First off, we would like to thank God for His provision and encouragement in helping 1st Kuala Lumpur Boys’ Brigade to organise the first-ever indoor concert band festival, sponsored by the Kuala Lumpur State Council. It was a rewarding experience for Boys and Officers alike as it has taught us not only unity but also endurance through the difficult tasks. Here is an account of the event by LCPL Shane Teh in a chronological narrative.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
“Blow air into your instrument,” said Mr. Wan, 1st KL’s Band Instructor. It was our cue to perform as the third band during the evening of band festival and we marched up the stairs. I saw the crowd from up front but I tried to keep calm. I took a seat and my fellow flutist was a little nervous so I told him to relax and just enjoy. Though, as I lifted my flute, I could feel my heart beating very quickly. My warm up notes felt a little shaky. Then, the instructor turned around and gave a bow as the audience applauded…
Before I share with you how the performance went, let me back up a little and go back in time to the time before the band festival.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Right after school, I went to our meeting area and prepared to fall in. At parade, we were told that we were going to prepare the auditorium for the band festival. LT Jonathan Chan gave pieces of paper to us with specific instructions of what to do and said that he had faith in us to bring every piece to the right place in the right order. I walked with my group members and grab 3 tables that were meant for the judges and we began arranging chairs in the auditorium. I could see other NCOs leading their own groups in finishing their tasks of shifting platforms onto the stage, arranging chairs for other companies, setting up the timpanis and so on.
Despite the havoc, we managed to complete each task and together it was a job well done due to teamwork. We gathered and prayed for a smooth running for the actual day and reminded ourselves that no matter what the results are, everything is upon God’s mercy. It is our duty to serve others before us. In other words, humility. Everyone was then dismissed and was reminded to bring their costumes, school uniform, and BB uniform for the festival.
Although gathering was supposed to start at 8pm, I was already there from 7 in the morning. I finished what I had to do and had my dinner. Then, I awaited the arrival of the members of 3rd Kuala Lumpur Company. They had to come in for practice because most of their members had a school event on the following day. My Company gathered for warm up while waiting for 3rd KL to finish practising. After they left, we practised entrance and exit from the stage. It was a fruitful practice.
When the night fell, most of us were already snoring away but some of us had to stay awake to prepare the goodie bags for all participants.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
The 8th Penang Company surprised us with their arrival at 5am. I was woken up by voices and noisy footsteps. It was 6.15am. Although Reveille was set to be at 6.30am, I looked out the door and saw some of our members walking around, some already in their school uniform. It was Academic Day at Methodist Boys’ School, where report cards are given, and teachers meeting with parents. Breakfast was served after Reveille. It was hot Milo with a hard-boiled egg for everybody. Finishing the last sip and cleaning up, everyone moved to the school assembly ground. With the consent from school administrators, BB members were allowed to leave after collecting their report cards. We did another round of rehearsal at the auditorium with the band instructor.
Going into three hours before the event officially begins, everyone was munching on their afternoon meal, including members of other companies that came for their session of rehearsal. 1st KL gathered at 2pm in a room and was given some briefing of what to do for the hour. We were to check our scores, wear our costume and such. By 2.30pm, we were to gather in the same room to get the ribbons tied on our necks. Kudos to the band officer, Mr Tai, for making everyone looked absolutely handsome! I was a little embarrassed to have people seeing me in purple with a ribbon on my neck.
Very quickly, we took a group picture and went to the hall for briefing. It was still very peaceful and relaxing for me. Time passed with a small warm up session, tuning, and by the time I gathered myself, it was time for the festival to officiate.
It was so cool looking at the countdown on screen as the emcee, our own Mr. Wong Giok Leigh, spoke. The emcee was very relaxed and cool although facing many audience. As time passed, 1st Klang Company went on stage to perform as the first band. The band was small but I felt the brave hearts of its members. Then, it was another enjoyable performance by the second band, 1st Kajang Company.
During the intermission, the 1st Kuala Lumpur Girls’ Brigade Company performed a hand bell choir. Soon, it was the cue for 1st KL to gather outside and prepare ourselves for the time of competition.
“Blow air into your instrument,” said Mr. Wan. Then, the instructor finally turned around and gave a bow.
For months we practiced, and I am thankful for the effort of the instructor and officers, and for the time everyone sacrificed. The cheers from the audience warmed up my heart but it was still beating at Allegrissimo (very fast). Mr. Wan raised his baton and so the music faded in…
As the title of the first song was “Where Eagles Soar,” I felt the grand image of an eagle at the very beginning, but I was still nervous. I lifted my flute and began the soar of my melody alongside my brothers. I could still feel my heart beating but slowing down as I began to feel the music, the hope of our instructor and the sacrifices of time made for this very event. I kept focused onto what I was playing, remembering everything I should be doing and the objective of this band festival: to enjoy music together.
From our joyful flight of the eagle came to a point eagle soaring high and mighty into the storm bring itself to a higher heights. We did it. It was well done and I could heard all the cheers coming from everywhere in the auditorium.
Being told we should wait for the judges to write down their comments, it came to us with a little surprise that we could start our 2nd song very quickly. My fellow flutist was getting excited and I just smiled at him. The instructor raised his baton again for the 2nd time but a little more relax.
1,2,3,4 and funky tune came into the hall.
It came to my mind I should relax and have a little fun. I could hear the happy cheers and I couldn’t hold myself from laughing when I see the instructor leading the crowd into the tune. The dancers were really into shaking it and I could really see the audience enjoying it. It was truly a Party Rock Anthem.
Finally, the performance was completed. We exited the stage and everybody kept their instruments with that excitement still in their heart. As we moved back into the hall, everyone continued watching the show. I was quite impressed with the following performances. Not only I got to see a small kid with a trumpet half of his body size, I saw another little boy with a tuba of his own size. Finally, there was an Indian boy singing in Chinese!
The show concluded at late evening with the results unannounced. After the show, everybody stayed there and took photographs. Then, they went down to the cafeteria for dinner, except for 1st KL, where we had to stay back and reverse everything we did in the afternoon. We kept the timpanis, arranged the chairs and tables back, and put the platforms back to where it was and so on.
Realizing the time, the whole company quickly went down to the cafeteria for dinner and quickly returned to our workshop. Following the show was an interesting workshop by Rev. Quek on how we can hit a higher note that we couldn’t reach.
The night deepened and everyone went cleaning themselves up and preparing themselves for some rest in the MBS classrooms. It was really hot and crowded that we had to use two classrooms to fit the entire company. Everyone went to sleep at about 12am. As for me, I had some clean up to do with other NCOs at locations and thing we used. I did a little reflection before going to sleep about the days and months I’ve been through just for this very day.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Morning arose, sun shone, and I woke up at 7.30am by the call of the buglers. I polished my uniform parts, got changed and went for breakfast. After breakfast, we went for church service and it was a rather interesting sermon for me about the names of God and what meanings they bring. By the time I realized, I was already taking my instrument and getting ourselves ready for the showcase. Four bands performed at church and it satisfied me to see people enjoying the music from us.
After that, we were given time to rest and enjoy the fellowship with one another. It was quite a fun time chit-chatting with my Brothers. Lunchtime came and went by quickly and when we knew that it was time for the results to be announced! We were so confident that our beloved LCPL Lee Yew Ten was going bald (he promised that if we did win the competition he would shave his head)! Sitting in the hall, 1st KL cheered “Botak! Botak! Botak!” and was so happy winning a gold medal. LCPL Lee kept his promise and is now bald.
Finally, we ended the day with a final workshop about the importance of intonation, dynamics and also posture.There was a breaktime between 3pm-3.30pm and 1st KL celebrated the birthday of our dear brother — PTE Tun Mun Ching & PTE Edwin Chuah. As an NCO, I must say I was touched by the laughter and brotherhood shared among us. We continued our workshop with great smiles on our faces. At the end of the day, everyone began packing up and we thanked those who helped out in cleaning the venues we’ve used together.
Overall, it was an awesome experience and an honour performing together with everyone.
Thank You!
The happiest day in my life is when I don’t have friends but brothers and sisters instead, fighting along by my side in this journey called life – Shane Teh