Band Camp '09
Friday, December 11, 200910:13 PM
2009 ended on a high note after the passing down parade held at the parade square and the investiture of the new leaders for 2010 the day before. The items we received from our seniors came in odd shapes and sizes (not to exclude colour and smell), and I hope we can "absorb" their well wishes and allow this band to thrive. Don’t worry, a little bit of pressure is good.
Good job bandsmen, for being such good bandsmen, capable of adapting well to the changes in our school so far. We may have to strike a good balance between drills and music and I think that we are doing a great job. Despite 2009 bandcamp indeed being a day camp, I must suggest that bandsmen should not be too disappointed, we have a meaningful year ahead and 2010 sec3s should prepare for your instructor's course. Preparations have to start now, in terms of drills, music, fitness and initiative. We should not only start preparing when we are sec3s, we should start when we are sec1s, to get the foundation right.
Looking back at bandcamp, we started it off the same old usual way, beratur after the fall in call played by the THEN trumpet ASL. Due to the "lightning alert system", we had to fall in at the parade square, since that there isn’t a flashing light there. Focusing on the fact that the drizzle is getting a bit heavier, we went to the foyer to settle the usual stuff. Yep, although I am an admin guy, I find admin work a bore but the money is much needed.
After each barracks are assigned barracks (obvious again), barracks had to set up their (I know…) barracks, sorting out the tables and chairs, decorating the whiteboard and cleaning the floor. It was stand-by-bed after that. The Tops were appalled by the numerous mistakes but upon realising that it's the first time sec1s are coming for bandcamp(being sec ones, it’s a bit obvious again). I know I may be posting on such useless stuff but I enjoy stand-by-bed as both a junior and senior bandsman.
The motive of the first stand-by -bed was to make sure bandsmen, especially sec1s (although sec1s were forgiven), know how to set up their barracks correctly with precision. Numbers of push ups given per mistakes were not so obscene, as we expected bandsmen to do it properly. Quite saddening, Echo cheated, but still, great to see them having fun, and having an improvement in their arrangement of items.
I have to apologize to all bandsmen for the shifting of barracks before lunch as the school wardens needed to clean up the sec3 block. They are not required to tell us way beforehand.
Nothing much to say about drills and invest practise, except that we are doing reasonably well.
SJIMB will be continuing our current theme, “Band from Within”. Those who missed the talk, check the post.
Sad to go break camp at 6, but wait.... the then Atops could stay till 9!
Preparing the next day's stuff, of course, and waiting for the ridiculously slow sec2buglers to polish. Not the slowest I know of, but I guess you all have the potential to be faster. Lots of thanks to MS Tan, who stayed back to help us polish the bugles.
Morning PT the next day was as most of the activities in the circuits was new. Never good to stick too much to the old stuff. Some of the activities were quite taxing; hope the bandsmen can train up to execute them.
There’s music afterwards. Too bad that the time for music was extended or else we would have a second round of fun stand-by-bed after lunch. Dang, had a original idea/trick up my sleeve.
Games Games Games
After games, wet weather invest training would be a nice “warm” welcome to air-con lovers.
Had a ceremonial check afterwards, not particularly pleased with the standards. Can be better.
On the third day, we had our final prep for the Investiture and POP concert which is sandwiched by lunch. Yum Yum. There was a recap on the plans of wet weather, just in case some bandsmen left it at home. We showered before changing into ceremonials, so friends and relatives can be rest reassured.
Invest went quite smoothly, better than expected and there wasn’t a miss pitch by the incoming Trumpet section leader, although he let his tone suffer a little bit. After prayer, the outgoing BS, Pin Ren, marched in and gave the band masuk baris. Immediately after that command was executed, the incoming drum SL gave a tap and the percussion started their 78th (a drum solo), with the band marching as the magnificent brasses playing the trademark fanfare familiar to all former bandsmen. We executed almost the same commands, the “Parting of the Red Sea”. Prize winners were presented their letter of appointment and promotion. The letters were awarded by the Guest of Honour of the parade, Sir Peter Low. Before the Top 3 received their letters of appointment, the Trumpet SL(already promoted to SL) had to play a different bugle call for each of the Top 3 post holder. The letter of appointment would then be distributed by the outgoing DM. The ’10 DM took the ceremonial mace from our outgoing DM with style. By reciting the pledge, a few tears broke loose from some of the audiences. The newly appointed DM then led the band for a march past with the outgoing sec4s wishing the band all the best with their final salute. Have some photos to share, courtesy to some of my friends. Not going to tell the whole world. And oya, I’m not going to disclose what we as a band did behind the scenes after we fell out.
Company mess was also a success, with the junior band (Sec 1s and 2s of 2009) performing really well, both musically and visually. The junior band presented Beyond the Highlands followed by Twist and Shout. The sec3 band performed Blue Ridge Saga, to thank all the Sec4s who were instrumental to our success in the SYF Central Judging Competition. Let’s wish them all the best in their O’s (I’m sure some will get perfect score) and their future endeavours.
This is also a good opportunity to thank our THE conductor and THE assistant conductor/sec 1instructor, Mr Tan and Mrs Chua, respectively.
Before our last dinner together of the year, the exDM and the DM led the band in the band toast, won’t go into details.
After the Company Mess we had to move everything back to the bandroom. It’s quite a terrifying ordeal, taking into consideration of the torturing day endured by the bandsmen.
After lights out, we had section talk, YAY!! :D*
On the last day, we had to settle lots of admin stuff like clean ups (boring), and it’s the last time we would have Woon Ern in our band, so the ROs organized a sec1 music room cleanup so Woon Ern and his batch would have a one and only chance to do a music room cleanup together.
Some of the make-up artists displayed their skills during the passing over parade.
More pics following this
CL’10 TDT – dunno why Zuriel gave me this nick.
Band Camp '09
Friday, December 11, 2009 10:13 PM
2009 ended on a high note after the passing down parade held at the parade square and the investiture of the new leaders for 2010 the day before. The items we received from our seniors came in odd shapes and sizes (not to exclude colour and smell), and I hope we can "absorb" their well wishes and allow this band to thrive. Don’t worry, a little bit of pressure is good.
Good job bandsmen, for being such good bandsmen, capable of adapting well to the changes in our school so far. We may have to strike a good balance between drills and music and I think that we are doing a great job. Despite 2009 bandcamp indeed being a day camp, I must suggest that bandsmen should not be too disappointed, we have a meaningful year ahead and 2010 sec3s should prepare for your instructor's course. Preparations have to start now, in terms of drills, music, fitness and initiative. We should not only start preparing when we are sec3s, we should start when we are sec1s, to get the foundation right.
Looking back at bandcamp, we started it off the same old usual way, beratur after the fall in call played by the THEN trumpet ASL. Due to the "lightning alert system", we had to fall in at the parade square, since that there isn’t a flashing light there. Focusing on the fact that the drizzle is getting a bit heavier, we went to the foyer to settle the usual stuff. Yep, although I am an admin guy, I find admin work a bore but the money is much needed.
After each barracks are assigned barracks (obvious again), barracks had to set up their (I know…) barracks, sorting out the tables and chairs, decorating the whiteboard and cleaning the floor. It was stand-by-bed after that. The Tops were appalled by the numerous mistakes but upon realising that it's the first time sec1s are coming for bandcamp(being sec ones, it’s a bit obvious again). I know I may be posting on such useless stuff but I enjoy stand-by-bed as both a junior and senior bandsman.
The motive of the first stand-by -bed was to make sure bandsmen, especially sec1s (although sec1s were forgiven), know how to set up their barracks correctly with precision. Numbers of push ups given per mistakes were not so obscene, as we expected bandsmen to do it properly. Quite saddening, Echo cheated, but still, great to see them having fun, and having an improvement in their arrangement of items.
I have to apologize to all bandsmen for the shifting of barracks before lunch as the school wardens needed to clean up the sec3 block. They are not required to tell us way beforehand.
Nothing much to say about drills and invest practise, except that we are doing reasonably well.
SJIMB will be continuing our current theme, “Band from Within”. Those who missed the talk, check the post.
Sad to go break camp at 6, but wait.... the then Atops could stay till 9!
Preparing the next day's stuff, of course, and waiting for the ridiculously slow sec2buglers to polish. Not the slowest I know of, but I guess you all have the potential to be faster. Lots of thanks to MS Tan, who stayed back to help us polish the bugles.
Morning PT the next day was as most of the activities in the circuits was new. Never good to stick too much to the old stuff. Some of the activities were quite taxing; hope the bandsmen can train up to execute them.
There’s music afterwards. Too bad that the time for music was extended or else we would have a second round of fun stand-by-bed after lunch. Dang, had a original idea/trick up my sleeve.
Games Games Games
After games, wet weather invest training would be a nice “warm” welcome to air-con lovers.
Had a ceremonial check afterwards, not particularly pleased with the standards. Can be better.
On the third day, we had our final prep for the Investiture and POP concert which is sandwiched by lunch. Yum Yum. There was a recap on the plans of wet weather, just in case some bandsmen left it at home. We showered before changing into ceremonials, so friends and relatives can be rest reassured.
Invest went quite smoothly, better than expected and there wasn’t a miss pitch by the incoming Trumpet section leader, although he let his tone suffer a little bit. After prayer, the outgoing BS, Pin Ren, marched in and gave the band masuk baris. Immediately after that command was executed, the incoming drum SL gave a tap and the percussion started their 78th (a drum solo), with the band marching as the magnificent brasses playing the trademark fanfare familiar to all former bandsmen. We executed almost the same commands, the “Parting of the Red Sea”. Prize winners were presented their letter of appointment and promotion. The letters were awarded by the Guest of Honour of the parade, Sir Peter Low. Before the Top 3 received their letters of appointment, the Trumpet SL(already promoted to SL) had to play a different bugle call for each of the Top 3 post holder. The letter of appointment would then be distributed by the outgoing DM. The ’10 DM took the ceremonial mace from our outgoing DM with style. By reciting the pledge, a few tears broke loose from some of the audiences. The newly appointed DM then led the band for a march past with the outgoing sec4s wishing the band all the best with their final salute. Have some photos to share, courtesy to some of my friends. Not going to tell the whole world. And oya, I’m not going to disclose what we as a band did behind the scenes after we fell out.
Company mess was also a success, with the junior band (Sec 1s and 2s of 2009) performing really well, both musically and visually. The junior band presented Beyond the Highlands followed by Twist and Shout. The sec3 band performed Blue Ridge Saga, to thank all the Sec4s who were instrumental to our success in the SYF Central Judging Competition. Let’s wish them all the best in their O’s (I’m sure some will get perfect score) and their future endeavours.
This is also a good opportunity to thank our THE conductor and THE assistant conductor/sec 1instructor, Mr Tan and Mrs Chua, respectively.
Before our last dinner together of the year, the exDM and the DM led the band in the band toast, won’t go into details.
After the Company Mess we had to move everything back to the bandroom. It’s quite a terrifying ordeal, taking into consideration of the torturing day endured by the bandsmen.
After lights out, we had section talk, YAY!! :D*
On the last day, we had to settle lots of admin stuff like clean ups (boring), and it’s the last time we would have Woon Ern in our band, so the ROs organized a sec1 music room cleanup so Woon Ern and his batch would have a one and only chance to do a music room cleanup together.
Some of the make-up artists displayed their skills during the passing over parade.
More pics following this
CL’10 TDT – dunno why Zuriel gave me this nick.
