YSunday, July 22, 2007

Renaissance Gold

It was a wonderful experience.

This year's Renaissance was a bit of a last minute thing. For one thing, we only managed to practice in those big concert hall type places once before the actual thing. That happened on the actual concert day itself. Musicians will tell you know one has to get used to the sound, and adapt to the high celling of the performance venue. There was no full rehearsal of the entire program.

This was my first year playing as a member of an Alumni band. All who came back, myself included, came back for the same reasons, out of our desire to entertain the crowd, and because of our passion for music. There were no perks for the alumni. None at all. We had to go back to SJI for practices at night. No food was provided for us, not even on the concert day. Getting fed was our problem, not the school's.

The concert was held at NUS University Cultural Centre. They were very strict regarding access to the venue for practice. They actually gave us passes.

Apparently, I'm an artiste.

I felt ever so important.

Anyway, after a bit of practicing, and changing into our attire, we were prepared. The main band went up first, after all, it was SJIMB's concert. They played very well. I remember they were practicing while the Alumni were in the dressing rooms, enjoying card games, while an endless string of vulgarities spewed forth. (Good times.) The sound coming from the hall was piped in through speakers, and I actually thought I was listening to the radio. Honestly.

However, there was one thing that pissed of quite a lot of people. Secondary 1 and 2 students. They were incredibly rude throughout the concert, being immature, making "shh-shh" noises every 5 seconds, talking, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. I remember the drum section was performing this clapping song, and those tactless children started clapping in the middle, much to the annoyance of many. Next time, I think the teachers ought to not force them to come. They don't want to be there, we don't want them there disturbing our concert. It's not like SJIMB ever has any trouble selling tickets.

Several of my friends did come to support me.

Though they weren't very nice to me after the concert.

Anyway, after a while, it was time for the Alumni to go on stage. We weren't warmed up, we weren't properly prepared, but we followed the words of our conductor, Mr. Lim: "Just play la." To be perfectly honest, the Alumni band is probably weaker than the main band. There are a few outstanding players, some have even gone on to become professionals. However, most of the players are like me, people who no longer play any instrument on a regular basis. Despite this fact, we gave it our all, and our energy and passion carried us through. Our music was greeted with great applause, and the roar of the crowd after the last song brought contentment to all our hearts. We set out to entertain, and that we did, and did well.

Sorry I wasn't able to get any pictures of the alumni band playing. I couldn't because I was playing my trombone. A thousand apologies.

After we finished playing, the Alumni from my batch, those who study in the same level as me, had a camwhoring session. I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.















Looking back, I once again realise how much SJIMB means to me. My skill as a trombone player may wane, the music that I learned by heart may be forgotten, and my ability to understand marching commands may decline, but my friends from SJIMB will always be a part of me.

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