It is my first post here haha, but I just want to share with you a sentence that can describe how each of us have changed through the SYF and HMFD experience.
The sentence is " A person is like a teabag, unless you put it into hot water, you will never know how strong or weak it is. " I thought about the sentence, and I feel it speaks alot about what our band have gone through on the road to SYF. I want to challenge all of you band members to continue on this positive track that the band is moving towards, starting by first teaching your Sec 1s well, not only musically, but discipline-wise! :)
On another note, this Monday will be our last band practice untill the Mid Year Exams, so band members, make sure you focus on the Mid Year Exams now, and try not to think so much about band, because I know if I asked all of you to forget completely about Band, I don't think anyone would be able to do it, but just focus on your Mid Year Exams now yea ?, and we would be able to come back to practice for Awards Day! :)
Also, I have extracted the Hillsong recording of our band on SYF day into MP3 format, meaning you can put it into your mp3, phone, etc.. , so if you want it you can ask me on MSN :)
Hey Band!!
Today will be the day, that you will see a post made by me.
On behalf of the top 3 leaders, I would like to thank you, for the support, Respect, Friendship and the music we have made together as a band. We cant possibly list every single thing that we are grateful for that you have given us.
On this very day, when I become your Ex-
DM, I would like to say that working with you people is a very fun, exciting experience for me. It is an experience that cannot be found/gain in other organisation/
CCA. Although the leaders will be angry because you people didn't follow instruction (blah...) but at the end of the day, how much the band have improved proved that all the pain we have endured is worthwhile.
Like what the teachers said today during the Passing Out Parade, you (every single one of you) have shown great improvement, both in terms of playing and attitude. Woodwinds, remember the times where Ms Tan didn't want to take you people because you can't play well? But now we can right? We have also gone for
SYF! This is the evidence that you have improved, tremendously!! Clap for yourself!!
WOOT! Same for the other section!
The road to
SYF have been a challenge to all of us. We all had endured and have fulfilled the school Motto of Beyond Frontiers!! To me, Kent Ridge Symphonic Band will always be the best and the Most Hardworking
CCA, ever in Kent Ridge! I guess you realise and know it too.
Time passes and now it the time for the next batch of leaders to take over the world right?
haha!
I'm sure under this batch of leaders, the band will become stronger and move to a higher level!
New committee, my advice to you is to follow what your seniors have thought you. Some things taught can never be applied like copying answer from textbook. You will need to use logic to find solutions from what have been taught to solve your problems. This applies to your studies also!
No doubt, you will be nervous/scared when you do your job. I started off similarly. Be confident, think/plan before you say anything. Don't be blur. If you are, things will not be easily achieved. You will also need to think about your job constantly, thinking of ways to improve/solve a particular problem that is lingering in your committee/band.
Seniors, your experience and knowledge has act as a catalyst, allowing the band to grow faster. Thanks to your commitment, the band can be who they are now. It is saddening that band is ending right? It may be for some of you. I would like to say that if you still have the passion for Music, join other organisation like West Winds, where your thirst for music making can be quenched.
I think i have said enough.
Naggy right? Can't blame me...
I cant bare to leave the band.
Hah!
To end off, I wish this band all the best.
Do your best in every Performance/Practice/Competition/Festival that you are able to participate in. Allow your music to touch every single audience.
Never Give up okay?
Remember Andrea's Phrase. "Faith Expand Who We Are And What We Can Do"
Must Have Faith!!
Listen more to Band Music to improve you own playing/tone!
Lastly,
Seniors! Good Luck for your O' Levels! The Top
Scorer must come from band!
I will look forward in making music with this band again=)
Your EX-Drum Major,
Gordon!
5:32 PM
Updates
Wednesday, April 15, 2009; 7:05 PM
Hey band!
We are left with only 2 practices before we step down for our Mid Year Examinations!
So please make full use of this 2 practices!
To the committee members,the Farewelcome Party next Monday
will be canceled,so you may stop planning for the games and stuffs,but don't throw them away as we may need it.
The Farewelcome party will most probably be postponed to one of the day during your June holidays after your MYE. We don't want to waste too much of your time for the plannings before your MYE!
So,all of you..
Please please please study hard for your Mid Year Examinations okay!!?
This is the link for the KRSB video created by Wen Shuo.. Haha,enjoy! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URMqWRH4CT4Linda :)
7:05 PM
Updates
Sunday, April 12, 2009; 8:32 PM
Hey Band-ees!!
I found this on the Web!! Its our recording of SYF performance!!
Its only the choice piece, Hill Song!! HOO~!
Well, we can still learn from our mistake!! It sound good!!
Enjoy!
Gordon=)
Hill Songs - Kent Ridge Secondary School
8:32 PM
Updates
Tuesday, April 7, 2009; 6:48 PM
Hey!It's the last lap tmr, so keep it up! We'll see the full band tmr! (Pray that ppl like Boon Khim can make it back in time:) It's finally D-Day, whatever it is, it's all worthwhile alright? So no matter what award we get, we'll learn to appreciate the opportunity we have. We almost couldnt make it.Since we all started this together, we shall end it together too. Please sleep early, drink lots of water and be "fully charged" tmr:D Relax! And Enjoy! One Band One Sound!Love,Brenda
6:48 PM
Updates
Monday, April 6, 2009; 9:58 PM
Haha!
Yes! We got the Wed slot at 3.3opm. About tmr's band pract will only confirm tmr cause currently we are having problems. Meanwhile please, pray hard and try your best!
God Bless!
Brenda
9:58 PM
Updates
; 8:07 PM
Hi,Sorry I know I promise to update it everyday for this period of time but I was too busy ytr. yup. Anyway, I do not know whether the SYF on wed is still on or whether tmr's band pract is still on. ok? I'll definitely get in touch with all of you as soon as I know and I'll try to update it here as well, so please don't keep msging me. I can't possibly reply all of you, don't worry about it right now, especially those who are still on MC. We'll arrange things for you, just do your part at home and continue to practise, we might call you down anytime alright? Please at the same time get more rest! Otherwise even if we want to call you down you are not ready. Your health is more important.For Goodness sake! Please don't anyhow take your own initiative and do things on your own like going to see the doctor earlier without informing us! Call me or the teachers, we'll arrange things for you. And those in school, please listen to instructions, don't go and do extra things!Do what I have told you to do and take good care of yourselves. By doing so, you have already helped me a lot. ok? Don't give up hope! We'r nearly there!! We'll pull through this TOGETHER. Remember "One Band, One Sound".Love,Brenda
8:07 PM
Updates
Saturday, April 4, 2009; 1:52 PM
Hi,Have you all been practising and doing your part?? I hope you are.Please rmb at all times to wash your hands and do your deep breathing everyday in order to keep up your stamina.Don't stop doing your warm ups, if you do, you'll find it much more difficult to play when you come back for the next band practise. Many are recovering from their ulcers, so this shows that it's not due to HFMD but due to hygiene and heatiness. SO Please Drink Lots and Lots of water!There's no Band Pract on Monday, but we'll probably have to clean up the band room again.Lastly, Izar has got a word of encouragement for you! " When you come to the end of the rope, tie a knot and hang on to it." Get what he meant? haha for those whose interpretation skills are lousy, he meant that you have all come a long way to this, so dont give up, hang onto it.We have not gotten a reply whether the syf could be push to the last day, so meanwhile pray hard! Rest More! Drink more! And Wash ur Hands more often! ok?Love,Brenda
1:52 PM
Updates
Friday, April 3, 2009; 7:08 PM
Hello my dearest band members:DDid you follow my instructions? You Better. How are the people at home who are sick? The only way to recover now is to sleep more.As you all know it's a virus so no matter what, you have to let the process run thru and sleeping will allow your body to recover faster.For the rest of the band members, you are not sick so better take gd care of yourself. I can't afford to let any more members catch this virus. Rmb to:1) Soak your mouthpiece in warm water for like 7sec. (WW please don't do this so often and don't soak until the colour comes off. You may laugh now but there are some kuku ppl who will do that)2) Do your deep breathing warm ups on : 4/8 in, 4out...30 out (Tempo60)Christmas tree3) Using the mouthpiece tongue the rhythm of the scores.Look out for the followings:ArticulationsDynamicsRhythm, see if it's in time with the tempoAmount of air you useSing the notes out with expressionsPitching(Sing along with the online keyboard)*Percussion follow the instructions of what Yvonne had told you all and use the metronome to help you.Haha I'm not sure if the keyboard works for all of you. You'll need to know how to transpose haha. Example: Trumpet/ Clarinet (Tuning note C is the keyboard's Bb) Understand?4) Use this links to help you :http://webmetronome.com/ (Metronome)http://www.play-piano.org/play_online_piano_piano.html (KeyBoard)This are the following tempo for OV1 and Hill Songs:OV1Beginning: 120Part I onwards: 128Hill SongsBar1-6: 60Bar7-77: 72Bar78-The end: 1265) Those who are sick, on Sunday if you have recovered, go and see the same doctor on Monday and rmb to get the verification slip. Inform me ASAP after you got the approval ok?6) Drink lots and lots of water! Rest More and do your deep breathing on your bed before you sleep.Keep up the Spirit! Don't lose hope/ give up. We'r still in the competition!!Yvonne wants me to tell all of you: "Take very good care of yourselves. Drink more water, rest early and wash hands more often. Keep the immune system up. You have our support, all the way." (This was what she said)See! The seniors still care about you. Many have been calling me to check about you all including Mr Wong and Ms Tan. So don't give up and continue to fight!! Please rmb to wash your hands:DONe Band One Sound!God Bless!Brenda
7:08 PM
Updates
Thursday, April 2, 2009; 8:24 PM
Hello!
How's my band members doing at home? I hope you are recovering.To all Band Members:"If You Have Any Blister, Ulcers, Redspots on your soles/Hands or have Fever PLEASE Report to the teachers Immediately. It is very serious ok. Please inform them directly, if you cant contact them contact the sch."Still we'll not give up hope ok? Remember we'r still in the competition until i say it's over. Continue to work hard with whatever we have:D Follow our instructions ok?Oh Ya! Please rmb to:
1) Wash your hands2) Try to reframe from getting into contact with others3) Cover your mouth when you cough/ sneeze4) Don't Talk SO LOUD!! Keep your saliva to yourself ok?Whatever Practises are ALL CANCELLED!!Don't Congregate together ok?No more going out together or reading scores together.DO it yourselves.This is to prevent further spreading of this epidemic.If You still continue and we find out, the teachers will call off the SYF.I'm sure you all dont want this to happen so Don't PLay A Fool.This are the safety precautions. If you still want to take part in syf, make an effort to do all this. Lastly speedy recovery to those ppl at hm.Get Well Soon! The Alumnis want you to know that they are supporting all of you! One Band One Sound!Love,
Brenda
8:24 PM
Don't Give UP! Updates
Wednesday, April 1, 2009; 3:19 PM
Hey! I think our only way of communication is thru this haha. Thank God we still have this to communicate haha. Anyway, don't give up! There's still hope! Practise this wk is cancelled which includes tmr's performance. Further notice will be given for next wk's practise. For those who are at home slacking haha jk resting, please do the following:
3 D's
1) Do 30counts deep breathing with mouthpiece.
2) Do tongueing on the rhythm of the scores. For long tones please hold.
3) Drink lots of water! And sleep more. Your body needs rest. Don't make me nag at you.
4) If you are feeling ok. Go see a doctor on Sat/Mon to verify that you are ok and get a verification slip to say you are ok. Inform me of any news.
For those who are still in school do this followings:
1) Do 30counts, deep breathing, with mouthpiece.
2) Do tongueing on the rhythm of the scores. For long tones please hold.
3) Rest early! (Don't play computer games or chat on msn) Drink lots of water!
*Applies to all. Wash your Hands! Keep yourselves clean! PRAY HARD!
We'r still in the competition! No matter what, we'll be prepared ok? Like I said "It's all worthwhile, no matter what the outcome is." If you really want it, we can do it together!! It's the last round, we all must do our part and cherish it:D (Have faith in the teachers). Treat this seriously and be mentally prepared for any situations. Have confidence in yourself!
Grace Out!
Brenda
