When we learn to make music

Monday, 24 July 2006

Please do not forget that there's still a SL test
yet to be conducted.
Be prepared by the start of the week after common test.

Woodwinds and brasses : F, B flat, E flat, A flat major. ( In own instrument key )
Percussion : card mr sim bought.

-------------------------------------------------------

This is a workshop conducted by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra,
the SL training course is recommended for the SLs to go, those who are
not section leaders but interested to go, you can go as well !
There are some other courses for your own instruments,
but the SL course should be able to benefit you more.
It'll be great if you people attend this workshop.
Recommended by Mr Sim as well.
Visit Band Fushion for more information.

WASBE (Singapore) Workshops

Details of workshop Instrument workshops are available for the following instrument players:

Group A: Flute, Horn, Saxophone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Double Bass
Group B: Trumpet, Clarinet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion

Sectional Leaders Course Dates: 2nd & 8th September 2006
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm & 3.00pm- 6.00pm
Fee: $50

Instrument Workshop (Intermediate)Dates:
2 September 2006 (Group A) &
8th September 2006 (Group B)
Time: 3.0pm- 6.00pm.
Fees: $25

Instrument Masterclass (Advance)Dates:
3rd September 2006 (Group A) &
9th September 2006 (Group B)
Time: 2.30pm- 5.30pm
Fees: Performing Participants $80,
Observing Participants $15

All workshops will be held at the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Sectional Leaders Training Course
A two part hands-on workshop designed for potential, new and existing sectional leaders,
musicians from the TKWO will impart onto participants their knowledge and skills on instrument playing,
practice and rehearsal techniques. Second part of the course will be delivered by veteran music educator Dr Lee Tian Tee, also President for WASBE (Singapore), who will share his insights on how to better manage and conduct sectional practices.
Participants will also practice and evaluate their newly learnt skills during the workshop.
A gathering of sectional leaders from various schools,
participants will also be able to interact and learn from each other's experience.
Through such efforts, we hope that participants will eventually share and apply their knowledge in school to conduct sectional practices effectively.
On top of instrument playing and practice technique, the following items will also be taught at this workshop:
• Basic Conducting
• Warm Up and Tuning Procedure
• Leadership and Management Skills
• Understanding Instrument Uniqueness and Flaws
• Solving Rhythmic Problems
• Dynamic and Balance Control

Instrument Workshop (Intermediate) Targeted at band members of secondary 2 and above, this workshop aims to provide participants with a better understanding on instrument playing as musicians from the TKWO share with participants the practical skills and technique of music making. Through active participation and demonstration, participants will be encouraged to apply the skills in the workshop and imitate after the instrumentalist to achieve qualities in aspects such as tone production, breathing and blowing techniques, articulation and more.

Instrument Masterclass (Advance) Recommended for musicians of age 17 and above, participants can choose to either perform on their instrument to receive critics and recommendation from the TKWO musicians or be an observer to learn from the experience. Performing participants are expected to be of at least tertiary level or recommended by his/her music teacher. Performers will receive individual attention from the masters and will need to prepare their own music for a 45-minutes session. Observer will view the sessions to learn from the critics and recommendation the masters will make.

-Jayne

at 5:48 pm KCB

Friday, 21 July 2006

I've got great news, banders !
Remember how we felt after we've finished playing
the pieces at the competition ?
Some might feel we played badly, some thought we're okay.
Well, to those who felt that we're bad,
tell you all something.
Most of the judges thought we are good !
I've received the comments slips from mr sim today,
and I'll photocopy a set to put them up at the band room.

Hahaha, the judges' handwritings are very 'neat' .
I can barely read a thing.
But still able to do so, I'll type out what I see and they
might not be in proper tenses because the judges are
writing them fast. Lol
One of the judges is japanese, so i'll skip that.

The Chimes of Liberty

Judge 2 :

Beginning : Good Tone, Good Ensemble
Trio : Sd be careful about tempo. Tp (certain rhythm) articulation not clear.
Musicality good phrasing and variety dynamics.

Judge 3:

Great opening ! Very energetic + direhaa - tasty !
I'm loving all of the WW sounds at 5 - can't hear the (certain bar) at all.
22 lots of energy but overblown - held out that u never sacrifice volume for sound.
You need careful at the trio - we get out of time will pee. and off beats.
Well done piccolo ! -however careful please dont hang the nuloint - ole sounds great and the bar in c pollen.
This is and a pretty melody - I am hearing the ef of the phone being very dropped off -
don't kill it lots of energy ! Well done.

Judge 4:

Very clean dynamic changes !! I also like your interpretation & style !!
But, rhythmically you are rushing a little bit all the time.

Judge 5:

A lively and colourful start - quite good style and texture.
Unfortunately this won't maintained and there was a lot pf rhythmic untidiness
dont get too excited - stay in control and let the audience get excited !
the band has good energies but a tad over-enthusiastic at times. ( feature the chimes more )

Judge 6:

March - Style -
Chimes - In tempo !
Too loud for piccolo solo - play softer.
(certain note) - shorter ! together.
ensemble balance
each section . 123 >
Tpt bell heights.

Judge 7:

This judge's handwriting can't be read easily.

Blue Ridge Saga

Judge 2:

Beginning : Cl. not blend together. Bass should play more legato.
Good dynamics control.
Be careful about tempo. (certain bar) sometime too much.
Loud section : Tb. should play more legato.
Good tp solo.
Hn : be careful your sound.
Maestoso : are not come out.

Judge 3:

this is much a pretty opening. Make sure that you always keep the tongue moving -
when in slow, soft dynamics - the tongue moves quickly. this really highlights phrasing - note be very careful
to baft blow thought the phrase and don't hide the end of the phrase.
Fast section - great change of tempo well handled.
- rhythmically very solid + energetic.
You guys really sound like you like this section.
you need to make me feel it all sound that way !
slow middle - well handled change of tempo. the lovely ideas of tempo - love chimes + mch.
well done solo tpt + hn. Again - its all about phrasing play it carefully.
DC - this tempo feels a little " out of control " - a little hurried.
but carry the energy into the finale - don't let it all dioiapate at 191.
again as the sgick at the tenuise at 200 - don't let the energy fall.
You lovely moments. You have obviously worked very hard.
PS my more was missing paper + badly arranged - hence for the rehearsal marks.

Judge 4:

The phrasing are execellent !! General expression are very fine !! But. again, rhythmically you are
rushing all the time !! Just, watch when you play in Allegro Tempo !!

Judge 5:

(pages missing in my score ! )
Pleasant opening - some capable sounds.
more attention needs paying to rhythmic structure and ensemble awareness.
The music rushes and is untidy - unnecessarily so.
Slow section was quite tuneful and some nice melody playing - nice tpt solo.
Dynamics are generally colourful. With more rhythmic neatness, this could be really good.

Judge 6:

Balance opening.
75 - can't hear melody.
95 - sing times - too note conscious.
Don't care soloists !
(certain note) tempo.
p to f more content.

Judge 7:

He wrote a whole chunk. But I can only recognise a few lines.
----
A little tuning problem in the flute section. the intonation had been affected.
Inpressive solo passages.

Some comments are seriously contradicting.
Some words are/sound weird too. Lol !
There are a few judges giving us marks at a gold standard,
80 and 84.
But there is one judge who gave us 60 for blue ridge which marks
at a bronze.
So they total up and divided equally and we got a silver.
We could get a Gold, and the most of the judges thought highly of us !
Cause the marks giving by the others are a high silver.
A few Gold marks too.
Anyway, do take a look at these comments when they
are up, probably you are better at recognising weird words ! (:
It's always the same, it's always because of our rhythms.
Anyway, great job today people !
You guys are wonderful.
Though the back of the hall could not hear properly, don't worry !
It's probably not us. mr sim said the front of the hall are too noisy
thats why the back can't hear.

Work hard for common test ! (:

Jayne.

at 5:56 pm KCB

Thursday, 20 July 2006

hey everyone!

hope you all noticed this tiny little board like thingy beside the notice board at the side of the white board.
it has some 'shout outs' written on it.

this board is for all band members to post their messages for the band, for sections, band members etc etc.
it is dedicated to KCB.
specially made for KCB!

hope that you all will use it and post as many shout outs as possible!

all the notices will be cleared once every 2 weeks.
small memo paper could be obtained from the secretary table.

you can take the messages dedicated to you and keep it.
=)

for PM.
evryone will take turns to be in charge of clearing the memos.
please be responsible and do not forget about your duties.
i will inform you all with further instructions later on.

for all banders.
please feel free to post any NICE things you have to say for the band.
=)
thanks!

thats all.

enjoy posting!

i love you all!
<3

huimin.
200706.

at 5:47 pm KCB

well,
tomorrow's my really really last band performance as a real band member.
just looking back makes me pleased.
=) how much we have grown.
yes im feeling emo again.
but really. i cant bear to leave.
afterall, its the one of the best things that happened to me.
the people especially.
well thanks to all who cheered me up,
made me laugh.
well to the trumpet section
i dont want anything from you(not like you guys will give. =P right?)
i just want the section to grow up in maturity
YES you guys are acting like freaking babies
though i like ot join in sometimes.
but really. hope you guys will grow in yr standard too! =)
without me no one to nag already right marcus?
i'll be back to well.
SCARE you! =D

tml's concert will be a blast.
the school will see, we are not to be meddled with.
and they will
bow down and worship us.
yeah right. well. haha,. =)

its my last performance.
please treat me nice. =)

the last time i'll be wearing the band u. for real.

love,
delphne

at 5:46 pm KCB

Sunday, 16 July 2006

Hey people, there are so many encouraging words for our band. I'am sure we can make it the next round. We are like so motivated now and with Mr Sim around, I'am very sure we will make it. At least we improved and want to improve further. Hope that we can recruit lots of sec 1s in next year so that we can share with them what music really is. This coming Friday is another chance for us to show case our music and our passion. We are the best asthetic group, because we improve the most and is the only asthetic group that is really passionate in what we are doing. Great job, banders:)

Cassandra :) i heartX band

at 8:42 pm KCB

reading the posts of some of our band members just made me cry.
i mean. im not being emo or anything.
i donno. when we got the results
i was in a confused emotion.
i felt that i screwed up the performance
my sound killed the band.
i was disappointed in the results.
but then again i was okay with it.
i dont know.
reading their posts just made me happy.
touched.
i dont know. peiqin's blog is one example.
the appreciation she show to us exco.
i mean. i cant say that i've been a good major
sometimes i feel that i did not give my best to the band.
i did not show the correct attitude and the correct expression of my leadership.
sometimes i feel that i've failed
i shld not have been given the post as major.
i donno. but its too late for regrets dont you think?
seeing people like shijing, peiqin, amy,
*infamous* CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW, CAPTAIN of the BLACK PEARL, the one who escaped under the eyes of the seven agents of the East Indian Company, the one who sacked Port Nassau without firing a single shot.(eiji), adriel, niki and how could i forget. WILL TURNER(ron)
appearing for band practice unlike sec 1 and 2.
and someone has been given the post of dm. =P
i definitely know that YOU can do a even better job than me.
definitely.
i realised something from this competition.
the relations that i have build with some of you.
the process that we went through.
growing, empowering, learning,improving,
not to mention the endless laughter(thanks to THE crew)
and all the scoldings that we got.
its not the results that matter.
its the process.
and now i know that though we have a silver, its a gold in all our hearts.
cos of the much hard work we put in.
and time we spent together.
the memories we have built.
esp. for me, leaving.
though i have some regrets when leaving this band.
like not being able to acheive a gold in my last comp.
i know that this band has grown so much.
i'll be sad to go.
to know that im leaving.
but leaving its inevitable.
its hard to say goodbye. but i'll be BACK!.
right jack??! =D

one of the best things that happened to this band.
is mr sim's appearance.
without his patience encouragement, guidance and everything else.
we'll probably still be that boring, anti climax, predictable and lousy band.

to the exco.
you guys will do well. i know that. continue to work hard.
=D change from yr mistakes. become better leaders.

to My exco. well done ppl. for supporting me though im not a good leader.
well done. i'll miss being an exco with you.

to all my juniors.
you guys are the best things that happened to me.
the relationships i build if some of you.
the craziness we had.
pissing me off is fun right kj and glenn?
but it was fun.
you guys have grown so much
not that im that old. IM A DECEMBER BABY OKAY!!!
yeah.

i think madonna lied. when she said. "time goes by. so slowly"
liar.
welll. time has passed by tremendously fast.
its time to leave.
leaving is hard.
but coming back's easy. =D
its all over. my time as a member of KCB
but i know.
I'LL FREAKING BE IN THE ALUMNI RIGHT??!!
well. at least it does say that in the band blog. =D
oh wells. =D

TO KCB!
a gold. and then a gold with honours.
you guys kickass.
better be good and fun
then to be PRO and boring. =D
ahem.
adriel. it doesnt mean you can slack.
long post. MUAHAHAHAHA.

with LOVE!
delphne

at 7:58 pm KCB

Hoho! Hello KCB. :D
SILVER!
Getting 75% is not easy, but we made it.
I am proud of all of you!
THANK YOU TO ALL THE ALUMNI, WHO HELPED US IN THIS COMPETITION.
KCB LOVES YOU!
& to Mr Sim, I'm sure KCB enjoyed the stage yesterday, the feeling for this competition was totally different from the last SYF. We felt much more safer and infact, excited that we're going to perform. Thank you, for everything you've done. You've given us more than what you should, and we really appreciate that.

Band! We're gonna look forward and practice even harder, to be better musicians! Discipline, Character and Music. The EXCOs look forward to leaving this band seeing all these in each and everyone of you. (: SYF 07 and our Concert! Work hard!!

QM Instrument's First Department Meeting, 14.07.06
It was rather fruitful, I'm glad and contented with my new staff namely Peggy, Chen Cheng and Ivan.
They are more initiative and helpful than what I expected! :D

Appointments
I have appointed Chen Cheng as the secretary of QM(Instru) and he will take down minutes during meetings, and doing mostly the admin work.
Ivan will be incharged of moving QM materials and he'll be trained in the next few months by my Senior Staffs and myself in repairing and servicing of instruments.
Directly under me will be my Senior NCO meaning the assistant head of my department, Amy. She will join forces(Yuting -.-) with Marcus to train Peggy up to be as capable as them.
As Peggy is the second oldest in the department, right, let alone Chen Cheng who is even older than me, she'll be incharged of the Sec1 Staff in QM(Instru).
As Marcus, Amy and myself will be stepping down very soon next year, I would like to see more initiative in our junior staffs in learning things!
Remember! QM department is not a one-day-can-learn-everything department! It requires your attention and initiative to learn!

QM Stockcheck soon! So Band Mates, please take good care of your instruments. Brasses, I do not wanna see mouth pieces on your instrument if you're not holding it in your hands. Woodwinds, all mouth pieces to be capped if you're leaving your instrument on the floor.
Band mates, try to place your instruments under your chair if you're leaving it on the floor.
Please cooperate with the QM(s)!!
It'll be greatly appreciated by ShiJing and myself!

With Love,
Julia.

at 7:07 pm KCB

view my blog, i dun want to re-type Lols

anyway, i love KCB
strive hard towards concert & syf next yr
we can do it, cox WE ARE THE BEST!!
[if we cant, then we must, if we must, then we will]

dun blame but give thanks
appreciate every little things we haf in KCB

dun blame the sch for not doin anything
the sch already gave us Mr Andy Sim

many thanks to Mr Sim
he not only teach us music
but to be someone better
in attitude & character

thx the seniors too, sec4s
nicolette, delphne, joanna, victoria, geraldine,nicole, junliang, jacklyn
not for them, some things wont happen

KCB strive on, nth can stop us

peiqin~

at 6:36 pm KCB

Hey! We should be proud of ourselves and be happy! We should take things in our stride.
Seriously think back. There were mistakes made and they were definitely difficult to hide. Nonetheless, wats more important is tt we know we have put in the effort and we r one step higher than wat we were.
Treasure the moments we shared together as a band working as team. Rmb the practice we had in the parade sq? yep! wats more impt is the process, nt the medal. Dont be upset over the silver. It was a HIGH silver(75.7%) and near to a gold(80%) alrd. plus this comp isnt a good one to judge.
There were gold bands tt took part in our div. and some bands even had alumni members to help! Though our band had only one alumni, we did everything with our own effort and hardwork. Even the other band, which played the same song (blue ridge saga) as us, u guys heard over the phone, u shd noe we really did much better. yea? but unfair, they got silver too.
The tipanis were wrongly placed for our band too, causing confusion in jun liang, and lucky someone told the judges! and our div had so many gold bands. How can tt be right? we were just unlucky today.
Still, work hard. we r nearing a gold! do well in the next syf and get a GOLD! yep!
And, nt 2 forget Kuo Jun did a great job on his solo, the trombones too, even amy was great on her piccolo. Great Job! Everyone did a great job, yea? Dont be disheartened.
This Friday, show the sch wat standard the band is. and we r proud of it. work hard band! Rmb, 2003(no medal), 2005(Bronze), 2006(Silver). Do u see a trend here? wat will it be for 2007? GOLD!

Love,
Nicolette

at 5:43 pm KCB

Saturday, 15 July 2006

hi ppl!we've done what we can and it's over!we should be contented that we got silver.at least we have proved to the others that we can do it.we shall continue to work harder and achieve more!yeh?we were near to a gold and we shall work harder to achieve more than just a gold!we shall go beyond that!

oh.and please get all the scores needed on the next practice.please go to the librarians (melissa chew,guan guan,ming chuen,amelia or me) to get your scores.please come automatically.thanks!there will punishment for the next score check if you do not have your scores.thanks again.

scores needed:
1.blackwater
2.blue ridge saga
3.chimes of liberty
4.pirates of the carribean
5.manatee lyric overture
6.can't take my eyes off you
7.three chorales
8.infinite horizons

from me!

at 5:58 pm KCB

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary Concert Band,

SILVER.

We were good !
And do you know that we were close to a gold ?
Means that we're really there already !
Probably just a little more hard work to be put in,
do sense that the Gold is coming.
Don't feel bad alright,
if we believed we're good, nothing could make
us think that we're bad.

SYF Gold, yes ?
(:

It had been a tiring day for us,
rest well ! (:
We've got more challenges to go !
KCB Concert !

Work hard for your common test !
Like how you work hard for the band (:

at 5:37 pm KCB

Thursday, 13 July 2006

hello. Two days time to our competition. We practice so hard to play for less then 15 mins. Come on banders. Make all these practice worth while. Get a GOLD. Be in school by 6 on sat. anyone keen on breakfast? haha.

ADRiel. BAHAHAAH.

at 5:48 pm KCB

Sectionals tomorrow is compulsory.
1.30pm to 4.30pm

QM Instrument
There will be a department meeting for QM Instrument
at the back of the concourse at 1pm.
Please turn up for this meeting.
Meet Julia at the above time stated punctually.

-----------------------

at 5:34 pm KCB

Wednesday, 12 July 2006

Important !

( Correction from ytd's post )
We will be excused from morning assembly tomorrow.
Please be in school at the usual time before 7.30am,
and proceed to the band room at 7.20am.
Bring your instruments and leave them outside
the general office.
Attire would be School Uniform.

7/13/06 8:01 PM
We want the GOLD medal more than anyone else.
We all know it.
We heard ourselves at the concert hall today.
There's definitely room for improvements. (like duh)
Everyone, persevere & strive for that GOLD medal!!!
We will not let anyone down.
We will not let ourselves down.

If we can't then we must.
If, we must then we will.

I wish us all the best. (:
Lol

WE WILL ACHIEVE A GOLD MEDAL.
countdown to National Competition: 2 days

I love you KCB.
posted by NGSHIJING @ 20:37

at 5:33 pm KCB

Tuesday, 11 July 2006

Section Leader Test
Please take note that the following people are chosen to take the SL test conducted by
Mr Sim soon, date to be reconfirmed again.

Tested on :
F, B flat, E flat, A flat major. ( In own instrument key )
Scales as well.
Percussion section will be tested on the card mr sim bought for you the other time.

Tuba
Hui Sze

Trombone
Leonard, Amelia.

Trumpet
Marcus *
Kuo Jinn
Glenn
Guan Guan

Saxophone
Alvin
Mitchell
Yuting

Clarinet
Christabel and Eevon

Percussion
Eiji*
Niki
Ron
Peggy

Good Luck for the chosen ones !
Be Prepared for the test ! (:

----------------------

Announcements:

Uniform Department
Sec 1s to have their shoes by thursday.
Guys can get their boots from the army market etc.
Girls can get theirs from Bata.

Sec 1s please take note that your full uniform will arrive
on Friday 14 July. Please be there.

QM Environment
Please be seated according to the seating arrangement drawn
on the whiteboard in the band room starting from next practice.

Do not remove chairs or add additional chairs to the rows.

Starting from next practice
Those who did not attend band must provide mc or parents letter
based on your reason.
Family Matters/Tuition/Injuries/Headche etc , to be granted permission
by teacher in charge before you absent yourself.

Please be reminded that Band is a Mandatory cca.
You can't quit does not mean that you can absent yourself.
Band is a cca that requires regular attendance and the passion towards music.

Let's all work hard for the competition this saturday ! (:

at 5:28 pm KCB

Friday, 7 July 2006

Chong Boon's concert just ended not long ago, and
I'll have to say,
Good Job Banders ! :)
Even though it's not our own concert or any competition,
KCB has proven that not only did we serve as a great host to them,
also our great teamwork and performance has improved tremendously.
I hope this will go on and on, passing down from
one batch to another, our everything.
I believed tonight is one great night, that we would definately
look forward to if we had it as our own KCB concert.
Agree ?
Lastly, i'm so proud of this band, and well done banders,
let's work even harder for this july's competition that's coming
real soon.
GOLD ! yes ?

Jayne

at 5:28 pm KCB

Wednesday, 5 July 2006

hey guys!
=) im really going to miss all of you after i leave.
i remembered, i was sec two when the sec 3 batch was recruited.
damn. i lost my voice, and i was trying to convince loads of ppl to join. =)
oh wells. guess most of you stayed on. i guess. =)
the sec 2 batch too!. =) treally thank god for all of you
not to mention this years sec ones! =)
anws. i remembered. i used to find that teh sec 3 batch had like attitude problems and attendance problems.
but now you guys are mostly present and really. im happy! =)
the sec 2 you guys have really improved alot and stuff.
and the sec1s. you guys are working! =) haha.
yay
anws. im really going to miss you all!.
ESPECIALLY THE SEC THREES!
alot alot. and not to mention the rest of you!. =)))
thanks for all the fun and all the friendships i have built.
thanks for the smiles and all the crayz stuff we did together.

let us strive together for the july competition and acheive a
GOLD!
godbless!

-delphne

at 5:24 pm KCB

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

Schedule:

4 July 2006 (Tuesday) 3pm to 6pm
10 July 2006 (Monday) 7.30am to 9am
11 July 2006 (Tuesday) 3pm to 6pm
14 July 2006 (Friday) 1.30pm to 4.30pm

Please be responsible to turn up even though some of these are sectionals.
Remember, practice makes perfect.

Consent Form regarding Chong Boon Concert :

For the sake of Sec 4s who are coming ( If any ),
and those who have not received the form or had lost it.

(Please get your consent form from your section leader if you haven't get it yet. Thanks.)

Re: Guest Band for Chong Boon Sec Sch Concert

Date: 7 July 2006 (Friday)
Venue: KCPSS Hall
Time: 7.30pm to 10pm ( All are to report at 4pm in school )

Regarding Uniform:

Miss Lim had changed the decision of wearing full uniform on Friday 7 July to school uniform.
The band, including sec 1s, will all wear school uniform on that day.
However, please bring your green blouse, skirt(girls) and shoes before this week.
Uniform departments needs to check for the July Competition.

Sec 1s :Please be informed that the tailor might come over anytime to take your measurements in this week, please turn up for all practices in case the tailor comes.

Any other additional announcements may be added within this post.

at 5:22 pm KCB

Saturday, 1 July 2006

:D

This blog is officially open to everyone.
Excos you may start posting your announcements here
as a repeated reminder to the band.
Get the password and username from me.

at 5:19 pm KCB