this one's for the section leaders.

section leaders,
these are the requirements that are needed
during band.
so do take note.
jot it down if you need to.

• a pencil (and eraser, optional) should always be with you every band practice
• no chatting when mr ng is talking, only if it's neccessary.

and i would need each of you to prepare a book,

don't need it to be too big nor must it be too small.

you can decorate it whichever way you want,

but it must consist of these important things.

rules and regulations page(one page):

write out the rules and regulations of ESMB,

you should know what they are.

members page(one page):

draw out a table,

include this,

your section members names,

contact numbers (both parents' and their own, ask me if you don't know),

class,

serial number of their instruments.

absentees page (no. of pages, up to you):

write the names who didn't come for that particular day,

do write in the date.

when they are back,

ask them their reason

and write it down.

latecomers page (number of pages, up to you to decide):

those who are late,

write down their names,

and write in the time they come in.

misbehaving page (number of pages, up to you to decide):

write down the names those

who has not been behaving well,

example,

he/she did not listen to you,

he/she chats during practice,

use handphone etc.

you may have the freedom to include any other pages

that you think is relevant.

me and firdaus will be checking the book frequently.

prepare the book by this wednesday,

25th June.

i will be checking at the end of band pratice.

spread to the other section leaders too.

thank you.

farah,

band major.

today,
i wasn't able to come for band practice,
as i had to attend this science practical lesson.
when i was busy working out the experiments,
i overheard the brasses playing
and oh,
how surprised i was to hear such an improvement in their playing.

for trumpeters,
a really good job.
you guys are improving,
and i can really see the effort put in.
i know it's hard to play
without the guidance from seniors.
but yeah,
when i was in sec 2,
only left me and firdaus in french horn.
we had to learn and infer
on how to play and read the notes
cause we're new to french horn.
basically,
it's like playing a guessing game.
i never knew how to read the flats, naturals and the sharps.
i didn't know when to play the flats and all that.
but as the time went by,
it all started to show up,
and you can really see the pattern.
so yeah,
do not give up although it might be hard for you guys,
especially without any seniors being able to guide as you play.
if you guys do have anything doubts or enquiries,
just approach me or firdaus or ms tan or miss ong okay.


for the rest of the band,
i heard that mr ng did a lot of scolding today.
and of course,
i'm sad to hear that.
for whatever that he said,
be it harsh or hurtful,
put that all away.
throw it away.
take in the advices that he gave,
for it,
i'm sure,
will be able to help you a lot in your playing.
he didn't scold us for nothing.
if he scolds you,
it doesn't mean that he hates you or so.
it's just that,
he wants you to make effort,
he wants the best out of you.
well,
afterall,
it's because of him that we managed to clinch bronze in the
previous SYF,
after how many years of COP.

we have the support from our seniors,
teachers and even mr ng.
let's not dissappoint them.

we can do it guys.
i know we can(:

lookay peeps.
it's time to get more serious in band.
NBC's just around the corner
and i'm absolutely sure each and everyone of us
are expecting a good outcome out of it right?

bronze?
silver?
or gold?

it's really up to us,
to make that decision.

we have two choices.
to give the best of us,
or just run away and hide.
i choose to give it all.

i know,
and really really know,
that some of you do not have the confidence
that we will make it for the NBC.
i have to admit,
i did too.
but after much thinking,
why run away when we've already
used up our time for the holiday practices?
why run away when we've already put so much effort
in playing the songs over and over again?
why run away when we've already worked hard
correcting our mistakes and all?

dear sec ones,
i know mr ng has been quite harsh to you guys.
well, believe me,
he was worst during my batch.
i got scolded countless times too.
i was on the edge of giving up,
on the edge of quitting band,
but something stopped me.
the bonds that i built
and the love for ESMB,
got me thinking,
how stupid it is
to quit band just because of one person,
while there are more than one
who needs me to be there.
it would be so childish of me
to quit something that i love,
and leaving behind others
who's putting so much effort
despite all the hard moments
that they have to face.

i know how you guys felt,
cause i was in your shoes.
but look at where i stand now.

do not give up guys,
for those quitters are weak.
but you are not.

this bunch of sec ones,
are by far,
the most strongest and the most determined bunch i've met,
despite the limited practices that they have.
they bring their instruments home nearly every week,
and stayed back to do sectionals with their seniors.
i salute them for that.
continue that,
and i'm sure you'll guys be somewhere on top.

okay,
enough of yaddida yadda.
hehs.

this is what some of your section leaders
came up with to help you in your playing.


HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF

• Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone does mistakes
• Never give up, strive hard for everything.
• Always TRY, do not sit there waiting for a miracle to happen.
• Believe in yourself, if others can do it, why not you?
• during band practice, do this, QUIETLY."i can do it, i can do it, i can do it!"

FEEL THE MUSIC

• it's not just about playing note to note from the score, it's about being able to feel the music. Close your eyes and picture the story the song is trying to potray.
• Follow the dynamics, for it will make effect on the feel of the music.
• Try to swell (mostly for melodies)
• More AIR for good sound.

RECOGNISE THE SONG

• Bring home your file, switch on your computer, search for the songs that we are playing, listen to it countless times
• If you bring your instruments home, try playing with the song.
• During your free time, hum to the tune of the song.

let's not waste any of our precious practices and prove to mr ng wrong that we are no COP band.

NBC is near,

let's show them what's ESMB is all about.

with lots and lots of love,

farah amirah, band major.