Last Band Practice… for 2008

It has been a great year for the 12BR Pipe Band. Looking back at how it was, significant progress was evident. I guess all my hardwork in teaching, arranging tunes, managing the manpower, fixing the bagpipes & drums, practicing with the juniors and much more has paid off. Of course, I wasn’t the only one putting in effort in this band. There’s Joshua, Yvonne, Simon, Nicklaus, Brandon, Bin Soon, the Band Majors, Drum Major and those bandsman that started out this year. And not forgetting Dearie, who has to cope with my obession for bagpipes.

These are the few things that we have progressed in this year:

• A standard repertoire for parade
• Attendance of 10-15 members each practice
• Combine practice of more than 10 members, sometimes more than 15
• Mid-section started and playing
• Have almost the entire batch of sec 1s playing on instruments
• Lots and lots of fellowship together

Although we have lost the BB P&D Championship Banner, we have gained so many things in returned. Somehow, I felt that we wouldn’t have gain so much if we never lose. This lost has allow us to regroup and made us realised that there are some problems within the band that we need to trash out.

Despite having a sucessful year, we still have many problems to cope with next year:

• Balance out between performances and practices
• Attract more alumni to come back for practices & performances – playing pipes is a livelong skill rather than what you are going to learn only for 4 years in Secondary School
• Play exciting repertoire with precision
• Progress in skill level as a band
• Getting great sounding instruments & great looking attire
• Have a large recruitment and getting them on instruments in half a year’s time

Let’s leave this band to God and allow him to mould us into a good band to glorify His Name. To God Be the Glory!!

Have you started?

More than 1 week has passed since the end of exams… Since then, nothing significant happened except attending BB Leadership Training Camp and Band Practices. Well, I have been reminding myself that I still got my FYP to do, but when I sit on my desk to look at those stuff, I really don’t know where to start. I have no choice now but to force myself to sit down in front of those notes and hopefully, I can absorb somethings and come out with something constructive. Hope that I can be sucessful in encoraging myself to go through this… Not completing my FYP means I have to repeat it again, which is something I want avoid.

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LTC was fun. Toughest in recent years, but as I collected my feedback on this camp, I think they seem to find it challenging (in a positive way). Me too, I find this camp packed with challenging activities such as expedition and fire drills. Some say that this camp is so dangerous, lots of fire, but I say this camp is very safe because we practice fire drill so often that if a real fire breaks out, we will know what to do.

This camp is a good start to instill discipline to the sloppy attitude of the Boys. Another good start to bring back more officers to help out after knowing more of them. I’ve nothing much to say but feel glad. I hope that in a few years time, we can have Boys that are proud of being in BB, take ownership of the company members and activities. (then I will not have to do so many things)

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The standard of the band is getting better after each practices. We have practiced enough on chanter and it’s time to tackle the pipes. Right now, we are preparing a set of repertoire for a performance which is not confirmed. Whether it eventually happens or not doesn’t really matter. At least we have an objective to look forward to during practice.

It feels great to practice in a big band once again. Although it may not sound very pleasing at the moment, I am sure things will get better with more practices.

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There is so much to do in this holidays. Have to complete most of the FYP stuff, do the 3 year plan for band, attend band practices for both 12BR PB & Merlion P&D, attend birthday parties, gatherings and wedding. So much to do!! I shall get rid of the habit of procrastination once and for all. Have more time for myself, people around me and things I enjoy doing.

Right now, my priority is to complete my FYP. 3 days to understand electromigration, 4 days to understand the Matlab software & how did the previous student do his project, and another week to come out with improvements. Can I do my project in 2 weeks time? I have absolutely no idea but God is with me. With Him, I can do all things.

I will have a fruitful day today!