Wednesday, July 19, 2006
@11:55 AM
Post-1st National Band Competition
NBC's over in a twinkling of an eye! Somehow, I just couldnt believe that it's over so fast. I remember how Musart was gearing up for the NBC the day we decided to go for it. Each and everyone of us may be busy with our work and personal lives but we never failed to try our best to attend the weekly Sunday practice. We would start off each practice session with First Suite in E-flat - March; play, record and listen; followed by Xenia Sarda; play, record and listen. I thought it was really an effective way of learning; we listen to our strengths and weakness, and learn from our mistakes. Of course, I did wonder then if we could cope NBC and our annual concert, especially when the concert was only one day after the competition.
Now looking back, I'm proud to say we coped them both equally well! I'm glad to announce that Mus'art Wind Orchestra won a Gold medal with a score of 85.4 (I'm not very sure about the decimal cos' the annoucement was rudely interrupted by some "roars"). The best news for us is we entered top 3! We're in the third placing, and are invited to perform for the honours concert this Sunday at VCH. =)
However, the band opted out of the performance cos' we are given less than 10 mins on stage! That's quite ridiculous. A piece like Xenia Sarda already amounts to 10 mins plus. Anyway, we have other priorities too; essentially the upcoming National Day concert at CC, as well as Beautiful Sunday perf at the Esplanade. =) Looking forward to the latter!!!
That's besides the point but I'm very happy that we achieved what we worked for; and this is really a great great morale booster for the band (after the good achievement at WMC). Everyone has put in our heart and soul on the day of the competition. I must say, we sounded exceptionally well on stage that day; The best we played among all our rehearsals and practices.
Of course, I do not deny that there are always better bands amongst us, like those which came in 2nd and 1st. I heard the former; they were *thumbs-up*. But probably the winner sounded better at the same piece. Whatever it is, Congratulations to both bands! Not forgetting, I would like to congratulate MJCSB for grabbing a Gold medal in the 1st Division =D And to my Hai Sing Band juniors, you guys had done your very best at the competition too! The competition is not about winning, but rather, gaining more exposure by competing annd knowing where you stand among the rests. I'm sure through this wonderful experience, your music knowledge has certainly soared to greater heights! =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
