Sunday, April 12, 2009 ; 3:11 pm ★
With Pride We Strike!
Hello Band:D
I’ve ask all of you to read the blog today to somehow ‘celebrate’ this date, 12th april. Im sure the sec2 and 3 rmb this particular date. Ppl say memories will last forever in our head. This memory is really lyk WOW! To me, it’s the date that brought the whole band together. The impact is just superb. This is my account of what happened to me during the SYF period.
Well, I’m not really sure how to start this “story”. I’ve so much in mind that I want to say. I’ve watch all the videos made by ppl who cared for us, like the PSG, instructor etc. all this to show us how great the impact was to them, to the whole school. Do note that it’s quite long :/
Ok, this story didn’t start last year. It started in the middle of 2007. All were given the chosen song piece. We had our practice on every wed and Friday. During that time the band was weak and was lack of members. We had difficulties and were asked to go out and look for members. So, me and my friends went round looking, hunting for members. It was hard. We were only sec1s that time! I asked my classmates and none was interested. This was because band had a ‘bad’ reputation and ppl said band suck etc. However, I didn’t give up. I knew I had to help the band look for more members. If the members don’t go out and take actions, do something, then nobody can help. Beatrice, our current ASL for clarinet got Geraldine to join. It was a blessing and here she is, our Band Major today ;D . hahax. Every band member brought in at least a member but it was still not enough. So yeah, after getting the new members to learn their given instruments, they also learnt the songs.
Sometimes the SLs also had sectionals for their sections to improve their standard. I started to see every Exco member lead by our dear Ex- Band Major Tiang Yun and Assist. Band Major Valerie Seh working hard to improve the band. During the nov and dec sch hols we had practices too. And then ard nov , all of us were given the formations. I was totally lost, wondering ‘oh what the crap is this thing? How am I going to do that?’ . We started with the first formation, called “ The Shield ”. We were asked to go to the field with the sun blazing hot. I was fed up. Sweating out, marching, playing the song etc. We even trained during the December holiday. I’ll admit, it wasn’t as easy as you think it is. The holiday was meant for the students to enjoy and relax. However all the band members had to come to school for practices. Furthermore it was frm 8am till 5pm. During that period, I didn’t understand what were reasons for all of us to come super early when we can actually be in our beds. I was irritated. During the practices, we were split into sectionals, learning how to do basic marching and to also learn how to play loud and nicely. It was dry and tiring. We also did a band exchange with Bukit Panjang Government High military band. They helped us to finish up our 2nd formations by slotting into the empty spaces. It was kind of humiliating to get another band to help us to finish up our formation. So, that is the reason why Mr Lim keep on emphasizing to all of you to get more members in:D But they were really super nice and friendly to volunteer and help us! It was fun overall. I’ll never forget that experience!
Amazingly, we managed to finish up all the 6 formations by the end of December and all of us could memorize the songs. I rmbed our BM, Geraldine making the cards for the SYF. We also designed the Band-T, this current one. All of were excited. When we got our band-t all of us wore it for the next practice. [Sec1s, do be patient. I think your Band-T is in the progress ;DDD] hahax. For the 1st day of sch, a new year, 2008, we like usual kids, went to sch, had assembly. However, after the assembly, all the band members had to go for band practice. We didn’t go for lessons. I rmb it clearly. I went up to my class, greeted the teacher and then went down for band prac. See, this memories wont disappear if they’re sweet memories. Hahax!! We had the usual prac all the way till 5pm. It was the same routine until the 3rd day of school I think. As days pass, the day got closer. From having a weak band to now having an improved and stronger band. Mr Seet and the teachers praised that the band wasn’t the same. It’s new and better. It was no longer the old band. It’s the new band, improved and better band. The school also stopped talking bad about us. And it is all thanks to Mr Lim and the other instructors and also the Exco especially our Ex-Band Major, Tiang Yun and Ex-Assist Band Major Valerie Seh. From having lots of practices on Saturdays to having only less than 5 more Saturdays. Time flies fast. The nearer the day came, the more practices we had. We also had practices on Monday mornings before classes start. It was a tough journey for all. Tiang Yun always told the band to endure when we were on the field, whether it was raining or whether the sun was blazing on top of our heads. The common word used was
ENDURE. She had this common phrase “
Chins up, shoulders pull back. Look up. Endure!” and this particular quotation, “
This SYF is lyk a war. All of us must work together in order to win the war. If im the only 1 who is having the fighting spirit then obviously I think we’ll lose the war. And the gold medal is our aim.” . I’ll never forget that. She kept telling me not to give up and to continue to persevere. The journey was tough. All of us had to go through ups and downs. But it was worth. The band was somehow bonded. We were lyk 1
HUGE family. Hahax.
The day came at last. I rmbed what happened on that particular day. Everything! At first in the morning, me and my friends had breakfast at mcdonalds, Bukit Panjang Plaza. We also managed to saw Bukit Panjang Government High School Band there. Some of their members also had their breakfast there too. Even the Band Major! We wished each other good luck. Then we went to school. As usual, we placed our belongings in the percussion room and dance studio. Had practice and mr lim told us that whatever result we got, he’s proud of us. We had our last performance at the school field before going off to National stadium for the SYF. After that we had our lunch. And unfortunately it began to rain. Me, Beatrice, Rasyiqah, Syafiq, Kang Xun and some other ppl sat and discussed about what was going to happen and also prayed hard it would not rain later. All of us were nervous. Feeling excited, nervous and scared. I was really really scared. Scared that I’ll cork up and scared that the band dont do well. Mins ltr, we were told to get ready. We put on our uniforms, tied our hairs, put on our marching shoes and got our instruments ready. Then the crowd began to form. When I went up to the hall, the hall and parade square was packed with ppl. Those ppl were the one who cheered for us and screamed when we performed. They cheered as the band got ready, tuning the instruments. I felt lyk wow. Just wow and amazed of how the band had brought this big group of ppl to come down to support us. After tuning the instruments, by sections, we went down to the foyer. And I thought the hall was super packed. The canteen was worst. It was just really pack! I felt more confident that time after seeing the school cheering as we made our way down to the foyer. As we were in the bus, the clarinet and flute section, all girls were all super high, including me. And also very very nervous. My heart beat was lyk “Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!” every second. It felt like you’re going for a big event lyk the Olympics! Hahax. Soon, we arrived. The band marched to the waiting place. We waited there, patiently. We did our last practice for music together before the SYF starts. Then we took pictures. Mr Anthony, our drill instructor made a video for us. I don’t think the video is at youtube now. But I’ve the video with me in my phone. So yeah, those interested, come look for me or ask around frm your seniors;D Ok, after doing the warm-ups etc., all of us were given water and bread. Those who needed to empty their bladders went quickly to the toilet.
Mins ltr, it was our turn to perform. We waited at this tunnel, now really feeling super nervous. I had butterflies in my stomach. I felt lyk as if I was going for war, scared if I’ll survive it or not. The band before us played the last beat. It was our turn. My heart was pumping hard and fast. We stepped into the field. The school roared and cheered. I felt confident. I felt great when I stepped onto the field. I felt that yeah, I can do this and I’ve practiced hard for this. I can do it! They announced and signaled us by horning a horn sound. “TOOT”! It was loud. There was silence. Terence, our Drum Major started the show. I marched down forcefully, played out every note, turn as fast as I could and did the gimmicks. It ended so fast. That 15mins took up months to prepare. And it was only 15mins. But I felt good after doing the show. Lyk my shoulder felt lighter, no more butterflies in my stomach. We waited in a tunnel with another band. Both bands suddenly somehow bonded during that short time. We cheered and sang together. There’s a video at the band blog that showed that time we played with the other band. It was really memorable. After some time, all the bands were told to go out to the field to get their respective results. We marched out, proudly and the school roared and cheered again. I felt proud of myself and the band. Terence went out to get the trophy. The judge announced the best drum major award. Then the best band award. I crossed my finger. Praying, thinking, hoping we’ll get gold. My heart beat got faster. I was praying hard. “ West Spring Secondary School…” there was deep silence, I prayed, heart beating very fast, then “ Silver Award”. The school cheered. I felt weak. My feelings of confidence all gone. Happiness was sucked out of me. I just couldn’t help it but to cry. Then Mr Kumar got us to the front of the school. They still cheered as loud as possible despite we getting silver. We played songs for them. While we were playing, we were crying, disappointed with ourselves. Mr lim showed us the trophy while we playing the songs and said that it was good. I felt disappointed with myself. I felt lyk there was no more happiness in my life. It was hard for me and the band. We went out to a bigger space and were given time to cry out and look for our friends. We told each other not to cry but all of us were just crying there. The band didn’t stop crying till we reach school. Friends came and comfort us saying it was ok and not to cry anymore. After keeping the instruments, we went down to the dance studio. Ms Chew said she was proud of us and cried after saying that. Mr Seet, our principal said that it was because of us that the school for once united and cheered loudly. He said we united the whole school together and he was proud of us. Mr Siva also said that he was proud of us despite the award we got. It was really touching. All the band members had eyes, red and sore due to the crying. It impacted me for days till I got over with it. Even when im typing all this, that particular memory is playing over and over again in my mind. That day is really a day that brought WSMB together, change WSMB and really impact me a lot. The pain and tired feelings wasn’t permanent but the memories are.
I will really like to take this opportunity to thank the teachers and instructors that have been working hard for that day, that 15min show. You guys changed me. Frm hating to go out to the muddy field to enjoying playing there. Frm being quiet and shy to being more sociable. I thank you a lot.
So band, after reading this, I hope you guys wont want the past to repeat again, because I don’t. I promised to myself that next year, 2010 this band, WSMB will go out there and bring WSSS the 1st Gold medal for SYF. I know the band can do it and I believe the WSMB can do it! And the key thing that’ll lead us to that gold medal is teamwork and discipline. We are A BAND and will always stay together. We’ll never quit although we’ve failed. Have the fighting spirit with you and we’ll be ready for the war, SYF next year!
WITH PRIDE WE STRIKE, WSMB!
Quotation:
Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. - Lance Armstrong Putri :]
