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.

---

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!



--------

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

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~

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!!!!

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!!

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

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!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!)

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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.

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

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...

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

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-

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

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

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.

~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

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

- 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 -

- Chapter 6 - The Judgement Day + by fredy+

I woke up rather early this very morning…

WHY??

W - H – Y...

WHY? VERY SIMPLE!! The Malaysian Band!! YESH!! THEM!! The day before was a tiring and intense day for everyone and of course every single one of us needed a very very VERY VERY sufficient rest. The Malaysian Band seems to be shared the same thoughts BUT their timing was way too different from ours. They slept at 9 and woke up at around 5!

This is too different from us. WE? Hmmm…. Official lights off time was 11 (that’s the only time we ‘force’ our member to sleep). Hmm… ok. I woke up that day, felt quite irritated. Maybe because this time, I was affected by the Malaysian Band. Today they were really NOISY. Moving instruments, drop things, clear things, etc… Really irritating, did they try to minimize the volume? They had their competition the same day as us. They were going for some marching championship thingy (I think).

OK OK!! Back to US! I looked at the time, 530 am. It is the time already, Haryl too woke up. Both of us discuss the schedule of the day with Steven. We were going to wake everyone up by 6. Finish all discussion, I went to brush my teeth and etc. By 6, Haryl and I in charge of waking the left and right side respectively. Breakfast will be quite early today, around 630. Everyone was given until 730 to finish their grooming and breakfast before 730. Not sure whether I was too sensitive but I did find that everyone was a bit fast in movement today. Also, they seemed to be a bit more serious than usual. Was I too sensitive, or was it real? By 730, most of the people were ready, only a few slow ones were a bit later. We asked them to check their file for ALL parts and scores. After we make sure they had their own parts, we asked them to check on their instruments. The woodwind (clarinets, double reed and saxophone) was supposed to check whether they brought extra reeds.

This was when the trouble started. Douglas came to me and told me that his reed cracked. He got a new reed from Zhen Cheng and no sound came out from that reed. He couldn’t play with it because it was a bit too hard and new, not that seasoned.

*THUNDER*

*TYPHOON*

*Heavy Rain*

- The Heart Boat which has been sailing for so many peaceful years, seem to have met with some gigantic wave this time. It sinks. Going down into the sea… -

I really had nothing to say, I didn’t what to do, my heart just sank. All I could think of at that point of time was to ask him to put that reed into a small container full of water and soaked it. That’s what I thought of at that time. I asked him to do it immediately, if still got problem go and find Haryl or Zhen Cheng. I told Haryl and Zhen Cheng about that matter. Then I continued to do my own things, preparing all my percussion stuffs.

Trombones and Trumpets were asked to check on their mute and I had reminded the trombone section and saxophone to bring additional instruments. 815, we moved out of the hostel. Everyone did their last minute check on their things and instruments. Percussion counted on their instruments and accessories and make sure nothing left behind. We waited outside the hostel for Claudia and her daughter. Steven, Zhen Cheng, Haryl and I made a last minute check on things in the hostel. We confirmed nothing we need for competition were left behind.

While we were waiting outside, quite a number of people took photographs. haha. Around 830, Claudia and her daughter arrived. The Percussion accessories and Tuba were loaded into Claudia's car. She drove to the Rehearsal place first (the place we went yesterday), while her daughter walked to the rehearsal place with us. hoho.. The whole percussion section walked to the rehearsal place without holding any instruments! haha... While the rest of the band dragged, carried or hugged all the way to the rehearsal place. haha. poor thing~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (ONLY FOR THAT TIME!! Percussion was XING FU!! haha)

While walking, talked to Lin Sheng. Nothing particular, he just asked don't be threatened by the China band, they might not be good in ensemble. He asked me to FANG QING SONG! haha. yeah.. i tried to~~~ After that Ming Jie went to talk to Lin Sheng then I went to make fun of Zhen Cheng and Haryl... hohohoho... obviously i make fun of them because I GOT THING TO TAKE!! hohoho..

NOTHING TO TAKE!!!

NOTHING!

0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BO MIK KIA (hokkien)

MEI DONG XI NA~~~

Tak Ada Barang Ambil~~~

HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO~~~

BUT ~~ BUT~~~

Somebody like me!! Such a helpful, kind and caring person, OF COURSE I offered my help to Zhen Cheng and Haryl... HOHO~~~ I was so kind~~ WO SHI HAO REN~~ hoho

I helped Zheng Cheng carry his Euphonium for a while... hoho.. A WHILE~~ I really mean a while... let me count~~

1

2

3

4

5

6

hoho.. 6 steps only!!! haha... I only helped him carry for about 6 steps. hoho... hahaha...

Then after that heavy eupho, my good nature offered help to Haryl. haha. I helped him take the trombone mutes (cause he helped the trombone section bring the mutes). That was much much lighter! hoho...

I brought those mutes all the way to the rehearsal place. hahahaha... good me... must praise myself... "good boy! So helpful, very good!"

The way to the rehearsal place seemed shorter today (it is the same route we took as the day before), maybe because we joked more and have more fun on the way there today. Or Should I say, everyone tried to shake off the competition pressure or others.

We reached at the doorstep of that rehearsal hall. It was quiet at that moment, nobody used that hall before us. The percussion arrangement was totally different from yesterday, the perc was at the right side yesterday while today FINALLY back to normal, LEFT side. The percussion unloaded the accessories. We moved into the hall first.

'pomp'

'pomp~'

'POMP~~'

the echo getting louder and louder, we were inside the hall now. Empty and still only the echo of our footsteps. More and more footsteps were heard now, the band had moved in. The sound filled up the whole hall, the intensity of the competition getting denser and denser.

"everybody, faster sit down," Lin Sheng shouted to the band. "we got not much time."

Everybody settled down quickly. at this point of time, Loo Kit, Adrian Chiang, Aaron, Jie Bao, Elizabeth and Rasull came in. The percussion quickly set up all accessories needed for competition.

"Ok, Band tune first."

While we were preparing on the things we needed for the rehearsal and competition, the rest of the band tune on that forever MUST TUNE Bb note.

DE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"ok, folklore for band."

I moved towards the timpani and prepared to play. The Percussion was ready and we need play our part nicely during our rehearsal. Nice. We didn't really ran through whole piece. We just went through those imporant parts. Actually before we really enjoy or put feelings into the music we were stopped by Lin Sheng. haha. OBVIOUSLY, He wanted us to conserve energy for later.

Next, we ran through Jericho. I was so pressurized by that song. I am the only one who played quavers for the last part of the piece, while the rest crotchet or long notes. I didn't know why my quavers were that uneven But that rehearsal was even just that I was rushing. haizzz.. So pressurized, I just scared I will screw up that part during the comp.

Finally, the dreadful Jericho was over. Now, Vesuvius. Vesuvius was nice, the percussion part was really nice during rehearsal, explosive enough. I like that. Impactful~~

After that, Lin Sheng asked the band to tune again. Then he asked everyone to play their best and enjoy themselves up there.

Ok, Steven gave the instructions while Percussion packed abit with the accessories.

The bus was outside already, ready to drive us to the hall. All instruments were stuffed into the storage deck at the lower part of the bus.

On BOARD?~~

The bus started its engine.

My heart started to hit faster too.

The bus drove started to move faster and faster

My heart too, raced with the speed of the bus.

The bus turned quite alot, I was wondering the route to the Hall was so hard meh? haha.. keep turning, turn till I also sian...

The bus slowed down, finally stopped. Everyone looked around, searching for that hall. The hall looked like a school to me.. haha... We alighted from the bus, moved our instruments out of the bus. Then cross the road to the outside of the hall.

"Fredy, you asked me to record the video but I don't have the video recorded and tape how to record?" asked Avis.

This point I was really fed up le.. She had been saying that for a lot of times already. I was so fed up lo... I told her, the video recorder not mine, wai yip's. Wai yip didn't bring tape so must buy on the spot itself. Claudia told him he would bring him to buy the tape when we reach the hall and have put our instruments. After I told her that AGAIN, I moved on to check what we should do now.

Claudia told us to wait for a moment while she went into the hall to register and checked for us.

While we were waiting outside, we saw the China Band we saw the other day. Beijing 166 Wind Band. They got a lot of people also they got one woman who wore like some SIAO CHA BOR, The Soloist.

Beside them, we saw the German band. The members hor... very old wor... eh wait.. I should rephrase myself. Should be MATURE. Got some bald guy and old old de..

After that session of looking at the people, Claudia came out and asked us to put our instruments into a room that has been located for us. We went into the hall. The personnel stamped the WMC chop on our hand right before we went into the hall (to certify we were the participants). The back of the hall was cramped but also quite big la. Alot of rooms. The room that had been allocated to us wasn't that big but still managed to allow our instruments, bags and etc to be kept inside.

We were asked to leave the room right after we had put our things in the room. We moved out of the room, moved outside to the hall. We waited at the square for more instructions. Claudia told us we got around 30 - 45 mins before our turn. She said she would bring us to the Shops near the hall to buy some souvenir. Ok.. She led us there...

This time, Avis asked that question again. OK.. This time I exploded. I told her rather loudly then the same answer. I was faster, trying to avoid her. We walked to the souvenir shop. Lin Sheng went to watch the performance of the bands. It was totally a differrent view and environment when we walked out the shopping arena of the hall. It was like the Harry Potter movie. We had walked into the diagon alley... I suddenly got that kind of feeling. haha... watched and read too much Harry potter Movies and books. Claudia's daughter led the way, while Claudia at the back to make sure everyone was there. When we were about to reach the souvenir shop, a middle age man suddenly said hi and called me. I was like shocked and stopped. Claudia said; "don't care him, let's go."

I moved on then catching up with the rest. Reached the Souvenir shop. The shop sold all stuffs of the WMC. It was like the official WMC shop. I saw pictures of bands from the previous WMC event. Those faces on those pictures, the pictures when they got their results, their band size, strength and people. Everything.

I don't know why, I just felt the pressurized arises again. Then I thought of all the hard work Lin Sheng, Mrs Chia, Zhen Cheng, Haryl and I had went through. The Band too. Really went through alot. I was scared. Scared to have disappointment. very scared. I want to make this trip worth while, so very scared of disappointment. I was alone outside the shop at that time.

Right at this moment, Mrs Chia came out of the shop. Mrs Chia looked at the photos and turned to me.

"fredy, we had finally went through this far."

"ya, alot."

" just do your best in the competition later."

Then she went in again. The moment she went in, I turned around. Stared at those photos.

I felt something drop on my face, I thought it was raining but I was standing under a sherlter, couldn't be rain. Other than that, I felt my eyes were hot and filled with water. Then those water just flowed freely all the way down the face. I had totally no control over those tears. I was getting more and more scared and pressurized. I don't think anyone knows that I was crying at the point of time, just thought I was looking at those photos.

I finally managed to stop those water from flowing out of my eyes. Halfway stopping the tears, Avis came over and talked to me. Luckily, I managed to clean those away. I think she was the only person who saw the tears ba (if she had). She asked me to get some things for the guest players. I said ok. So I went to find Haryl and Mrs Chia. After we settled on the finance side. We went into the souvnir shop and bought some WMC pins for the guest players. Most of the members had been waiting outside.

Claudia asked us to go back to the hall to prepare to get on stage. We walked back to the hall. On the way back, most of the people were quite quiet. Was it nervous or just didn't feel like to talk? We walked pass the hall entrance, the sound of the band playing inside was really scary. It did sound quite nice from outside.

I felt worst now, what will happen to us later... I didn't what to say later leh... I know I must at least say something to the band. encourage a bit la but upon hearing that, I also a bit scared le...

We reached the square of the hall. That was the time that I knew, we were not allowed to tune before hand. That means, we only have that Bb note to tune on stage. The rest was we tune ourselves during the warm up piece. Now I know what is the 2nd reasons of having a warm up piece.

I told Haryl about this news then he informed the band about the tuning. Now, everyone was aware about the problem. We should listen to each other and tune now. On the way back, most of the people were quite quiet. Was it nervous or just didn't feel like to talk? We walked pass the hall entrance, the sound of the band playing inside was really scary. It did sound quite nice from outside. I felt worst now, what will happen to us later... I didn't what to say later leh... I know I must at least say something to the band. encourage a bit la but upon hearing that, I also a bit scared le... We reached the square of the hall. That was the time that I knew, we were not allowed to tune before hand. That means, we only have that Bb note to tune on stage. The rest was we tune ourselves during the warm up piece. Now I know what is the 2nd reasons of having a warm up piece. I told Haryl about this news then he informed the band about the tuning. Now, everyone was aware about the problem. We should listen to each other and tune now. Claudia asked for Lin Sheng, cause Lin Sheng need to go in with us and prepare things. We told her Lin sheng was listening to the other bands in the hall itself. She asked another personnel to go into the hall to call him out.

Claudia led us into the backstage area of the hall. We retrieved our instruments from the room then she led us to another room (very big dressing room). We stayed inside and wait. The atmosphere inside was rather tense. Everyone should be quite nervous. Finding place to put our instruments and then we sat or stand around the room, waiting patiently for Lin Sheng.

"Next Band Beijing 166 Wind Band"
Set piece Jericho
Choice : dunno what

I looked at Haryl and Zhen Cheng signalling them to listen.

DE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (they tuned their Bb)

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

Jericho started...

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

MADNESS~~~ The sound so out of tune~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first thing that came into mind was - THEY WERE REALLY NO GOOD IN EMSEMBLE!! scared what!!

As we continue to listen, the sound getting worst and worst, the band like very diverted. Brass was brass, woodwinds was woodwinds... that was so... UH HMMM...

While SMIRKING and "AN SHUANG-ing" (secretly feel happy). Lin Sheng came back, Claudia led him to register with the personnel stationed near the entrance to the stage. After that he came back with a smile on his face. He told me the bands not very impressive also, he said if we work hard we could get very good results. Lin Sheng talked to Steven abit, then he went on to talk to the band. All of us listened carefully to what he was saying.

Confidence was what I saw at that moment.

After Lin Sheng had talked to the band, me too talked to the band. I didn’t really remember what I was saying at that point of time. I just roughly remember that I said something like; “we are the last band of the division, we should give our best shot”

Haha…

After that, we waited patiently for our turn while listening to the china band choice piece..

OMG~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TOTALLY MADNESS~~~
Why?

WHY?

MADNESS la..

That was a BAND competition NOT a Chinese Orchestra Competition leh~~~

I think they chose the wrong choice piece ba.. Or they changed it halfway. The choice piece written on the program booklet was not the one they played.

The China Band played a SUO NA solo piece. My goodness la… siao…

The band was like accompaniment, while the SUO NA was the main character. Then their choice piece still got what monkey sound, bird chirping, and a lot of animals’ sounds. I don’t know why the chose that piece la…

Halfway through listening to that SUO NA piece, Claudia and the personnel came in and asked the percussion to get ready first. Wai yip, Zhencong, Jason, Elizabeth and I walked out our room, walked up the stairs.

The backstage was VERY BIG!!! My god… VCH, SCH were really NOTHING compare to that (cannot compare to esplanade because the hall we have our competition was around 500-600 seaters only, so abit unfair if compare to esplanade. Hoho).

We waited for the china to finish their piece and leave the stage.

The ending of their choice piece was not nice at all. Hahahaha.

~~CLAP~~

The china band left the stage. 5 of us went on the stage to prepare for the things we need for the competition. We were given 10 mins allowance to prepare our percussion stuffs and did some arrangements of the seats and percussion instruments. We put the things that we need near our sides so to minimize our movement.

Soon, we need to clear the stage. The stage manager gave us signal for clearing the stage. The rest of the band, together with Lin Sheng were ready and waiting at the backstage. The stage manager signalled us to move onto the stage. Everyone went up the stage orderly and calmly. Adjusted seats and sit still in preparation position. The compere came in shortly after that.

“Next band, maris stella symphonic band arumunee (alumni)” << That “happy happy joy joy” feeling... hoho hoho

Oboe solo was nice, I think my bell part coordinate very well with Oboe. Haha… praising myself… next up, finally reached the ending.

This was the section where I will totally freak out. I wasn’t allowed to freak out at that time. I couldn’t avoid or even escape from this. I need to face this.

It was time.

Deng` deng. Deng’ deng.

I played the quaver very carefully while focusing at Lin Sheng.

Phew…..

I passed that part. The quavers were even and followed his timing. There was a slight screw up with that part. Hoho… The screw up was there suppose to be a bar of 2 crotchets but I played 4 quavers instead of 2 crotchets.. hohoho… pai seh….

WOO HOO… Finally!! The piece and part that I most worried of were OVER!! Yeah!! OVER!! The next piece wasn’t a problem. The next piece was Vesuvius.

Ding ding~~

Lin Sheng went up the podium once again.

He raised up his baton…
…
…
…
…
…
Signalling, 3, 4.

POMP~~~~ (The whole hall filled with our 1st attack on the Vesuvius piece)
The bounce effect was just nice. The attack was together and impressive. The first the attack was followed closely by the marimba and clarinet giving a steady rhythm of quavers, creating the feeling of uncertainty. The abrupt entering from the trumpet, marimba further deepen the uncertain feeling. It was like the people living near the Mount Vesuvius were starting to feel something odd about the volcano. Bar 9, the FF dynamic 4 notes from the woodwinds and the mallet percussions increased the intensity of the piece. Imagine, the movement of lava was more than before, started to move up the mountain, then dropped down into the sea of lava again. The solo trombone was perfectly played accompanied by the clarinets and mallet percussions. The next part of the piece, The woodwinds and mallet percussions did a beautiful down scales, creating the beautiful atmosphere of the lava moving.

The saxophone solo (although a bit screwed) was like a man trying to climb the Mount Vesuvius then he heard the unusual movement in the mountain. The bongo and the last part providing the feeling of lava started to move upwards, causing the rocks to fall and rolled down. The woodwinds did a beautiful runs and the CH CH CH CH CH sound was made by the band. Imagine the man saw smoke coming out of the mountain crater, the lava reached a certain level of the mountain, melting trees and others around it.

The guy continued to go up to the peak of the mountain (sax solo). When he finally reached the peak of the mountain, he was “greeted” by the lava of the volcano. The small explosion of the lava bubbles (percussions). He was petrified, he ran back all the way to the village. The Volcano was going to erupt. He went around telling the villagers about the volcano. Everyone didn’t care about him, everyone thought he was seeking attention, never really care about him. Everyone thought Mount Vesuvius was no longer active. He was totally devastated, nobody believed what he said. He imagined his hometown being destroyed by the eruption, covered by hot lava. Everyone dying and calling for help, the scenes, all the memories were going to be destroyed. He cried (oboe solo).

A few villagers came to him and told him, they believed what he had said because they sensed the same thing too. They tried their best to inform everyone again but to no avail. They couldn’t do anything anymore. They left the hometown and proceeds to a safer place. The man bid goodbye to his home.

Just as he left the land, the volcano was about to erupt, the smoke around the Mount Vesuvius was getting denser. The rock around the mountain was getting hotter and hotter, crops dying. The villagers finally realized Vesuvius was no longer inactive. There was a commotion in the village, people started to run for their life.

The inner part of the Volcano started rumble, tumble and ‘grumble’. Everything seemed to be so chaotic now (remember 217, there was screw up at the entry). People running for their lives, homes were abandoned, children are lost.

The red, hot lava flowed down the mountain. Soon, the mountain was totally covered with lava. Everyone tried their best to run for their lives but still some couldn’t make it through. People were crying, shouting and running out of the village. Eruption from the volcano continued.

For the first time after the eruption, the volcano stopped its mass bombardment. People took this very chance to run as far as possible. While they were escaping, the inner part of the volcano was building up. The lava continued to move their way up inch by inch.

Finally, the volcano gave its fatal and massive attack. Part of the hot rocks rolled down the mountain (ratchet came in early). Then more and more hot rocks together with the lava, flowed down and into the village. This time, the village was covered in the sea of lava. People and animals were buried under the lava, screaming, howling and crying of people and animal can be heard. The lava continued to flow…. Flowed all the way into the sea. There were no other ways of people escaping from the catastrophe, death was the only way out. The volcano gave its last ‘bombing’, the whole village was now nowhere to be seen.

Everyone looked at Lin Sheng, with instruments still up. Lin Sheng lowered his hand, we put down our instruments. Clapping sounds were heard from every corner of the hall. The band stood up, Lin Sheng gave a bow. Then the band sat down again while the percussion kept and packed their things. The stage master told us that we could move out of the stage now. We packed our things and moved out of the stage…

Whoa… I felt so relieved now… haha… at last finished!! Haha…

We moved down to the 1st floor and went into the room where our bags were left inside. We put our instruments and ready to listen to the results. Elizabeth, Jie Bao and Rasull need to go off for NTU competition, so they need to leave first. Rasull went to change so Haryl and I get his bags and instruments for him before Claudia closed the door.

We thanked and bid goodbye to Elizabeth, Jie Bao and Rasull. We of course wished them good luck for their competition later. Claudia urged us to go into the hall before the results were announced.

Haryl and I, together with Claudia and her daughter, walked up from the main entrance. The hall was so big and grand. Bands that participated on that day were already seated and waiting there. I found the cultural there rather interesting. In Singapore, when we were waiting for results, all bands were so nervous and discussing with their members. In Holland, it was totally a different thing. The “ang moh” bands down there, cheered and sang songs, instead of waiting quietly. The band members and even their conductors were cheering and singing. I still remembered, one of the bands made that “ch ch ch ch ch ch shhh” effect in the Vesuvius piece. Hoho. We started a trend.. hoho… ch ch ch ch ch ch shhh…
When we went in, the band members were taking photos.
The four of us sat at the outer right hand side of the first few rows. Our band members and Lin Sheng were already seated down there and waiting patiently for the results. They were amused by how the other bands handle this kind of situation too.

Lin Sheng called me over (he sat in the middle of my row) and he asked me whether percussion made any great mistakes. Hoho.. I admitted that my ratchet came in a bar early. Hoho… then I told him about the mistakes in the percussion solo too, pretty much. Haha.

“Sometimes, there will certainly be some disappointments, I had those too.” Lin Sheng whispered to me. “Nevertheless, bear in mind that you don’t make that kind of mistake again.”

I nodded and kept quiet.

Steven called Lin Sheng, then they had a short chat. I moved back to my original place. I asked Haryl what if we had gotten ourselves a Silver. Then who knows, Cat High will get gold. He said something like, what has been done is done, just hope for the best (something like that, don’t quite remember now).

“WOOOOOOOOOO”

We looked up. The compere was out together with 2 men carrying the WMC bags and certificates.

I stared at them and my heart was like a metronome operating in 1 crotchet = 200. Maybe I should say, the speed accelerated as the compere invited the conductors to go up the stage.

Lin Sheng walked passed us and went up the stage. He shook his hand with the other conductors on stage…

Then, the time has arrived…

…
…
…

Maris Stella Symphonic Band ARUMUNEE

……………………………………………..

[chapter 7: 8 bars before L + 2 bars before N]