Farewell

Hey, to those out there who think this blog is dead, THINK AGAIN! Your lovely head Administrator is in the house!

Firstly, I will maintain this blog by continuously posting relevant stuffs for Band and Euphonium playing. So, I hope you can remain loyal to this blog.

Secondly, I hope all members (How many can we have?) are aware about the outing to find gifts for our seniors for Farewell. Please think through what to buy for them.

Also, we may be finding a gift for the tentative exchange. Another homework for you guys to think.

Lastly, I hope you guys have gotten back in touch with your instrument. Constantly maintain your instrument, oil it at least 2 practices or so and remember to keep the slides greased and close them before keeping them in the case.

Also, if you are still backward, we got two straight mutes! It will inside Sherman's and my locker. Do not take it out without permission.

If there is something that you are itching to tell, the tag box is all yours. Alternatively, you can find me in MSN.

[Izak]

Sectionals

Sectionals will be held as followed from now on:

Main Band - Thursday (2.15pm to 5.30pm)

Junior Band - Monday and Tuesday (3.25pm to 5pm)

If you cannot attend any sectionals or will be late, please inform me before sectionals start. (If possible, inform me 1 day before.)

-Sherman-

Sectionals Schedule Till Further Notice

This will be the Sectionals schedule for both Main Band Euphonists and Junior Band Euphonists.

Please take note.

Main Band

Monday - 2.00 pm to 6.30 p.m.

Thursday - 2.00 pm to 6.30 p.m.

For Main Band only, please be settled at the locations by the instructed time, not set off on that time. It is always good to be early. =D

Junior Band

Monday - 2.00 pm to 5 p.m.

Thursday - 2.00 pm to 5 p.m.

Please don't be late.

Likely Locations

Fifth Level Near or At the Parade Square

If you are not coming, will be coming late, or need to leave early, please inform via SMS at least 6 hours before the sectionals. If possible, please inform both sec 3s the day before.

Update

Sectionals at 15 of May, Friday. To be confirmed. Location near the field as to not interrupt the exams. The same place as last time.

The deadline to perform the pieces fully is June Holidays. Remember work hard and smart.

Bye bye.

[Izak]

Remember, exams got standard to uphold, or else.

Let's Make It Quick

I don't have to say it anymore. Mr Ikhwan, Mr Tan, the BMs, the SCs and the alumni had stated the obvious.

Make an impact to the band!! This is your time to shine! Make SYF your time to bring glory to VSCB! Glorify VSCB and proof its worth as a premier school band!

Set your mindset!! In less than 14 days, we will all be in SCH once more, as a band. Don't make vibrations, make music! Enjoy and reap the joys of it!

This is your chance! It's a pedal to the medal! Nothing is hindering, other than yourself!

Go for it, make us all proud!

Update: Camp and Monday Sectionals on Term II

From 17 March to 19 March will be the March Camp Day. For the Sec 1s, this is the time to get to know your own batch and the other two senior batch better. For the Sec 2s, this is the time to get to know your juniors and your leadership compabilities.

The most important part of the camp is to enjoy yourself. The camp will be rather slack compared to the camps held by previous batches. Just learn to enjoy the camp. You will be asking for that when your batch set up the camp for your juniors.

Starting from Term 2, every Monday, don't go for lunch. Instead, head straight to the band room as Jason will be taking us from 2.15 pm to 4 pm. Please be aware of this. It's a pedal to the medal. We are going full steam. So, it is either you catch up or get left behind.

Practising is your personal responsibility. Don't focus on spamming (Notice the choice of words) the SYF pieces totally. We are not a SYF band. We are an all-rounded band. Techniques are NEVER to be compromised. Once you compromise technique, you will be blowing just cold air.

Attendance is critical too. Take care of your health. Keep your time free for band. Last year, both of the Sec 2s were absent every alternate days. It will be a great embarrassment if your juniors will be able to garnish the Best Attendance Badge. Since our section is small, one fellow being absent will affect the standard greatly and sectionals or band rehearsal will not be as effective. This fellow will miss out a lot.

For example, practise your scales. What if a piece in Gb Major key comes out for any event?What if a more rhythmically challenged piece comes out, or in a different rhythmic style? I will not go through too much trouble explaining or reminding.

Hence, from 4 pm to 5 pm, there will be a long notes session on Mondays beginning the re-opening of school. Everyone in the section needs it.

Only the day I see everyone in my section practising wisely will I be proud to have been a part of the Euphonium section.

February Overview

Welcome to the first Monday of February. February is a new month, welcoming both good and bad events. Home works will pile, band rehearsals will be more tense and people will start to become more work-oriented.

February will be the month where music interpretation and final practice of the SYF pieces will be completed.

Benson and Glen, please be aware that band expect you to dedicate your time to them. You will need to practise to improve. Without practising, you will NEVER improve. Trust me, I know best.

Long notes, tonguing exercises should be practised. Good posture should be enforced. Try to maintain a higher level of discipline.

Secondary Twos, please be aware that this year in band is known as your honeymoon period. You are experienced players and not committed yourselves to any dedications or responsibilities.

This is the best time you improve yourself. Train your weaknesses and continue working on your strengths. Same thing applies here. No effort, no end results. Long notes is never to be neglected.

"As long you wear khaki pants, even long pants, long notes is a must." Jason Yong

Work on your 5 aspects; Posture, Air, Embouchure, Tongue and Diaphragm Support. Work on your pitch and tone. Ask me or Sherman for any queries. I am sure both of us will find time to take both of you one-to-one.


Sectionals Dates

9/2 - Monday Sectionals

16/2 - Monday Sectionals

23/2 - Monday Sectionals

This sectionals will be for main band players. There will be sectionals for Sec 1s either on the same day or on another day. Please stay informed.

[Izak]

"A band is as good as its Euphonium section." - John Philip Sousa

Some Crap...or Not

As Zaki said in his previous post to post some crap, and here it is. (I wouldnt classify this as crap if I were you. That is IF YOU ARE FROM OUR SECTION.)

Anyway, it's almost SFY, so PRACTICE!!! For those who didnt come down for today's band rehearsal, congratulations - you have missed your last chance to work and correct on Overture No. 2 as a band with Mr. Tan.

Coming up next-Symphonic Movement. It ain't easy, but neither is it difficult if you practice it...thoroughly. Work hard people!! It's time to get back what we deserved; GOLD WITH HONOURS.

However, don't neglect your studies. CA is around the corner if you havent notice. (Next week is already week 4.) It's just one month away. Learn how to balance your studies and your CCA. It's good for you.

>Sher<

Update

Sectionals will be every Monday or Thursday but the defacto day is on Monday. It will depends how long you take. Sectionals will change and you will be informed.

If absent from band practice or sectionals, please text message the reason to ME. BECAUSE SEAN SIR AIN'T NO CARRYING EXTRA CHAIRS, SETTING UP STUFFS FOR US. Maybe if you want to save, send to me only. Hee hee.

This blog will be updated so please visit this place regularly for updates and stuffs.

I will be going to Yahama to purchase accessories for the section. If in need of valve oil, cloth or anything, inform me. If it is personal, it is at your own expense. Or if I am kind enough I will subsidy or cut the whole payment.

I am just bored. January the Ninth is my Birthday. Before Mbrosia. It will be fun.

[Izak]

Sectionals Cancelled

Nothing much. Yeah, tomorrow's sectionals is cancelled. Why? I am sneezing throughout the whole day.

Either, do stay back more often. I can't digress the importance of Individuals. In fact, you will use this time to figure out your techniques without guidance of a senior or trainer. Therefore, you need to know your strengths and weaknesses and focus on it.

Sectionals will be on every Tuesday and maybe a Thursday. Both will be 3 to 4 hours long from 9am to 1pm. I will decide what we do.

And Sherman, here's a video of Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach. A great music that will trance you to sleep, or to your grave. Haha. Blow hard. Let's aim. Next year can play it. Too bad SYF no section ensemble. Oops.

Here's the vid:



And see how relaxed that the wind players are. SCARY. That's how pro they are.

[Izak]

O levels disruption

Due to the ongoing O levels, there will be certain times when we cannot practice in the bandroom. I did not take down nor memorise the timings, but it is written on the white board in the bandroom. Go check it out.

-Sher-

Finally...

Finally after months of waiting, I am an author of this blog...

Okay. This is my first post in this blog, as well as the first post after a long break of about 2 to 3 months.

Basically, there's nothing really important to talk about currently.... I hope u guys did well in ur SA2, or be prepared to get screwed. The punishment is already been made so just get a mental preparation of what u will get. For sec 1s, if u screwed up ur exams, dont worry, there's still 1 more year for u to sort things out. For sec 2s, I have nothing much to say, or maybe too much that i dont want to say it. Anyway, what's done is done, u cant change the past, so get over it and move on.

Speaking of moving on, its time to get back to ur band life and practice. Put in ur 200% or as much as possible, so long as u dont screw up ur own life, in band now. For sec 1s, by now u guys should have mastered anthem for winds n percussion and eighties gold. So try to start on harder pieces like symphonic dances and acclamation. Try out kokopelli too. If any of u dont have any of the scores, look for me or Zaki.

{[(Sher)]}

October

One month had passed. I repeat, one whole bloody month had passed. Exams are over.

Now, practice will start anytime soon. Please get back to your instrument immediately as you might have lost what you have learnt.

And also, Rahmat sir, do you know where the tuner for our section is? Do tell.

And on a brighter note, I got 2 valve oil containers; one for me and Sherman. Alongside that, I purchased a Blue Sliver Polishing Cloth on behalf of Sherman and a Yellow Cloth for myself. If you, the Sec 1s, are in need of these accessories, don't be afraid to borrow from us. I would like to send my apologises as I was thinking of purchasing an extra valve oil exclusively for my Sec 1s.

Last note, although this is random, I found out what the Euphonium section lacks. Intonation will the whole band. When I stand and conduct on the behalf of a certain batch practice, I could hear Euphonium sticking out. I am not saying to offend anyone but what I think the section lacks is the ability to balance with the band.

You see, the intonation and balance is derived from the awareness of technique, endurance of the players and quality of instrument. So, in other words, please be aware of your techniques, increase your endurance with the various exercises Rahmat sir taught you and check and make sure your instrument is in good condition and intuned.

Like what I said, the biggest mistake of the Euphoniums is the lack of ability to balance with the band.

"The band is as good as its Euphonium section." - John Philip Sousa

[Izak]