Our D-day!

02 more days to our D-day! let’s all work hard tgt! today’s performance proves that we can do it! c’mon band, our last few hrs to the festival. if everyone puts in their 120% effort, we can also do well like how we did for outdoor last year. keep up the bowen military band spirit. although we cant rock the hall like how we rock the stadium, but let’s use our music to touch others. let the music do the talking. c’mon band! we can do it! (:

Limin

some observation

Hi band members

just want to share some pointers which i’ve observed 🙂

1) learn to LISTEN when u r playing..LISTEN to check for tuning and adjust accordingly.  one tip: blow air into the instrument from time to time when u are in an air-con place, as cold air will make the tuning flat.

 and LISTEN out for the melody!! instructors have mentioned this before but this is not done consistently yet. 

the melody must be heard..by now, you should know who’s playing the melody.  If u cant hear the melody, its often a sign that you are playing too loud..so just tone down a bit.  But that doesnt mean that the accompaniment and bassline are not important.  They are as important! The beauty about playing the  accompaniment is that it must be heard, yet it cannot overshadow the main melody.  just like accessories to an outfit.  without the accessories, the outfit will just be plain.  Just like music, without accompaniment, the melody will be plain! So the accompaniment is important too! and the bass line is of course important! it supports the whole band’s playing!!! without it the music will collapse

2) Brass instruments, please clear saliva!! the ‘crackling’ sound when alot of saliva is inside…is real disturbing!

3) you will be nervous during the performance definitely.  BUT learn to control ur nerves! if you are going to get too nervous, your throat is goin to constrict and less air is getting in, which will affect the tone!!

all the way band! just a bit more! let’s finish the race!

just my 2 cents’ worth of thoughts (but it will become valuable if you heed the advice :P),

ms chong

All the best!

i’m here to post something which i read on one of my blog which was created by my 6 musician siblings and this is what one of them wrote abt this year’s syf.

“A Band reflects on their conductor, A LOT. Just that few mintues on stage can indicate how much time the conductor has committed, how much the members respected their own conductor, etc.

It was really an eye opener. As this is my first time, not involved in playing for the SYF but instead teaching. (:

All you have to do on stage, is to be yourself. (:
It’s not a competiton, it’s a festival for us to learn from one another.
Yes, even though medals mind A LOT, i still find that the process of learning is the key to SUCCESS. So kids, don’t be too upset over your results. And as for those who haven’t went for the CJ yet, you’ll have to work hard and believe. Not only yourself, but also to your own band mates. Alright? Isn’t it nice to see everyone working together?” quoted from gena, at http://ssmusicians.blogspot.com

so what are you waiting for? let’s all work hard together. we’ve alrdy come this far. i’m sure none of you wanna disappoint anyone right? so many months of preparations just for that few minutes on stage. you wanna let your efforts pay off? or let it go down the drain and regret that you had not done better? i dont wanna hear anybody say that “i shld have done this.. i shld not.. i regret.. etc.” i dont wanna hear all this. but instead, all of you shld be saying “i’ve done my best! i’m proud of myself!” i want you guys to cry and smile at the end of the day because you guys got what you want and not cry because you did not get what you aimed for. this competition is not abt yourself, but EVERY SINGLE MEMBER. one person do make a difference. & medals dont just drop from the sky. it’s all through hardships and sacrifications. i have nothing more to say. everyone, let’s all put our hearts and souls in making a difference to the BMB community!

jiayous for tmr’s performance and also our D-Day! (:

& rmb, take care of yourself!

Limin

SYF results 2009

If you are interested to know the SYF results, you can check out this link: http://sgbandfusion.com/index.php?page=76

no GWH so far! only 3 golds..mainly silvers! wow the judges are rather hard to please !

continue to work hard! and PLS take care of yourself!

gambette!

ms chong

Countdown to SYF’09!

it’s another long week. i hope everyone still rmb what is taught by mr kajiyama during the hols.

5 more days to syf! looking forward to it? nervous? i hope you are. we’ve been working for so long, spending most of your time in band just for that few minutes on stage. i’m sure you all wanna achieve a result that we all longed for. so for this few days, you guys have a big responsibility! TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF! DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER AND ALSO RMB, HAVE EARLY NIGHTS! if you’re alrdy sick, see a doctor and rest well. pls dont fall sick at this point of time. also, rmb to practice.

all the best to everyone! believe in yourself, believe you can do it. like what others always say, when there’s a will, there’s a way. put in that extra effort to go the extra mile, it’s all gonna be worthwhile.

cheerios, Limin (:

Changes to band practices.

Hi all. I’m here to blog about some changes in the band pracs. As the syf is around the corner, we will call for more band pracs. so i hope all of you put in that extra effort to attend all the pracs. we need all the cooperation to make everything happen.

tmr band practise will still be as usual, but those going for heats can go. pls come back for practise after your heats. those that has no sports heats will still need to attend band practise. ALL attendance will be taken.

as for wednesday’s theory lesson, it will be changed to band practise as well. Band prac will start at 2.30pm. SLs, pls call for sectional in the morning from 7.30am to 9am. Latest by 8am! Attire: School uniform (same as the one we wore to biopolis).

practise on thurs as usual. no excuse to skip practise. friday and saturday band practises as usual. pls get ready your FULL band uniform by this friday as we will be using it on saturday again.

i hope all of you do your part as a member and attend all practises before the syf. all this practises are very crucial and important to us. try to postpone all tuitions or other appointments to non band practise days. your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

put in that extra effort to go the extra mile. it’s all gonna be worthwhile.

any problems, pls come and approach me personally or through msn/sms.

BM, Limin

* pls pass the message around. thanks.

Mr. Kajiyama & Ms Kazue

A note of appreciation and thanks for their effort for this past week!

But I do not have Ms Kazue’s photos..anyone has it?

Photos from 21st March 2009 Band Practise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCA Carnival, 9th Jan 2009

 

Thanks for all the effort into putting up a good show that day!

Let’s practise hard now for SYF 2009!

-Miss Chong

‘Rhythm of the Course’ Drumline Competition

Early in the morning..getting ready to cheer the runners

The early morning of 7th December 2008 saw a group of percussionists, also known as the Really Exquisite Drummers (R.E.Ds), making their way to the Padang to take part in the ‘Rhythm of the Course’ Drumline Competition organized by Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008.  Despite being laden with our heavy drums, our spirits were high.  Before the competition commenced, we volunteered our cheers and claps for the runners taking part in the marathon that day too.  

Cheering the marathon runners!

We were announced as the top 3 participants as we were spotted as one of the most supporting ‘runspirators’.  We displayed our drumming skills to a few judges and a large crowd.  Capturing the hearts of many with our catchy rhythm and interesting gimmicks, we did our school and band proud by clinching the GOLD and emerging as the CHAMPIONS. 

CHAMPIONS! with the trophy

That day marked the start of a new beginning as it was the first time we had taken part in such a competition and we are looking forward to many more opportunities to display our talent.

Percussion section with Mr Jamal and Mr Khoo

Reported by Tashyra, 4E3’09

Percussion Section