St Patrick's School Alumni Band In Concert
The St Patrick's School Alumni Band In Concert at the Singapore Conference Hall was a big success. I smsed a couple of my students who performed, that I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I meant it from the bottom of my heart 'located deep inside my body', quoting the emcee.
Don't be mistaken, I am no band music critic. My appreciation is limited to the overall pitching and togetherness based on what I hear. And even for that, my words should be taken with a pinch of salt. Thus, I'm not writing to comment on their technicality, but as a novice in the appreciation of band music, how I felt as a member of the audience.
All in all, it was an entertaining concert and definitely well worth the $12. My main objective, of course, was to support my students playing in the Alumni Band For quite a few instances, I totally forgot about that because they were not on stage for a substantial portion of the programme. The stage was taken over by the St Patrick's School Junior, the Main Band, and the combo band comprising of 6 alumni members (not sure if the guest bassist was a Patrician).
At different segment, I felt myself drawn towards the performances in different ways. Even though it was a Alumni Band concert, it was quite a treat to watch the Junior and Main Band. This is the first time I attended their concert so I'm not sure if this is the tradition.
Anyway, the Junior Band members look sooo adorable, especially those carrying the Tuba. From where I was sitting, I could only see the bells. I thought they were so brave. It was interesting to see the contrast when they streamed in following the exit of the Alumni Band. While they were playing, I remember thinking how proud I would be if they were my own children. One of my nephews will be entering Sec 1 in a few days' time. I was hoping he would consider joining the band, though my sister wants him to join Boys' Brigade. Maybe, like his dad, he would mistaken BB for Brass Band...Haha!
I've heard about the Main Band getting SYF Gold with Honours this year, so I was also looking forward to them play when I saw the programme. I thought they sounded really good and I was not disappointed.
The combo band was visual pleasure because you could see that all of them were enjoying themselves, despite a few technical hiccups where I wondered, "where are all the stage crew??!!" The performers were basically left there to 'fend for themselves'. But all these were well compensated by the performers' showmanship as the usual spotlight were cast on the individual players where they got to flaunt their solos. The beauty of it was that they were all from different age group, but speaking the same language of music.
On hindsight, I felt that there could be too much highlight on the saxophone. There was a piece in the first half of the programme, I'm not sure if it's appropriate to call that a saxophone concerto. The main melody lines for the pieces played by the combo band were mainly carried by the 2 saxophonists. Even the encore piece saw quite a bit of them as well. Perhaps I was just hoping that the Alumni Band could play more. I could just imagine one of the alumni sax players I know drooling as he watched the professional display. I hope he felt more inspired than anything else.
A prevailing sentiment throughout the whole concert. I felt very much that it was such a family affair, and I say this in a positive tone. You have all 3 levels of bands performing, a Main Band member conducting the Junior Band, the Alumni Band members conducting the Main Band. In fact, just having the many generations of band members forming and maintaining the Alumni Band and putting up this concert and more previously, was itself a strong display of 'kinship' and affiliation to one another and the school. And they even ended the concert inviting the audience to stand and all Patricians sang the school anthem. Another tradition? But surely a big injection of nstitutional pride. The Principal, Mr Lucus Lak, should be super pleased.
One of the things that impressed me was that, despite the absence of the bandmaster, Mr David Glosz (due to ailment) to conduct the band this evening, the performances were of such good quality. I believe he would be so proud to know that his boys (and men) were so well-instructed by him that they were still able to deliver a good concert on their own. I think this is a mark of a good bandmaster, or any educator, that your students take what you have imparted to them and are able to do well independently as a result. Each member a leader in their own right.
All these, and when I did remember why I was there for in the first place, I felt this could be the best band concert I've ever attended. Like I said, I'm not a music critic, though I really thought it was quality performance I saw this evening.
As a Student Development Officer of my own Poly Band, this concert was sort of an educational trip. (I think that's why sometimes I like watching shows and concerts by myself because you get to reflect better without getting distracted.) I'm tempted, but careful to say that it was inspiring because I need to be realistic and think rationally how achievable it is with the mix of people we have. The experience allowed me to understand the deep prevailing affiliations that some of my band members have towards their former bands, their willingness to spend time beyond current academic, CCA, and sometimes part-timing commitments to continue to be involved. Perhaps the inspiration for me is to do better in my capacity as an Advisor and Development Officer.
Nevertheless, I must say that I do appreciate what we have been able to produce so far. I guess I can only hope that my students are able to draw from a different level of experience and benefit from it, too. It makes one more versatile to be able to adapt to different environment, time schedule, priorities and so on.
So I left the concert hall with mixed emotions. Definitely thankful that I braved the Singapore road and partial rain to a heavy traffic area where I've never driven to before. And I drove home feeling satisfied and uplifted.
Thanks, guys, for a job well-done.
Don't be mistaken, I am no band music critic. My appreciation is limited to the overall pitching and togetherness based on what I hear. And even for that, my words should be taken with a pinch of salt. Thus, I'm not writing to comment on their technicality, but as a novice in the appreciation of band music, how I felt as a member of the audience.
All in all, it was an entertaining concert and definitely well worth the $12. My main objective, of course, was to support my students playing in the Alumni Band For quite a few instances, I totally forgot about that because they were not on stage for a substantial portion of the programme. The stage was taken over by the St Patrick's School Junior, the Main Band, and the combo band comprising of 6 alumni members (not sure if the guest bassist was a Patrician).
At different segment, I felt myself drawn towards the performances in different ways. Even though it was a Alumni Band concert, it was quite a treat to watch the Junior and Main Band. This is the first time I attended their concert so I'm not sure if this is the tradition.
Anyway, the Junior Band members look sooo adorable, especially those carrying the Tuba. From where I was sitting, I could only see the bells. I thought they were so brave. It was interesting to see the contrast when they streamed in following the exit of the Alumni Band. While they were playing, I remember thinking how proud I would be if they were my own children. One of my nephews will be entering Sec 1 in a few days' time. I was hoping he would consider joining the band, though my sister wants him to join Boys' Brigade. Maybe, like his dad, he would mistaken BB for Brass Band...Haha!
I've heard about the Main Band getting SYF Gold with Honours this year, so I was also looking forward to them play when I saw the programme. I thought they sounded really good and I was not disappointed.
The combo band was visual pleasure because you could see that all of them were enjoying themselves, despite a few technical hiccups where I wondered, "where are all the stage crew??!!" The performers were basically left there to 'fend for themselves'. But all these were well compensated by the performers' showmanship as the usual spotlight were cast on the individual players where they got to flaunt their solos. The beauty of it was that they were all from different age group, but speaking the same language of music.
On hindsight, I felt that there could be too much highlight on the saxophone. There was a piece in the first half of the programme, I'm not sure if it's appropriate to call that a saxophone concerto. The main melody lines for the pieces played by the combo band were mainly carried by the 2 saxophonists. Even the encore piece saw quite a bit of them as well. Perhaps I was just hoping that the Alumni Band could play more. I could just imagine one of the alumni sax players I know drooling as he watched the professional display. I hope he felt more inspired than anything else.
A prevailing sentiment throughout the whole concert. I felt very much that it was such a family affair, and I say this in a positive tone. You have all 3 levels of bands performing, a Main Band member conducting the Junior Band, the Alumni Band members conducting the Main Band. In fact, just having the many generations of band members forming and maintaining the Alumni Band and putting up this concert and more previously, was itself a strong display of 'kinship' and affiliation to one another and the school. And they even ended the concert inviting the audience to stand and all Patricians sang the school anthem. Another tradition? But surely a big injection of nstitutional pride. The Principal, Mr Lucus Lak, should be super pleased.
One of the things that impressed me was that, despite the absence of the bandmaster, Mr David Glosz (due to ailment) to conduct the band this evening, the performances were of such good quality. I believe he would be so proud to know that his boys (and men) were so well-instructed by him that they were still able to deliver a good concert on their own. I think this is a mark of a good bandmaster, or any educator, that your students take what you have imparted to them and are able to do well independently as a result. Each member a leader in their own right.
All these, and when I did remember why I was there for in the first place, I felt this could be the best band concert I've ever attended. Like I said, I'm not a music critic, though I really thought it was quality performance I saw this evening.
As a Student Development Officer of my own Poly Band, this concert was sort of an educational trip. (I think that's why sometimes I like watching shows and concerts by myself because you get to reflect better without getting distracted.) I'm tempted, but careful to say that it was inspiring because I need to be realistic and think rationally how achievable it is with the mix of people we have. The experience allowed me to understand the deep prevailing affiliations that some of my band members have towards their former bands, their willingness to spend time beyond current academic, CCA, and sometimes part-timing commitments to continue to be involved. Perhaps the inspiration for me is to do better in my capacity as an Advisor and Development Officer.
Nevertheless, I must say that I do appreciate what we have been able to produce so far. I guess I can only hope that my students are able to draw from a different level of experience and benefit from it, too. It makes one more versatile to be able to adapt to different environment, time schedule, priorities and so on.
So I left the concert hall with mixed emotions. Definitely thankful that I braved the Singapore road and partial rain to a heavy traffic area where I've never driven to before. And I drove home feeling satisfied and uplifted.
Thanks, guys, for a job well-done.
