I'm in band!

Hi everyone.

This is Wen Yang again and I have gotten into a CCA. That is : Millitary band!

Yeah! Band ROCKS!!!!!!!

Well, mabye not...

You see, I got into band because I was "conscripted" into the band. That is, I was placed in band due to my P1-3 experience in band. Practices are on Tues & Fri, from 1430 to 1800+ (It doesn't end on time... NEVER!)

The Hwa Chong Band, which had an initial strength of 20 members when it started out in 1967, now has a total strength of about 80+ -100 members, including Sec 1s. The band is a indoor and outdoor band consisting of woodwinds, brass and percussion. The band has clinched many gold awards in SYF and NBC competitions.

When I first joined band, I felt that it was going to be the same rather "bad" old experience in Primary School band: conductor everyday also scold us for playing out of tune and all the crap, in the end, leave the band. (WTH!!!I left because I couldn't dahan this attitude). However, it was different. This time, the conductors could dahan for some time before shouting very loud but remain amiable. Surprising!

Some of my calssmates and ex-classmates are also in this band. Zhong Zhi, Ethan and Jia Hao are in my Sec 1 class. Old friends Yan Shen and Jing Kai are also in the band. I have also made many friends within consortium and inter-consourtium in band.

In the band, I play the tuba, even though I used to play the trombone. The conductor, Mr Kiang, can actually sympathise with me for the first few times because, coincidentally, he was also a trombone player who was transfered to tuba as well! I have 3 Sec 4 seniors, 2 Sec 3 seniors and 2 Sec 2 seniors. Now, the Sec 4 seniors are actually not doing much, just slacking every practice. The Sec 3s have taken over their roles as SL (section leader). Kang Ming, the SL of Tuba, as well as a holder of the position major, is an amiable person. He likes to joke. So does the other Sec 3 senior, Shin Hen. Both are ProEd. My 2 Sec 2 seniors, Jarred and Keenan, are the main force of the tuba section. Both are from Aphellion. My Sec 4 seniors are all from ISpark. (See the pattern?)

Currently, I am getting ready to join the main band in the Flag-raising ceremony daily (school days that is...). The main band is also rehearsing for the performance at Merlion Park (right beside the Merlion: Trouble...NOISY!!!).

Looking forward to it!

There is a bad side to it, and that is the outdoor. We will have outdoor practices on Wed. We would be told to stand in the hot sun and endure "massive" physical training. Occasionally, there would be a last-minute run around the High School campus, which tires. The practices are intense and are usually accompanied with much shouting, screaming, barking of orders and pumpings, which i hate...

In the end, I don't know whether to love band or to hate it... All i know is, just enjoy it! Don't worry, Be Happy...haha... :)

You can visit the "Band Blog" to find out more about the Band: www.hciband.net