Saturday, March 17, 2007
I still remember when I was Sec 1, when I first joined the Band. Got promoted to Main Band along with Shaun and Ismail. Then we played Persis, Noah's Ark, Music for a Festival, Movement for Rosa, Alvamar, Pirates of the Caribbean, John Williams Symphonic Soundtrack. I was quite intimidated by my seniors then. They stood over me like giants...as though i'm a dwarf. That was Sec 1.
Sec 2 came along. My first SYF...Singapore Rhapsody, Vesuvius. We owned it. That was probably when the percussion was at its peak. There was Marcus, our SL, Wen Long, Shaun, me, Ismail and Danial. Percs were so bonded, had so much fun in the dorms during camps...spouting nonsense and what not. I still remember the band screwed up exchangess, and we still sounded quite bad on the week of our competition. But somehow, by the stroke of luck, we managed to pull through the competition, getting Gold with Honours. We were even one of the few bands which got chosen to be the presentation band. The long hours of practice definitely did pay off. Then again...that was then...
Sec 3...although there wasn't SYF, our band took part in the 17th Australian International Music Festival. Darling Harbour...the Opera House...Merry Widow...Mononoke Hime...these are some of the words which come into my mind when I think about Sydney. Again, we kinda nailed it...clinching the Gold award. Although we weren't better than ACJC.
That's 3 years of band...one might say that it doesn't seem much. But I guarantee you...the memories are etched in my mind, and I enjoyed myself alot then.
Let's come back to reality...Safari and Chorale and Shaker Dance...SYF is only 3 weeks away. It's scary. Well...true enough...it's not too late to buck up yet. But 3 weeks is such a long time that so many things can be done, and I don't see the point in wasting it. Everyone is just driven by their own interest. Putting in minimum effort...hoping to churn out excellent results. But...that's not how it works! You reap what you sow. I'd say that this batch of bandsmen hasn't really had a taste of failure yet...but it'd probably be too late if it were to happen after SYF...besides...it would be too painful a punishment. Then only they start regretting...but what's done will be done. I don't want this batch to be the one that ruins the reputation of the ACS(I) Symphonic Band. It sure is unglam, and that will go down in history.
On to myself with some self-reflecion...how devoted am I to this band? Then again...how does one measure devotion? Can it even be measured in the first place? How do we even gauge it? How much effort must you put in to show you're "devoted"? If I were to prioritise, I'd say...I'm still a student afterall. Studies STILL has gotta come first. Band is a CCA, nonetheless...whenever I go for band prac, I'll still give my all. I get offended when I've people questioning my devotion to the band...especially when I'm being used in a comparison.
Lastly...I'm quite annoyed with a bunch of people. Well, to begin with, ACTIONS DO SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. So instead of just standing at the side passing remarks, perhaps the wiser thing to do is to lend a hand? I don't see the point in helping others when all they do is to leave you to clear their shit for them. -.- zzz....
...but words will never hurt me; 7:59 PM.
