After saying alot of things that I really dun understand, the compere finally announced the results.....
Corpo Bandistico Luigi Canepa, Sassari, Italië - ZILVER
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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!!
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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!!.....
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speeed increases....
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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..
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STRAWBERRY JAM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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!
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 -
