MAWE rocks MARISTIC!!

Hi all MAWE members and FOMs,

*I would like all to read this carefully*

You all have done a great great great great GREAT Job for MARISTIC. MAWE's performance really rocked the whole hall. Whether it is musically or technically, we basically showed everyone what an alumni band can do. I have heard the non professional recording of our concert. IT WAS GOOD. I am serious. FREAKING SERIOUS! I've never thought that we would sound THAT good with all the screw ups and whatever we heard on stage (those blurry sounds or whatsoever). I was impressed with how good we have played in MARISTIC. I have received alot of comments about alumni too! All of them are very positive feedbacks and comments. I am so proud of all of you in MAWE.

Up till now, I still can't believe that MAWE managed to achieve so many achievements in the span of 5 years. I really appreciate everyone's effort in making this alumni into a band that can have our name being mentioned and called out by so many many people in Singapore and maybe other countries. Maris Alumni seems to be a branded name in the Band Scene in Singapore now. Many people have high expectations for MAWE. Be it our repertoire or standard of playing. Alot of people are focusing on us. You can simply asked those more seniors or people that know band matters slightly more about MAWE. I am very sure their answer will be MAWE is very good and the repertoire that MAWE plays is one of a kind. MAWE can't achieve such high standard of playing without everyone's hardwork and commitment.

I would love to thank EVERYONE in MAWE for all these years of hardwork and cooperation with me.

With MARISTIC comes to an end. My responsibilities as part of the MAWE's comm comes to an end too. From now on Wai Yip will take over the alumni band's future prospect and of course the responsibilities of making this band even better!

So I want to thank everyone for cooperating with me and of course, all the members that have passed my QC and managed to get into Alumni Band. To be honest, you all are just awesome! Although I hardly praised or say anything nice but let me tell you, you all are just fantastic. It is my job to push you all to be better so you all can be better than the rest.

Also, during my "reign period", I may have made some decisions that some of you may not like BUT I doubt none of these decisions harm the alumni band or any of the members. I have been very protective towards MAWE and all the members all these while.. maybe over protective to the extend that you all only know this MAWE. Also there are alot of things that I won't be able to let you all know due to the complexity and restrictions, so if you all think otherwise or whatsoever, then I can't do anything. I can't and don't wish to explain anything.

The only thing I would like to clear or explain is about the repertoire.

I know alot of you have been complaining about our repertoire is getting more and more difficult every single time. I know it is getting more difficult but I would like you all to keep in mind. When everything stays stagnant, there will not be any improvement.

For repertoire wise I guess all of us can see it for ourselves, our repertoire has been the latest and up to date compositions from Japan and Europe. Our repertoire isn't something that you can see in other bands' concert or performances. Everytime, we have our performance, our repertoire will always wow the audience. People always praised on our repertoire for being well planned and special but I am not sure how many of our members think so. For the audience and others, they felt this way.

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Just for everyone's information. I have been received lots of sms or msn or fb msgs telling me how well alumni band has played in MARISTIC. They love the band standard and the well planned program for our concert. They enjoyed every single bit of the alumni segment and the choices of pieces.

This part is not to show off but I am just very proud of what I heard so I would like to say it to everyone in MAWE.

"MAWE is definitely the best and most successful alumni band around in Singapore."

I am not sure whether you all as MAWE members will feel the same way as I do BUT to me.. all these make me so proud of MAWE. VERY PROUD I should say.

One of the newly formed alumni group is even trying to use MAWE as a guide and work towards it. I am happy that MAWE is being used as an aim for them (actually not only them, I know a few more bands are setting MAWE as something they want to achieve for their bands). I hope all our members know how well MAWE has grown and the amount of respect MAWE has earned over the years. I do hope every members in MAWE do feel proud to be in this band, to me I am very proud to be part of this fantastic group. I guess alot of our FOMs feel so too!

So guys, do cooperate with Wai Yip from now on. I just want to tell you guys, being the president of MAWE isn't something very easy. You are not only need to hold all the batches together but you also need to handle the attendance, future prospect, knowing the members, how to go about doing things with restrictions from everywhere. This is practically a job that when you have done it well, nobody will praise or appreciate but when you made a mistake or did something that is not what people want, you will get all the complains and scolding.

I really hope everyone will give your best cooperation to Wai Yip and make this MAWE a better band.

Like what Mr Chiang said on concert day: "MARISTIC probably is so far the best performance made by MAWE since its debut. This band is just great. Hope everyone will continue to play and contribute to this band"

This message is from Lin Sheng: "Good job and well done for all you. Played well and want to conduct more of this alumni band in the future. Everyone in this band is my "comrades", we have been fighting through thick and thin together for so long and this will continue. As we all know, we are part of it and we all know that we are the one that make this band thus far."

I guess that's all I wanted to say and the messages that lin sheng wants me to convey.

To all MAWE members and FOMs. I REALLY THINK YOU ALL ROCK!!!

maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

PS: Can I have everyone to help to vote for this song? haha. Help to support this song composed by Lin Sheng! Show people the MARIST POWER!! ^^
VOTE FOR THIS SONG!!

fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble

Concert day details

1. Details of event

Date of event: 12/2/2010

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Concert Time: 7:30pm – 10:00pm

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2. Attire

· Alumni – Black Blazer, white long sleeve shirt, long black pants, white bow tie (please bring your own, u need to order from me (Wai Yip) if you don't already have one), black belt, black socks and black leather shoes.

3. Food/Dinner

· Dinner will be provided and you can take it either during 5-6pm or 6.45-8pm (This apply only to FoM and Alumni, main band members in alumni need to take their during from 5-6pm)

ALL alumni members are encouraged to come as early as possible to help out or simply just do ur own practice. Main Band Rehearsal starts at 2pm.

5:30pm	· Alumni to report to Esplanade – Warm up & Ready
6:00pm	· Alumni Rehearsal with Mr Chiang
6:45pm	· Rehearsal ends
7:30pm	· Concert begins
7:35pm	· Main Band + Primary Band ready at backstage
8:30pm	· First half ends, intermission of 20 mins
8:40pm	· Alumni members ready at the backstage
8:50pm	· Begin second half
10:00pm	· End of concert

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble Concert Program
* Dmitri Shostakovich - Festive Overture
* Satoshi Yagisawa – Trombone Concerto
* Bela Bartok – Miraculous Mandarin
* Masanori Taruya – Archangel Raphael
* Festive Celebration
There will be another piece with the the Main Band and the concert ends with school song

Please remember to bring money for bowtie (for those who ordered) and tickets on monday.

Regards,

Wai Yip

Rehearsal + Ticket Sales

Dear MAWE members,

Please note the following rehearsal dates up till concert. You are expected to turn up for all the practices.

28^th Jan, thu – 7 to 9.30pm

30^th Jan, sat – 2 to 6pm

4^th Feb, thu – 7 to 9.30pm

6^th Feb, sat – 2 to 6pm

8^th Feb, mon – 7 to 9.30pm

10^th Feb, wed – 7 to 9.30pm

12^th Feb, fri – (Concert Day) Please be ready at the Esplanade at 3:45pm

Also, please push for the ticket sales, everyone is expected to sell 10 tickets. I will be collecting the order and money by next week.

Thanks!

Wai Yip

MARISTIC ~miraculous colours~ Promotion

Hi All MAWE Members,

Please take note that everyone will need to sell the concert tickets. Please inform Wai Yip on the number of tickets you all need. Sell as much as possible! Thanks!

Concert Details as follows:

maris alumni wind ensemble

presents

Maristic ~miraculous colours~

12th February 2010

Esplanade Concert Hall

1930 hours

Guest Performing Groups:

Maris Stella Symphonic Band

Maris Stella Primary Band

* Special appearance group * (announce soon!)

Program:

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble

Bela Bartok - Miraculous Mandarin (Asia Premiere)

Satoshi Yagisawa - Trombone Concert (Asia Premiere)
Masanori Taruya - Archangel Raphael who leaves the house of Tobias (Singapore Premiere)

Dmitri Shostakovich - Festive Overture

Maris Stella Symphonic Band

Franz Lehar, arr. Eiji Suzuki - The Merry Widow Selections

Takashi Hoshide - Japanese Graffiti.

More to come! Stay Tuned!

At the same time please practise all the concert pieces!! Not much time left!!!

Fredy

Daisuke Shimizu Conducting To My Comrades

Sorry this post is not about MAWE on Thailand National TV.

Something interesting and relevant to the Thailand Competition though...

Daisuke Shimizu Conducting To My Comrades (Susinami Wind Orchestra)

Wai Yip

MAWE on Thailand NATIONAL TV yesterday night!

Hi Guys,

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble performance was aired on Thailand National TV yesterday night! I think is some news report or something like that.

I am trying to get the video! So stay tuned!!

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

Back in Singapore...

on this very day, 1st december 2009 (by right we left Thailand on 30th Nov, reach at midnight of 1st dec).


29th Nov 2009, Sunday was our FINALS for TIWEC. We did our best that we could at that moment but I guessed we still failed to play well on that day. Probably due to the sudden change in repertoire cause of some unexpected circumstances. I do not wish to explain on the unexpected circumstances so those who know will know, those who don't know I am sorry I do not wish to elaborate on that.


I am rather impressed with the instruments each and everyband brought for the competition. How I wish I could have brought all our own percussion over to Thailand. All the bands used their own percussion set. None of them uses the Percussion provided. I was quite ok with the quality, condition and tuning of the SEMI FINALS round but unfortunately for FINALS, we had a different set and that changed alot of things.


After we have played, we will need to wait outside the hall for results. Only the representative can go into the hall cause it is filled with people whom were there to watch the competition and to see the Royal Family representative to come for the award ceremony. The king does not make it for this competition due to his health conditio n but should be fine.

We got 3rd place. It was a complete disappointment. It was. Really. None of us cheered, none of us clapped. It was a total silence from our group. I was so ready for 3rd after the competition. Although I was busying correcting every single notes that was on that bloody screwed up timpani, I was still paying attention on the band. Afterall after the 1st piece which greatly demoralized everyone. Things just never get better. Percussion was weaken from the start. Nothing can be done.

3rd place afterall. We at least made it to the FINALS. Good for MAWE. There are many more that did not make the mark and we did make it to the FINALS.

Good Job everyone.

Everything is over for this Thailand Competition. Although we all know about those disturbing stuffs that happened but never mind. We did our best on Sunday. That's something great.

Thank you everyone for all the good work and cooperation!

Updates on the Thailand trip will be up soon! haha. Give me sometime to churn out all the things we have done!

MAWE gogo!!!

fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

you know what?

the EMCEES murmured some Thai language in which all of us don't understand a single thing!

After one whole chunk of foreign language bombardment, the emcees changed to a language we all understand! FINALLY!!

Can you imagine the whole introduction was in Thai and we just sit there and laughed when they laughed, clapped when they clapped. SO SO SO SO SO Out of place for all of us.

Ok continue the story...

The emcees changed to speak ENGLISH LANGUAGE!!

The first line they said was ...

Congratulations to...

MARIS ALUMNI WIND ENSEMBLE!!

The whole lot of us just jumped up from the chair, cheering and clapping! We did it!! FINALS HERE WE COME!! Oh My Buddha!!! (Our tour guide used that! haha. He is a buddhist just like any other people in Thailand)

Oh yesh and just an add on, we are OFFICIALLY the Top 3 bands of the Thailand International Wind Ensemble Competition. Now the FINALS will determine our placing.

I hoping for the best, everyone in the band too!!

You guys reading this, do pray for us too!!!

I will try to upload the pics when I got my SD card back!!1

Read more as I updated along the way!!

Thailand Trip -Day 1-

We arrived in Singapore Changi Airport at 1300 hours. Soon, we moved into the departure hall and boarded the SQ 976.

We arrived at the Thailand Suvarnabhumi Airport 30 mins earlier, 1720 hours.

We were brought to a restaurant near the CHAOPRAYA River and enjoy our first taste of the Thai Cuisine. It was ok although personally I thought it was more of like a vegetarian meal. Is today the LUNAR Calendar 1st or 15th of the month?

The restaurant is located near our Hotel, ROYAL PRINCESS (will be uploading pics of the room when I have figured out how to upload to this comp).

The Royal Princess hotel is MUCH MUCH better than expected and I think everyone in the group enjoy and like the hotel.

Practice is simple and sweet. Never played well though.

That's all for today!!

(THIS IS THE SUMMARY ENTRY! FULL VERSION WILL BE OUT AFTER THE TRIP!)

Stay tuned!!!

MAWE Thailand Trip + Updates during Trip

Hi Guys,

In 3 days time we will be leaving for Thailand, I hope everyone is ready for this Thailand trip!

I have uploaded the PDF of what to bring. Please download it and make sure you don't leave out anything.

Please Download the things to bring file from this Link:
Things To Bring

Do take note of our attire. It is in the things to bring list.

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Things to take note:

* Everyone is to report in Maris Stella at 10 AM on 24th November 2009, Tuesday.

* Make sure your hand carry luggage is 25cm x 35cm x 55 cm (MAX).

* Make sure all LAG (Liquid, Aerosol and Gel) items are not in your hand carry luggage.


Other than that we will do last minute check on Tuesday itself.

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We will be updating daily from Thailand for our Thailand Trip, so parents and members can refer to our blog for updates.

Thanks!

Happy Packing!!

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble

MAWE Trip + new trainee members!

Hi All alumni members,

Our Thailand Trip STILL GOES ON even though Main Band's trip is cancelled.

Please do take note Alumni Practice resumes 10th October 2009 at 1.30 pm at Maris Stella Band Room.

* Members' list is updated with 5 new trainee members. Welcome all the 5 new trainee members! So in total we have 10 trainees up to date (1st half of 2009 - 4, 2nd half 2009 -6)! Hope you all learn a lot more stuffs in Alumni band. Hoping to hear the best from you all!

PS: It will be fun to name each of these batch like 09A and 09B batch. So you guys have different batch mates for alumni! haha. So batch 09A is batch 09B senior! haha!

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble

Hi All Members and the Public,

With the effect from 19th August 2009, Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni is officially re-named Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble.

From now on, all upcoming performances, events and others, the name Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble will be used for this alumni band group.

*all members or the public who use the name Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni to link to our blog, please kindly change it to Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble.

Thank you very much.

We will continue to bring the best we can to the audience.

PS: For the main picture of this blog, I have another version with more animations and pictures but unable to use it for the blog as it is 8MB in size. So everyone bear with this less striking main picture of the blog.

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

MARISTalumni @ the PARAGON

Dear all,

Here are some of the pictures taken during Paragon's performance.

Good job everyone =)

Click on the link at the bottom of the post to view the rest of the pictures.

[Click Below]

Cheers,
Wai Yip

A gift for ALL MSSBA members! Our Mascot!

Hi All,

I think this can be our mascot from now on!!

mssba teddy! mssba monogram version

Just for mssbalumni members!

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Alumni Shirt Design Voting

Hi All,

Below will be a few designs for our alumni shirt.

The shirt will be a WHITE POLO. I am trying to get white DRI FIT POLO.

Front will be like this.


Now, for the back, please choose according to the 6 Options (A, B, C, D, E, F). My Personal choice will be 1. F, 2. A, 3. B, 4.E, 5. C, 6.D. Choose yours now!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please kindly vote for the design with the poll below.

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That's all!

Thanks

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Upcoming Events

Hi All,

Please kindly refer to your email for all our upcoming performing dates and program for those events.

I seek highest co-operation from everyone in the band so as to have a successful and good playing performances.

Please kindly inform your SL if you are unable to make it for practice.

** SL > please refer to the members list at the side of this blog. There are some changes to your section members. Those without valid reason and have not been regular or unable to attend practice due to certain reasons have been eliminated from the section. Kindly make sure ALL your section mates do attend practice from now on and inform you if they are unable to make it.

Thank you.

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Alumni practice on 27th June 2009

Hi All,

Alumni practice on 27th June 2009 will be cancelled due to H1N1. This week MOE has stated no school activities. So we will need to cancel.

Practice resumes NEXT WEEK.

THANKS!

fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Message from Mr Stephen Melillo!!

All mssba members!

Below is the message from Mr Stephen Melillo after he watched the Chosen video that I have recently updated!!

Below is the email Mr Stephen Melillo sent to me. ^^

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Hello, Fredy!

Thank you for playing this Music about honoring the Great Souls of the Past, like Beethoven and many like him. This is what is meant by Time to Back the Knights. The "Knights" of History regardless of geography or boundary.

I very much LOVE the CONDUCTOR!... and I think the Ensemble sounds very fine considering the Video microphone.

Bravo to you and a special thanks to the Musicians for all of their Giving, and or course to the fine Conductor.

Thanks again to you and Godspeed!

Steve

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So guys! Continue your good work!!! We will need to be even better!!

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And here it is!! The video!!

THE CHOSEN!


Be the best we can be!! mssba gogo!

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~
-creating music style of our own-

Practice resumes on 6th June 2009!

Hi all mssba members,

Please take note that maris stella symphonic band alumni practice resumes on

6th June 2009
Saturday
2 PM
Maris Stella Band Room

Please make sure you are free from things can come down for practice.

Email has been sent out to ALL MEMBERS. Please read, update yourself and of course co-operate with us for those upcoming events!

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Concert coming up and we will need to get things done! After 11 months of break, I am pretty sure we are going to sound rather bad but things need to go on.

Do take note, you will need to come for every practice as this program, you will not be able to get it done a few practices before concert. It is rather impossible to bring back the score and practise on your own too cause a lot of linkages here and there within the band.

So you will need to come down for practices.

We will be giving out scores for these upcoming events in batches. So we will need to settle majority of the pieces before the next batch of pieces come in. Will update you all more about this on 6th june practice.

Hope to see everyone soon!

Enjoy your remaining break before Alumni Band resumes!

Fredy

maris stella symphonic band alumni

~the legacy continues~

-creating music style of our own-

Main Band SYF

To all Alumni Band members,

Main Band has achieved a Gold award in the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging (Concert Band) 2009.

They have performed very very well on 8th April 2009. It was the best I have seen them perform (and many other alumnus too). Although did not get what they aimed for but still they have worked very hard for this Gold that was awarded by the 7 Judges.

Be it Gold or Gold with Honours. That particular day, 8th April 2009. They have played music that touched the hearts of the audience. I think that's something worth more than any award.

Main band has really made all the Alumnus proud on that very day with their music. Really proud of them.

After Main Band SYF, it will be our turn again anytime soon. We (both mssb and mssba) shall continue to strive to the best we can be.

Maristbands GOGO!!

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~