Back then when I was in secondary one, I was determined to join band. Yes, I was recruited as a bassoonist. I admit I was really upset because I wanted to learn the clarinet or the trumpet. I didn't know what is a bassoon and always had the concept that it wasn't "cool" to be playing that. My senior, Debbie was quite scary but as time passed, she was really nice. I didn't get to interact much with her because she stepped down early to prepare for her Olevels. However she didn't give up encouraging me. Then, I get to know my other two section seniors, Paul and Beeyan. Initially I thought that both of them were damn weird and damn nerdy. Indeed, they are nerds, but I am so thankful I have met them. They never fail to guide me through band sessions and sectionals. Sectionals with them were sort of a bonding session because bassoon scores does not require melodies, so we go really bored practising. As time passed, I start to appreciate band practices more. Secondary two was the year I participated in the band SYF. It was definitely pressuring but I am so glad I pulled through. I struggled through that period as it was hard balancing my academics and CCA because band practices lasted till 9pm almost every alternate days. I failed many subjects and my father wanted to withdraw me from band. Miss Lam fought for me and she did not give up hope on me. She offered to provide extra help so that I can prove my father wrong. I did, and eventually everything worked out. Though band practices in 2009 drained my energy, it was the best memory in my entire band journey with Dunman. Not only did we manage to practise hard, but those band sessions has allowed the entire band to bond. I grew closer to the batch above me and I must say, up till today I am so thankful for all of them. Miss Lam was like the mother of all the bandits. She would brew some herbal drinks for us whenever we had late night practices because health was also rather important. Besides that, she would make us get "into" the Jericho atmosphere by telling us stories and all. She even spends her time listening to us play and giving us comment. Miss Lam was always proud of the band. Her heartfelt words would always make my eyes watery, and I am sure her words of encouragements boosted the confidence of the band. Secondary 3 was the year we had our band concert instead of SYF. Serenata V was held in school. Yup, lots of preparations and processes were involved but handwork definitely paid off. The concert was a huge success. Again, it has made me bond with the seniors. Apart from that, I got to know the alumnis too. Jeremy, my laoda of the bassoon clan is really nice and all. 2010 was also the year that the seniors step down to prepare for their Os. My batch mates and I had to step up to guide the juniors. I was actually quite afraid to be the section leader despite taking charge of a small section, but the seniors saw the potential in me. I hope I did not make them disappointed. 2011 was yet another SYF year. However, the feeling I had was definitely different from the one I had in 2009. The people aren't the same anymore, even the teachers. I, as a senior, had to work doubly hard to be a good role model for the juniors. It was a difficult job. Band traditions start to change after Miss Lam left Dunman. The rules got more strict, and we didn't have any night practices at all. Just because the teachers were afraid we'll fall ill. Yup, they were concerned for us but my batch mates and I felt that the entire band wasn't even any under pressure at all. We also felt like we needed to practise more to perfect our skills, as well as to let the band bond. The bond of a band is very important because "one band, one sound". The teachers weren't like Miss Lam. They couldn't care less about our practises (because they wouldn't sit in to listen and give us comments). Enough said. On this very day, two years ago, I broke down at the bus stop while R was beside me. I received the text of the SYF results. It was definitely very disappointing and I initially blamed myself because I screwed up the solo. To be honest, I couldn't take the words of encouragement from others at the moment because they do not know how it feels. But now I feel that the band deserved this kind of outcome due to our lack of confidence and also not putting in the effort to practice enough. I put that behind me and embraced myself for my Ns and then back to band again for the concert. The concert didn't quite turn out like how imagined it to be because the strings were involved. So its kind of not our solo concert. Anyhow, I completed the concert even though that month was the most horrible period of my life. So yup, apart from those, Dunman band participated in exchange programmes, school events and even public performance. We held annual band camps during the much holidays. The camp I attended in secondary one was the most torturing one and those memories will always be in my heart. The following years are also memorable. I was part of the organising committee in 2011 and 2012.
Band allowed me to meet wonderful friends like Jasmine (who was my first friend in band and the one who stood by me through the good and the bad), Nataline, Yongxin, Yuettung, Weishan, Adolphus, Chengting, Sean, Suhaila, Shila, Aiwey, Amalia, Joey, Amirul, Chinhao, Bryan, Ben, Leyang, Camillia, Nicole, Wanxin. Roxanne, Ilok, Asyraf, Zul, Sarah, Zhanhong..... my batch mates, my juniors and my beloved section- debbie, paul, beeyan, zoe, genevive, jiahui, tuenyi, chenjun, jolene, jingwen.. and the list goes on and on and on even up till the current batch.
Being in band has definitely mould me to become a better person. I learn to prioritise my things, learn to be a responsible leader (also responsible in a way so that I don't bring the entire band down), work hard, persevere...... and what not.
I really really wanna thank everyone for being part of my band journey. Each and everyone of you mean so much to me.
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