, Jeremy, Frankie, Rasull, Hong Yi, Wai Hong, Zhen Qiang, Aaron, Ian, Eng Seng, Alan, Yunus, Khairul, Shaune and... ...

(if I miss out anybody, I am sorry, not purposely de.. really...)

Without you all, the mssba members, I don't think this Alumni Band can survive till NOW...

2 years ago, when we are nothing... not a single person knows who and what are Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni...

1 year ago, we finally make parts of the world (or a small percentage of Singapore) know who and what is Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni.

This year, we finally let the whole Singapore knows who and what is Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni.

2 years = 1 International Gold (WMC)
1 Singapore National Gold (NBC) + TOP BAND

I am very proud of these achievements.

thank you guys! Thank you Mr Chiang!

and of course~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you Lin Sheng!! Our Most PERFECT AND BEST CONDUCTOR!

-------

Thank you very much!

I am proud to be part of MSSBA and the President of MSSBA for these 2 years..

thank you! Beside thank you I got nothing to say le... really only thank you!

New President will confirm be 100x better than me! hoho...

Let the LEGACY continues!


The Legacy of mssba!



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Fredy Chia
President (2004 -2006)
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Disappointment!

Haizz.... After the competition.. I STILL NEED TO SCOLD MEMBERS OF THIS SO CALLED TOP BAND!

WHY?

WHY IS THE ATTENDANCE SO BAD ?

It seems that SOME OF THE MAIN BAND MEMBERS ARE MORE COMMITTED THAN THE ALUMNI PPL. I not sure whether it is REAL BUSY or JUST PURELY DUN WAN TO COME BUT PLEASE

ALL I ASK FOR NOW IS.. YOUR COOPERATION UNTIL CONCERT! 30th JULY!

CAN U ALL JUST COME FOR PRACTICES AND STOP DISAPPOINTING LIN SHENG?

IS IT THAT HARD TO COME? WHY OTHER CAN COME AND YOU ALL CAN'T? EVERYONE ALSO TIRED, SOME EVEN ENDED LATE.. AND THEY STILL COME... WHY THERE IS STILL PPL WHO DON'T THINK OF ALL THESE?

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE THAT GOOD SO THERE IS NO NEED TO COME FOR PRACT. THEN I AM SORRY, I NEED TO SAY THIS... YOU ARE WASTING A CONDUCTOR'S TIME WHICH IS MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN U!!!!!

LIN SHENG CAN COME FOR OUR PRACTICE AND WHY NOT YOU ALL??

HE IS CONFIRM BUSIER THAN ANYONE OF US HERE. WHY YOU ALL JUST KEEP DISAPPOINT HIM... THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR MANY TIMES...

HE SAID HE STARTED TO SEE PPL SLACKING NOW.. AFTER COMPETITION BUT PLEASE DON'T FORGET WE STILL HAVE PRESENTATION AND CONCERT TO WORK FOR!!!!!

3 DAYS TO PRESENTATION AND ONLY HOW MANY PPL COME FOR TODAY'S PRACT? 20+? WHY CAN'T JUST HAVE MORE PPL?

I REALLY DUNNO WHAT TO SAY YOU ALL...

CAN YOU ALL PLEASE PLEASE... GIVE ME YOUR COOPERATION TILL THE END OF CONCERT DAY!

AFTER CONCERT DAY I WON'T EVEN GO SAY YOU ALL CAUSE I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO AND MAYBE I WUN EVEN BE IN THIS ALUMNI ANYMORE?

YOU ALL REALLY HAD DISAPPOINTED ME ALOT ALOT OF TIMES.. I ALWAYS TRY TO COVER UP QUITE A NUMBER OF YOU WHEN LIN SHENG ASKED.... WHAT FOR I DO THAT? NOW I THINK I AM STUPID ENOUGH TO EVEN SAY AN EXCUSE FOR YOU ALL...

SOME PPL ARE JUST PURELY IRRESPONSIBLE, DON'T EVEN SAY A SINGLE THING OR INFORM THEIR SL WHETHER THEY COMING OR NOT.

THAT'S SO NOT RIGHT!!!!!!!!! DO YOU ALL HAVE MANNERS?

REALLY... PLEASE

I ONLY NEED YOU ALL TO CO-OPERATE WITH ME FOR ABOUT 8 MORE PRACTICES... 8 MORE!! AFTER THAT YOU ALL CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT.... I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY YOU ALL BY THAT TIME, AS I AM NO LONGER THE PRESIDENT OF THIS BAND.

I REALLY THINK WE HAVE GIVEN LIN SHENG ALOT OF DISAPPOINTMENTS.. REALLY.. HE WORKED SO HARD FOR US.. BUT OUR MEMBERS... TREAT HIS HELP FOR GRANTED.. WANT TO COME THEN COME.. DON'T WANT TO COME THEN DON'T WANT... I REALLY CAN'T STAND THIS ANYMORE...............

IF YOU STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF CONSCIENCE OR THE HEART, THE MINDSET TO THINK FOR OTHERS....

I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN JUST CO-OPERATE WITH ME FOR THESE UPCOMING 8 MORE PRACTICES...


TRULY, I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH OUR PERFORMANCE ON THE COMPETITION DAY... VERY BAD PERFORMANCE. IF WE HAVE THE FULL BAND FOR MOST OF THE TIMES, I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVEN GET SO LOW!!!!!!!!!!!! 85.71%... PLEASE GO AND THINK.. WE ONLY HAVE 3 FULL BAND PRACTS THAT WEEK.. FULL BAND! TAKE NOTE.. I SAID FULL BAND!!

IF WE HAVE MORE... I REALLY DON'T THINK WE DESERVE SUCH A LOW PERCENTAGE OF POINTS!



**** THIS REALLY GOES TO EVERYONE IN THIS ALUMNI BAND, EVERY SINGLE ONE PLAY IN ALUMNI BAND..

STOP DISAPPOINTING LIN SHENG, HE WORKED SO HARD FOR US, PLEASE JUST DO SOMETHING HE WILL AT LEAST FEEL PROUD OF................

IT'S OK FOR ME, CAUSE YOU ALL HAVE DISAPPOINTED ME ENOUGH.. BUT I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SEE LIN SHENG TO BE DISAPPOINTED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

***** I TRULY HATE PPL WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO 'REPAY' PPL KINDNESS...


NEXT BAND PRACTICE ON SATURDAY! 2 O CLOCK!!

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK I WANT TO SEE EVERYONE TO COME DOWN FOR BAND PRACTICE!

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING, PLEASE CHANGE IT! I WANT FULL FOCUS ON INVICTUS AND OTHER CONCERT PIECES!!!!!

NO MORE TIME FOR YOU ALL TO WASTE...........

I EXPECT FULL CO-OPERATION FROM EVERY SINGLE ONE IN THIS BAND!!!!!!!

~fredy~

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

1st National Band Competition - GOLD!! TOP BAND!

Dear ALL MEMBERS of the MARIS STELLA SYMPHONIC BAND ALUMNI,

WE HAVE DID IT!!!!!!

We achieved a GOLD award in the 1st National Band Competition and AS WELL AS TOP BAND for the 1st DIVISION!!

WELL DONE GUYS!!

really well done.

First of all, we must thank our beloved and best best best best best best conductor!

LIN SHENG! THANK YOU!!

You've Done alot alot alot for us. Thank you very very much.

Next will be Mr Chiang!

Your wonderful solo and your dedication to this band! Thank you!

Next will be all the soloists for the 2 competition pieces!

You all have really done well for this time round. Jia you!

Next will be all the guest players that has helped us in this comp!

Thank you so much, without you all, we may not get such a good results!

Of course how to forget ALL OUR MEMBERS WHO PUT IN SO MUCH EFFORT IN THIS COMPETITION?

WELL DONE!!!!

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I went for the dialogue session yesterday night and got quite abit of comments from the judges.

Let's start with

Mr Richard Adams - Don't like our choice of march, no march feel, should have stronger saxophone section. Generally, he can't remember much. Should have attempted for higher division.

Assc. Prof Ho -
Rainbow Breeze March - Dramatic and nice. beautiful sound

Invictus - Horn Section not good, articulations, pitching, horn tone not solid and not bright enough for this piece. Band volume control good, Band sounds mature, nice and full but details are not taken note of. During the changing in volume, members don't tend to take note of details. Thus all details are sacrificed. Interaction between sections, in other words, the passing over from section to section. Not good. Not very well imitated or well passed. Tightness in the passing over is lost. Need to take note of the breathing points and the imagination of sound. Where to breathe is very important, some members just breathe at wrong position causing the whole phrase to go haywire. Imagination of sound is very important as it determine what kind of sound you want to produce for that particular note, phrase or even the piece.

Overall: Band sounds good, beautiful, nice, warm, mature sound.
[He said he closed his eyes and listen to us also know whose band is that. haha. He said Lin Sheng's band sound very unique can easily recognized. He said we have same style of band sound as tj. **haha.. but I think we sounded more noob.. or i should say we confirm sounded more noob... hahaha... **]

Mr John Boyd - Band does not act on Dynamics, all depends on conductor to do it. Not colourful enough for pieces. Should have attempted for higher division.

Mr Nonami -

Rainbow Breeze march - Should be faster in tempo, more bright and ride. Sounded good for march. Very different from the rest of the bands. Mood and feeling are good. Good Job.

Invictus - Slow Parts of invictus very very nice. He commented the best of the division very deep impression. Fast Part or the last part Not enough impact. Band did not bring up the excitement. At louder passages, the band tonguing are rather rough. Soloists did very well especially flute.
Harmony of band is good at normal volume, when changing to louder volume, the upper register especially flute, go up too much, the middle and lower register are unable to hold or move up as much. Balance wise is spoilt. Thus the whole band go a rather sharp side, lose control of high notes.
Good music conception, good sound.

Overall: the band sounded good. He advised us to choose a higher grade march next time, he said don't choose a lower standard set piece if your band has such a good standard in playing. Don't waste the talents.

Mr Toru Miura:

Rainbow Breeze March: He is a very good friend of the composer of the piece, Yoshio Matsuo. He said he played and knew this piece very well. He said, our version of Rainbow Breeze March was very very very good (yes, he used 3x very). He only wants us to take note of 2 points, the lightness in this piece and also the 8th note of every bar. This piece should be a little bit more lighter, he commented that we are light but still abit heavy in sound(something like u look skinny but u are heavy). Only band members should take note of the 8th beat of the piece, he said we should solve this piece rhythmic pattern as quavers and not crotchet. Thus each bar should be counted as [ 1 n 2 n 3 n 4 n ] instead of [ 1 2 3 4]. He said this piece the N beat very important. He said if we correct this mistake we are perfect for this piece. Very good phrasing and shape of music. Mood is definitely beautiful.

He talked to Lin Sheng on phone, praised both Lin Sheng and us for doing so well for this piece. He mentioned he will tell Mr Matsuo that we have played his piece very well and near to what he wanted when he composed this piece. He also mentioned that he would like to hear Lin Sheng and us again when he comes to Singapore next time round. Mr Toru said he totally like our march. Well Done! [Take note: his english is very very very good! For those who think he got bad english]

Invictus - Very Good playing. beautiful melodic line, phrasing was good. Very beautiful slow parts. Need to take notes of the harmony of the band (same as Mr Nonami). He said we need to gauge as a band, how much we need to move up. Move up as a band and not as individual sections. The trust and interaction between sections must be there. Do not spoil the harmony in the band. Last part of invictus, the band needs to bring up more excitement in the music. the excitement at the last part is not there. also need to sharpen up rhythm for the last part in order to give a more precise and rhythmic feel.

Overall: He likes our playing. Band sounds good and balance. Nice phrasing and music conception. Good choice in pieces. beautiful.

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These are the comments they gave us during the dialogue session. For more detailed mistakes and flaws, we need to refer to the comments sheet that will be sent to school by this week. Will update it as soon as possible.

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Once again, I would like to thank Lin Sheng, Mr Chiang and ALL participants and members of the Alumni band whether you playing or not. Without you all, this band cannot be so good. Thank you very much!

* going to have a Band BBQ, so everybody please try to make urself free on that day!! Will confirm the date and time with you all again.

WELL DONE and GOOD JOB GUYS!!

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OH YA! Not to forget! PLEASE WORK HARD FOR OUR PRESENTATION on 23rd July and Our Concert on 30th July!

Please JIA YOU FOR 2 more performances!!

*PLEASE SELL YOUR CONCERT TICKETS TOO! Sales aren't too good now! So push for it please! thank you!

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1 more thing:

Congratulations to Lin Sheng for winning both Top Band for 1st and Open Division! Congratulations!

Congratulations to Temasek Junior College Alumni Band too for winning the Gold and Top Band position ( I love the Machu Picchu you all played that night! VERY NICE! PERFECT!)

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* due to some issues and reasons regarding Maris Stella Wind Symphony, we decided to change back the name to Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni.

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Those who wants to support and watch our performance, Please come and find our members for tickets!

3 Beautiful Sunday Dates with Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni for the month of July!
16th July, 23rd july and 30th July!

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23rd July our 1 year anniversary after WMC.. haha. So let me announce, since mssba officially started 2 years ago in the month of july. Let's make 23rd July as mssba birthday!
So Soon MSSBA will be 2 years old!!!

Anyway, I want to thank all of the alumni members who have been staying with us for the past 2 years, without you all, we can't even survive or last so long... 2 years leh.. for an alumni band..
really would like to thank you all.

From the bottom of my heart, i really think that you all are very good and committed (of coz some pon practice here and there) bunch of members. really thank you! Well done guys!

without you all, MSSBA wun be 2 years old, MSSBA wun be able to achieve Gold in WMC, MSSBA wun attained Gold and Top Band in NBC. Really, without you all members, MSSBA will not have all these achievements.

REALLY THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Let us Work Harder and Give the best performance on Presentation and concert day! Give me the best performance by you all before I step down ok? let me hear the best of MSSBA!

Cheers!! BRAVO!

~fredy~
maris stella symphonic band alumni
mssba rocks! i am proud of you all!

Thursday, July 06, 2006

MSSBA's attitude!

There is SOMETHING I REALLY LIKE TO MENTION DOWN HERE!

I TRULY don't like some of the band members attitude! Why? Do you know how much time we have left for the competition?

10 days!

WHAT DID I SEE NOW?

I STILL SEE SO MANY OF YOU DON'T COME FOR PRACTICE, DON'T COME FOR SECTIONAL! WHAT IS THIS?

I know alot of those absentees will say I have tuition, I have this and I have that............ If you really have tuition, then I really can't say anything BUT if you don't and you only use that to cover up for your PONNING, I personally think you had done it for the wrong band.

Why? I PERSONALLY DON'T LIKE THAT!!! ESPECIALLY NOW!! 10 Days away from Competition!

CAN'T YOU JUST WEIGH THE IMPORTANCE AND URGENCY IN THIS?

ALSO, do you think you are well prepared and have perfected your own parts??????????

I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK ANYONE IN THIS BAND HAS PERFECTED ANY OF THEIR PARTS YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ESPECIALLY THOSE ABSENTEES!!

** ABSENTEES refer to those who members who are OBVIOUSLY and PURPOSELY PON band practice!

HELLO!! CAN YOU ALL, ABSENTEES STOP PULLING THE BAND DOWN??

IF YOU ARE AS GOOD AS MR.CHIANG (EVEN HE ALSO NEED TO PRACTICE) THEN I WON'T SAY ANYTHING! COME TO THINK OF IT, DO YOU THINK YOU ARE AT LEAST AS GOOD AS HIM? OR NOT EVEN HIS 1/50???

WHAT ARE YOU ALL ABSENTEES DOING? DON'T WANT TO PRACTICE, COME FOR PRACTICE WILL ONLY CAUSE EVERYONE TO WASTE THEIR TIME WAITING FOR YOU ALL!! DO YOU THINK IT IS FAIR TO THE REST OF THE BAND?

WHAT'S WORST! I STILL GOT SOME MEMBERS WHO THINK THEMSELVES VERY GOD-LIKE, DON'T COME FOR PRACT, DON'T PRACTICE. SAY HIM BUAY SONG. WHEN HE COMES, THE WHOLE BAND NEEDS TO WAIT FOR HIM... I HAD ENOUGH OF THESE!

WHY YOU ALL CAN'T JUST GO AND THINK! HOW MUCH TIME U ALL HAD WASTED? HOW MUCH TIME U ALL HAD DRAGGED? HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE WASTED OUR TIME WAITING FOR YOU ALL TO GET YOUR THINGS RIGHT?

ALSO! SOME OF YOU PLEASE STOP ACTING LIKE YOU ARE A GOD OF THAT PARTICULAR INSTRUMENT, ASKING YOU TO COME DOWN FOR PRACTICE STILL NEED TO 'INVITE', 'CALL AND CALL' OR EVEN 'BEG'? PLEASE LO! WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE, SOME STILL [HANG UP AND SELL]! WHAT'S THE POINT OF DOING THAT WHEN YOU ARE JUST A NOOB WHO CAN'T BLEND WITH YOUR SECTION, CANNOT PLAY WELL?

IF YOU (ANYONE WHO THINK THEY ARE THE ONES THAT I AM AIMING) THINK OTHERWISE, THEN I AM SORRY. WHEN YOU COME DOWN FOR PRACTICE THE NEXT TIME, PLEASE GO AND FIND THE FLUTE SECTION TOGETHER WITH YOUR WHOLE SECTION. BEFORE YOU GO AND BURY YOURSELF UNDER SHAME, PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU CAN PLAY TOGETHER AND BLEND WELL WITH YOUR SECTION FIRST!!

IF YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR SECTION PLAY AND BLEND WELL, GO ON AND FIND THE FLUTE SECTION. TRY TO SEE WHETHER YOUR SECTION CAN PLAY AND AS SYNCHRONIZE AS THEM!

I CAN PREDICT THE OUTCOME NOW, YOU WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO SCREW UP AT THE STAGE WHERE YOU PLAY WITH YOUR SECTION. DON'T EVEN NEED TO GO TO FLUTE SECTION!

PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE.... IF YOU THINK YOU REALLY THAT GODLIKE, GO AND AUDITION FOR SSO FOR ME TO SEE.... OR MAYBE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IS SSO? SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

I REALLY HAVE ENOUGH OF THESE PPL...

YOU ALL ARE JUST WASTING LIN SHENG'S TIME, MR CHIANG'S TIME, MY TIME, AND THE REST OF MEMBERS' TIME!

WHY CAN'T YOU ALL THESE ABSENTEES JUST THINK? WHY YOU ALL SO SELFISH!

THOSE WHO CAME FOR PRACTICE, WORK SO HARD, PRACTICE SO HARD, TRYING TO PERFECT THEIR PARTS AND YOU? JUST COME HERE, GET SCOLDING, SCREW UP YOUR PART AND MAKE US WAIT FOR YOU!

10 DAYS LEFT HELLO!! YOU STILL PONNING BAND? DON'T YOU THINK IT IS NOT RIGHT?

HELLO! THIS IS A BAND! A BAND! A GROUP THAT NEEDS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO MAKE NICE SOUNDS AND PLAY WELL. WE NEED EVERYONE TO WORK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER!

EVERYONE IS IMPORTANT IN THIS ALUMNI BAND!!!!!!!!!

YOU ALL ABSENTEES, PLEASE GO AND THINK................. I DON'T CARE YOU ARE SENIOR OR JUNIOR, IN MAIN BAND OR IN ALUMNI BAND. PLEASE GO AND THINK OF THOSE COMMITTED MEMBERS WHO COME FOR PRACT EVERYTIME AND PRACTICE HARD FOR THEIR PARTS! THESE PPL STILL COME DOWN FOR PRACT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE BUSY!! SHAME ON YOU PPL WHO PON BAND PRACTICE DUE TO YOUR STUPID SELFISH REASONS!

I REALLY DON'T LIKE TO SCOLD IT HERE, ESPECIALLY ON THIS BLOG. WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE BUT I THINK I GOT NO OTHER WAYS ALREADY. THESE ABSENTEES BEHAVIOURS HAVE REALLY GOT ON MY NERVES.

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To All members (especially Those Committed members),

I am very sorry that I do not manage our own members well. I am really sorry. I had already done what I can. Those people are still the same. I am just disgusted with their attitude.

I know you all think it is quite a waste of time and irritating just to wait for these ppl to finish their screw ups. I think the same way as you all but let us don't screw up on our parts, let's lessen Lin Sheng and Mr Chiang's load abit.

All I ask for now is you all (the committed members) work hard together now. I know some of you really sense the urgency and seriousness in this already. Let us clear and perfect our own parts, I know all of you are busy. Let's just work hard for a bit more. We are almost there already.

If you think you can call those ppl to come down, please do so. If you think you are willing to have sectional or even work with those absentees, please do so too. Let's not give up on them yet.

This Alumni Band really lacks of unity now. We really it alot. Like what Lin Sheng always say, If you want, we do it as a band. I totally agree with him. We need a band to play a piece well. Same as the things we do.

I am really sorry in my incompetence in controlling those members. I hereby asked for you understanding for this matter.

We have been through so much these 2 years, I really don't want to see everything just ruin in the hand of those people. I really have a hard time managing this alumni band, some of the members too, have a hard time going through all those transition period and others.

This month - July marks Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni 2nd anniversary. So fast, this alumni band is 2 years old already. To those who went through these 2 years with me, with Lin Sheng, don't you feel something for this band? I don't know how much feelings you all have for this band. All I can say to you all is

Thank you!

I've enjoyed myself alot these 2 years, I really have very nice memories about this alumni band and all of you in this band. Without you all, I don't think this band can even survive until now and able to make it to its 2nd year.

hahahaha.. 2 yearssssssss... haha.. enough le.....

yah...

It is time to have start something new,hmmm... ya.. so I will step down the President position right after the concert. I will finish whatever things I ought to finish first. :)

Before I step down, I would like to thank Quite a number of you (especially those who have been with us for the past 2 years)!!! this going to be long!!

Lin Sheng: Thank you for tolerating with me for so long. I know at times, I do make some insensitive ideas and others. Thank you for building the band up together with me. Without you we won't be able to achieve all these in this short period of 2 years. I really owe you alot for all your help with the Alumni band. You are the best and devoted conductor I've ever met! Thank you very much.

Mr Chiang: Although your involvement in our alumni band has not been long, haha but still I want to thank you! :) cause without you we maybe still having some unproductive practices. Thank you so much for being a wonderful assistant conductor for this Alumni Band!

---- let's move on to members now ----

Ben yap, Zhen Cheng and Chan Lun (euphonium)- Thank you for making this wonderful euphonium section! Although your section is the noisiest at times but most of the fun things also produce from your section... Why I put you 3 and your section as the 1st one to thank? haha.. Cause your section is the BEST attendance section so far. Almost perfect for all attendance. Really thank you for the commitments, devotion, time and energy in this band. Remember to always inject some fun stuffs into the band, continue to make this band livelier!! :)

SO BEST ATTENDANCE SECTION GOES TO EUPHONIUM SECTION!! :)
hoho.. actually still got, the Most Buay Hiao Bai section, the Most Act Cute section, the Noisiest section and alot more... haha.. your section totally rocks! haha... OH YA! NOT TO FORGET!! The Worst Section Award!! hahahaha... in terms of playing :P

Hao Siang, Haryl, Jin Yan and Andrew (flute) - Thank you for setting a very good example of what a good section should be :) you guys are good. Even though you all has not been playing together for so long but still have that MO QI. I am really impressed and I really think Flute so far is the best section in alumni band. Continue to contribute your playing to the alumni band ok? :)

Kenneth, Stanley, Ren Xian and Simeon (clarinet) - Clarinet has been a very problematic section in Alumni. Thank you for bearing with me and the rest of the band for so long. At least now we got some new faces coming in!! Kenneth remember to get your section right! train more with them! oh ya.. you still play that game is it? haha.. i forgot its name.. haha... Continue to get more people for Clarinet ok? I don't wish to see clarinet to be that small already!! :)

Aloysius and Douglas (saxophone) - Thank you for being so devoted to this alumni band. I know Aloy got army but he still make his effort to come down. Thank you! XING KU NI LE! :) Douglas, haha.. has been hard on you since you come in to alumni.. I know most of the time, you are the one who 'TAHAN' the whole section. Really hard on you le, thank you for being so committed too! :)... haha.. ok la.. to show that I am sincere, maybe for once, I won't say you act cute ok? so Douglas you are cute! haha... although still a disney production! :p

Jason Ng (bassoon) - SI PUI DE!!!!!!!!!! haha.. Thank you for going SO FAR WITH US LEH!! GO TILL HOLLAND SOMEMORE LEH!!!!!!! :) ... STOP FISH HERE AND FISH THERE LA!! irritating... not fish also let you say fish... You ar.. stop being so lazy and don't go band la.. must go for band then bassoon will improve.. then will be like Bao Wen!! so from now on must come for Alumni Pract ar!!! since u said you give Lin Sheng and I FACE... :) i dun care, you must come!

Wai Hoe, Zhao Duan and Edmund (horn) - 3 of you is really a fine horn player. Thank you for improving that much over these 2 years. You 3 had done a good job during WMC too. Wai Hoe, continue to improve ok? You already not too bad, just work hard abit more. Zhao Duan! control your temper abit la hor... also cut down your nanny nag. :) maybe you spend those time on practicing your horn will be better.. ahha. Edmund! hoho.. always don't come for alumni band ar!! haha.. ok la.. Must Thank you also for going WMC with us, now still NBC.. Thank you! Dun act blur le la.. u also not that blur!

Ryan, Hong Chow, Andrew, Qing Yang, Clement (trumpet) - Although I don't always get this whole set of trumpeters together but I think I am very happy that I got all of you in the Alumni Band, even if it is for short period of time. Actually hor, our trumpet can really fight with Flute section de.. but too bad la... don't always get full set! :).. Ryan, thank you for managing this section, you've done a good job! Hong Chow, practice more ar but don't give up too easily or distracted or influence by others, focus on one and master what is important 1st. The rest you can learn it slowly. Andrew!!! Although you always come for practice during the odd months but you really have a good attitude, really bless to have you in the band! :).. Qing yang ar.. hmmm.. stop blasting la.. you got nice tone, dun waste it on blasting.. So er xin! you are the 1st one who make me hate trumpet so much! haha.. Clement, long time never play le hor, but still not bad wor! jia you!!

Pee Wee, Yeong Chee, Bernard, Aaron, Alrick, Yaofeng (trombone) - OUR Best Section during the Main Band years... Now everyone has improved quite alot le.. must continue to jia you then fight with Flute ok? haha.. Pee Wee, thank you for taking this section for so long and the librarian job.. hard on you le.. Yeong Chee, you are good la, don't keep thinking you are bad. Also Don't keep thinking the negative side, be more optimistic! Bernard, hmm.. it is just quite perfect you are behind ben yap, haha.. so always got some 'bitchin' session going on.. haha.. Aaron!! MUST ALWAYS COME BACK FOR ALUMNI HOR!! don't keep going what SNYO or whatever shit la.. must come back see us also ar!! Alrick, don't blast too much ar, you crack too much also... and stop "slutting" me!! haha.. go slut Zhen Cheng instead! hahaha... Yao Feng, hmmm.. haven't seen you for quite a while le... should be improving your trombone skills quite alot? haha. Jia you everyone! :)

Zhen Qiang (tuba) - haha.. Thank you for DING our BASS for us.. if not we would already float on the cloud.. thank you for being such a good 'foundation' for us.

Wai Yip, Chong Min (percussion) - WAI YIP!!!! haha, I know most of the time percussion will only have 2 of us but still you come down and have pract, I think we have been through a lot of 2 persons cover dunno how many parts Practices... haha.. he is also the only person i can share my design work and bitch around in band.. haha... of coz still got suaning!! haha... jia you in the near future, dunno when then can see you le.. after this year.. (T.T) i will miss you de... Chong min ar... no need to go SMU liao la.. since that SMU percussion only you and another person is the ACTUAL SMU student the rest guest players.. for what go there.. come and play with us more!!! :)

haha.. Also NOT TO FORGET OUR NEW MEMBERS

Chien Teng, Ken, Albert, Wee Chong, Justin Yap, Justin Mark, Chang Jun, Zhenhui... :) thank you...


somebody who is close to you, somebody who has the same goal, somebody who has been through a lot of things with you, somebody who is your real friend, somebody who is your real committed members... will not leave you alone to fight on.. even it is a fruitless practice, that somebody will still come.. cause you and I know we are a group, a section, a band.

Only those who are nothing to this band will just miss practice and allow you to fight on alone.

I Think I am really lucky to have a real lot of members that never allow me to fight on alone, especially ppl from Aloy's batch, my batch and wai yip's batch. Really thank you for staying in this alumni band and continue to contribute to this alumni band.

For the new batches, you all are not bad too, just have a few idiots here and there.. but still thank you! :)


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think enough le ba... if not will be longer than my WMC chapters le.. hahahaha...

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ONE MORE THING!!!

Let us AS A BAND, AS MARIS STELLA SYMPHONIC BAND ALUMNI work hard and get back a Gold with Distinction in the National Band Competition!!! Also Let's Aim for TOP BAND!!

TOGETHER WE CREATE THE MSSBA MIRACLE!! OK GUYS?? LET'S CHIONG FOR ANOTHER 10 MORE DAYS!!!!!! JIA YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-fredy-

Monday, June 19, 2006

National Band Competition Sequence!

1st National Band Competition!

Band Sequence!

16th July 2006(Sunday) 1st Divsion

No Band Reporting Time Performance time
1 Tanjong Katong Girls' Symphonic Band 11.50am 12.35pm

2 Orchid Park Wind Orchestra 12.15pm 1.00pm

3 Maris Stella Wind Symphony 12.40pm 1.25pm

4 Raffles Institution Military Band 1.05pm 1.50pm

5 Meridian Junior College Symphonic Band 1.30pm 2.15pm

Interval

6 Victoria School Concert Band 2.15pm 3.00pm

7 Dunearn Military Band 2.40pm 3.25pm

8 Chung Cheng High School (Main) Concert Band 3.05pm 3.50pm

9 ACS (I) International Baccalaureate Wind Orchestra 3.30pm 4.15pm

10 Raffles Girls' School Symphonic Band 3.55pm 4.40pm

Annoucement of Results
Dinner Break

Open Division

1 Temasek Junior College Symphonic Band 5.45pm 6.30pm

2 Shuqun/Compassvale/Zhenghua Combined Alumni Band 6.15pm 7.00pm

3 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band 6.45pm 7.30pm

4 SMU Symphonia 7.15pm 8.00pm

5 Raffles Junior College Symphonic Band 7.45pm 8.30pm

Annoucement of Results

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Guys, as you all had seen from this, we are surrounded by a lot of good bands in our division. So please work hard abit, we need more commitment from EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!

I know most of you (include myself) having exams, I really appreciate that you all still come for band practice. Thank you very much!

All I want to say here is:

Please let us work hard together, get a good result, show to the rest of the people that we can make it! Let's try our very best to get at least a Gold back!

I know all of you can make it, cause we did it for WMC, so this time will also be no problem.

I trust that you all will do ur best for this competition. Don't let me down and don't let Lin Sheng and Mr Chiang down too!

LET US JIA YOU TOGETHER!

once again let us create the Alumni miracle!

~ fredy ~
maris stella symphonic band alumni


*PS: please take note that from this week onwards, Lin Sheng and Mr Chiang will conduct sectional for EVERY SINGLE section. ALL MEMBERS please take note of this and make necessary arrangement to attend these sectionals. Thank you.

First UP:

Wednesday 21st june 2006

Clarinet + Euphonium sectional with Mr Chiang 430 - 630.

Horn Sectional - 3 -430 (may drag) with Lin Sheng.

Trumpet Sectional - 430 - 6 (may drag) with Lin Sheng.

Monday, June 12, 2006

~RealM~ (announcements)

maris stella bands combined concert


RealM

30th July 2006 (sunday)
Victoria Concert Hall
1700 Hours

Ticket price at: $10 and $12.

For more informations please ask our members.

email: mssbalumni@hotmail.com for tickets.

Concert Highlights:

Hanover Festival
Lord of the dance
Spanish trumpet

Invictus
Danse Diabolique
76 trombones
Pantomime

and many more.........................



poster 1

Poster 2

Friday, May 12, 2006

MSSBA Practice Calendar

ALL Members of the Alumni Band, please take note that below are the Practice Calendar for the month of May, June and July. Please download the zip file by clicking the link given below.

Download link: ZIP File

May>

June>

July >

Lastly, there is a NEW wallpaper!! haha..

There is another announcement to make BUT we will discuss and finalized everything by tml. I will post the announcement once we finalized everything.

Fredy

maris stella symphonic band alumni

Sunday, April 23, 2006

- Chapter 7 - 8 bars before L + 2 bars before N - + by fredy



After saying alot of things that I really dun understand, the compere finally announced the results.....

Corpo Bandistico Luigi Canepa, Sassari, Italië - ZILVER
...
...
...
...
...

oh my god.. silver already... I was so scared that we will get a bronze. Really very scared...

Sociedad Musical La Familiar, Benisanó (Valencia), Spanje - GOLD!!!

oh my god... Gold!! they must be very good!!! argH!!! soon will be us!!

...

...

Now my heart in Allegro and accelerando mode...

Wind Band 166 Middle School Beijing
Beijing
Peoples Republic China



Set piece: 235.5 points
Choice piece: 237 points
Total: 78.75

ZILVER!

clap clap clap...

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

argh!! next one.. next one!!.....
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
speeed increases....

...
...
...
...
...
...

Maris Stella Symphonic Band ARUMUNEE (Alumni)
Singapore

at this point of time, I seemed to feel that the earth has stopped rotating, stopped revolving.

Set piece: 242.5

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!! yeah yeah yeah yeah!!

Choice piece: 242

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP!!

I heard some cheering from our people already!! argH!!!!!!!!!

Total: 80.75!!!!

GOUD MEDAAL!! AARGH!!!!!

WE GOT GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I CLAPPED SO HARD THAT MY PALM WAS RED AFTER THAT!!

ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't believe it!!! We got a GOLD for WMC!!

A GOLD!!

U know! A GOLD!!

G

O

L

D
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is like playing the Victory part of the Jericho! We WON A GOLD!!!

yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The organizer hand over a medal and a certificate to Lin Sheng!! argh argh argh argh argh!

wooo hooo wooo hooo........................................................

clap clap clap!!

The compere reminded everyone to take note that there will be 2nd division competition in the afternoon...

Everyone was elated with the results, Lin Sheng moved to the centre of that stage after the other conductors leave the stage. Lin Sheng stood in the middle of the stage, while WE SNAPPED AS MANY PHOTOS AS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!


woo hoo!

After a few minutes, Lin Sheng came down. We went up to him and trying to take a glimpse of that Medal and Certificate!! yeah!

so nice...

Lin Sheng passed the certificate to Haryl and the medal to me. He smiled and told us, now we had gotten something nice for the school! Somebody asked me to call brother up and tell him the good news. I forgot who asked me to do so.. haha.. pai seh. Too happy till I forgot everything...

The worst part was when he/she told me that, I took out my phone and start dialling. For don't know what reason, I looked up and told mrs chia, now is 5 plus 6 AM in Singapore. Avis and Mrs Chia broke into laughter, avis asked me to relax, she said now was only 5 plus 6 PM in Singapore.. hahahaha.. I really blur already...

They asked me to call brother when we went out of the main hall. We stepped out of the hall, the other bands were already at the lobby of the hall. Cheering and applausing for each other. I dialled brother's number again. Avis, Haryl, Mrs Chia and I walked at the back of the band. Finally got through Brother’s hp.

"Halo, brother we just finished our competition."
"So how is it?" brother asked

"We got -"

"GOLD!" Avis, Haryl, Mrs Chia and I shouted into together.

"Get what again?" brother questioned again (-_-)

"We get a gold!"

"Oh very good, good job and well done," said brother. "tell the rest they had done well"

"Ok, I will!"

While walking down the stairs, those band members of the other countries were madly cheering and clapping. Their band bonding is so good ne~~

Claudia led us back to the room where we put our things. All members were instructed to ‘park’ their instruments in the room during this break. Avis took out the banner and get ready to go outside to take photos. I made sure everyone left the room and accounted for before Claudia closed the room. I walked out of the room together with Claudia. When we reached the back of the hall, everyone was busy taking photographs already. Haha…


I saw Mrs Chia standing at the side looking at members taking pictures. She turned around and saw me. She smiled.

“Fredy, you have endured so much,” she said. “And now, we have made it.”

I didn’t for what reason(s), once I heard that sentence, my 1st reaction was nodding head PLUS smiling. The next moment, I realized that my eyes were wet. Then it went on and on, for a while. Those tears just *PIAH* flowing out of those eyes (not like waterfall hor). Then some of the members saw I was crying (yes, I admit, I was crying). Then Haryl and Zhen Cheng saw too. Haryl asked me don’t cry. At that point of time, I was so mad with myself too. Why cry ar?? I was so stupid enough to cry… haha… I was so useless… crying at that point of time… I should be happy and take photos with the rest… why should I cry?

I think…

I…

Think of those little little things that we had done before we went for WMC. Think of those “scolding” sessions, think of those unhappy moments, think of those band practices, think of the band members that went WMC with us, think of how much effort and time they had spent on this. Think of those times when we were asked to terminate the project, think that other bands have a bunch of adults doing this kind of project while we don’t, to think of problems we have with finding members… to think of those lots and lots of help given by Mrs Chia, Steven, Avis and Lin Sheng. Think of the encouragement of the committee, think of those encouragement and blessing given by our friends and family. I am not cold blooded, with things more than what stated here, flashed up scenes by scenes up my mind, I couldn’t possibly don’t cry. Those hardship and problems we had met, only the committee will know. We never even nagged or tell the rest of the band, what we want from the band was only concentrate on the playing and enjoy themselves. That’s why, we always don’t really tell you all what kind of problems we met but only tell you all, all the slightly good ones.

I know there might be some unhappy moments you all had with my way of working or with the committee but all we want was to let u all focus on playing. I am sorry if you are the one having those unhappy moments with us.

A few of the band members came over to accompany me, still talked to me and asked me don’t cry. Haha. At that point of time, I really felt that I am very fortunate that I have all of you as the band members. I looked at the members taking Section pictures, then Ben yap asked me to go in and take the Percussion picture. I moved in and hold the banner.

1
2
3


*flash*

Done!

Haha..

We handed over the banner to the next section. I not sure which one but I think was flute section. Then Lin Sheng and Steven went in too. So flute section we got, Hao Siang, Haryl, Steven and Lin Sheng.

A very nice picture indeed.

After all the sections had taken their own section pictures (I don’t have all ne~~)… we moved to the other side… near the road…

Ok! Found a good place.

All of us squeeze together trying to fit ourselves in to that small camera angle… haha.. we taking BAND PHOTO!! Haha…

Lin Sheng holding onto the medal and certificate while the rest of us, gave our best smile~~~

SMILE~~~~~~~~

1
2
3

Done!


After those “photo taking” sessions, we went back to the hall area to have our lunch… oh yah… I think I have forgotten to said in the previous chapter that Avis, Zhen Cheng, Haryl and I prepared those lunch.. hahahaha… yes… wonder how we prepared them and WHAT did we prepare? Hahahaha

The answer is…

ALL OUR LUNCHES are BREADS!!! Yah… becoz that are their culture.. Their breakfast and lunch are bread and they only have a slightly more sumptuous dinner at night time.

Our hostel van arrived, Mr Rob walked out of the van. He walked to Steven and asked what we had gotten for the competition. Steven told him the results and both of them shook hand.. haha.. obvious… hahaha…

When he saw me, he stretched out his hand.

“Congratulations for the gold, good job.”

I smiled, shook his hand and said thank you.

I retrieved the package that has my name on it… (oh yah, EXTRA info – we did ask what the members want for the jam, and what ingredients they want to put. Haha. We are good right? Haha)

I opened up and have a bite on that bread..






STRAWBERRY JAM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




Wrong le~~~~~

Mine is chocolate… I turned to Avis and she seemed to know what I meant.. hahahaha.. she very good lo, she gave me her the other bread (chocolate jam de). I scared she will not be full so I rejected her offer. Then she asked me to give her that bread with strawberry jam.. ohhh

I tear off the part where I bite then pass to her. Anyway, I use the plastic to hold the bread NOT with hands.. So quite clean.

At this point of time, I received Aloysius SMS asking what we had gotten for the comp. haha… Of course, good news must spread. Hahahaha…

He congratulated me for the gold and send one to Lin Sheng too (Lin Sheng showed me. :p).. hahahaha…

Haryl’s mum called him too… of course asking the same question. Haha. Then Haryl passed the phone to Mrs Chia, I think his mum wanted to talk to her.

I went to the van to take an apple.

1 apple a day, healthy all the way.. haha.. no need see doctor… muaahahaha… I WEH health conscious de hor… haha…

After lunch all members were allowed to shop in the Markt (I never spell wrongly, that place is call MARKT). Everybody will need to meet back at this place again at around 2 30. We got an outdoor performance at 3. Thus everyone got roughly about 1 hour plus to shop and walk around. I stayed outside of the hall, slowly eating my apple and watching bands arrived at the hall. I saw a lot of instruments ne~~ different kinds and colours. I even saw bands bringing all their percussion stuff over. Yah ALL… snare drums, cymbals, xylo, bells, toms and even timpani. Everything used their own instruments. They were probably from Holland itself or somewhere near Holland. It is very scary to see a band bringing the whole set of Percussion. Imagine during SYF you move your whole percussion section to SCH or VCH. Hohohoho… so scary la.. the moving of instruments, so troublesome and inconvenient. It seemed to be quite easy and convenient to move the percussion instruments to the hall. There is one lift BIG enough to put all those. It looked like a small garage kind of size. I saw the band just moved the percussion instruments and closed the lift door, everything moved up to the back stage already. Good right. Something like what we have in SCH and esplanade but it is A LOT bigger!!

I walked into the hall and searched for washroom or what they called WC. I saw Haryl standing at the small Bar-like area (actually not bar.. it is a small restaurant). He was listening to the band playing for the 2nd division. There were Television, live casting the competition. Haha…

I joined him after I had answered my nature’s call.

When I went near him, he was talking to a China guy. Hmmm… that China guy is from the China Children’s Palace Band. His competition was the next day, he came over to listen and watched the competition standard. He told us the standard was quite high and we played quite well. Hoho… We thanked him of course, how can we be so bu yao lian… haha… then he said something about the China 166 Band. He said they had played badly and he didn’t like their performance. WHOA. A fellow china band member criticizing a china band in front of us (ppl from other country)… whoa... I was like (-_-)… ok… haha…

We listened to the band and his comments on those… haha.. He is quite a nice guy. If I am not wrong, he is a trumpeter. Must confirm with Haryl, I think he said he is a trumpeter.

Not long after that, Lin Sheng walked up to us, asking us what we were doing there. I told him listening to the band and talking to a china band band member. Lin Sheng looked at the Television, then asked both of us to go into the hall with him. We followed him. On the way, we met with Mrs Chia, Zhen Cheng, Steven, Jason and 2 more people, I forgot le… pai seh…

We went into the hall without the tickets, hoho… Just show them the stamp on our hand and we were allowed to walk in.

We moved into the hall once the band has stopped playing. We chose the seat at the top. Lin Sheng and Steven chose somewhere near the middle. Then the rest of us, sat at the last few rows at the top (the design of the hall somehow like SCH). Zhen Cheng, Haryl and I sat together then Mrs Chia, Jason and 2 more ppl (is it Chan Lun and Alrick?) sat behind us. While waiting for the next band to prepare their instruments and seats, I turned around and asked Mrs Chia to let me see the Gold Medal. I hold onto that medal…

Carefully, I “scrutinized” every single inch of that medal. I think if there was anyone beside us saw me, will definitely think I am somebody who just came out from some ULU places, and have never seen a gold medal before. I didn’t know why. I just stared and “enjoy” looking at it. Haryl who was beside me, was staring at it too. Then we talked about SYF plaque, why we have never seen our plaque before. MSHS keep it or throw it? Haha… we turned around and asked Mrs Chia, She too doesn’t know a single thing about the where about of the SYF plaque.

I asked Haryl to hold the Medal for me. I took out my phone and start SNAPPING pictures!! Hoho.

Muahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. A mad guy indeed.

Snapped quite a few pictures of that plaque but the real one still looked the best. We passed back Medal to Mrs Chia. Just nice, when we passed back that medal, the next band was ready.

The first piece they played was of course their set piece (note: they didn’t play warm up piece) - Impressions of Japan. I not sure why but the feeling of them playing impressions of Japan was not that great. I should say lack of that Asian feel. Their playing wise was not too bad, quite in tune. Then they proceed on to their choice piece. I don’t know what was that piece but never mind I still listen. That band had played quite ok, intonation was not bad. I personally think just lack of the musical side… the musicality, the feeling.

Then the next band of the division, which was a very big size Britain band. They started off their Impressions of Japan quite dull-ly… especially the part where those ‘free to play’ notes were getting denser and tighter. They suddenly cut and then went into the next bar. It was like a 1 beat rest. I personally don’t like that. It sounded like the music is chopped into pieces. Their 2nd movement for Impressions was slightly better, the feeling started to build up. The bad part was there were some intonation problems with the brass. THEN, the much awaited 3rd movement with percussion solo (the previous one not good so I waiting to hear this band). Their percussion was really daring to play. That whole section of the movement, the percussion was basically whacking. They produce quite a big impact but sad case, they don’t have that linkage feel. The 3rd movement wasn’t that bad, just that the balance was slightly off because the percussion was whacking.

Their choice piece – Movement for Rosa… my god, the dreadful one… I almost fell asleep during that piece. The flute solo, Haryl was like commenting something about it. If I remember correctly was something like doesn’t sound full enough or phrasing wrong. Haha… I only remembered some of the details for that part (mostly the bad point, because we must not make that kind of mistakes. We must learn from people’s mistake). They played piece until so SIAN and feelingless, I was like almost closed my eyes. Luckily, I still got Zhen Cheng and Haryl to talk to. I really couldn’t stand it… that piece was good but they played until so SIAN that I started to find that piece very er xin…

Hoho… 3 of us instead of listening to the band, we talked about games.. HOHOHOHO.. cause unbearable… ahaha.. I think Lin Sheng fell asleep halfway listening to it… haha… We continued our conversation on games while that band continued to play ther MOVEMENT FOR ROSA… it did sound like MUSIC FOR SLEEPING to me at that very moment.

~clap clap clap clap clap~~

YEAH!!

Finally………….

They finished their dreadful Movement For ROSA………….. phew…..

Lin Sheng and Steven stood up and signaled us to go. We looked at our watch, it was time to gather and get ready for that outdoor performance. We walked out of the hall, at the same time the Britain band moved out of hall. We stepped out of the hall, then Lin Sheng was saying the piece that played just now was SIAN. Hahahaha… I 100% agree with Lin Sheng…

While we were watching the band performances, the other members seemed to have enjoyed themselves in the MARKT. Look at those pictures… haha.. I love the picture taken with the dog… so nice…

very nice leh~~

nice righT~~ NOT hong chow make one hor~~

Ben yap! Don't look else where(don't look at ur 'candy boobs')! look at the camera...

that's the way!

so cute right? that dog...

Lin Sheng and the rest of us were not the first one who reached the meeting up place. Most of the members were back already. Sherman’s group also back to the place soon after we reached. By 2 30, most of the members were present except for Ben yap’s group.



Lin Sheng asked me to call them. Ben yap told me they were on their way back already, they would reach shortly.

Finally, the last group of people reached. We were ready to go back to the room to retrieve our stuffs and instruments. Claudia waited for us outside the room while the rest of us, “Chiong” in to get our things. Haryl and I do the final check, make sure nothing was left behind.

Claudia and her daughter led us to the performance place. We walked through the shopping mall area of the hall. The place sells a lot a lot of nice souvenirs but I got no chance to see them. Haizz…

After some turning of here and there, we finally reached the MARKT centre area. When the automatic glass door slid open… the rays of light shone in, what I saw at that moment was a bright door opening. As I brought myself nearer to the door, the rays of light get dimmer and dimmer. I began to see the silhouette of buildings, people and the environment. I continued to step forward. The whole view of the Markt was right in front of me. At this specific moment, the scene of Harry Potter flashed through my mind.

It was like the scene where Harry Potter went to the Diagon Alley for the first time.

I was just like Harry Potter in that scene, I was so amazed by what I have seen. It was quite unbelievable that behind the beautiful hall, hid such a beautiful place. I just couldn’t believe that the difference between the Hall area and the Markt area were so much.
The building in the Markt area, resemble the ones in the Diagon Alley. Of course, there weren’t witches and wizards walking around with their owls, rats or even cats, and also not to forget wands.

There was a fountain just outside the door I came out. That place was really beautiful. It has quite a number of very beautifully crafted and build buildings. Claudia stopped in front of a stage area while I was still gazing and staring at those nice buildings. She showed us the area in front of red bricks made building. We were supposed to perform in front of that building with Audience surrounding us.



One of the WMC staffs came over and talked to Claudia, while the other 2 brought chairs to that performing area. The percussion stationed ourselves at the back of the band. That was the very first OUTDOOR Public performance we had. So basically, we don’t really know where and what we should do. Steven came up to where, Lin Sheng, Haryl and I were standing. He told us that they weren’t able to get us the stands which they had promised.

Haizz…

Upon hearing that news, we knew what we should use already. Steven asked the rest of the band to get themselves the “chair-stand”. Yah… as usual like what we did in the hostel. Since they failed to provide us with stands, we couldn’t do anything just felt disappointed. Hmmm

I went to my percussion section and borrowed some trombone cases. Hoho.. percussion used trombone cases as stands.. haha..

All of us assembled our things and get ready for the performance. We would be cued by Claudia when it was time to perform. When we unpacking our percussion stuffs, an old couple asked us what we had gotten for the competition. Wai yip told them we had gotten a gold. They were so nice, the congratulated us and asked us to continue to work hard. Haha

The jazz band on the stage, has stopped. Then they talked a lot of things which I don’t understand a single thing. Never mind, I would just wait for the cue.

Claudia signaled to us, Lin Sheng stood up. The place around us was filled with people now, waiting for us to play some music to entertain them.

We started off with Festive Celebration… OH NO!!

This was the start of our BAD PLAYING… I must admit, we weren’t suitable for OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE. We need those indoor place which has echo…

Uh hmm.. I don’t wish to further explain about this part.. we really sound bad… hahahaha..

After Festive Celebration, we played CHA CHA No.1…
Then after that continued with Folklore for Band and Lastly end with Postcard from Singapore…

After we had finished, the audience still gave us around of applause though.. we were laughing away, and also trying to hide our faces… hahahaha.. XIA SUAY…

WE REALLY PLAYED VERY BADLY.. AND ER XIN!!

After that, we were allowed to pack and can go to have a drink with the tokens the WMC side had given us. While we were packing, Kevin, Bernard, Wai yip and I were saying, we better find somewhere to hide or might as well dig a hole on the spot… hahahaha…

We faster packed our instruments and get ready to FLEE from the “SPOT”… hahahahahaha…

We did clear the place quite fast and we went to the small drinking area just beside our performing place.

I was telling Zhen Cheng and Haryl that we experience 2 extreme things in 1 day… haha… we experienced honour and disgrace in 1 day.. very extreme ne~~… UNGLAM…

While waiting for the queue, we were chatting with Zhenqiang, Zhencong and Ryan. THEN that BIG FAT BLOATED JASON NG walked to us… brought us a red wine.

* take note, they served wine there… GOT ALCOHOL de…

He brought the wine to our table and asked me to drink.. ZzZzZzZz… I refused to drink it but he still forced me to drink it… ZzZzZz.. in the end, Zhenqiang and Zhencong drank it… haha…

We stayed there for quite a while, everyone enjoying their float or wine… I went over to Steven’s table then passed him the tie we had signed for Claudia. A gift for her (we did that quite last minute - I asked the member to sign on it as a gift for her), actually we never prepared de but Avis told me it was better to gave her something… yah lo.. so rush it out…  hope she don’t mind…

Steven passed Claudia the tie and both of us thank her for the care and help from her these few days. She asked us to come to Holland again, and Steven told her when she coming to Singapore, can go and find him…  STEVEN~~ must remember that promise hor……

As I was about to go back to the table I was previously at, Alrick walked up to me asked whether I saw a plastic bag. He said it contained some gifts that he bought…

**PZZZT**

Something struck my head…

**PZZZT**
I somehow remembered I saw it somewhere.

Simeon asked me whether his plastic bag was one of the rubbish plastics bags that we thrown…

*** Deng Deng deng deng Deng Deng deng deng (MI music)***

Now… let us understand the whole matters together.

Come children, let us listen to this bedtime STORY….

LONG BEFORE YOUR THINGS GO MISSING….

In the land of The Netherlands, Alrick bought a few small gifts from the Markt area located in Kerkrade. These small gifts were put inside a normal plastic bag. Alrick carried that plastic bag with him all the way from the Markt to the assembly area.

Alrick and the rest of the band members were instructed to retrieve their belongings and instruments from the room. Alrick as a good boy and member of the band, went into the room and retrieve all his things.

The whole band together with Alrick was led to the central Markt performance area by a blond lady, Claudia. They walked passed nicely decorated rooms, doors and even windows. Finally, they arrived at their destination.

Some good blond giants helped Alrick and the rest of the band arranged the chairs needed. After it was well arranged, Alrick found a very good seat just in front of the percussion section.

Alrick put down all his belongings and instruments near to him. Soon, a new instruction was given by the head. Alrick unpacked and reassemble his beautiful and nice trombone. Alrick waited patiently at his seat until the conductor finally stood up to conduct the band.

The performance started with the applause from the audience and also ended with the audience applause. At this very point of time, a very big monster name “disgrace” came and attacked the band members. All of the band members were trying their best to flee away from him. Without any more hesitation and waiting, band members started to pack their things. Alrick like the other band members, trying his best to get avoid the monster, carried his bags and trombone and started to run away from the place.

Alrick had forgotten to bring along his plastic bag of small gifts. The plastic bag was left on the floor with another few plastic bags containing rubbish. A percussion member, Jason, took all these plastic bags and walked to Fredy. Jason asked Fredy whether wants to throw away all those plastic bags. Fredy asked him what was inside those plastic bags, Jason took a look at the content of the plastic bags and he gave a reply.

“Nothing, only some candy wrappers and some food leftover”

Upon hearing this, Fredy thought those were rubbish. Then he asked Jason to throw away since those were rubbish. At the same time, Wai Yip asked Simeon to throw away some rubbish which he found. Similarly, those were packed in the plastic bags. So both Jason and Simeon went to clear the rubbish together.

From that moment onwards, those plastic bags were left in the chute.

*** DENG DENG Deng Deng ***

So what is the moral of the story?? DON’T LEAVE UR THINGS BEHIND!! Take note of your own things.

I am sorry that I had not checked those plastic bags myself…

After that small search for Alrick’s gifts, we were informed by Claudia that our bus has reached.
We instructed the band members to bring all their things to the bus. We were going back to the hostel.

We boarded the bus, Haryl did a head count. Everybody was on the bus. We were ready to start the engine of the bus.

Claudia and her daughter never boarded the bus, they stood at the pavement, looking at our bus. The feeling of separation… so sad…

We bid goodbye to Claudia and boarded the bus too. We waved to Claudia before the bus go off. She waved back with the smile on the face.

I will never forget the help and care Claudia and her daughter had provided us these few days.

I looked at them, the bus slowly drove further and further from where they stood…

Soon all I saw was roads and buildings…

We were heading back to hostel…

Everyone was tired, the bus was quiet… I could sense the tiredness in the atmosphere.

Shhhhh…

Let’s let them rest... me too need a rest… we will do the rest of the things when we get back to the hostel…

chapter 8: - relaxappears -