Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble ~official blog~

Singapore Youth Festival 2011

2011-04-10T13:41:00.003+08:00

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble would like to congratulate Maris Stella Symphonic Band for achieving Gold with Honours in the Singapore Youth Festival 2011. Their wonderful and great performance has touched many people hearts and we hope they continue to excel in the music playing and together MAWE and MSSB will bring more music for the audience in Singapore.

Good Job MSSB!

We would be posting the recording of the MSSB SYF recordings soon. Please refer back in a short while if you are interested.

SIBF Adjudicators Comment

2010-08-02T12:54:00.001+08:00

MAWE members who have yet to receive my email and is interested in reading the comments, please text me or email me at hkwaiyip@gmail.com.

Regards,

Wai Yip

Photos from Sunday Remixed!

2010-05-18T23:28:00.008+08:00

Many thanks to the 2 photographers, Kristen Kiong & Low Khee Nguen!!!

Below are some of the photo highlights from the concert.

ALL the photos for our "Sunday Remixed!" be viewed and downloaded from the links below.

They are split into 4 albums.

REHEARSAL (1) - Photos by Kristen Kiong

(Viewing)

REHEARSAL (2) - Photos by Low Khee Nguen

(Viewing)

CONCERT (1) - Photos by Kristen Kiong

(Viewing)

CONCERT (2) - Photos by Low Khee Nguen

(Viewing)

Full resolution photos are split into the 3 links below.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/c4fcoy

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1085op

http://www.sendspace.com/file/8ics08

Regards,

Wai Yip

SIBF practices

2010-05-14T15:44:00.001+08:00

Hi mawe members,

Please be reminded that SIBF rehearsals will begin tmr (saturday - 15 May), 2pm at MSHS band. Please be punctual.

Regards,

Wai Yip

Beautiful Sunday Recording

2010-04-16T16:39:00.002+08:00

Recordings for Beautiful Sunday is out, please check ur mailbox for the link to download.

Thanks!

Wai Yip

SIBF Practices

2010-04-14T14:49:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

There will be no more practice until further announcement. This is because April will be the exam period of the university student and the secondary school as well.

The next project will be SIBF, on 25 July (Sun).

I will finalise the practice date soon.

Regards,

Wai Yip

Lost and Found

2010-04-11T19:13:00.003+08:00

There are lost items reported after the concert. If you have left anything behind in the Esplanade Dressing Room, please sms me @ 8112 4941.

Thanks!

Regards,

Wai Yip

Main Band Marching Assessment

2010-04-05T10:15:00.003+08:00

Hi All Alumni Members,

Main band will be going for SYF Marching Assessment for the first time.

All alumni of the band (whether you are in mawe or not) is encouraged to go down to support the main band in their very first marching assessment.

Due to the limitation in the number of tickets, tickets are given on first come first serve basis.

IMPORTANT: ALL TICKETS ARE STRICTLY FOR ALUMNI MEMBERS ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT GET TICKETS FOR YOUR FRIENDS OR WHOEVER. TICKETS THAT ARE GIVEN TO NON ALUMNI MEMBERS WILL BE TAKEN BACK.

* PLEASE SMS ME YOUR NAME IF YOU WANT TO DOWN TO SUPPORT THEM.

** WE WOULD LIKE TO STANDARDIZE ALL ATTIRE TO THIS:

TOP: ANY WHITE COLOUR TOP (POLO OR TEE). MAWE MEMBERS PLEASE WEAR YOUR MAWE POLO.

BOTTOM: JEANS

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

Information of this Marching Assessment:

Date: 10th April 2010
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Starting time: 1400 hours (please reach before 1315 hours)

So that's all.

Thanks.

Fredy

Rehearsal Schedule

2010-03-25T00:42:00.004+08:00

Hi all,

We only have 3 practices left (refer to the schedule below), please practice your part and do come down early to do self prac if u can.

27 March (Sat)

2pm-6pm REHEARSAL

3 April (Sat)

2pm-6pm REHEARSAL

7 April (Thu)

7pm-10pm REHEARSAL

*(please note that there will be NO rehearsal on Saturday, which is the day before the performance)

11 April (Sun) - CONCERT

Please report to the MSHS band room at 845am

Please check your mailbox for the link to download the reference recording.

Regards,

Wai Yip

Sunday REMIXED!

2010-03-22T04:29:00.002+08:00

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble presents "Sunday REMIXED!", performing some of your favourite pieces with a stylistic twist!

Conducted by Resident Conductor - Mr Adrian Chiang

Esplanade Concert Hall

11 April 2010 (Sunday)

1500 hrs (House opens at 1415hrs)

FREE Admission

Program:

Concert March "Take Off II" - Tomohiro Tatebe

Can''t Take My Eyes Off You (Flute Solo) - Arr. Toshio Mashima

Disney''s Fantillusion! - Arr. Toshio Mashima

Ave Maria "Bossa Nova" (Saxophone Solo) - Arr. Takashi Hoshide

Joe Hisaishi Collection 3 - Arr. Naoyuki Honzawa

Jupiter "Pop Style" - Arr. Kunitoshi Yamashita

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Variations - Masamicz Amano

Japanese Graffitti XII - Arr. Takashi Hoshide

Nobody "Disco Wonder" - Arr. Fredy Chia

Amazing Grace - Arr. Satoshi Yagisawa

El Cumbanchero - Arr. Naohiro Iwai

MARISTIC DVD Release!

2010-03-15T02:03:00.002+08:00

Pre-orders will start at the end of April 2010.

Restructured Committee

2010-02-22T21:36:00.005+08:00

To all MAWE members,

We have restructured our alumni committee this week. Our new VP will be Wee Chong.

Below will be the complete list of our new exco members.

President - Wai Yip

Vice President - Wee Chong

Concert Master - Stanley

Logistic Head- Benjamin Yap

Logistic Assistant - Nicholas Wu

Librarian Head - Raymond

Librarian Assistant - Albert

Publicity & Marketing Head - Sean Kwek

Publicity & Marketing Assistant - Jia Wei

Regards,

Wai Yip

Vote for Lin Sheng's composition!

2010-02-21T17:26:00.002+08:00

Hi Guys,

Please help to vote for this song composed by our Music Director, Mr. Lin Ah Leck!

VOTE FOR THIS SONG!

All you need to do is:

1. To click on the VOTE FOR THIS ENTRY button on the right.
2. Key in your email and name.
3. Activate your vote by clicking on the link that is sent to your email right after your clicked submit.
4. DONE!!

Just that simple!!

So let's make this entry into top 5!! or even TOP 3!!!

Thanks!

Fredy

Band Practice

2010-02-19T03:27:00.003+08:00

Please note that alumni band practice will only resume on 6 March 2010 (Saturday).

Rehearsals will be in preparation for the Beautiful Sunday Concert on 11 April 2010 (Sunday).

Regards,

Wai Yip

2010-02-14T20:08:00.006+08:00

Hi guys,

Some of the photo updates of the concert. Sorry there's no alumni photos from me cos obviously i can't take photos when i'm playing.

Regards,
Wai Yip

MAWE rocks MARISTIC!!

2010-02-14T17:56:00.003+08:00

Hi all MAWE members and FOMs,

*I would like all to read this carefully*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

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

fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble

Concert day details

2010-02-06T22:43:00.005+08:00

1. Details of event

Date of event: 12/2/2010

Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall

Concert Time: 7:30pm – 10:00pm

2. Attire

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

3. Food/Dinner

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

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

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

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

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

Regards,

Wai Yip

Rehearsal + Ticket Sales

2010-01-27T12:47:00.004+08:00

Dear MAWE members,

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

28^th Jan, thu – 7 to 9.30pm

30^th Jan, sat – 2 to 6pm

4^th Feb, thu – 7 to 9.30pm

6^th Feb, sat – 2 to 6pm

8^th Feb, mon – 7 to 9.30pm

10^th Feb, wed – 7 to 9.30pm

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

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

Thanks!

Wai Yip

MARISTIC ~miraculous colours~ Promotion

2010-01-20T11:26:00.009+08:00

Hi All MAWE Members,

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

Concert Details as follows:

maris alumni wind ensemble

presents

Maristic ~miraculous colours~

12th February 2010

Esplanade Concert Hall

1930 hours

Guest Performing Groups:

Maris Stella Symphonic Band

Maris Stella Primary Band

* Special appearance group * (announce soon!)

Program:

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble

Bela Bartok - Miraculous Mandarin (Asia Premiere)

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

Dmitri Shostakovich - Festive Overture

Maris Stella Symphonic Band

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

Takashi Hoshide - Japanese Graffiti.

More to come! Stay Tuned!

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

Fredy

Daisuke Shimizu Conducting To My Comrades

2009-12-13T02:29:00.005+08:00

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

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

Daisuke Shimizu Conducting To My Comrades (Susinami Wind Orchestra)

Wai Yip

MAWE on Thailand NATIONAL TV yesterday night!

2009-12-01T19:33:00.002+08:00

Hi Guys,

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

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

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

Back in Singapore...

2009-12-01T03:40:00.003+08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good Job everyone.

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

Thank you everyone for all the good work and cooperation!

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

MAWE gogo!!!

fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

you know what?

2009-11-28T01:15:00.003+08:00

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

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

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

Ok continue the story...

The emcees changed to speak ENGLISH LANGUAGE!!

The first line they said was ...

Congratulations to...

MARIS ALUMNI WIND ENSEMBLE!!

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

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

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

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

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

Read more as I updated along the way!!

Thailand Trip -Day 1-

2009-11-25T00:32:00.003+08:00

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

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

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

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

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

Practice is simple and sweet. Never played well though.

That's all for today!!

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

Stay tuned!!!

MAWE Thailand Trip + Updates during Trip

2009-11-22T21:05:00.004+08:00

Hi Guys,

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

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

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

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

---

Things to take note:

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

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

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

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

---

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

Thanks!

Happy Packing!!

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble

MAWE Trip + new trainee members!

2009-10-06T22:01:00.008+08:00

Hi All alumni members,

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

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

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

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

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble

Maris Alumni Wind Ensemble

2009-08-23T00:23:00.003+08:00

Hi All Members and the Public,

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

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

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

Thank you very much.

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

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

Fredy
maris alumni wind ensemble
~the legacy continues~

MARISTalumni @ the PARAGON

2009-08-03T00:25:00.010+08:00

Dear all,

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

Good job everyone =)

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

[Click Below]

Cheers,
Wai Yip

A gift for ALL MSSBA members! Our Mascot!

2009-07-18T23:52:00.007+08:00

Hi All,

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

mssba teddy! mssba monogram version

Just for mssbalumni members!

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Alumni Shirt Design Voting

2009-07-16T20:07:00.012+08:00

Hi All,

Below will be a few designs for our alumni shirt.

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

Front will be like this.

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

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

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

That's all!

Thanks

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni

Upcoming Events

2009-07-12T14:10:00.006+08:00

Hi All,

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

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

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

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

Thank you.

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Alumni practice on 27th June 2009

2009-06-26T22:20:00.000+08:00

Hi All,

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

Practice resumes NEXT WEEK.

THANKS!

fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Message from Mr Stephen Melillo!!

2009-05-31T23:24:00.004+08:00

All mssba members!

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

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

----

Hello, Fredy!

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

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

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

Thanks again to you and Godspeed!

Steve

----

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

---
And here it is!! The video!!

THE CHOSEN!

Be the best we can be!! mssba gogo!

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

Practice resumes on 6th June 2009!

2009-05-28T11:37:00.004+08:00

Hi all mssba members,

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

6th June 2009
Saturday
2 PM
Maris Stella Band Room

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

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

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

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

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

So you will need to come down for practices.

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

Hope to see everyone soon!

Enjoy your remaining break before Alumni Band resumes!

Fredy

maris stella symphonic band alumni

~the legacy continues~

-creating music style of our own-

Main Band SYF

2009-04-10T11:08:00.002+08:00

To all Alumni Band members,

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

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

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

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

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

Maristbands GOGO!!

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Something for everyone...

2009-03-29T23:01:00.001+08:00

Haha. this is our SIBF video (ONLY BAND VIEW, so we all got cheated).

This is Hymn to the Sun ~with the beat of the Mother Earth~

enjoy!

2009-03-15T01:57:00.004+08:00

Since next sat alumni band resumes, there's sth for u guys to do after the practice.

NUS Wind Symphony presents an evening through the evolution of music - in GREEN!

InTempo 2009 featuring an environmental theme, with highlights like Jan Van der Roost's Amazonia, Frank Ticheli's Vesuvius, Satoshi Yagisawa's Hymn to the Infinite Sky. Band classic literature like Fantasy Variations by James Barnes and classical transcription of Franz von Suppe's Light Cavalry Overture are also highlights in the concert.

Date: 21 March 2009 (Saturday)

Time: 1930 HRS

Venue: University Cultural Centre Hall, National University of Singapore

Ticket: $12 (Free Seating)

Music Direction & Resident Conductor: Assoc. Prof. Ho Hwee Long

Programme:

Chorale and Shaker Dance - John P. Zdechilik

Puszta - Jan Van der Roost

Hymn to the Infinite Sky - Satoshi Yagisawa

Vesuvius - Frank Ticheli

-Intermission-

Amazonia - Jan Van der Roost

Pinocchio - Alex Poelman

Fantasy Variations - James Barnes

Light Cavalry Overture - Franz von Suppé

For tickets, please contact me (Wai Yip) at 8112 4941

SYF date for Main band

2009-03-03T22:11:00.003+08:00

To all Alumni members,

Please take note that Main Band SYF date and time is as follow:

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

Maris Stella High School
Band no. 145

SYF Day = 8th April 2009
Time: 1145AM

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

ALL alumni members are encouraged to come and help the main band! So do tell me if you can make it.

35 more days to their SYF!

Let's work together with the main band to achieve the First Gold with Honours in Maris Stella. Since we have gotten the TOP and Champion position in competitions. It is now our turn to help our main band to achieve GwH.

fredy

Congratulations!

2009-02-11T20:35:00.006+08:00

On behalf of all the members in the maris stella symphonic band alumni.

We would like to congratulate Mr Adrian Chiang for getting a baby girl, Arielle Chiang on 11th February 2009!

mssba wishes your child has a good health and grow into a beautiful and fine lady!

Once more, thank you for your hard work and all the stuffs you have done for mssba!

Leave your message for Mr Adrian Chiang on the Tagboard!

======================

SYF

Please do take note that Main Band SYF is drawing near, all mssbalumni members please do come down and have sectional with them if possible.

======================

NTU and SAB Concert

NTU Concert -Sojourn 2009
21st FEB 2009
VCH @ 730
Price @ $12

Saints Alumni Concert
28 FEB 2009
VCH @730
Price @ $15. Buy in bulk will be $12

Those interested please inform me. Thanks!

======================

Fredy

A Night of Chamber Wind Music with Dr John Boyd

2009-01-19T23:24:00.003+08:00

Everyone please take note..

Everyone is HIGHLY ENCOURAGE to for this concert! It is a MUST GO and MUST WATCH! Very good concert.

A Night of Chamber Wind Music with John Boyd
Date: 21st January 2009 (wednesday)
Time: 730 pm
Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio
Price: $12 for Students.

really it worths the money! You will be seeing professional (SSO players) playing challenging and nice pieces. It is a good way to learn!

Everyone should go for this!

Fredy

mssba Latest Updates

2008-12-21T15:55:00.003+08:00

Few things for this post.

1. TPJC BAND FESTIVAL!

I would like to thank members that have spent their time playing with the TPJC band in this TPJC Band Festival. I hope all of you have learnt something from Mr Surapol through this Band Festival.

Members that participated for this Band festival: Hao Siang, Jin Yan, Chien Teng, Nicholas Tan, Stanley, Chang Jun, Hwee Young, Seung Hwa, Dwayne, Darren, Wee Chong, Raymond, Lionel, Ryan, Nicholas Chew, Jun Xiang, Zhen Cheng, Chan Lun, Aaron, Caveat, James, Nicholas Wu, Ken Tan, Sean, Wai Yip, Fredy.

Hope it is a fun and good experience for all!

2. Registration of mssba.

We will be registering ourselves under the Maris Stella Alumni Association. Thus there will be some changes and postponement of event(s) for the 1st 3 months of 2009. Nevertheless, practice will continue as we need to practise for our WMC choice and set piece.

There will be announcement of changes to the mssbalumni in the next Practice which will be on 10th January 2009.

3. 16th World Music Contest

Please take note, our participation in the 16th World Music Contest 2nd Division has been confirmed by the WMC organizers. Dates will be finalized in January.

For now, the competition slot will be on either 17th or 18th July 2009.
Please keep your 15th/16th -24th/25th July 2009 period free.

4. Singapore Youth Festival 2009

As all of you may know, 2009 will be the SYF year for Secondary schools and JCs. Of course, our Maris Stella Main Band will be participating for it. I hope all available seniors from ALL Sections can come down and coach your main band juniors on Saturday. I guess it is not very nice to have a not too bad Alumni Band but a lousy Main Band. I guess nobody in the Alumni wants to hear people saying to give comments like: "your alumni good but your main band not good" or anything of that sort that maybe negative for both mssba and main band.

Thus, I would like to see all the seniors who can come back to help out with the main band to come back and teach.

Gold or not, depends on us and them. Gold with Honours or not depends on how much both bands work together.

5. MSSBA PRACTICE!

Alumni Practice will resume on 10th January 2009. We will be trying out our WMC Set Piece and of course choice pieces. At the same time, will announce some changes to mssba too. So everyone please attend the practice. Important.

Thanks!

-------

Christmas is coming. Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!! I want my presents!!! haha.

Merry Christmas mssba members!!

-------

fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

SIBF Recording + Upcoming Events

2008-09-27T18:56:00.008+08:00

All Maris Alumni members,

A few things for this post, (PLEASE READ YOUR EMAIL CAREFULLY)

SIBF RECORDING
(DO NOT DISTRIBUTE THE RECORDING!)

I have received the Official Recording for our SIBF performance.

YESH. FINALLY! After SO LONG of waiting.

So let us hear the TEASER!!

I like how we have played on that day. Quite impressed by how we all have played. Never thought we will sound that way. Personally I like Air (minus those out of tunes back ground at the beginning before the piccolo comes in). then followed by Hymn and Chosen. haha. March... I just don't like it as much, especially the middle part.

BUT nevertheless everyone did a FANTASTIC job on that day. BIG HURRAY for everyone!

* Also I want to say one thing. I am really proud of this Maris Alumni. Seriously, if you listen to our Competition recordings or performance recordings since we have formed in 2004. I really think we have improved alot! Really ALOT! With our players getting better and the music we play getting more difficult (of course alot of ppl still want easier pieces, haha). So I am really proud to be in Maris Alumni. This is HOW MUCH we have gone through and HOW MUCH we have improved. All our hardwork.

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

All of you, please kindly check your email for the DL link.

Have mastered the recording to be SURROUND SOUND and 5.1 Enabled. So can hear with full surround sound.

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

Upcoming Events

THUS Pratice will resume on 11th October 2008, Saturday! Yesh, we will need to go through "TORMENT" again! haha

We will be Premiering quite a few pieces thus we seriously need to everyone's cooperation to play them well.

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

16th World Music Contest

As some of you have known, the SET PIECE for our WMC contest is out.

Our Set piece is by Johan De Meij - Dutch Masters Suite. A 3 movement piece.

Also, I would like to clear all those rumours or whatsoever that has been going around (whether conductors or other bands).

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni is going for 2nd Division in WMC.

Thank you for appreciating our playing and our band but we are neither going for 1st Division nor Open Division in the WMC. We have yet to reach that standard to compete with the world's best in that arena of band playing. Thank you for your concern too! ^^

Do come and support us in our concert!!

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

Cheers,

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

WMC 2009

2008-09-14T12:07:00.002+08:00

i think many of u guys already know that the set piece for WMC 2009 is out.

the music committee is currently working on the choice piece. the admin committee is working on the preparation for WMC 2009. we hope to see more ppl joining us for the upcoming competition, so every1 pls be patient.

the trip this time round will be different. less sightseeing but more interaction. how does that sound? will be giving u guys a rough idea of the trip when alumni prac resumes.

Chee Zhen Cheng Jason
Logistics Head
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Alumni Band Dinner Cfmed

2008-08-04T00:24:00.004+08:00

ok guys. the long awaited band dinner is cfmed.

from the polls we had almost 50% of our ppl voting for sakura international buffet. so we shall go there :D

WHAT: Alumni band dinner
WHEN: This coming sunday, 10th AUG, 6pm
WHERE: Balestier Shaw Plaza

Those that dunno how to go, feel free to ask me or fredy. we will be more den willing to help u guys. pls take note that if u are arriving late or cannot make it for the dinner, pls inform me or fredy as we need to confirm the total number of people asap as well as make arrangements for those late comers. thx!

Jason Chee
Logistics Head
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

TJ Alumni Concert + Trophy + Recording

2008-07-30T15:53:00.005+08:00

All mssbalumni members,

There will be TJ alumni Band concert on 2nd August, tthis coming saturday in VCH! Ticket price at $12!!

playing Count on Monte Cristo, James barnes- Symphony number 4.

Please do go and support! Lin Sheng is conducting too!

Those who need tickets, let me know!!

---

For those who still have yet to receive the recording, please come and find me. It is an unofficial recording though.

OFFICIAL RECORDING will not be out so soon from the organizer.

One thing that I need to inform you all.

FOR FINALS! There will ONLY be VIDEO DVD. (-_-) but for SEMI FINALS we will have both Audio and Video recording.

I'm cheated!! haha about having Pro Audio recording for FINALS!! grr!! Never mind..

We shall record our own professional recording next time.

---

our trophy pic.

---

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR THE BAND DINNER!!!! haha

PS from me: why seoul and sakura tie!!?!?! haha.. seoul garden, I don't feel like cooking leh!!! haha...

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Band Dinner VOTING!!

2008-07-29T22:02:00.018+08:00

Ok. I have a poll for all mssbalumni members and friends of mssba. It is regarding the up-coming Band dinner to celebrate our success in the recent competitions (should i include NBC too?). Anyways u guys have to take note that there are 2 dates & 4 restaurants so total of 8 choices. So pls do not vote the wrong 1. Thx!

This Band Dinner is a treat for everyone in mssbalumni.

Rice table suggested by Mr Chiang. He said not bad.

Jason Chee
Logistics Head
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

SIBF Results!!! TOP BAND!!

2008-07-27T07:49:00.014+08:00

To ALL mssbalumni members!!

On Thursday, 24th July 2008, the SIBF Semi Finals, we competed with 6 other bands from Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong and emerged as the Top 4 Finalists in the with the score of 89.14%! It was really good!

Then on Saturday, 26th July 2008, the SIBF Finals, we competed with 3 other bands and emerged as the TOP BAND for the whole Open Division!!! ARGH!! let's SCREAM~~~~~~

EVERYONE YOU ALL HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB!!

---

It is really unbelievable, I can still remember clearly how we sound like on thursday. It was so scary when our Singapore River was only our 4th day pract. Seriously, it was very miraculous that with only about 5-6 hours of practices on that song, we managed to bring it up for the Semi Finals competition. I guess everyone seriously work very hard to handle this piece. ^^. Good job.
I guess we have very busy schedule this week, Friday was our founder's day dinner and we were asked to perform, so we have wasted one day of practice before Finals. Especially when we are changing and adding new songs to the Finals repertoire.

We could only work on our pieces, Sunshine Breeze March (which was something we have yet to play for like 2 weeks) and Suite on Celtic Folk Song 2nd Movement - Air (which was a new addition).

Seriously, I am VERY proud of mssba because we managed to settle and clear AIR in just 2 hours. It was really impressive. March too, you all have yet to forget those things Mr Chiang and Lin Sheng said. very good.

---

This month of July is seriously a VERY tiring month for EVERYONE in the mssba (yesh.. I am DEAD TIRED!). Thank you very much, you all have really done a good job.

[from this part of the blog post onwards is my personal thoughts and feeling for the band, if I have said anything wrong, people you all can just flame me all you want! I don't care since I am just expressing myself]

13th July 2008 was a day I will remember for quite long probably forever. We were awarded a Gold with 81% and 5th position. It was really the most disappointed moments for me and other mssbalumni members. Apparently that was one of the time when I actually felt that we didn't play that badly. Everyone was sad on the way back.. It was a total silence on the bus... with everyone looking so sad. Really very sad. All I heard was some of our whining after that. It was something I have yet to see in mssba. It was a gold yet none of us is really happy. I should say it is NOT about the medal, it is about our %. We as the players think we actually deserved something higher than that (this doesn't mean we are better than any bands, I am NOT making comparison), we just thought we have something nice and deserve to earn more % than just a mere 81%. That week was really horrible, everybody was so DEMORALIZED by the results until all of us know about the actual reason. It was the MOST hard to get over period of time for mssba. Guys, we got through it! good job.

20th July 2008, we went for the NBC HONOUR BANDS Concert as one of the invited bands. We played well and I was really happy to be able to hear that kind of playing from mssba. Even though we may not sound as good as competition day but we played our best at that moment.

24th July 2008, mssba went TRCC for the 1st time to compete with other Open Division bands. It was the scariest performance we have ever gotten. The shell of the hall was removed, it was changed to curtains. you won't be able to hear anyone except for yourself. It was very scary. Everyone seems to be in another world, all I could hear on that day was myself, wai yip and clar (when the soft part), piccolo at the solo... other than that.. I couldn't hear a single thing! Everyone should still remember that. Before the results, we have all prepared for the worst. We have not brought any expectations on us except for being the last band of the day. The results were rather unexpected for all of us. We were in the Top 4 finalists and we are ranked 3rd! That' s something all of us have not expected. At the same time, we got our very own 1st Silver for mssba with a score of 89.14%. According to SYF and NBC standard, this kind of percentage is already Gold with Distinction.

26th July 2008, we have decided to add and changed 2 pieces. We only practice them on the very day of competition does make everyone feel unsafe but no choice. We have to do it. In Esplanade Concert Hall, we competed with the Thailand, Hong Kong and ACSI for the Champion of Open Division. I would like to thank Thailand and Hong Kong band members for wishing us good luck. you all really great people. Seriously very good and well musicians. We may not have known each other but all of us have the same passsion, that's music. Music should be the medium that connects everyone, even in the aspect of competition, Music should be placed first and not about winning the competition. It was a nice experience for mssba to be able to compete along with you guys. really good competitors. The results of the competition is something I myself have never expected. We got the CHAMPION for the Open Division. It was really unexpected.

** please take note comments will not be given by the organizer for the FINALS

---

These 4 dates something we have worked so hard for over the past 1 month plus. Everyone has seriously put in a lot of effort to make all these things possible. It was a good effort everyone, even though like what Mr Chiang has said, there are some people who may have given more.

Everyone please do bear in my mind that we are the Champion for this very moment only. After this we are back to square one. Lin Sheng asked me to tell everyone to still remember the passion for music and not too be overly confident. yesh, we should remember that, being a Gold / Top Band is just something that is going to be there for a while. Playing out good music will be our ultimate aim. Audience are our ultimate judges, only when they like our playing and our music, that's when we can finally tell everyone proudly that we have actually played well.

Let us continue to bring our music to the audience in Singapore and outside of Singapore too. Let us continue to play well and improve and excel.

We have improved really a lot in this month of july! I have really heard the improvement in this band. Very impressive improvement. Intonation problems were really getting lesser each day. I am so impressed with EVERYONE OF YOU!

---

For all these achievements we have made.. I guess.. we need to thank a lot of people!!!

Lin Sheng (music director): Thank you for coaching and working with us through numerous practices, without you I guess we won't be as good as we sound today. You are really the Magic of mssba! Thank you very much. I hope we have not disappointed you in any way.

Mr Chiang (conductor): Thank you for spending tonnes of practices with us during over the past 1 month plus. It is really not easy having so many bands and still manage your time that well. Really thank you for conducting us. Of course congratulations for having 2 top bands under your belt now! Your baby brought you alot of good luck! haha.

Committee members: It has been a very terrible month for committee too. We have all played our part by contributing to this band, Haryl, Zhen Cheng, Caveat, Clement and Stanley. Thank you for helping in this band. Really good job on whatever things you all have done for mssba.

Soloists: Chien Teng (Chosen + Celtic + Hymn), Hao Siang (Chosen + Celtic), Douglas (Chosen), Alexius (Chosen), Stanley (Hymn), Rasull (Hymn), Daniel (Hymn), Bao Wen (Chosen), Zhen Cheng (Sunshine + Chosen), Chan Lun (Sunshine + Chosen), Alan (Chosen + Celtic), Leon (Chosen), Loo Kit (Chosen), Clement (Chosen), Ronny (Chosen), Ryan (Chosen), Aaron (Chosen), Caveat (Chosen), Lian Wei (Chosen), Ken (Chosen), Wang Xu + Zheng Yi (Chosen), Garrett (Hymn), Wai Yip (Chosen), Zheng Chu (Celtic + Hymn).

did I leave out anyone? Tell me I did! ^^. You guys have really done very well!! Really very well! all of the solos are GOOD! Good job!

Friends of mssba (FOM): Frankie, Rasull, Jeremy, Daniel, Alan, Leon, Loo Kit, Ronny, Lian Wei, Caile, Wang Xu, Zheng Yi. Thank you for helping us! Hope you all have enjoyed playing with us for so many times or years? haha. yeah! Thank you very much.

members of mssba!!: ALL OF YOU! DID A VERY GOOD JOB! Thank you for spending your time on this band, without you all! We won't be able to achieve this kind of results! Seriously, You all are the best!!!! To those A's and O's members, please work hard and study! Come back and play after exams we have more exciting things waiting for all of you! Let's us play together as a band once again!!

One more group of PPL! haha

our Main band members that help us!! : Hendrik, Amos, Ye Rong, Clement, Xin Yu and others, sorry I forgot your names! But you guys help real LOT! haha. you all will definitely get ur CIP hours! haha

---

Alumni band will now break for a while before we continue with our plans! So During this break please still remember to practice your instruments!!!

---

The upcoming plan for Alumni Band will be as follows. More detailed information will be sent via email!

End of year: Concert (Singapore + Overseas), For the Overseas concert someone (not me.. school side) has actually planned for us, you all should know who.

Next year: 16th World Music Contest. We have been invited by them to participate for this competition again. This time round we will need to play better than the last round!!

For all these upcoming plans, I DO NOT WISH TO LEAVE OUT ANYONE THAT IS IN MSSBA now! As long as you played with us this time round, I will not leave you out! I hope we can play as a band again cause I think all of us really bonded pretty well when playing together as a band!
Let's work hard together guys!!! Let us continue our mssba legacy! ~the legacy continues~

---

ONE MORE THING!! Band Dinner. There will be a band dinner coming up, everyone please make sure you are free and attend this band dinner!!! We will msg you all the time and venue! Do take note!! Also for the much long awaited mssba t-shirt! ^^

---

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

---

mssbalumni members

2008-07-22T01:27:00.002+08:00

The Month of july has been a very hectic and busy month for all mssbalumni members.

All of you have really worked really hard. Really very very hard.

Thank you all for working so hard for this band.

It may be tiring but please do remember we are in this band to make music and play together again with all our old friends.

No matter what results we get for the upcoming SIBF, let's not forget about our passion, our music and our hard work.

As long as there is a member of the audience believe in our playing, like and appreciate our music, that's something that worth more than anything else.

We play music to Touch people's Heart, to convey the message by the composer, to entertain people. Audience is always our main target group. Adjudicators will be listening to us for once only but audience the our supporter that may support us along the way.

No matter how we fare in SIBF...

All I want to say is mssbalumni members, you all have done a good job! Really good job! Thank you all for ALL the hard work!

Without you all, there won't be mssbalumni in this current status. Let us move on together.

----

Achievements by mssbalumni members for mssbalumni

WMC 05 - Gold

NBC 06 - Gold

NBC 08 - Gold

----

Thank you guys, Lin Sheng, Mr Chiang and committee members.

Fredy Chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

MUCH awaited COMMENTS of NBC Judges!

2008-07-16T14:19:00.014+08:00

mssba members!

I have attached pictures of our MUCH AWAITED comments!

Click on the link for BIGGER pic

Prof Ho - Sunshine

Prof Ho - Hymn

Prof John Howard - Sunshine

Prof John Howard - Hymn

Mr Mitsuo Nonami - Sunshine

Mr Mitsuo Nonami - Hymn

First up will be Associate Professor Ho Hwee Long:

Next is from Prof. John Howard

Last judges, Mr Mitsuo Nonami

So guys, you all have "FUN" reading these comments.

I am sure everyone knows what happened by now. ^^

mssba! LET'S FIGHT!!

JIAYOU!!

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

The truth behind mssba 81%!

2008-07-16T00:43:00.007+08:00

I have gotten the score sheets from the organisers and I finally understand about our 81%.

I shall NOT NAMED the judges down here EVEN THOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO but I shall give him some respect still. All judges are named in Alphabet of A, B and C.

* 1st results are Set piece, 2nd result is the Choice piece

Chung Cheng High Yishun
A: 76, 78
B: 78, 83
C: 83, 82

Singapore Management University Symphonia
A: 82, 87
B: 85, 86
C: 91, 92

Anderson Junior College
A: 80, 84
B: 84, 86
C: 88, 89

ITE Combined Band
A: 80, 80
B: 78, 81
C: 78, 78

Fajar Secondary School Symphonic Band
A: 72, 75
B: 83, 81
C: 76, 72

Sembawang Symphonic Winds
A: 69, 75
B: 78, 85
C: 80, 85

Old Boys Old Girls
A: 82, 84
B: 82, 83
C: 83, 85

Maris Stella Alumni
A: 74, 75
B: 81, 86
C: 82, 88

Saints Alumni
A: 72, 75
B: 74, 80
C: 83, 86

Marsiling Winds
A: 67, 77
B: 74, 78
C: 72, 76

Meridien Junior College
A: 84, 83
B: 78, 85
C: 88, 86

---

Everyone open your eyes and you will undertand what have actually happened. I do not need or wish to say things.

I am not going to make anything emotional down here, I felt it is useless to do anything now, What has done has been done.

AT LEAST for now, I know how mssba "died" in this 2nd National Band Competition.

Glad that there are still justice around.

--

Just hope that Certain PPL should just stop hurting my band and band members! thank you very much.

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Honours Band In Concert

2008-07-15T16:16:00.002+08:00

All mssbalumni members,

Please take note that we have been invited by the NBC organization to perform in the Honours Band Concert on 19th July 2008, Saturday.

We will be the last band of the night, around 930.

Everyone please PUT UP A GOOD SHOW!!!!

Let's ROCK the Victoria Concert Hall on 19th July 2008!!

mssbalumni GO GO!

---

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

The 2nd National Band Competition Results!

2008-07-15T01:53:00.017+08:00

All mssbalumni members,

This is the first post by me AFTER the 2nd NBC on 13th July 2008, Sunday.

I shall voice out my most honest opinion and thoughts about this competition without any reserve. I know there are something that I know I shouldn't say as a leader of the band but you all should know me well enough that I am very straightforward person, I don't like to hide or do small little tricks behind people.

2nd National Band Competition.

Yesh. It is over and we all performed really well. Really well, the performance was so great that I would DARE TO SAY it is our BEST performance so far. I have NEVER heard mssba in this kind of standard and as well as sound in any performance before. We are seriously moving a step forward to Lin Sheng's sound. You all really sound round and nice on that day. Intonation was really good and has little problems (there were slight problems but overall was really ok).

I am really happy to see mssbalumni improved SO MUCH within a week, with the ONLY FULL BAND practice on the competition day itself (yesh, on the stage when we were UP THERE PERFORMING!), it is rather unbelievable that we can achieve and play that well. I am surprised and at the same time, VERY HAPPY!

We have gotten a Gold Award for the 2nd National Band Competition. WOW! good job for everyone. a GOLD!!! aren't you all happy? sorry I am not. Actually I shouldn't state the the Medal I should just state the Points.. 81% for what we have played. I am not happy. It is a gold award I know... and It is good we have gotten a Gold but I am just unhappy about the 81%.

We only have 81% for what we have played on Sunday. I am truly sorry, I know I shouldn't say this BUT I am going to be HONEST.

WE WORTH MORE THAN JUST 81%!

* To those who wants to flame me.. PLEASE TAKE NOTE I AM NOT STATING WE ARE BETTER OR LOUSIER THAN ANY BANDS. I am just purely stating we worth more than 81%.

** To EVERYONE: I am not overly confident and think we can achieve Gold with Distinction. I am not aiming at that in the first place. We have gotten a gold and I am contented, but I am just purely expecting a higher % gold. Why? Cause I am overly confident? NO! Apparently, audience comments and reactions plus recording shows we worth a higher percentage. Even though we might not be up to Gold with Distinction standard but there is SOMETHING I can be sure of... WE SERIOUSLY WORTH MORE THAN JUST 81%.

All of us have heard our recording. We all know we deserved more than 81%, we all know that. Actually I should rephrased it like... we already know we have done our best on the very day on stage. We have given our very best. Everyone did.

--

I would like to thank ALL MEMBERS for putting in so much efforts in making the 2nd National Band Competition performance such a wonderful one. We have already achieved what we have wanted. We also have received the very best comments from Lin Sheng and Mr Chiang. We really did well. Personally, I think we have done our best, even though there were unstable tempo but overall we really have played well. As you all know, I HARDLY PRAISED our playing, this time round, I am! This is NO KIDDING, I have never thought mssbalumni can actually sound that good!

I guess we seriously stand the chance for achieving better results, if not there weren't be some little "movements" by "mover" even before we got a chance to stand on stage.

I am perfectly fine and happy with our performances (both march and hymn). We can't please everyone but at least we have pleased majority of the audience in the hall. So what if the 3 judges were not pleased by our playing? We have at least proved to ourselves that we have touched certain people's heart with our performance.

As long as there is a person that is moved by our performance, we should be happy and cherish that moment. It is NOT EASY to bring out the emotions and message in music, it is not easy to be able to play and sing with such beautiful and warm sound at the same time. We did well. We really DID!

mssbalumni members, believe in mssbalumni!

we really have performed well. If we are not appreciated by some people let's be it, we shall slowly prove it to those people.

--

We still have SIBF to go. It is not easy to get into the Open Division of the SIBF and the competitors for SIBF are really VERY VERY STRONG! So we must work even harder!

mssbalumni is not a band that can be "knocked down" that easily!

Let's us Jia You together!

--

For those non mssbalumni members, you all can comment and flame me and say I am a pure sore loser or over confident or whatsoever. I don't mind, you all can say what you all want. I am this confident because I believe in my band, my music director, Lin Sheng, my conductor, Mr Chiang and all my members who are a bunch of great and fantastic music makers! One more thing, I believe in the music we produce as a band. The bonding, the sound and the people we have impressed and touched by our performance on 13th July. I am just purely believing in all these! We just own the "attitude" for producing music with emotions!

--

mssbalumni just ROCKS!!!

SIBF here we come!!!!!!!!!!!

--

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

The moment before 2nd NBC

2008-07-12T01:02:00.001+08:00

Dear All,

Now is the start of Saturday...

That means we are 1 day before our NBC competition day. A day that we have been working towards. This time round we are in a division where all the good bands are in. A division that has stronger competitors, the Open division.

We managed to clinch a Gold Award and Top band position in the last NBC. That was something we have achieved in the past.

For now...

To achieve something in Open Division is not an easy thing. I believe all of us know that. Up till now we have yet to have a single FULL band which is a fact that all of you know... but I don't think we should just stop there and wait for everyone to appear and have full band.

We should just work on our own parts till it is as perfect as possible. We do not need to wait for full band to clear up those mistakes that we have now during those precious full band time.

For now, I guess majority of us are working very hard to clear up all our problems as much as possible, I know a lot of people are trying very hard. You people are doing fine. Seriously.

Those who have yet to clear up the mistakes, we still have 1 day... yesh 1 day to work on those mistakes.

I hope everyone will give their VERY BEST in practicing their part in the last pract that will happen in the afternoon. This will be our last pract before the competition on Sunday. It is very precious and I hope everyone will be focusing on their parts.

We don't have any more time to waste. So let's FOCUS!!

Our main objective for this competition is to bring out the Music written by the Composer. Bring out the emotion, bring out the message the composer wants to convey, bring out the Music to everyone in the audience.

Let everyone knows that Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni is a band that is capable of playing music with emotions and music that touches people's hearts.

I believe in everyone in the Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni... I trust every single one of you... you all will seriously create miracle and let this legacy continues.

Thank you for all the efforts you all have done for these few weeks, it has been a good job for everyone trying to come down for practice. Really appreciate everyone's efforts!!

This very last day before NBC...

Let's practice hard and focus!

Let's us work hard and give our best on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's aim to move everyone to tears with our music on 13th July 2008!!!

---

JIA YOU!! mssbalumni!!!

---

fredy chia
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

NBC and SIBF

2008-06-06T11:49:00.000+08:00

All Alumni Band Members,

Please take note of the following competition dates. Please make sure those dates are free.

13th July 2008 - 2nd National Band Competition

24th July 2008 - Singapore International Band Competition

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

Performance Order of 2nd National Band Competition (OPEN division)

1. Chung Cheng High (Yishun)

2. SMU Symphonia

3. Anderson Junior College

4. Combined ITE Band

5. Fajar Symphonic Band

6. Sembawang Winds

~INTERVAL~

7. Old Boys Old Girls Wind Symphony

8. Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

9. Saints Alumni

10. Marsiling Winds

11. Meridien Junior College

12. Zheng Hua Symphonic Band

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

We only have 1 month left. So everyone, please buck up and play well!

ALSO take note that if you are absent from practice, please kindly inform and give your SL or EXCO a valid reason for your absence. thank you very much.

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

fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Competitions + Concert Master

2008-05-02T23:50:00.000+08:00

Dear All Alumni Band members,

There are a few things that I would like to announce down here.

1. Concert Master

After discussion with Mr Chiang and the rest of the Committee regarding music issue. We think it is vital to have a Concert Master for alumni band. Concert Master will be in charge of the band's tuning, conduct warm ups and of course music related matters of the band. We have finalized on the candidate, of course we all think he does have the ability to be a concert master (just nice he is on the 1st seat). So...

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni Concert Master: Stanley.

So let's welcome Stanley to our alumni band music dept!

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

2. Competitions

ALL alumni band members please take note that we have passed the audition for the SIBF competition and we are 1 of the 7 only bands that managed to passed the audition for OPEN division. This is a very tough competition since we have all the good bands from both local and overseas, I seriously think ALL members will need to work very hard for this competition.

We are also in the OPEN division for NBC. This Competition is not easy too.

I hope ALL alumni members will give us your full co-operation from now on.

WE ONLY HAVE 14 PRACTICES LEFT!

I guess everyone in the band knows how bad we are. I hope everyone can buck up abit, come for practice and at the same time have sectional with your very own section.

Lin sheng wants ALL alumni members to come back and fight till the end for these competitions.

I sincerely hope that everyone will give your utmost co-operation in this matter.

----

WE hope ALL MEMBERS will be polite enough to inform and provide us with valid reason for absence from practice from now on. I guess we need to get all the discipline right. Each and everyone of the member of this alumni band is important to us. When one person missed a pract, we would have already missed a part. I hope those people that missed pract on purpose will really think of others in the band too. You and us spend as much time in this band, why there are so many of us can actually come down for practice and you can't? Please spare a thought for those members who come every single time.

Band is all about TEAMWORK.

----

PS: Main Band Concert Recording link WILL BE POSTED in these few days.

----

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

15th April 2008 - Esplanade Concert

2008-03-03T12:13:00.000+08:00

Dear All Alumni Band Members,

I have 2 things for today's update. One from Mr. Chiang and one from me.

---

Message from Mr. Chiang to ALL alumni band members.

As everyone knows that the Esplanade Concert will be in 1.5 months time. Mr Chiang hopes ALL Alumni members to come back to have sectionals with the Main Band during Saturday Mornings whenever you can (whether it is wednesday, friday or saturday).

Schedule as follows till the concert:

8 - 10.30 >> Sectionals
10.30 - 1 >> Full Band + Recruit band

Just to update all alumni band members: The Band does not get much support from the school (you all know what I mean) I am sure no one wants to seethe Main Band's standard going down the hill as time goes by. Hence we hope that everyone can come back to help out whenever they can.

We need more Alumni Members to come back and guide the juniors along during this period of time.

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

Message from me to ALL ALUMNI BAND MEMBERS.

We have 6 practices left to the Esplanade Concert.

I seriously hope that ALL MEMBERS will give us their fullest co-operation and attend ALL PRACTICES FROM NOW ON!

I think NOBODY in this band wants to perform badly and throw your own face and risking this alumni band standard in front of 1600 audience?

I PERSONALLY DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. I GUESS ALOT OF OTHER MEMBERS DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TOO!

To those who have been coming for practice, Thank you very much BUT can we start punctually from now on? Everytime we said start at 2 but majority of you come late! Now, can all of us just come punctually and start punctually?? We have ALOT of things to work on. Please don't waste the time of those ppl who come punctually. Thank you.

TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN COMING FOR PRACTICE. I guess you all should have the RESPONSIBILITY to think for this band and your own performance. I guess NONE of you are professionals that can sight read and play well immediately. EVEN Professionals don't just play after once or twice sight reading session. To those who have been giving us reasons for unable to attend, thank you very much and we do understand BUT for those who have NOT BEEN GIVING US ANY REASONS and NOT COMING for practice. I urge you to START coming down for practice from this week onwards. You ONLY have 6 practices left.

Let me repeat myself, 6 MORE PRACTICES LEFT!

Unless you have a DEGREE in whatever instruments you are playing now, IF NOT, I guess you aren't able to play well without having practice.

----

Just to Update on the Esplanade Concert.

Maris Stella High School
~presents~
50th Anniversary Concert
15th April 2008 (Tuesday)
Time; 1930 hours

Ticket price: $15 and $20 (for circle), Stall STILL unconfirmed.

ALL TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL SISTIC OUTLETS!

------

I will inform all Alumni band members on the schedule for that day in this upcoming practice.

------

fredy

mssba in 08

2007-11-07T23:06:00.000+08:00

Dear ALL alumnus,

Please do spend sometime reading what I have posted.

First of all I would like to clear something. The Committee does NOT wish to post or react so strongly with this postponement of concert. ALL of us (whether committee or band members) do feel disappointed due to the postponement of the concert but I hope everyone do give a bit of thoughts to the others. It is unfair or waste of time or whatsoever you want to give word for it BUT I seriously hope that nobody feels that we are cheating on them. We do not cheat on our members, if we are to do that I don't see a need for us to spend so much time doing so many things,: posters, scores, tickets (let me tell you all the concert stuffs are all done except for booklet) and etc. We were still doing our very best till the very end or I should say, we are still doing this upcoming concert stuffs till the final decision of the postponement of the concert has been confirmed. I hope some member should reconsider the usage of the word "cheated" on this matter. If you think so then the committee and conductors too been "cheated" to work so hard and prepare for this concert. We do not feel cheated as we are really preparing it for real. I guess you yourself have seen how much and how hard we have worked. It does not do us good with the usage of the word. So please think carefully and think of others before you are sure in using certain words that will directly or indirectly "cancel out" all the efforts the others have been contributing to the band, be it committee or the band members.

As part of the Alumni band, I guess you are very very clear about our alumni band stand and position in the school. We are trying our best to have the best outcome for everything for the band already. All of you are contributing to these outcomes too. So please let us WORK TOGETHER and produce even better things with what we have now. I believe we will be able to have what we want soon.

NOBODY is to be blamed for this, NOBODY wants this postponement, so we just need to work out the best with what we have. ^^

* If any of our members think the committee react too strongly over this, I would like to apologize on behalf BUT do bear in mind that we are not those that will react so strongly or make a big fuss out of anything whenever we want. Most of the time I am the only one doing the "nagging" and "complaining". Now you have the other committee members posting too, you all should know the seriousness. Thus, I would like to apologize on behalf if all think we have over react. I would like to remind our members once again about the usage of word too. You may be expressing your own feeling,we know. Definitely we welcome and accept all the things you all want to feedback to us but do make sure you choose an appropriate word. ^^

I know everyone is disappointed BUT PLEASE TAKE NOTE THIS CONCERT IS NOT CANCELLED!

I do hope everyone can take note IT IS POSTPONED BUT NOT CANCELLED. ALL are supposed to still practice their own parts for those pieces and as well as other pieces that will be given to you all soon for the next concerts.

let's JIA YOU TOGETHER! ^^

-------

2. mssba in 2008.

I have roughly named some of the events for 2008 for the alumni band in the last practice. We will be sending out emails to you all for the FINALIZED events and plans for mssba in 08. We hope all members give their fullest co-operation with us. We do not wish to tax everyone too much SO we hope everyone can give their fullest support.

Be Present for the designated practices given by us THUS we save on time to RE-DO pieces over and over again. Going Through the same mistakes or different members over and over again. I guess it won't help us very much. When we have practice, I hope all members can spend some of their time to come down for pract. Let us MAXIMISE the "yield". I guess none of us would like to go through same mistakes over and over again. If everyone comes and settle all these thing, we won't need to spend or waste so much time. The pieces we are playing are getting more and more difficult. This is the thing I hope all members to cooperate with us.

* Those members that have been slacking to much or trying to skip our practs please think again. You are one of the people that has caused the band to have such little improvement and drop in morale. I don't see a reason why MSSBA will play badly when we have good players and good conductors. I seriously hope, those members that can only think of skipping pract or slacking to reflect on their own. If it is due to exams or family matters or any other emergency, it is excusable but if it is because that you are lazy or whatsoever, I guess you are NOT being very fair to the others that have been coming.

SO ALL MEMBERS, PLEASE DO MAKE AN EFFORT TO COME DOWN FOR EVERY SINGLE PRACTICE!

This band is will not be complete WITHOUT anyone of you.

---------

3. Absence from practice.

I do hope all members are POLITE enough to inform us if YOU ARE UNABLE TO attend ANY PRACTICES. I guess it is a BASIC COURTESY to tell us if you are not going to be present for practice. It is very difficult for us to tell the conductors when some of you never even tell us you are going to miss the practice.

So please inform us if you are going to miss any pract. I don't think we are that unapproachable.

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4. 15th April 2008, ESPLANADE CONCERT.

Please do help to promote for this concert even though we do not need to sell tickets. Thank you very much.

-----------

That's the end of my nagging. Thank you for reading...

and...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
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Let's us JIA YOU for our future projects. We have done quite a few and let us continue! Everyone! GOGO! ^^

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

My First Words

2007-11-04T16:38:00.000+08:00

Hi. This will be the first time I am making an entry in this blog so i would like to say Hi to those who frequent this blog to get updates for the alumni band activities.

Well, who am I you ask?

Clement here. Some of you may have seen me before. I am a Trumpeter from the '03 batch, which is Fredy's batch. I can be considered the Alumni Band President now although i believe i need a lot of guidance from Mr. Lin, Mr. Chiang, Fredy and many more.. So i am still in the learning and if i do make mistakes, pls forgive me and i will improve day by day.. Hopefully.. haha..

Anyways, Before i made this entry, i have been frequently visiting the blog and i believe this blog has been a very good means of communication between members, regardless of committee members, alumni members and main band band members. This is also a good place to give all your suggestions and opinions. So keep it up!! We will also keep u posted of the things happening in the near future.

I would also have to apologise to you all for not being able to attend the few recent band pracs. Reason being i just had an operation on my ankle, and i am not able to walk. My cast has been removed, but i still cant walk yet because they sort of restructured my ankle so i need to learn how to walk again. Hopefully i can go back to prac in mid to late november. I am dying to go out. Cooped up at home for nearly two months is driving me crazy.

Coming to a more serious note, i wanna address the issue of the Jan Concert as well. i have heard that people feel "cheated" and are not happy about this issue. I am sure Fredy has explained to you all the reasons for this postpone. I hope you all should know that we also do not want this concert to be postponed. We know that you all have put in a lot of effort in the preparation of this concert. We are aware of this effort as we have seen the band improve prac by prac. Then the plans were scrapped because there were just too many clashes on the concert day itself. I want you to know that not only you have this feeling, we also feel the pain. It's like an expectant mother who is about to give birth suddenly had a miscarriage. We feel as upset as you do. Also taking from what Haryl has said, we did not withhold any information that you all ought to know. Nor did we wait until now the we break the news to you. We would have told you all sooner if all this happened earlier but this is not the case. This happened now unexpectedly and we told it to you all as soon as we have got the chance. Indeed, we are going through a rough patch right now. That is why we need this band to stay together. The committee has made so many other productions successful. So why not have a little more faith in us and believe in us? Only when we brave through this together will we cross this hurdle. I earnestly ask for your understanding in this matter.

But, on a more positive note. I would like to tell you all that all your efforts that you all have been putting in for the past months will not be for naught. The pieces that you all have been practicing will not be shelved just because this concert has been postponed. We will most certainly use them in time to come. I hope that this will cheer you all up.

Another issue i would like to address would be the regularity of attendance of band pracs. Yes, I know that this is an alumni band and we are giving you free will of your attendance. However, i would like to point out that a band is made up of the people who are in the band. A band will cease to exist if there aren't any members in the band. Although I know that you all, including myself, have heard this phrase a lot of times: "It does not matter whether you have a lot of good players on each section. A band will only be as good as the weakest member the band has." Harsh, but true. That is why attending band practices are so important in the development of the band. I quote from what Haryl has said:

"I am quite certain that all of us who have attended the practices have experience some degree of improvement, whether it is individually or as a section or as a band in whole. if any of you think that you (or your section) have not improved, den perhaps its time to think about how you have been spending your time during all these Saturday afternoons. have you been just fooling around? could you have put in more effort and concentration during practices but you just chose not to?hence, pls dun think that the time was wasted."

What Haryl has said is absolutely true. As long as you come for pracs, and if you put in effort and concentration, you will find yourself more familiar with the piece and you will definitely improve on the pieces that you have been practising on. And if you find that no improvement has been made, you should also be the first one to realise that not enough effort was put into improving yourself. I am not asking you all to improve straight away after one hour of individual prac. or sectionals. As long as you put in that effort to improve yourself, you will see the results, regardless of how long you might take.

For that, I really would like to commend on not one, not two, not three, but all of you for your efforts to the band. I have really seen this band grow. We came so far together and we have grown so much. Think about it.. From the simple idea of making music together, we have organised annual concerts, and now, we have gone as far as participating in Competitions, both locally and on an international level, and we came back with good results. These acheivements are the results of YOUR EFFORT, not the committee. And i would like to urge you all to continue this effort of yours, to keep the band at it's current standard. Only when we see this will the committee be able to take a step further to bring the band to greater heights.

Yours Sincerely,

Ng Zi Hau, Clement
President
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Postpone of Jan Concert

2007-11-04T15:31:00.000+08:00

Hi, this is Haryl here. i would just like to comment on this issue of the postponing of the jan concert.

firstly, to the members who have been attending practices regularly, we are of course thankful that you have been coming for pract. i would not deny that you guys have not contributed. rather, its great that you all have been coming for pract. However, pls understand that we were ALL under the impression that we were practicing for a concert in jan which was supposed to be of quite 'high standards', none of us expected this to happen. neither did the committee withheld any information from you guys intentionally. therefore, if you are feeling upset, 'cheated', disappointed, angry etc. , pls try to be a bit more understanding as to how the ppl, who have worked hard behind the background to prepare for all this, would feel when these comments are directed at them. put yourself in their position and imagine how you would feel. they did put in just as much effort as you guys did. i hope that as members of this band, we can be more gracious to each other, regardless of whether you are in the committee or not. just a bit more sensitivity would do everyone good. 忍一时风平浪静，退一步海阔天空。

Definitely, i did not expect all of you guys to be totally void of any negative emotions when you heard the news, i also understand that you have sacrificed numerous Saturday afternoons to come for practices. if you are under the impression that all your efforts have amounted to nothing, den i would say that even if the concert were still to be 'on', all your efforts would still have amounted to nothing.
why do i say that? well, if the time spent in practice have not resulted in any improvement (individually or as a section or as a band in whole), den it would not matter whether the concert is postponed or not, because all the time spent would still be wasted.
Even if you claim that you could play the pieces perfectly(which i doubt anyone would dare to do so) even before coming for all the practices, den are you able to say with conviction that your section could play the pieces perfectly prior to all the practices?
I am quite certain that all of us who have attended the practices have experience some degree of improvement, whether it is individually or as a section or as a band in whole. if any of you think that you (or your section) have not improved, den perhaps its time to think about how you have been spending your time during all these Saturday afternoons. have you been just fooling around? could you have put in more effort and concentration during practices but you just chose not to?
hence, pls dun think that the time was wasted.

well, having said all that above, i would like to appeal to ALL members, regardless of whether you have been coming regularly or not, please do come for practices.
a band is only made up of all its members, without you guys, this band cannot exist. if you choose not to come, den what would become of the band? furthermore, its unfair to those who have been coming for practices regularly.
even if we dun have a conductor to facilitate combined band practice, we can still do sectionals or individual practice.
we came together and formed this band for a reason. i hope we all remember that its to make music together as ex-members from the sec sch band. skipping practices would NOT help us to make music together. fine, even if our standards are not acceptable enough to term it as music, at least we can improve and learn. what about all our previous achievements together(WMC, NBC ..), are you going to just let them fade away?

If you guys are still worked up over this issue, let us all calm down, and move on. if you guys are not worked up over this anymore, den great, let us focus and work on our future plans.

Regards,
Haryl

Postpone of Jan Concert

2007-11-04T13:26:00.000+08:00

This is in response to the Jan Concert. The concert is postponed due to some unforseen reasons. The Committee has already elaborated on the reasons during yesterday's practice.

The committee needs to say afew words about this issue. We deeply regret that the concert has been postponed. But, it has been hurtful hearing things like "cheated" on the tag.

We had not cheated on our members. If we did, the scores would not have appeared during your practices. Also, we appeal to others who think very highly of themselves.

During exam periods, we never force members to come. Take an example last week, some of the members went for a concert and thus skipping alumni practice. But we did not force them to come, we only replied "enjoy your concert".

If members think we have wasted their time, we ought to say the committee have wasted more time. The planning, contacting of the conductors, booking of venue, printing of scores, messaging the members practice time. All these require time and effort. So the time members spend in this band is so insignificant as to compared to the committee.

We feel some of the members are taking things for granted and we hope they do a reflection on themselves about how much effort they have put into this band as to compared to the committee as well as other members who sacrificed their time to come for practices every week.

We hope all our members to think about the many things the committee has made possible like WMC'05, NBC'06, the annual concerts. Much effort has been put by the committee so we feel its unjust to judge us after this issue.

Next, we would also like to thank those members who had taken the extra effort to come down for practices. Although the concert is postponed, your efforts have not gone to waste. We thank you once again for your relentless support for this band.

Zhen Cheng
Logistics Head
Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

Training Members List

2007-10-11T03:49:00.000+08:00

To all training members,

Please take note that the main objective to categorized training member is to make sure that you have achieved certain standard of playing before joining as main performing members.

We have taken note of some training members skipping numerous alumni practices.

This Saturday (13th October) practice will the LAST chance for these few problematic training members.

I shall not mention any of these members' name down here BUT will be posting them once we are confirmed with the results. These members will receive message stating that this Saturday will be your last chance. Please take note of this.

After this saturday (13th October), if those "black listed" training members are still not attending the practice. We will strip you from the Training Member list and all CCA points or related marks gotten through Alumni will be cancelled.

This is for those Training Members. We aren't asking you to come for NOTHING or FOR FUN! Please treat all practices seriously, know the difference in standard you have with your seniors!

LAST WARNING TO TRAINING MEMBERS.

--

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

6th oct - Best Performing Section

2007-10-07T12:40:00.000+08:00

We knew flute will be rather unhappy about the results, so we will be giving our explanation. ^^

F.Y.I:
** Best Performing Section of the practice is determined "purely" by the conductor. **

----

Before giving the explanation,

let me list out the CRITERIA for having the BEST PERFORMING SECTION of the practice.

1. Playing - Technical Ability
2. Playing - Intonation
3. Playing - Dynamics
4. Playing - Section blending and togetherness (Co-operaion with each other)
5. Improvement in playing
6. Attendance

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

1. Improvement (euphonium)

Euphonium has improved since the last pract or even the the pract before last week. They blended rather well with the band yesterday with minimal intonation problem (not saying that they have none but MINIMAL). Even playing techhnique, the euphonium section has improved.

2. Intonation (flute)

I think this segment, flute section should know themselves that their intonation aren't that good for yesterday practice as compared to other weeks.

3. "Swelling" Playing (euphonium)

Just to correct this point, they have a crescendo and decrescendo (< >) for some parts of the score , thus it is not swelling.

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

Our main Aim for having this Best Performing Section of the practice award is to hope that everyone in the section will practice and work together. We hope everyone can improve through this. We also hope to encourage and compliment those sections that has shown big improvement.

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

Personally, I think yesterday pract was the first time after so long, I felt that flute is not the Best Performing Section.

Usually, when flute has the Best Performing Section, they really played well with good and minimal intonation problem. I guess everyone will agree that the flute really played well for that particular practice.

For yesterday practice, I did not feel so, I thought Trombone played well, Clarinet too (FOR ONCE, athough with alot of wrong notes in other pieces except for Orion). I guess some people will think trombone or others played well too and not purely flute.

Euphonium section might be abit unexpected but when you all listen to Eupho when Mr Chiang single them out, don't you think they have improved (although it is abit loud)? I do think they have.

Flute on the other hand, DID NOT play well yesterday. Flute section should know very well that, you all did not play well. Firstly about intonation, I guess all the flautists can hear it. You all have rather lot of intonation problems (the most obvious one being - hymn - especially the Beginning and Slow parts). For all the songs we played yesterday, flute section made alot of intonation problems, so far it was flute worst intonation session. I guess Flute section you all know this yourself.

Lastly, I think it is good to have competitor right? ^^
There is nothing in this world that can last forever.

If you want to get it, you will need to work hard. If you want to sustain it, you will need to do even better than the last one.

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

we should be happy for that particular section that has gotten the Best Performing Section, we are a band! No matter who wins it, it will be good for all of us! ^^

So everyone! Work hard and play well!

Euphonium work harder to SUSTAIN this Best Performing Section of the practice. It is hard to sustain and you may need to improve EVEN MORE! BEN YAP!! DON'T SLACK AR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^^

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

Fredy
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Important announcements: A few things + New President! ^^

2007-09-15T23:03:00.000+08:00

Dear All Alumni members:

I have a few things to say down here.

1. Concert Recording

I have yet to receive the CD of the recording yet BUT i do have the mp3 which is in the lower quality format. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE RECORDING, PLEASE ONLY ASK FROM ME, NEXT WEEK! thankz!

For now, I can let you all listen to HOW BAD YOU ALL SOUND!

Listen at the side>>>>

** TRUMPET AND CLARINET!! I AM GOING TO SKIN YOU ALL!! **

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

2. 15 practices

Please take note that we have ONLY 15 more practices. We have yet to PERFECT any pieces. THUS I urge all of you to at least practice yourself and with your sections before coming for FULL BAND. Please do have some basic self-discipline for playing in a band. Do remember to clear all the parts that you can't play ASAP. Thank you!

For those having exams, please do well for your exams and come back for pract ASAP. Jia you for your exam!! ^^

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

3. Scores for Jan Concert

ALL SLs Please Take note of this!

We will be making 2 SCORE BOOKS (1 for 1st half and 1 for 2nd half of the concert) for each and every member of the band. Files will NOT be use for this concert, instead we will be giving you all your individual score books.

SLs please collect all the "MARKED COPY"(the scores that they have been doing marking on) parts of all the pieces from the members. Then slot the whole set of scores into the Plastic Pockets that will be given to you. Please make sure all the parts given in the plastic pockets are correct! If there is any mistake in the given parts of the specific members after printing, SLs are responsible for the new set of Score book printing.

ALL SLs, Please give me all the scores by END of OCTOBER! So please confirm all the parts for all the pieces.

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

4. Sections Challenge

ALL SECTIONS TAKE NOTE. We will be having a SECTION CHALLENGE / PK every 3 to 4 months.

+ ALL SECTIONS ARE TO TAKE PART in this Section Challenge.

+ EACH Section is to prepare an ensemble piece that will showcase your section technical and musical abilities.

+ This Challenge will be adjudicated by Lin Sheng and Mr Chiang.
* Please take note Mr Chiang will NOT be counted as part of Euphonium Section for this Section Challenge.

+ The BEST or Winning Section will receive a Prize. The Prize of each seasons will be announced.

+ JIA YOU for the 1st Challenge that will be conducted in December!!! ^^

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

5. New President

*Clap* It is time to let you all know who is it! Although your NEW pres still don't want me to say but I do think it is this is the PERFECT TIMING! ^^

Maris Stella Symphonic Band Alumni

mssba advisory team:
+ Lin Sheng
+ Mr Chiang
+ Fredy Chia

mssba Music and Band Director:
+ Lin Sheng

mssba Conductor:
+ Adrian Chiang

mssba head of projects and repertoire
+ Fredy Chia

mssba band management
President:
Clement Ng

Vice President:
Haryl Ngoh

Librarian:
Caveat Pang

Treasurer:
Douglas Chan

Logistics & Instruments:
Zhen Cheng
Ben yap

Art and Media:
Wai Yip

------

Section Leaders:

Flute: Hao Siang

Clarinet: Stanley Chua

Saxophone: Aloysius Ang

Bassoon: Bao Wen

Oboe: Terence Ho

Horn: Zhao Duan

Trumpet: Ryan Cheok

Trombone: Caveat Pang

Euphonium: Ben Yap

Tuba: Ken Tan

Percussion: Wai Yip

----

mssba Performing Members:

Piccolo: Chien teng

Flute: Hao Siang, Haryl, Jin yan, Andrew, Chien Teng

Clarinet: Stanley, Kenneth, Jeremy, Ren Xian, Albert, Shawn, Wee Chong

Bass Clarinet/Contrabass: Chang Jun, Wee Chong

Alto Saxophone: Aloysius, Douglas

Tenor Saxophone: Guo Jin

Baritone Saxophone: Wei Jian

Bassoon: Bao Wen, Jason Ng

Oboe: Terence Ho, Nicholas Tan (TrM)

Horn: Zhao Duan, Marcus, Luke, Lionel (TrM), Raymond (TrM)

Trumpet: Ryan, Clement, Loo Kit, Hong Chow, Darren, Jun Xiang (TrM)

Trombone: Caveat, Yeong Chee, Aaron, Yao Feng, Dick, Justin

Euphonium: Ben Yap, Adrian Chiang, Zhen Cheng, Yong Di

Tuba: Ken Tan, Zhen Qiang, Xing Hao, Nicholas Wu (TrM)

Piano: Zheng Chu

Percussion: Wai Yip, Chong min, Fredy, Sean, Garrett, Hui Xiong

*TrM=training members
------

That's all!!

------

Anyway, I would like to say something down here.

Seriously! I think without each and everyone of you in this Alumni band, this band won't such achievements.

I want to thank all of you for your co-operation with me all these while. You all have done a good job! Although there are times that I will neee to scold you all but I think those times are quite little! ^^. Thank you very much!!

Also I would like thank all those members that has been with mssba since its formation. Without you all mssba won't be here now.

Thinking back at the strength of mssba at the beginning, I am quite amused and really happy to see mssba is able to grow and achieve into what we are now. ^^

We seriously have VERY LITTLE members when we first started. let me see.

We only have: Haryl, Hao Siang, Jin Yan, Andrew, Kenneth, Stanley, Simeon, Ting Zhang, Aloysius, Douglas, Jason Ng, Ben Yap, Zhen Cheng, Wai Hoe (Don't come back le but still must credit him!^^), Zhao Duan, Edmund (another case! haha. why all horn de!), Ryan, Hong Chow, Clement, Caveat, Yeong Chee, Yao Feng, Alrick (O level), Zhen Qiang, Wai yip, Sean, Chong min and me!! ONE MORE!!

NOT TO FORGET! LIN SHENG!! yeah! Must thank him for bringing us together again!

REALLY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!! ^^

--

For Those members who join mssba at its later chapters, THANK YOU very much for giving your best playing to this alumni band. I really appreciate every single effort that you all have put in!

Without everyone of you, mssba will definitely not be the mssba now!

Let's us work and strive for better playing and better sounding mssba.! Work harder! We must continue the legacy!!

maris stella symphonic band alumni ~the legacy continues~

---

Anyway, I just want to say I have actually enjoyed today's pract even though we don't have full band (lacking of saxes) but the sight reading of the new pieces and playing wise both were better than I expected. Even though I don't know what the Euphonium trying to fake for the new piece and what horn is playing for quite a number of parts BUT I find it enjoyable. ^^ Weird! Quite funny, I have actually seen everyone treating their playing very seriously today (maybe except for euphos who were waiting to die because of the demi semis!)! I am very happy to see the serious side of everyone! ^^ it is a nice ending pract! ^^

I hope everyone can treat their playing that seriously in the near future. It will be good.

---

Fredy Chia
President (2005 - 2007)
15th September 2007
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

Alumni Main Performing Members

2007-08-30T00:33:00.000+08:00

Dear All Alumnus,

I will update the Main Performing Members* for Alumni.

* Main Performing Members: Alumni band members that are eligible to perform with alumni band for all events and activities.

** ALL TRAINING MEMBERS will be informed when they are ready to be categorized under Main Performing Members.

----

Piccolo
Chien Teng

Flute
Haryl
Hao Siang
Jin Yan
Andrew
Chien Teng

Clarinet
Stanley
Jeremy
Ren Xian
Albert
Shawn
Kenneth

Bass Clarinet/Contrabass Clar
Wee Chong
Chang Jun

Bassoon
Bao Wen
Jason Ng

Oboe
Terence Ho

Alto Saxophone
Aloysius
Douglas

Tenor Saxophone
Guo Jin

Baritone Saxophone
Wei Jian

Trumpet
Clement
Ryan
Hong Chow
Darren

Flugel Horn
Ryan

Horn
Luke
Marcus
Zhao Duan

Trombone
Caveat
Yeong Chee
Aaron
Dick
Justin

Bass trombone
Yaofeng

Euphonium
Adrian Chiang
Zhen Cheng
Ben Yap
Yong Di

Tuba
Zhen Qiang
Charles
Ken Tan
Xing Hao

Percussion
Chong Min
Fredy
Wai Yip
Sean Kwek
Garrett
Hui Xiong

Timpani
Fredy
Garrett

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

Now also want to state the best performing section for the practices.

11th August - BEST PERFORMING SECTION > Trombone

18th August - BEST PERFORMING SECTION > Percussion

25th August - BEST PERFORMING SECTION > Flute

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

EVERYONE PLEASE TAKE NOTE! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT!!

WE ONLY HAVE 18 MORE PRACTICES!! COOPERATION FROM ALL OF YOU IS VERY IMPORTANT!

PLEASE DO COME FOR ALL PRACTS AS YOU KNOW THE REPERTOIRE IS NOT EASY!!

thankz!!!!

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

Fredy Chia
President
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

WELL DONE for realMusic! Jan Concert JIA YOU!

2007-08-04T22:52:00.000+08:00

Dear all Alumni band members,

I would like to thank ALL OF YOU for giving such a nice and wonderful performance on the night of 29th July 2007! I know the performance wasn't our best performance but that was the most "realMusic" we could produce at that point of time! I am very happy to hear the whole band finally SING OUT the Cappadocia chorus part. It wasn't breathtaking, not very nice but it is just warmth. How should I put it, even from a non professional recording I could feel the warmth. Seriously NOT very good singing but that's music that we have produced!

All of you have really make this concert a success!! Thank you very much! You guys just rock!

Thank you for the committee members for doing so much!! It is worth it since we have FULL HOUSE!! Congratulations!!

Also to add on, I have received numerous comments from audience that we have played rather well that night and our Cappadocia was simply one of our best song of the night! Thank you for all the hard work alumni band!!

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

That's the end of our realMusic concert BUT we have another concert coming up!!

20th January 2008, Sunday!

The concert with Satoshi Yagisawa and Kazuyasu Kaminaga!!

Everyone please work hard for this! We have 10 songs to settle and we basically only have 23 practices!!

We need to settle one piece every 2 practices. I am very sorry BUT that's the fact! We are short of time. I need EVERYONE to cooperate! Sorry but please give me your best support for this concert! Let's make it the best concert we ever have!

This is a pure ALUMNI BAND concert! So PLEASE DON'T THROW Lin Sheng's face or any of the 2 Guest conductors!!

----------

ALL DETAILS OF THE CONCERT WILL BE OUT IN MID AUGUST! WE WILL NEED ALL MEMBERS TO HELP FOR THIS MASS PROMOTION! Please do look out for it!

----------

REPERTOIRE for this concert will ALL BE SINGAPORE PREMIERES and WORLD PREMIERE (maybe), except for one song (you all should know which one)!

So Jia You everyone!

-----------

fredy chia
president
maris stella symphonic band alumni
~the legacy continues~

21st July Best and Worst Section

2007-07-24T22:33:00.000+08:00

After Discussion,

Worst Section(s):

Trumpet: Bad intonation, bad articulation, bad pitching, Unprepared.

Tuba: bad articulation, tuning within section is rather bad also

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

Best Section:

NO BEST SECTION (for Lin sheng and I), Flute (for Mr Adrian Chiang)

would like to praise Flute section for doing a nicer and neater job for this week practice. Hope you all get a better and neater things out for Suite on Celtic.

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

BEST and WORST Sections of the pract!! ^^

2007-07-15T02:25:00.000+08:00

Combination of 2 weeks practices (7th and 14th July)

So it is time to Reward these Sections for their Wonderful or "OMG HEAVENLY" playing for the practice.

After the collation of the results from Lin Sheng, Mr Chiang and I, below is the results. before that.........

Let me tell you all the FORFEIT/PUNISHMENTS for getting the most time of WORST SECTION. The worst section will some "INTERESTING" performance for the concert and also we will arrange special sectional with your section.

OK!

now announcement:

Best section: NONE (sadly but that's the fact!)

WORST SECTION:

We have 2 sections for these 2 practs.

TUBA and TRUMPET.

---

Trumpet got improvement but we need more and better things from you all but thank you for that little bit of improvement today.

---

Flute section!! Jia you! It is the time to get back your "CROWN" of best section! ^^

Look out for Percussion and Trombone... ^^. I will not let my percussion to be always behind you all... I think Caveat also wun let trombone to fall behind u all for too long. ^^

OH YA... the section with the MIGHTY ONE also catching up.. although they got some sticky and slurry tonguing/articulation from SOME MEMBERS (hoho... hahaha.... COMBO FREAKS!) but it seems that they are catching up!! MUST STOP THEM!!!

---

Everyone JIA YOU HOR!!!

---

hint hint: coconut

Best and Worst Section of the Practice

2007-07-07T02:13:00.000+08:00

Dear All Alumni Band members,

From this coming practice onwards, we will be having a BEST section and WORST section of the practice award.

Whichever section that has continuously reigned (or most of the time) the "WORST section" title, will need to face some "Punishments". ^^

So please work hard if you do not want to do the "Punishments". ^^

Lin Sheng, Mr Chiang and I will determine the results of the BEST & WORST section after every practice.

Results will be announced at the end of EVERY PRACTICE.

-------------------------------------------------------------
BEST SECTION:

For now, the potential (NOT confirmed, from my opinion) ones are:
*** Not in any order ***

Flute
Trombone
Percussion
Saxophone

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

WORST SECTION

The Potential ones are:
*** Not in any order ***

Trumpet
Tuba

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

So we will know who will actually reign the FIRST ever WORST section award in tomorrow's practice!

WORK HARD!!

^^

Fredy

mssba, it's time to wake up!

2007-06-30T23:39:00.000+08:00

This entry is for ALL MEMBERS of mssba.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

2007-05-20T15:11:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

Please start promoting for our concert.

these are our concert details!

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

realMusic

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

Ticket price:

$12 (stall)
$15 (circle)

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

Featuring bands:

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

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

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.

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

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")

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

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!

2007-04-13T19:49:00.000+08:00

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! ^^

---

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!

---

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

2007-03-31T23:30:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-03-27T23:15:00.000+08:00

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

2007-03-04T23:08:00.000+08:00

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!

---------

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.

---------

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!

---------

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

2007-02-01T19:10:00.000+08:00

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

2007-01-28T12:17:00.000+08:00

This entry is for ALL main band and Alumni members!

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

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!

2007-01-01T00:32:00.000+08:00

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
--------

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

2006-11-13T10:48:00.000+08:00

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

2006-10-31T23:14:00.000+08:00

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

2006-10-08T03:32:00.000+08:00

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~~ :)

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

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

2006-09-11T23:24:00.000+08:00

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

2006-08-21T09:56:00.000+08:00

++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.

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

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!

2006-08-19T10:43:00.000+08:00

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

-----
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

----

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...

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

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.

-----

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.

-----------

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

----------

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

-------

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

---------

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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).

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

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.

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

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!

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

A bit on the concert day:

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

Well Done! Mission Accomplished!

2006-07-31T13:08:00.000+08:00

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!

2006-07-20T22:49:00.000+08:00

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!

2006-07-18T12:09:00.000+08:00

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!

2006-07-06T02:15:00.000+08:00

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!

2006-06-19T23:43:00.000+08:00

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.

~RealM~ (announcements)

2006-06-12T11:56:00.000+08:00

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

2006-05-12T23:18:00.000+08:00

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

2006-04-23T15:01:00.000+08:00

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+

2006-02-03T10:58:00.000+08:00

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)

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

Jericho started...

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..
.

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…

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Maris Stella Symphonic Band ARUMUNEE

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