CCA Fair 2010 and other things to address

For this year’s CCA fair, these are what we have to do:

1. Banner
2. Souvenirs
3. Stickers
4. Posters
5. Notice boards

(1) Banners

• To be done by: Secondary 2 (white badge) exco members
• Please hang the banner at the upper sec area behind the hall. There are some classrooms kind of surrounding the quadrangle on the first floor. Hang the banner on these fences
• We can only use a maximum of 3 panels
• Please remember to tie it tightly
• Deadline: 18 Dec 2009, 1pm

(2) Souvenirs

• To be done by: Secondary 1 (grey badge) squad
• Budget: $25
• Deadline: Finish before CCA fair

(3) Souvenirs

• To be done by: Secondary 3 (green badge) squad
• Done

(4) Posters

• To be done by: All band members
• We will be handing out the posters on 22nd and 29th December to all members to stick around school
• Please note that you can only stick on BRICK WALLS. DO NOT STICK ON WHITE WALLS.
• You can only use blue tack which we would give out as well.
• Deadline: Finish before CCA fair

(5) Notice boards

• To be done by: Secondary 2 (white badge) squad
• Budget: $10
• Information to be on the board:
  • Teachers:  Du lao shi, please leave 2 blanks for new teachers
  • Conductors:
  • Achievements
  • Practice times: Monday (3:45PM-6:30PM), Thursday(3:45PM-6:30PM), Friday(3:45PM-6:00PM)
  • Photos, sections, members
• Deadline: Finish before CCA fair

Guidelines

• If you are going to be in school, please inform the Top 4 what time, what date and how many people will be coming. We will then in turn tell the teachers.
• Meeting times be between 9am to 4pm due to safety reasons.
• If you would like to claim money, please remember to give your receipts to Zhang Di. If you have multiple receipts for claiming, please staple them neatly on an A4 piece of paper.

SLs, you will also need to prepare and fix an unused instrument for the new Sec 1s (red badges) to try on CCA fair day.

And to the rest of the band, please remember to get ready your uniform before the CCA fair, if you have lost your ribbons, please tell the WOs as soon as possible. Because of the move to this school, it would really be a lot more inconvenient to only get your ribbons on the day itself. And do be reminded that the band uniform consists of band badge as well.

Also, remember to practice your instruments as well. If you have not, please come back and get it. If you still cannot come back and get it, at least flip through your scores, learn it and do breathing exercises at home.

Opening of the band room during the holidays
The band room will be opened from 10am next Monday, 7 Dec. Please message me if you are coming on that day.

If you need to open the doors when you are meeting for the CCA fair arrangements, please notify us.

Other Issues

We have recently moved here and even had 2 band practices over at the holding site. Let’s not think about what we can’t do here but what we CAN do here. The ability to play does not lie in where we are, but it is in us. It doesn’t matter where we are for us to play well, don’t let the fact we have moved affect us.

Thinking negatively won’t change a thing. Thinking about what we can’t do here cannot change a thing. But if we think positively, think of what we can achieve, what we can do here, many things can change for the better.

Let’s set aside the negative mindset and just try. Everyone has to try together because we are one band. Let’s try to understand one another, let’s learn to give and take. Sometimes, it’s hard to understand why certain decisions are made or why you have to do something. But everything happens for a reason, decisions aren’t made to make your life difficult.

So let’s stay positive throughout our 2 year stay here. Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not, it’s not the end.

Thanks,
Grace

Theory Workshop Details

Hi everyone,

Here are the details for the theory workshop Ms Du mentioned today.

“London College of Music Theory Workshop for Grade 1-3″

Date: 14 Nov 09 (Saturday)

Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm

Venue: Brass Academy (#4-46 WCEGA Plaza, 1 Bukit Batok Cresent)

Fee: $7 per person

Those who do not have any theory background are strongly encouraged to go. The workshop would cover musical techniques such as: major & minor scales, rhythm, time signatures etc. Through this workshop, students would also be equipped with the knowledge to take the LCM Theory Exams (Grade 1-3).

People who are interested please write your names on the name list pasted on the band board, or give your names to Ning Xuan.

Thank you!

Ning Xuan

National Day Observation Ceremony

Hi everyone, there are several things to note for Friday’s National Day Observation Ceremony and a few other things as well.

Rehearsal

There will be another rehearsal on this Thursday. This time, we will not be standing at the New Spectactors’ Stand, we will be at the Hockey Pitch. Try and remember your scores by then.

Order of Songs

Please remember the order of the songs we are suppoused to play and be alert as to when we are going to play. Here’s is basically what you should look out for, based on what I heard during the rehearsal, I will update this when I ask Chloe again for the programme sheet.

When you hear a very long command by Esther that ends with “Cepat Jalan”, start playing Spartans. When there is an introduction of Claudia and when she is marching in, the drummers should play a beat for her to march to.

Afterwards, they will check their dressing and drummers should play for 6 seconds when they hear “Baris Kekanan Lu-rus”

After a long time, there will say “Kawalan Ke-hormatan GOH, Hormat Principal kepada Ms Chan, Hermat Tan-an”, when the contingents will be saluting her, that’s when we play Liberty Fanfare. After which, it should be quite obvious when to play the National Anthem and School Song.

After the prayer, the St John’s contingent will march in front of the rest of the contingents, and when they command their contingents (“Kewalun kehormatan, Dari Kiri, Cepat Ja-lan”) to start marching, play “Sousa”.

Projection and other things related to Playing

No matter what, for both Spartans and Sousa, look at Chloe at ALL TIMES. Do not stop when you think the contingents are going to stop marching. They will stop marching when Chloe gives US the signal to prepare to stop in which they will stop together when we stop the music too. In conclusion, look at Chloe, stare hard at her and be alert!

For Spartans, during today’s rehearsal, we ended exactly at the end of Part B, if may change, so once again look out for Chloe. For fanfare, remember to accent, so we don’t sound funny. Remember to come in at the RIGHT TIME for School Song.

Since we played during morning assembly on Monday, as you can tell, we don’t sound very nice. Remember to project your sound because we sound really, really, really soft! Also, keep in mind dynamics as well as add a bit of emotion to the song. Try not to look like a block of wood when playing, smile or something.

Summarizing the above, remember to watch Chloe, watch out for her signal, project your sound and remember your dynamics.

Attire

We will be wearing the full band uniform, INCLUDING BLAZER, on Friday. In case you don’t remember, the band uniform consists of these:

• Band blouse
• Band blazer
• Band skirt
• Band shoes
• Band socks
• Band ribbons
• Band badge

Notice emphasis placed on the band badge, it’s part of our uniform! So wear your badge! If you realise that you don’t have your band ribbons at home, please get them before Friday because it’s going be super messy if everyone wants to get them. You have to pay to get your ribbons, no money no ribbons!

Time

Please come at 6:45am tomorrow! By 7:00am we should all be ready and waiting already at the hockey pitch. And ready, we mean that we have tuned up and practiced already.

Also, bring your thermometer down, it should be taken before the ceremony starts and not with the school.

Lastly, PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR BAND BADGE!

Oh, and thank you for thanking Ms Sia automatically today, let’s hope we can keep it this way. I have devised a list on the order of how to thank figures of authority, so we dont mess up and end up greeting different people at the same time.

1. Ms Sia
2. Mr Ong
3. Any other tutor (I shall devise an order for this, just in case there is more than one)
4. Mr Lin
5. Mr Cher
6. Ms Du
7. Ma’am(s)

This post will be further updated when I get hold of more information.

Let’s play our best on Friday since we don’t sound particularly awesome right now.

Thanks,
Grace Leung

HAND IN EXCUSE LETTERS/MCS!

due to my 1week’s disappearence from band you have not been hearing this, but that DOES NOT mean you stop handing in excuse letters/MCs! they can be submitted to the envelope labeled “excuse letters/MCs” on the band room whiteboard. updated list of people who have been owing letters shall come up soon, but in the meanwhile, please try to take initiative and hand in your excuse letters because it’s your attendance we’re talking about.

joan.

SYF PHOTOS

SYF photos are out!

Please collect from me PERSONALLY if you haven’t! ( you’ll need to sign) I’m in 3 Faith.  Alternatively, you can get if from me during band!

Sec 4 seniors, Hai Ching will give out to you all. (:

Thanks!

P.S. Practice hard and jia you for National Day performance!

-ZHANGDI

Hi Everyone

Many of you haven’t handed in your hol band prac consent forms. Please try your best to pass them to me by next week cos it’s already one week due. And since we don’t know when CCA’s gonna resume, just pass them to me directly. I’m from 3 Faith!

Those who haven’t handed in

Sec 3s: Grace Ho, Cheryl, Karyn, Qi Xuan, Veronica, Belle, Shi Ying, Valerie, Maryanne, Charissa, Ye Xin, Xin Lin, Christine Lim, Rachel, Olivia, Sarah

Sec 2s: Annabelle, Audrey, Ming Wei, Sarah, Rachel, Grace, Jie Ying, Calista, Chloe, Li Ying, Claire, Tessa, Kit Wei, Sherry, Jessye, Jenny

Sec 1 squad: Amanda Goh, Alicia, Michelle, Xi Ning, Stephanie, Nathania, Joyce, Sheryl, Valery, Vianna, Amanda Loh, Shermaine, Tzu Hsuan, Ryna, Yan Yee

SLs please take note of those people who are in your section and remind them to hand in those consent forms. Thank you!

Ning Xuan (:

jubilate DVD/CD order

JUBILATE DVD/ PHOTO CD AT $20 EACH.

you can still order now, it’s until next week[9july]! (:

SLs please msg your sec 4 seniors if they want too!

everyone’s encouraged to buy.

P.S. pass me money directly if you are ordering,i’m in 3faith. thanks!

-ZHANGDI

AYG Performance attire

Hi everyone

Firstly, apologies for an explosion of posts in the band blog. I actually doubt people actually read the posts at the bottom.

The attire for the performance will be full school uniform, with your blouse. This includes all Sec 3s although you might have probably received a message from your councilours that you all have to wear your house t-shirts on Monday. Please ignore that message and wear your blouse. Just wear your blouse directly to school because you won’t have time to change when you are released at 11am. Remember your band badge as well.

The band room will also be open at 6:40am on Monday for people to practice.

Edit at 9pm: If anyone has accidentally taken a pair of size 5 North Star School schools on Tuesday Band practice, please return it to Grace Ho. The shoes are the sneaker kind with a black stripe. Grace Ho’s name is written above the stripe.

Thanks!
Grace

CCA stand down and AYG performance update

In view of H1N1, there will be CCA stand down on Term 1 Week 1 (30/6-3/7).

However, the AYG performance will still go on on Monday. Update: Sec 2s and Sec 3s are released at 11am for rehearsal. Sec 1s will not participate in this event. Please meet at the new spectators stand, with your stands, instruments and scores at 11am sharp. There is no need to memorize the songs. [IMPORTANT!] Sec 3s do not leave for recess, get your juniors to buy toast for you and bring it with you on the spectators stand!

Also, I’m very apologetic to all SLs who have been passing numerous relays. Here’s a suggestion: Create your own internal section relay system. eg. the SL will pass to the Sec 3s, each Sec 3 will pass to a Sec 2, each Sec 2 will pass to 1 Sec 1, or something to that effect. Here’s a better suggestion: Get a mobile plan with unlimited free smses (like me). Singtel iOne Plus Youth Plan is only $25.20 monthly.

That is all. Have a nice remaining 3 days of holiday and 1 week of stand down. Do go back for self practice/sectionals or even better, bring home your instrument. Don’t let your standard drop! We don’t sound very nice after 2 weeks of break.

Goodbye,
Joan

AYG performance soon…

Hey Everyone

As you all know, we’ll be playing marches for the upcoming AYG event on Monday. But after the two practices we had this week, we feel that our current playing is definitely not the best of SNSB.

Marches are not exactly like those wind band pieces we usually play, in a way, they are simpler. But as what Mr Ong said today, for marches, we have to be VERY PRECISE, articulation, dynamics, and most importantly, TEMPO must be there.

The band would be playing on the hockey pitch. In front of the whole school. In front of all our classmates. And most of all, in front of all our seniors. What would they think of us then? Is our current standard of playing really living up the medal awarded to us? Just because our seniors have passed out, it doesn’t give us the excuse to sound bad. By passing out, our seniors have in a way, given us a chance to prove to everyone that the whites and the greens can do it.

In these three (short) days, try your best to practice. And by practice, it means that you really work on the parts that you’re weak in, and not gloss over it, it will not make a difference if you practice the wrong stuffs for 100 times. SLs try to guide those in your section who’re weaker and try to get an unison sound within section..

Even if you do not have your instrument with you, at least get the score from your section-mates and practice the fingering/rhythm whenever you are free (when you’re on the bus or anything).

Also, we did not have a chance to try out playing under our student conductor. So everyone, we will watch and pay attention to her and perform our best. Follow her beats and we will keep to that steady tempo, lively marches! With consistent practice and the confidence, we’re sure that everyone would be able to do our best for our performance on Monday. Jiayou, we can do it!

Loves

Ningxuan and Zhangdi