Wednesday, January 25, 2006

-chapter 5 - The Day Before + by fredy+

"ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

"what the heck are they doing?"

"so noisy!"

"grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

"argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

'noises' like this started to fill our sleeping area. Nobody (except for a few LI HAI de) can really sleep under this kind of conditions. The Malaysian Band, Victoria Cadet band, woke up very early that day and made alot of unneccessary noise.

I looked around the whole sleeping area from my bed. Majority of the band members had been woken up by those CLING CLANG noise that the malaysian band produced the whole morning. I looked at time and it was 6 in the morning, I heard from the others that the malaysian band had actually made those noise since 5 or 530.

Today's schedule was very very tight. So no choice but need to urge them to be fast in action for today's schedule. Haryl and I discussed with Steven and decided to let them sleep a while more. We would call everyone up at about 630 am. We confirmed the schedule with Steven once more and went to do our own things (brush teeth.. etc).

DONG DING DING DONG~~~~~ 630~~ 630~~

yesh.. It was 630! Haryl and I went around waking everyone up from their beauty sleep. Some like Jason Ng were those that were VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY hard to wake up! haha. Please take note of the number of VERY. You can try waking him up next time! haha.

We gave them 1 hour to do their washing up and others. 730 - 830 will be their breakfast time.

hmm... the breakfast was basically the same for everyday during the hostel stays. Bread, jam, milk/coffee, cheese, ham.. Those were the things we ate during that 3 days of stay. Of course some didn't like the breakfast the hostel provide, so they ate cup noodles. haha.

Haryl and I asked the band members to get ready for sectional session after they had finished their breakfast.

The weather was much better than yesterday. We divided the whole band into 3 main sections. The Brass Section will follow Lin Sheng, Woodwind Section will follow Steven and while Percussion Section will have their own sectional.

The Brass Section went to the small open area within the hostel. Lin Sheng went through those pieces with them and corrected their mistakes.




Lin sheng conducting the BRASS Section


4 sets of 3 (3 euphos, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones and 3 horns) and 1 tuba!!!

see those serious faces


Lin Sheng conducting the brass section
*zhen cheng wore sandal, my god! he don't feel cold meh?*

The brass section was having a 'cold treat' of wind and our Woodwind section stay inside the hall the practice, together with percussion doing their sectional and discussion of parts.

Steven took the whole woodwind section

our hardworking woodwind section.

one more day! jia you!

wai yip and jason discussing parts

Taking note of dynamics, playing and our mistakes.

After the 2 hours of sectional, Lin Sheng led us for a full band. We run through all the competition pieces. Lin Sheng pointed out our mistakes and some points to take note of.

* this part no pics, only got video! haha*

After the full band, Lin Sheng hold the percussion section for sectional on the parts, while the rest of the band rest and get ready for lunch.

Lin Sheng conduct our sectional

Lin Sheng and Percussion Section prepared for back-up plan B if on the competition day, Elizabeth unable to make it. We divided up clearly and test run the parts with Lin Sheng. Everything went on smoothly. Time for lunch, Lin Sheng released us for lunch and get ready for the Rehearsal at the rehearsal place with all percussion instruments provided.

Lunch break, the things we ate were almost the same as the breakfast. I only found out that the dutch ate bread for breakfast and lunch. They only had a slightly more sumptuous meal at night. As a chinese idiom has said ' RU XIANG SUI SU '. So we also ate the same things as the dutch lo. hoho...

After lunch, it was about 130 pm. Haryl and I asked the band members to get ready to go to the rehearsal place. The rehearsal place was within walking distance, so Claudia and her daughter going to lead us there.

Claudia asked the percussion section to bring up the accessories instruments to her car and she will drive to the rehearsal place first. The Band together with Lin Sheng, Mrs Chia, Avis and Steven, followed Claudia's daughter to the rehearsal place. After a short walk, we then realised it is located at the hostel(the place where philwinds, NTU stays) that we went yesterday night. It was just across the road.

We waited outside for a while since NTU was inside rehearsing. I heard abit of their playing, not bad from outside. The percussion section went to bring down our instruments and carried into the hall. The hall was a something like a gumnasium hall, the acoustic not that fantastic but echo quite alot. Claudia signalled us to go in, the whole bunch of us swarmed in like nobody business, we never even waited for the NTU to clear and we barged in just like that. haha.

ok la, when we went in, the whole lot of them was clearing up le. Lin Sheng went in front, and shook hand with Lao Shi (Mr Luk Hoi Yu), then Lin Sheng and Lao Shi took a pic.

2 most experience conductors in Singapore!

Saw Elizabeth then we talked abit, she stayed back to have rehearsal with us. Jie Bao and Rasull also stayed back and played with us. Besides the 3 of them, NTU + ST Gab percussion master class teacher also there. I forgot her name, yu huan or something like that? sorry, i really forgot. She was there to give Elizabeth some pointers.

We started our pract, everything goes well, Percussion wise also good, we knew what we were going to play. Our coordination was not bad. Got abit of MO QI. So percussion shouldn't have any problem now.

We started with jericho, Lin Sheng point out some mistakes that the band made. we run through quite a bit. Then Loo Kit came. haha.. joined us for the rehearsal. Soon, Mr Adrian Chiang also came. Aaron too came. We never brought an extra trombone for him, so he need to go back to philwinds hostel and retrieve one. He came back and joined us shortly. Next Lin Sheng run through Vesuvius, then last one was Folklore for band.

Their timpani was so nice but one thing bad was the timpani cannot use harder mallets. The practice ended without much problem. Everything went smoothly. After we had run through those pieces, Lin Sheng wants to time our playing time. So, we played all 3 pieces once through without stopping.

This practice was quite fruitful, as we know how it will roughly sound in the hall with full percussion instruments. I like this pract.

Something I scared about the percussion instruments was, the xylophone. It sounded veryvery bright, I think it was made of maple wood (i think only, not sure). I cannot use the sticks that I usually used in Singapore. Luckily, we brought rubber mallets, if not sure die.. haha.. I had a hard time trying to get used to play on that xylo, attack must be very careful. Hard time.. haha. MUST PRACTICE!! haha..

We packed everything then Steven made announcements to the whole band. While I confirmed time with Loo Kit, Adrian, Aaron, Rasull, Jie Bao and Elizabeth. Percussion packed their things and put on Claudia's car. We cleared the hall and off we go...

We head back to our hostel, the walk back to hostel was not that long but we saw quite alot of ppl, with their dogs, skateboards and others. This town looked livelier today. haha.

Back at the hostel, everyone was given a free time until dinner time. After dinner will be another round or practice (full band). Everyone put down their instruments and get ready to go for a walk! haha. Steven, Avis and Mrs Chia going to bring the band members to the market near our hostel. Lin Sheng, Chan lun, Haryl, Me and a few more didn't go out. So we stay in the hostel. Lin Sheng went to sleep as he was tired.. I might most likely because of that malaysian band. The rest went to market or go to explore the town.

hoho, photos with MEH MEH...

walking down the street! haha. ben yap POSING! haha

very nice view at the back. haha.

While they went out to buy things, I lie on the bed, listening to songs. Lin Sheng sleeping, Haryl doing his own thing. The group that went out with Steven they all came back, Zhen Cheng bought fruits and cookies. The rest bought snacks, chips and french fries!! haha. Slowly, most of the members were back.

Dinner at 6, everyone was back by then. Bathed and ready for dinner. Today's dinner wasn't that bad, got that potato thingy rather nice. Lin Sheng sat with us, then we together talked about lots of things. Something like EXCO meeting.. haha...

Lin Sheng said we going to have full band practice outside. WHOA.. haha COLD~~~~ very cold!!

Haryl and I asked everyone to moved chairs out and get ready for practice. 730. We started our practice. THE WEATHER WAS SO COLD!! I THINK GOT 10 -12 Degrees ba!! cold leh~~~ haha... Everyone wear their jackets, sweaters or gloves to keep themselves warm. haha..

XIN KU LE Lin Sheng

It was so dry that we could easily hear our mistakes clearly. Everyone was shivering though somehow.. haha. So cannot be blamed also. That is the first time, I played my ratchet and tambourine with so much shakes in the sounds.. haha.. it was 9++pm at night (Holland time) and the sky was still so bright!!

We ran through all pieces, Lin Sheng said about listening to our mistakes cause of our dry acoustic. Finally, we managed to endure the cold weather throughout the whole practice. Lin Sheng told us what to look out for and said he will tune everyone later on when we get back into the hostel.

Just as when we were finishing, a man who looked like a gangster to me, came and took the tambourine, played with it... I was like OMG! haha... he looked funny and 'uncommentable'.. haha. Lin Sheng gave a thumb up for his 'performance' on the tambourine. Then he stopped. hahaha. Steven asked everyone to bring in their chairs and instruments. We shifted everything in, the ODD ODD man helped us too. He said we were guests so helped us. haha.. not bad ar.. free worker. haha.

We finished moving and now all of us inside the hostel. haha... now i felt the warmth! Mrs Chia called for the Hostel personnel, Mr Rob. He asked the ODD ODD man to go away as he looked as if he was distrubing us. Of course he went away after Mr Rob talked to him.

Lin Sheng gave Haryl and I the original scores of everything we going to play. We sorted everything out according to sections. We would give them to the section leader when the section come to tune.

Lin Sheng start tuning with trombone. the brass first. then slowly moved on the other sections. they were asked not to touch their instruments, leave it there, don't keep it until tomorrow and OF COURSE as USUAL, there were some who don't know how to listen to instructions.

Lin Sheng tune all sections (i think except for flutes) and finally finished. Haryl and I were told that today must have lights off at 11. Actually no need to ask them sleep by 11 cause alot of them have been to tired to do anything else, so just "POMP" on their bed and slept.

11 at the night, Haryl and I went around to check for "survivor". Only some left zhen qiang, zhen cong and zhen cheng.. they were eatign noodles.. haha.. yeah.. and we asked to sleep after they finished their food.

yeah.. the day drew nearer and nearer.

chapter 6 - the judgement day.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Concert : SWS Concert 2006

Dear all,

Singapore Wind Symphony (SWS) will be having a concert on 8th January 2006 at Victoria Concert Hall.

Mr Lin will be conducting SWS for the concert. GUYS!! GO SUPPORT LIN SHENG!!! YEAH!!

Those who want the ticket, please contact me!! thank you!!! Repertoire very nice!!!

best regards,
fredy

Concert Repertoire

Dear all,

you can listen to the concert repertoire now from the MSSBA blog.

please choose the songs you want.

Listen carefully~~~ and then work hard!! jia you!!

------
fredy

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Announcements: LEO Comm

all sub-comms (LEO Comm) listed below will be under the EXCO (Band Director, TIC, President and Vice-President).

LEO Comm made up of Leader Committee, Event Committee and Operating Committee.

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

Operating Committee:

Head of Operating Committe: Aloysius
Assistant Head Operating Committee: Zhen Cheng

Finance Dept: Aloysius (Treasurer)
Douglas (Assistant)
+In Charge of MSSBA Finance+

Instruments Depts: Zhen Cheng (QM)
Zhao Duan (Assistant)
+In charge of MSSBA Instruments matters+

Information & Scores Dept: Pee Wee (Head of I&S)
Wai Hoe (Assistant)
+In charge of MSSBA Scores and Paper Work+

IT Dept: Zhencong (Head of IT)
Yaofeng (Assistant)
+In charge of MSSBA's Web, blog, domain and all IT related matters+

Promotion and Publicity: Ben Yap
Jin Yan
+ In charge of MSSBA publicity and events promotion+

MSSBA Band Management: Hao Siang (Coordinator)
Hong Chow (Assistant)
+ In charge of MSSBA members practice and events matters+

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Events Committee

Head of Event Comittee: Wai Yip
Assistant Head of Event Committee: Hao Siang

Art and Design: Wai Yip
+ In charge of all MSSBA events' booklet, posters and etc+

Bands' Event Management: Hao Siang (Coordinator)*
Hong Chow (Assistant)*
+ In charge of ALL Maristbands (pri, main & alumni band) coordination as well as Guest band+

Ticket and Sales: Aloysius (Coordinator)*
Douglas (Coordinator)*
+ In charge of MSSBA events' ticket sales +

Events Publicity & Promotion: Ben Yap*
Jin Yan*
+ In charge of MSSBA events publicity, promotion and marketing +

Event Coordinator: Andrew Ong
Andrew Chua
+ In charge of whole events' schedules, flow of events, food, transport and etc+

Media and Stage Operation: Bernard
+ In charge of all medias played during event and stage coordination+

Events Publication: Kelvin
+ In charge of giving reports of events and taking off shots and videos of events +


*= in the event of a concert or performance, Band Management, Finance and P&P departments of OpComm will join the EvComm.

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Leader Committee

Head of Leader Committee: Ryan

Woodwind In Charge: Kenneth
+ In charge of woodwinds sectionals and related matters +

Brass In Charge: Ryan
+ In charge of brass sectionals and related matters +

Percussion In Charge:
+ In charge of percussion sectionals and related matters +

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updated by mssba comm

Friday, October 14, 2005

WMC RECORDING ARRIVED!!

Dear all WMC Participants,

The WMC recording has finally arrived. The sound quality is good! Very good!!!

I had listened to them over and over again...
...
...
...
...
...
...

We did not play that badly afterall BUT still not very good. Haha.

I have uploaded the 64K bits version on the blog! so click to listen, quality isn't that good though BUT it still have some of its essence... haha.

ENJOY!!!!

*********
Sorry. There will be NO distribution of the recording mp3, so don't bother to get from me.
Thank you.

**ALL MEMBERS ARE TO TAKE NOTE THAT, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DISTRIBUTE THE RECORDING TO OTHERS. THANK YOU.
********

brought to you by MSSBA Comm (2005)

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

The Opening of MSSBA Official Website! + Announcements!

Dear all members,

the Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni Official website will be:

www.mssbalumni.com

Please give check information of the MSSBA in that website. Thank you very much.


Also, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion of MSSBA will each have a page too.

for Woodwind >> www.woodwind.mssbalumni.com

for Brass >> www.brass.mssbalumni.com

for Percussion >> www.percussion.mssbalumni.com


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Announcements - Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni Inaugural Concert (march 2006)

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

MSSBA will be having a concert in March (this concert has been listed as the major event next year beside competitions). Due to the importance of this concert, some members will be chosen by the EXCO to be in this LEO committee (Leaders Committee, Event Committee and Operating Committee) .

Chosen members will be notified through email regarding their duty and post.
A set of name list will also listed on the BLOG as well as the website.

Please take note of the meeting time which will be posted soon.


We hope members will give their utmost support and co-operation in making this concert a successful one. I need everyone to work together!


~~~~~~~~
fredy
mssba executive committee (2005).
~~~~~~~~

Monday, October 03, 2005

WMC recording + Announcements

to All WMC participants and members,

WMC recording is no longer handled by MAST Music. I had took over the case, so you all will received the recording when the Alumni Band Practice resume (tentatively 15th Oct 2005).


+++

Please take note that the WMC video MIGHT be shown during Main Band's Band Camp, the version that will be aired is different from the VCD that you all ordered (some differences). Members are welcomed to join in too.

* Further details will be given regarding the Main Band's Band Camp, when practice resume.

+++

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni Inaugural Concert will be held Next Year March. Concert Committee will be formed soon (members of the concert comm will be chosen by EXCO).

repertoire will be confirmed and announced ASAP. Expected to include "aerodynamics" in next year concert.

* Further details will be given at later dates

+++

fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Monday, September 12, 2005

NEW! T-shirt designs + VCD covers!

Dear All

Below are the designs for the WMC t-Shirt. If you have good designs for the WMC T-Shirt please don't hesitate to submit to us! thank u!

Design 1: REACK!

Front


















Back



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Design 2: Glow...

Front



















Back




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Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni
World Music Contest Tour 2005




WMC VCD Cover

WMC Tour VCD
Expected release date: 20-10-2005

PRE-ORDER starts NOW! ONLY for WMC Participants who are interested!

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Please Vote for your favourite T-Shirt Deisgn by enter Design 1 or Design 2 on the Comment of this post!

fredy's personal favourite: Design 2 - Glow...

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

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Announcements.

MSSBA will be providing

Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra - "Aerodynamics" video.

Those who wants please contact fredy. thank you.

ONLY FOR MSSBA MEMBERS! Reference Copy!

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We need repertoire for the concerts. Thus members are allowed to suggest pieces for the concerts.

Please post the pieces you want the band to try under comments of this post.

The committee will then decide the playing possibilities.

Thank you.


Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni Committee

Monday, August 22, 2005

Zhen Cheng's Words!!

hmmm... nice blog... but the music makes it so touching siaz... hmmm... about this trip hor... i have mani mani things to say but i'll juz try to save some of my typing... i'll make it short short sweet sweet...

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1st of all, how can we forget those who had done alot for the trip? Mr Lin, Mrs Chia, Fredy, Haryl, Avis & steven + afew helpful parents... lets first give them a standing ovation guys... the trip would not be successful without them lo...i think i better 10x them 1 by 1... later kanna hantam den very xia suay.

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1st on the list in no order of merit is Mr Lin a.k.a [Lin Sheng]. u guys may not see it, but he is putting alot effort into us[alumni band]. This competition result is a very good example. the time he puts in, his devotion for band, his willingness to support us no matter what. all these shows his support/care/love... wadeve. BUT i still have to remind u, he is not paid to do all these. He is doing this out of the love for the band, for us, and as well as the future of maris band. so, i really hope every1 appreciates him be it after a scolding from him or wad. u guys should be the 1 feeling guilty for all the nonsense u gave him... lol. "bad attendance, attitude, playing of pieces". but let all bygones be bygones, i really hope Mr Lin will continue to help us, wok with us, so we can continue to scale greater heights under his guidance. Thx Mr Lin. *Clap ur hands, n tears start rolling down ur cheeks... Sniff*

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2nd person is Mrs Chia. She was the strength behind us all. without her, where do we get our band room, our instruments as well as the many minor things that adds up to a major thing. She has always been there for us, every band prac, every decisions we make, and yet she still has to care about main band 2... she indeed is a superhuman... she might not be the 1 playing with us, but she certainly make all these wonderful things possible. her efforts should nvr be ignored nor taken fo granted... once again i thx this wonderful lady with the workrate of a thousand man.

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hmm... now i come to the comm. although the comm was left with 3 person, fredy, haryl n me, we still managed to scrape thru this "ordeal" tyco-ly or heng-ly. Fredy was the 1 to meet the principal, Bro Anthony, contact all of u guys as well as settle the admin stuff wih the WMC personels... thats some kind of feat... deserves a few pats on the shoulder lo. he is always troubled, worried about u guys although u guys might not see it. he is the 1 to help those in need, like those wif $$$ problems... 1 sentence to summarize all he has done, Fredy was in the midst of every decision, every admin stuff, every... every... *goes on n on n on*... so at the very very least, he should be congratulated by every1.. woohoo. hmmm how many of u see fredy cry at the very moment the judge read out..."Maris stella symphonic band alumni[ah-loom-nee]... GOLD", all i can say is that the tears certainly worth more den all the riches u guys have. its about the workload, the effort, the mani mani stuff finally put down to rest... the 3 of us[comm] were so relieved when we finally completed this big project.

now i come to haryl, u may see him as a "cold" guy... hardly smiles, laugh or show his emotions... yet those who know him will know he is soft at heart, he has done mani stuff for u guys, he is like the pillar for fredy, picking up the shattered pieces whenever we have a setback... haizz... thats how important he is to us... we look up to him 4 ideas, decision making n all... the brain of the alumni band... how can 1 live fruitfully without a brain... lol

Next is um... me?... aiyo where got ppl thx himself de... so i gonna skip this... [im so buay hiao bai]

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On the travel side, we have avis n steven... we r always consulting them to settle the many things for u guys. although they rant, grunt at us, its all for a common goal, to complete this project. so now hor, u guys should know who give us prob hor? we always tio the scolding de... those that dunno whether to go anot[ai mai, ai mai], those dun wan cooperate... u guys guilty liao lo... owe us lunch hor... jk. bu they really gave us alot of advice, like helpin us save cost on the trip, we really appreciated that. setven oso help us play siaz... so noble leh... even now, he is still helping us settle the post wmc matters... lol... thx guys.

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next are the guest players, although i dunno much, but i will still thx u guys on behalf of the whole alumni band... u guys did a great job... we really owe u 1...

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hmmm... all good things are not meant to last... i will sign off here wif a impt notice... "we have bigger plans 4 u guys... lol"... hope u gys really enjoyed the trip
_____________________

Saturday, August 20, 2005

a wonderful memory...

hmmm. exactly one month after we left for amsterdam.
how's everyone?
fine, i presume. haha...
let me tell u all something...
well, it was yesterday...
my class suddenly decided to go airport to eat dinenr + celebrate someone's bdae.
well, as i had a meeting, i went later on my own.
after i left VJ, i waited "patiently" for 36 as i didnt wan to be v late.
well, e bus took 30 mins to come.
screw tat driver.
when i was approaching e airport...
listening to Diana DeGarmo's Dreams on my mp3,
thoughts came flying back.

i remembered how we had dinner at popeye (yest too) a month ago b4 going off...

i could see our check in row.

row 13.

yest, e flight was KL838, e exact one we took from singapore to amsterdam.

den after dinner, we went to viewing mall.

right in front of me...

e fugly but really nice KL838...

stared hard @ it for 10 mins.

could almost recognise my seat...

u noe??

ARHX!!! i cant stand it.

WE MUST GO OVERSEAS AGAIN TOGETHER!!!!!

humphx.

tats all for my whining.
haha... hopefully everone is catching up with their work...
hope to see everyone soon!

~benyap...

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

MSSBA's BLOG!!

Dearest members and participants of WMC,

This blog is created for the Alumni Band. Currently, the theme for this few months will be WMC tour. I hope ALL WMC participants of the WMC will write about the WMC trip. Anything regarding the WMC. Remember to post some nice photos that you have taken!!

Have fun in writing!!

best regards,
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni Committee

PS: we need the email address of these ppl below:

Kenneth
Simeon
Zhao Duan
Sylvester (Chee Choong)
Jason Onggo
Sherman
Ming Jie
Kevin

please provide us with their email. Thank you! email to mssbalumni@hotmail.com!

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni ~ WMC Tour 2005 ~

Maris Stella Symphonic Band

Alumni

15th World Music Contest

3rd Division

Points: 80.75

Award : GOLD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band Director

Mr Lin Ah Leck

Members:

Flute: Neo Hao Siang, Steven Phua, Haryl Ngoh

Clarinet: Quek Ting Zhang, Kenneth Lee, Sherman Sim, Ng Ming Jie, Simeon Tan and Stanley Chua

Saxophone: Douglas Chan, Sylvester Chan, Kwong Jie Bao

Oboe: Rasull

Bassoon: Jason Ng

French Horn: Edmund Ong, Wong Wai Hoe, Chan Zhao Duan

Euphonium: Benjamin Yap, Neo Chan Lun, Chee Zhen Cheng

Trombone: Caleb Kevin Teo, Bernard Choo, Alrick Oh, Adrian Chiang

Trumpet: Ryan Cheok, Andrew Chua, Lim Hong Chow, Chong Loo Kit

Tuba: Li Zhenqiang, Aaron

Percussion: Lam Wai Yip, Li Zhencong, Jason Onggo, Elizabeth Leong, Fredy Chia

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Warm up Piece: Folklore for Band
Set Piece: Jericho
Choice Piece: Vesuvius