mssba, it's time to wake up!

This entry is for ALL MEMBERS of mssba.

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Let me remind all of you one more time. We ONLY have 4 practices to the concert. If ALL 4 practices we are going to sound as BAD (or WORST) as today, I think our section of the concert will be very very inaudible and painful for the audience.

Seriously, ALL OF YOU NEED SECTIONALS!! ALL SECTIONS!

I don't care whether you know your parts well or you have perfected them (which none of you has actually done so) as an INDIVIDUAL. Playing in a BAND is about TEAM WORK! How to play together as A TEAM as A SECTION.

So what if you know your parts very well, you are able to play all the running notes and hit all the high notes? When you can't even blend or play together with your section mates you are still an irresponsible and bad player afterall. How to play well as a section is VERY VERY IMPORTANT! I think all of you in this alumni band knows about this right? These are all basic knowledge of how to play well as a band!

If you and your section mates have NEVER EVER have a sectional before, how sure are you that your section can play everything together and blend well? How about balance? Articulation? Intonation (who is on tendency to go flat, who is on tendency to go sharp). I seriously doubt all these problems can be solved if you all have no sectional at all. <Saxophone section TAKE NOTE! I really don't like the reason you all had given me today. "We come for FULL BAND only". So much balancing, articulation and blending problems but you all just don't want to have your sectional. If you all have noticed, Lin Sheng has actually did your section a few times during full band today (synchopation, blending and intonation). I guess your section should know that with Lin Sheng's standard, I don't think you all have even reached a E8 grade (fat hope on even a pass). Your section has been under him for so long and yet still commit this kind of mistake. I hope you all will have a serious sectional for the upcoming practices. ALL the other section included!>

NONE of you in this Alumni band is a bad player. All of you just need abit of Self Discipline and Responsibility to do sectional with your section. I think Sectional is EVERY SINGLE MEMBER responsibility. Without sectional, you all won't know what to expect from certain members. All members are under different conductors now, there will definitely be alot of differences in playing.

Lin Sheng has once said to me: "It is a challenge to take this band, players are now under different conductors, all will have different styles of their own conductors. How to make this band sounds good and nice depend on the players and the work after that."

Please do think abit for Lin Sheng! Every time he comes he will need to urge all of you to practice and have your own sectionals but I rarely see anybody doing that (clarinet section did for a few times). I can't imagine how sad he is when he still the same problems week after week. Seriously, he does not need to take us and suffer from all these disappointments. He started this band hoping all the alumni can have a place to play together once again as a band. Of course with certain level of playing standard. I should say this year is the worst since 2004. In terms of playing and standard, it is too diversed now, too many styles and sounds.

I am hoping to see all of you to do something about these. Let's this band sounds like a BAND. I need to true band sound from this band. Just like we did previously in WMC, NBC and concerts. I don't care what is your current conductor's style(s), when you come back alumni and play, make sure you sound like one with the rest of your sections. You can play your conductor's style when you go back to the band BUT when you come for alumni, I want the Lin Sheng's sounds and style.

ALL Sections please clear the following problems ASAP, I hope to hear improvement in the upcoming practs.

I would like to have sectional with certain sections too. SLs of the sections please take note. SMS have been sent to SLs of respective sections.

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Flute: Please do SECTIONAL! Celtic is SO MESSY! It is a flute piece... so please have the self discipline to do some sectional, especially on 3rd movt. The runs are simply TOO MESSY and OFF. Take note of articulation. Need to constantly check intonation. Please listen to each other and tune. Soloists for all the pieces please play well. Don't just play the notes written on the score, expression and style are important too. Flute section is the strongest and best in Alumni but now seem to have dropped. I know you all can once again play everything well. So please don't disappoint Lin Sheng anymore.

Clarinets: VERY BAD INTONATION! Some are too sharp, some are too flat. Running notes very sticky and unclean. Slow movements please listen to each other more often! I know there are alot of difficult runs and high notes but to perfect and play your part well is a responsibility of a Player. Clear all rubbish ASAP!

Bass Clarinet: Need rounder and bigger sound to support the Woodwinds! Please play with more air! Need the depth.

Saxophone: Balance is out. Bari is weak at certain point. Alto saxes need to work on balance and blending. One is too rough. Tenor take note not to over blow at certain point. Bad blending within sax section, too much differences. Do remember the need of giving way to certain part. You all have alot of Solis and expose parts, please clear all the problems! I don't want people to say we have a very bad saxophone section when we have rather good players.

Horn: Our Mr. Beethoven, please kindly come early to practice. Like what Lin Sheng has said you sound like a beginner now. I know you yourself know how bad you are. Stop being lazy! Take the horn and start to practice!

Euphonium: Blending again! 2 ppl blend well but intonation clash at times. these 2 ppl please do something and make sure the other one blend in well with you all. You all can't depend on the "mighty one" already. He will be playing another part. SO 3 of you PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT your blending! Intonation for holding notes are bad. Take note! However your section has noticeable improvement since NBC. not bad. ^^

Trumpet: This is the "HEAVENLY OMG" section. Pitching, Intonation, Synchopation, Articulation, Blending, Balance... It is very scary to hear our trumpets play at times. Not only it is noisy but also painful to ears.
* Let's start with Pitching, there are a few better pitching members but there are a few bad ones too. Wrong pitching will cause wrong notes and affect intonation. Trumpet section sounds SUPER BAD when holding long notes. NOT a single in tune segment. SL, please cut and make sure the holding notes sound nice (of course need to solve pitching problems first!).
* Synchopation - Some members just don't count and feel together with the section. Come in either earlier or later. EVERYONE PLEASE COUNT!!! trumpet's parts are so expose and important, one mistake ruins everything!
* Articulation - I wonder whether some of you know where to tongue or where not to tongue or not. A few of you are so special that you all have the articulations of your own. Please analyze the score and make sure you do the right articulation. Check with your section members and have uniform articulation!
* Blending - All of you have very very very different tonality and sound. Only 2 people have nearer or better blending tone and sound. the rest, I am sorry. Need to work harder in blending segment. No need to give me a very bright and piercing sound, a mellow one is enough. Although under different conductors but please try to make sure then nobody sticks out from the rest. Blend and control well. Do exercise adaptibility in playing. Adjust and control your sound to the section as you are playing.
* Balance - Need more stable 2nd and 3rd trumpet. Now abit top heavy. SL do something.
SL, do work on these problems. URGENT and NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. I guess SL will know more than me. So I shall leave it to the SL to solve all these problems (or maybe m0re!). Jia you Trumpet!

Trombone: Nice and powerful section when all the powerhouse in. The problem now is trombone section only sound nice BUT synchopation and articulation not good. Rhythmically, trombone section is not bad but the problem lies with playing together. Messy. Articulations are sloppy and sound lack of confidence for some members. SL do work on articulations. Up till now, trombone is fine and ok. Maybe need to take note of full balance when all come. Don't only play nice sound also must have good technique! ^^

Tuba: Tuba sound lacks of Depth and the "big sound". Sometimes felt that the band is floating when there is only 2 younger Tubists. Intonation is a problem within your section. Both of tubists please do listen to each other and tune. Tuba is the foundation and pillar of the band, if both of you not in tune, the whole band will be dead. I hope both of you can work more on your sound and provide us with a rounder and bigger, more depth sound of the tuba section. Today sounded bigger when we have the 3rd one. How should I put it... It sounds like 1.5 in value instead 3 to me. Both of you sound like 0.25 +0.25, while the other one sound like 1 full value. If get aaron then you all will be 2.5 in value. With our band so top heavy and strong. We need bigger basses to support. Please do try to make your sound nicer and increase the depth. I don't expect both of you to give me 1 in value but at least give me 0.5 from each of you 2. Articulation abit unclean ar.. take note! Solve these problems during sectional! Jia you!

Percussion: Celtic - drums in 1st and 3rd movt too heavy as stated by Lin Sheng. Settle the drums and technique to use. Bass toms no need to be too loud. Aerodynamics - effects part need to work on, balance within section will need to be taken note of. Cappadocia is messy and effect (where is it?? why i never hear it again?? I thought we have run through and settled?). Dynamics for Cappadocia is bad, Percussion is too loud and over power. All drums tone down (especially snare-too high pitch everyone can hear). Suspended cymbals can be more to create contrast. Mallets do breathe with the winds, will come in slightly early at certain times. Disney - drumset work on your part, more bass drum. add in the groove. Jap graf - use normal tamb, no need to use black swamp, too much jingles sound, pop piece no need to have that. Work on Dynamics and Balance.

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I guess all SLs of all the sections will know more than me, so I expect you all to correct your section for these upcoming practices.

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

Please WORK HARD! 4 more practices!!

Don't disappoint Lin Sheng and don't disappoint all the audience who come and support for the concert.

GIVE YOUR BEST!


fredy

maristbands concert ~realM~ series

Dear all,

Please start promoting for our concert.

these are our concert details!

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realMusic

date; 29th July 2007, Sunday
time: 1700 hours
venue: Victoria Concert Hall

Ticket price:

$12 (stall)
$15 (circle)

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Featuring bands:

maris stella primary band
maris stella symphonic band
maris stella symphonic band alumni

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Programme:

With heart and voice
Carnival of Venice (Solo Flute: Goh Chien Teng)
Clari-Fun-Key (Solo Clarinet: Stanley Chua)

aerodynamics (Singapore Premiere)
New york
Cavetown "Cappadocia"
Suite on celtic folk song

and many more!!


FIRST HAND NEWS! ( LOOK OUT FOR THIS! Will update anytime!)

1. 3 more Singapore premiere pieces in the programme! come for the concert to know which are the 3s!!

2. There will be a piece in the programme that will showcase the Alumni Band Flute Section! Don't miss it!

3.

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All interested Bands/individuals, you can purchase your ticket from any maristbands members or

email mssbalumni@gmail.com for tickets (please put Subject as "ticket purchasing")


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Please take note that this concert is a FUNDRAISING concert for the Primary School to continue their deeds.

So please try to get a FULL HOUSE CONCERT!!!!

Jia you!!!

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

fredy chia
president
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Maristband rox! Good job for our juniors! mssb well done!

I am honoured to announce that our juniors have managed to attain the GOLD award in the SYF 2007! In addition they are the TOP 20 bands! Cause less than 20 bands has achieved Gold so far! GOOD JOB MSSB! Maristband just rox!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

---

I am quite happy to see alot of alumni band members are so supportive towards our juniors! Very glad and happy to hear and see that.

I hope All Alumni Band members will continue to support them. We are ONE BIG FAMILY of MARISTBAND!!! We should support each other! ^^

Thank you very much for all the support and also the comments about the band! ^^

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Now, Alumni Band members let's work hard for the Concert in July. Let's us give the audience the best and most entertaining performance!!

Next up is our turn for competitions (yes.. with S). So JIA YOU!

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Maristband results overview (2005 - 2007)

MSSB > SYF Central Judging, 2005 (Singapore) - GOLD!

mssba > World Music Contest, 2005 (The Netherlands) - GOLD, 7th in category!

mssba > 1st National Band Competition, 2006 (Singapore) - GOLD, 1st, TOP BAND!

MSSB > SYF Central Judging, 2007 (Singapore) - Gold, TOP 20 Bands!

---



fredy chia
president
maris stella symphonic band alumni

~ the legacy continues~

Main Band SYF exchange in Maris Stella

All alumni members please take note:

Main Band will be having an exchange in Maris Stella (yes.. maris stella is the host!). The exchange will be commencing at 9 o clock.

ALL AVAILABLE ALUMNI MEMBERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO HELP OUT IN THIS PARTICULAR EVENT!

I HOPE TO SEEK ALL MEMBERS CO-OPERATION IN THIS. THANK YOU!

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

7th April exchange

Schools involve:

Chung Cheng High School (Main)
Marsiling Secondary School
Bedok North Secondary School
Monfort Secondary School
Unity Secondary School
First Toa Payoh Secondary School
Regent Secondary School
Whitley Secondary School
St Joseph Instituition
St Gabriel Secondary School
Maris Stella High School

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

fredy chia
President
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Attendance and cooperation pls!

ok... i dun wish to scold any1 here... but i seek every1s cooperation in this matter

first... attendance... we always do haf bad attendance, but i hope to see more of u coming down this week... why?
- concert is in july... we haf effectively about 3-4 more months to concert
- band doesnt even look complete w/o u guys
- wadsuse of organising band pracs when no1s coming

i predicted mani excuses will start to appear...
- SYF?
- Church?
- Concerts?
- Girlfren?
- or juz lazy?

this doesnt shoot any1... i juz merely stated afew excuses i tot of... i understand sometimes its becoz of ur circumstances... but do u noe wads the attendance we got last week (24 march)?

ok... i tell u... effectively excluding main band players... we haf 4... oni 4 out of liek 40-50+ of u all? haryl, me, fredy and sean kwek were the oni 1s present... i do hope to see some improvement this comin week... all the more that we felt upset was, we oni got afew replies as to who n who cant make it... all the rest didnt even bother to reply!

i shall remind all alumni members once again...
There will be Almuni Prac this coming SATURDAY (31 March) at 2.30PM... Venue: Band Room

if for wadeve reasons u cant make it, pls haf the basic courtesy to inform any1 of the comm members ty...

---

Coming to the concert part, there will be a concert in the last week of July (29th July)... it will be held in VCH at 5pm... will let every1 noe the details as soon as the details are ironed out... right now we juz nid u guys to confirm ur participation... if somehow u cant perform wif us, pls feel free to contact any1 of the comm members... if u do not tell us ur participation, we will expect u to come down for the subsequent practices...

Pieces wise... we haf not settled all the songs yet, but we nid u to come down n tell us... give us feedback on the songs, if u dun like it, we will happily change it as long as the band agrees...

---

We juz hope to get this concert moving smoothly, so i seek ur attention in the above matter(s)... ty...

Jason Chee Zhen Cheng,
Alumni Committee Member, QM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New President + Concert + SYF

Dear Alumni members,

A few things to announce for this entry.

---------

Alumni Practice

Alumni Practice will resume on 10th March 2007, Saturday! Everybody please be present for this upcoming practice. Thank you!

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mssba President

Just to update on the NEW President matter. The alumni committee has decided on the New President (we have decided since last year :)). We will announce to all of you soon.

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July Concert (29th July 2007)

Please take note that We will be having concert on 29th July 2007, Sunday at 5 pm at Victoria Concert Hall. Please make yourself free on that day. Lin Sheng wants me to CONFIRM members. So Please give us your confirmation.

Repertoire for this concert

We are still trying out pieces for this concert, will have a few Singapore Premiere pieces. So please come down for band practices so we can try out those pieces with full instrumentation. THANK YOU!

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SYF 2007 for Main Band

Mr Chiang wants those alumni members who are free on Saturday or any other days to come down to help the Main Band members to prepare for the upcoming SYF.

Those who wish to help out please inform me the time you can come down. You can also check the schedule with either Mr Chiang or me.

I hope most of you can help out with the main band members.

For those who has yet to know this piece of information, Main band will be playing With Heart and Voice for their SYF.

----------

SMU Concert!

SMU Symphonia will be having Concert on 11th March 2007, at Singapore Conference Hall at 730. Ticket is priced at $15.

They are playing: Danse Diabolique, 7th Night of July (tanabata), Tico Tico and etc.

Marist Alumni members that will be playing for the concert: Chong Min, Yi Ming, Charles, Derek and Haryl.

Do support them if you have the time! Thankz!!

Please contact Chong Min or Haryl or me for tickets.

--------

That's all for this Entry.

-------

10th March Practice is important! Please make sure you will be present for the pract!

-------


Fredy Chia
mssba president

Alumni Band Practice + Band Exchange recording

3 things for this entry!

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

Alumni Band Practice resumes this coming Saturday, 3rd February 2007 at 2 30.

Lin Sheng is coming, please be punctual. We are going to try a few pieces.

ALL alumni band members are expected to be present for practice.

Thank you very much.

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

Please download Main Band's Exchange recording at the link below.

1st piece

With Heart and Voice


File Type: Zip File *

* You need POWERARCHIVER to open this file. Please download and install it before you download the recording. Those who has power archiver installed just right click on the file, choose extract here. Then it will prompt for password. key in the password and there you go.

** This is a password protected file. Please approach Chien Teng or me for the password.

*** Please take note of this following rules:

NOBODY SHOULD DISTRIBUTE THIS RECORDING OR PROVIDE PASSWORD TO ANY OUTSIDERS/NON-MARISTBANDS MEMBERS.

DO NOT UPLOAD THE FILE TO YOUR BLOG OR WHATSOEVER MEDIA FOR PUBLIC TO DOWNLOAD AFTER YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED FROM HERE.

THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE RULES OR PROVIDE PASSWORD TO NON MARISTBANDS MEMBERS, WILL BE SEVERELY DEALT WITH.


We are able to track this file. Thus it is very easy to find out where is the distributing point beside mssbalumni blog.

We hope all of you will give us your FULLEST CO-OPERATION!

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

All Alumni Band Members who are free to help out from now till the SYF, please contact me. We need all alumni members to help out in the main band.

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

PS: All the best for all the Main Band members's audition on Saturday! Relax and play your best!

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

Fredy

Main Band Audition

This entry is for ALL main band and Alumni members!

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Maris Stella Symphonic Band (special announcement)

To all main band members,

There will be an audition for the Singapore Youth Festival 2007 on 3rd February 2007, Saturday. Those who fail the audition will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming SYF in April.

Below will be the desired instrumentation number for SYF.
Flute: 3
Clarinet: 9
Sax: 4
Trumpet: 5
French Horn: 4
Trombone: 3
Euphonium: 3
Tuba: 4
Percussion: 6

*For Double Reeds or Double Bass player who fails the audition, will not be allowed to go for SYF. A substitute instrument will be placed to replace the part.

Those who fail the audition will NOT be joining for FULL BAND practices but instead will go for OWN INDIVIDUAL Practice during band practices. NO members are to SKIP any band practices during this period of time. ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS of the band APPLY during these practices.

We will conduct an “Appeal Audition” (for members who have failed) after every single band practice. Members are ONLY to come for Appeal Audition if they think that they are well prepared. Members will be joining for the FULL BAND practices ONLY after they have passed the Appeal Audition.

The SYF Auditioning Team




- Details of Audition -
Date: 3rd February 2007
Venue: Band Room
Auditioning Team: Mr Lin
Mr Chiang
Fredy
Chien Teng

Audition pieces: Set and Choice Pieces + Basics

All members will receive score and comments sheet from the auditioning team after the audition session.

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

All Alumni Band Members are supposed to help their juniors for this Audition. Please try to help them. Please come and have sectional with them!

Thank you

Fredy!

MSSBA - Year 2007!

Dear mssba members,

3 things to take note of:

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

1. Practices

The First Practice in year 2007 will be in January. We will have to start early due to we have to complete a few projects.

The details of the date will be informed at the later date. Most probably 1st Sat or 2nd Sat of January.

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

2. Projects

We have a few projects to complete in year 2007. It might be a busy year for us. Somemore there will be SYF. Thus I hope, everyone can co-operate abit when it comes to punctuality. Thank you.

We will tell you all more about the projects when the practices commence.

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

3. T-Shirt(s).

Can All Alumni Members message me their T-shirt size?

--------
message me the following:

Name:
Section:
T-Shirt Size: XS/S/M/L/XL/XXL/XXXL
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Please take note.. ALL alumni members need to pay $14 for 2 Maristbands T-shirt (yes, Maristbands.. - that means from Primary school band all the way to Alumni band will be wearing that T-shirt).

So everyone need to pay $14 for the 2 T-Shirts.

** ALUMNI T-SHIRT WILL BE GIVEN FOR FREE. SO NO NEED TO PAY. So u all will get 3 t-shirts.

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

That's all for this post.

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


Happy New Year!! Hope you have a GREAT 2007!!

ALL THE BEST!


mssba

Resume of Practice + MAE announcements

All alumni members,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you very much.

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

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

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

Marist Alumni Ensembles Group Notice:

~~

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

~~

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

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

~~

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

~~

Fredy
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Projects 2006/2007

Dear all,

Please take note HK trip is cancelled. :)


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



----------
Upcoming Event

2006

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

---------

2007

We will have 2 major performances in 2007.

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

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

---------

fredy

Hong Kong Project

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

It will be a 5 days 4 Nights trip.

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

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

Trip includes:

+ Cathay Pacific Air tickets Round Trip

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

+ Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners

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

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

+ OPTIONAL Ocean Park Tour*

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

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



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


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

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

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

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

----------
cheers,

Fredy

Lin Sheng conducting Philwinds Concert

16th September 2006

Saturday

Singapore Conference Hall

Conductor: Mr Lin Ah Leck

Bands: Philharmonic Winds Singapore
Philharmonic Youth

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

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

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

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

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

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

Announcements + Projects

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

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

Ok. Let's start with announcement first.

1. New President of the Alumni Band

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

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

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

2. New Admin Committee members

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

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

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

1. End of year Overseas Concert.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Esplanade Beautiful Sunday Series

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

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

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

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

I think we can go for this one too.

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

Just a Yes or No.

Please SMS me all the answer.

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

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

Fredy
president
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Pictures Update!

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

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Flute!

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

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

Front: Haryl, Raphael

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Oboe!

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

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

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Clarinet!

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

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

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

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Saxophone!

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

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

*Adrian Chong not in the picture.

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Bassoon!

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

Left to right: Yunus, Jason Ng

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Horn!

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

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

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Trumpet!

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

Left to right, Back: Shaune, Clement, Andrew

Front: Hong Chow, Matthew, Ryan

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Trombone!!

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

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

* Caveat not in the picture.

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Euphonium!

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

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

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

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

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

* Chan Lun not in the pic

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Tuba!

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

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

* Eng Seng not in picture

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Double Bass!

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

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

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Percussion!

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

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

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

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

* Chongmin not in the picture.

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

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

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

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

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

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A bit on the concert day:

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

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!



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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!!!!

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

Let's start with

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Nonami -

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

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

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

Mr Toru Miura:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WELL DONE and GOOD JOB GUYS!!

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

Please JIA YOU FOR 2 more performances!!

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

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1 more thing:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

REALLY THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

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

Cheers!! BRAVO!

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

MSSBA's attitude!

There is SOMETHING I REALLY LIKE TO MENTION DOWN HERE!

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

10 days!

WHAT DID I SEE NOW?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I REALLY HAVE ENOUGH OF THESE PPL...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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To All members (especially Those Committed members),

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you!

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

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

yah...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

haha.. Also NOT TO FORGET OUR NEW MEMBERS

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


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

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

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

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


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

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ONE MORE THING!!!

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

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

-fredy-

National Band Competition Sequence!

1st National Band Competition!

Band Sequence!

16th July 2006(Sunday) 1st Divsion

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

2 Orchid Park Wind Orchestra 12.15pm 1.00pm

3 Maris Stella Wind Symphony 12.40pm 1.25pm

4 Raffles Institution Military Band 1.05pm 1.50pm

5 Meridian Junior College Symphonic Band 1.30pm 2.15pm

Interval

6 Victoria School Concert Band 2.15pm 3.00pm

7 Dunearn Military Band 2.40pm 3.25pm

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

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

10 Raffles Girls' School Symphonic Band 3.55pm 4.40pm

Annoucement of Results
Dinner Break

Open Division

1 Temasek Junior College Symphonic Band 5.45pm 6.30pm

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

3 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band 6.45pm 7.30pm

4 SMU Symphonia 7.15pm 8.00pm

5 Raffles Junior College Symphonic Band 7.45pm 8.30pm

Annoucement of Results

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

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

All I want to say here is:

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

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

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

LET US JIA YOU TOGETHER!

once again let us create the Alumni miracle!

~ fredy ~
maris stella symphonic band alumni


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

First UP:

Wednesday 21st june 2006

Clarinet + Euphonium sectional with Mr Chiang 430 - 630.

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

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