dearest

Nasband

Ngee Ann Tapestry 2004

When I was sec1, in year 2001, I still can remember the first day I step into the band room during the Sec 1 orientation camp. I wanted join choir at first as I always admire this ECA in my primary school. I was touched by the way that batch of seniors' friendliness towards me. Therefore, I put "Concert Band", as my first choice CCA, and I get in. The first practice was band orientation. We played lame games! Ok, that was not a practice. On the first practice, I have English remedial -_-", so I missed it. Everybody have already chosen their instruments! I still can remember that our practices were on Mondays and Wednesdays. Therefore, on my first Wednesday practice, I was excited about my instrument. However, every Wednesday was for theory lessons. Therefore, on the next Monday, I was excited that I asked the instructor, without knowing that her name was Mrs Chua, what instrument can I take? She replied me saying, so what instrument you want? I replied, with determination, TROMBONE! Then, I was in the trombone section, with Geraldine who go through thick and thin with me for 4 years. I was forced by my parents to put braces and this affects my playing greatly. I cannot play high notes and my mouth gets pain and bleeding very often. Under the guidance of Geck Woon, the trombone juniors grew and we joined the main band after the sec4s left after their SYF. They got a silver! My first song I played with the band was blue ridge saga. We performed that on 9 September 2001, in some Ole! Tampines. That was my first performance with the band. In the end of that year, we had a combine concert with Hai Sing Catholic Concert Band. We played the second piece we learnt by James Swearingen, Majestia. We had a band camp in Punggol campsite before the concert to toughen ourselves. Through the camp, the band has developed stronger bonds between each other. Of course, there were some childish personal conflict too! After that, our dear sec4s left us.

When I grew to a Sec2 in year 2002, we have a new batch of juniors! We were lucky to have an ex trombone player in our section! His name is Ryan. Later, a boy named Jensen also joined the band, and the trombone section. Jensen "was" very obedient that he put in a lot of effort during his SOE months. Qing Qing, a flutist from Chai Chee Secondary, who was too smart and that's why came to our school. Taufiq, was used to be from the soccer team of Ngee Ann, joined the band family. He played the euphonium. On speech day, the band played the marches, and the reception. Somewhere early during that year, the band start to learn marching to send the video for SYF. NPCC taught as well. During the June Holidays, we had a public performance in Waterloo street. In July, we had a charity concert, combined with Hai Sing, Crescent Girls and Soka Winds Ensemble. We played Seagate overture, which was the highest graded song my batch had ever played. Later, a few days before national day, we had another public performance at some grass patch near Dunman Secondary. We played the national anthem! I guess it was due to the colours of our uniform that the community centre invited us :). For the teacher's day celebration, the student council oragnised an event- Talentime! The band went to participate, with maximum of 8 members. We have two groups: one for lower sec and one for upper sec. I joined, together with Geraldine, Samantha, Ashraf, Jane, Li Yan, Zuwei and Raodah. Both groups get in during the first audition but my group got kicked out for the second one. The seniors were playing for teachers day in the end. However, we heard that we actually played better. Well, I don't know, but we stayed back every practice for it. Most of us cried as our hard work gone wasted. I even lost the school's mouthpiece that day. I have to go to Yamaha to buy one as a replacement. It is just another experience! We had a band camp in school which let us send a final marching video to the MOE, commanded by Geck Woon. Jane taught as a new game- 007. the forfeit was to drink water. That night, we had a good time going toilet... I could still remember the nasty neighbours who complained us to the police on the third night. After the band camp, we had a combine concert with RI, RGS and Crescent Girls, in RI hall, called "Harmony". The band played sparkling slides! Sparkling slides is a trombone trio. Mr Hoe, our trombone tutor, had a hard time teaching us... Haha! From then onwards, my braces are out! My playing improves a lot. I can play trumpet notes!--> thanks to Geraldine's guestbook entry!

In 2003, I was a Sec3. We have 2 juniors. They were Jezer and Clara. Jezer had a very good attitude. Clara was very lazy... However, whatever problems they had, they have became better persons by now. I could still clearly remember that as I become a sec3, I use the best parts of all the 4 silver trombone for myself! The best slide, bell, rubber and mouthpiece! Until sometimes after the SARS outbreak, I get to use my first time Vincent Bach trombone, which I passed down to Jezer after Cultural night. Most of our practices were heavily concentrated on our SYF. Then, in March, the SARS outbreak caused schools to close. SYF was postpone from early April to 23 July. We went to school to take home our books and instruments. I remembered I played and studied a lot during the break. After the break, we were given some new songs and we also concentrated more on our juniors. Our SYF was the same day as the school choir's. We played Tales of the Sea and Kyklades. "Band #72, Ngee Ann Secondary School Concert Band," There was a long pause. I started to have some breathing difficulties and some funny feelings everywhere. The band exploded with a loud cheer when the "GOLD!" was announced. I cried... cry and cry and cry and cry. Even days and weeks after, I still cry. Cry for joy, definitely! It was a moment of joy. It was the happiest day of my life! The sec4s then graduated. Geck Woon, who brought us up, looking at us grew from sec1, left us. Ryan had to join the Euphonium section while Taufiq have to join the tuba section due to lack of tuba players. I became the sectional leader. Geraldine, became the band major. Later, the sec1s join us, playing Soul Bossa Nova! The band started to revise marching again! This time, command by Geraldine, Ashraf or some other people depending on the squad. Marching is very important as it promotes discipline in the band. Later, farewell party for the graduating seniors. BBQ! Then, farewell party for Mdm Sue. BBQ!! December holidays, band chalet. BBQ!!! The trombone section was in charge of the utensils. Due to our complacency and loss of humbleness, the band's discipline dropped drastically. Mrs Chua was angry with us and she left us, giving us until April to improve. Then, in order to please her, we played at Soka cultural centre on 29 December.

In 2004, I am now a sec4. I have 2 juniors. They are Aqilah and Irene. They are both very good. We have performance in Sentosa. The sudden change in weather brought the band closer together. From then, Mrs Chua returned to the band. The Sentosa tourists, the audience and many many people, are all very happy with us. We protected the instruments under the rain. We have some performances in school. After that we got the rehearsals for Ngee Ann Tapestry. We played To Challenge the Skies and Heavens above, and Mamamia!. Little the sec4s and alumni knew that we could participate in the 6th Asian Symphonic Band competition in Bangkok. We practiced hard after our O Levels and we flew there for the competition. Other Singapore bands included Chung Cheng High (Yishun), Fairfield, Springfield and TPJC. We stayed in the same hotel as Chung Cheng High (Yishun). All the bands did not manage to get into the finals in the end. However, it was much of a meaningful trip because we learnt lots of things, our friendship strengthened and we knew each other better.

I went back to Ngee Ann to conduct sectionals during the weeks follow the SYF. I shall thank those people who improved my playing and made me a better sectional leader to Nasband. Band #8, Ngee Ann Secondary School. GOLD! Congrats people, your hard work, and also my hard work, paid off! Many Alumni and I, with Zhihao and Cheng Huat participated with Nasband in the Balloon Festival. There were 17 schools. Ngee Ann Secondary, Dunearn Secondary, Chung Cheng High (Yishun), Sembawang Secondary, Springfield Secondary, Fuhua Secondary, Majusri Secondary, Compassvale Secondary, Shuqun Secondary, Jurong Secondary, Raffles Girls Primary, Clementi Primary, cannot remember already… The performance was ok but could be better if the mics were placed properly. Randolph, our dear drum major, did not bring down the maze from the storeroom. We used that broom stick as a maze with some balloons tied over it. The way that Randolph led the band also made him look like a crown lah. Well, they played well but all anyhow march one. The other bands may not play as good as us, but they had a MAZE. The event was fun but meaningless, haha...

I don't think I can get similar experiences from elsewhere. I have so much to say about band. Most of them just simply cannot put into words. I have gone through the best time of the band during the SYF, and the worst time of the band when Mrs Chua left us.

I finally know how the feeling it is like to leave the band, like what my seniors always did. Afterall, it is the band's yearly routine. Passing down the baton to my dear juniors, I have the greatest confident that the band will continue to grow from standard to standard. This band is special, I know it. I can never get the same warm feeling as I step into the band room for practices, anywhere. This band plays from their hearts. I hereby wish the band all the best, as well as the members to play better, study well. The band has definitely attached a diamond in my heart that will stay forever. Thank you Ngee Ann Secondary School Concert Band, for the wonderful times together! Here, I wish the band all the best, in the coming SYF, as well as the future.

Dreams come true

The day had arrived
It was the big day
To show them what we have got
With pride we shall play.

Hopes not abashed we walked to stage
With heads held high
Gave big, wide smiles
Yet heart thumping wildly inside.

Forget the medal
Let's play music
Let us move and sway
With music flowing in our veins.

Tales of the Sea we proudly told
Of little Singapore to the bustling city we know
Danced to Parós and Santorini with rhythm and beat
Sung Naxos with passion and feeling.

Prepare for the worst
Hope for the best
That is how we felt
After we played with zest.

Half hour passed
The awaited moment had arrived
We prayed so hard
That we will make it this time.

Stony silence fell among us as we took deep breaths
And we did it - WE GOT GOLD!
Spirits soaring we jumped for joy
For we created history that can be retold and told.

Our hard work paid off
Not letting anyone down we emerged winners
With jubilant smiles and tears
We exchanged big hugs in triumph.

Victory was ours
That moment so special
Our dream came true
Ever so memorable.

Cawed in our hearts
We will never forget
The seeds we sown
The reward we get.

Composed by Eliza =)