Who do you answer to?
You answer to your seniors. Those drums you held. They were carried by bandsmen at least 18 years ago. They toiled, sweat, bled, teared for glory.
But of course, you don't even know any of them. So, closer to our time, you answer to us. The newly-graduated, fresh-from-school seniors. Those of us who played The Merry Widow and Der Vogelhandler for our Central Judging Gold and Gold with Honours. Most of us had a hand in passing on to you the techniques and knowledge required to be a percussionist. We stand separate from you now, independent of the band but never disassociated from it. And we will always be watching you.
You answer to this band. Whether you have been in it for one, two or three years, it does not matter. You are now part of its illustrious history, its 43 years of excellence. Have you read the essay titled Competition Day? It describes precisely the feelings felt by both performers and supporters when the band succeeds. You will know in three months time when you hear the announcer saying 'Raffles Institution - Gold with Honours'. We can, just as we always could.
You answer to your conductor. Mr Oura has directed this band for 16 years. He has seen batch after batch, faces after faces pass. His wealth of experience is, obviously, unparalleled by any of you. When we were recruits, he was like this wondrous, magnificent man that all of us held in awe. Strangely enough, we met him very rarely (except in music lessons), and only heard stories about him. Once we entered the main band, we learnt much more about him.
His praise is rare, but when you get it, it keeps your mood up for quite a while. On the other hand, when he points out your mistakes, you feel as if you've just committed a deadly crime. The best moments, those that are quoted so much it's almost a cliche, are when he smiles or nods at you during a performance.
He has seen the band change and grow through these years. He has, undeniably, seen its standards dropping. Does he ever blame himself? Does he ever get frustrated thinking about why the band is so lousy? One can only guess. But this man has put in so much for the band and taught every single one of us so much. We must do him proud.
And of course, you answer to yourself. Do you put in effort? Do you practise? Do you go the extra step to improve yourself? Do you ask when unsure? Whatever the announcer says at the end of the day, who is to blame, or who does the credit go to? Will you be lamenting over that wrong note or will you be proud to have perfected your part? Will you let yourself down? We should always answer to ourselves.
But of course, you don't even know any of them. So, closer to our time, you answer to us. The newly-graduated, fresh-from-school seniors. Those of us who played The Merry Widow and Der Vogelhandler for our Central Judging Gold and Gold with Honours. Most of us had a hand in passing on to you the techniques and knowledge required to be a percussionist. We stand separate from you now, independent of the band but never disassociated from it. And we will always be watching you.
You answer to this band. Whether you have been in it for one, two or three years, it does not matter. You are now part of its illustrious history, its 43 years of excellence. Have you read the essay titled Competition Day? It describes precisely the feelings felt by both performers and supporters when the band succeeds. You will know in three months time when you hear the announcer saying 'Raffles Institution - Gold with Honours'. We can, just as we always could.
You answer to your conductor. Mr Oura has directed this band for 16 years. He has seen batch after batch, faces after faces pass. His wealth of experience is, obviously, unparalleled by any of you. When we were recruits, he was like this wondrous, magnificent man that all of us held in awe. Strangely enough, we met him very rarely (except in music lessons), and only heard stories about him. Once we entered the main band, we learnt much more about him.
His praise is rare, but when you get it, it keeps your mood up for quite a while. On the other hand, when he points out your mistakes, you feel as if you've just committed a deadly crime. The best moments, those that are quoted so much it's almost a cliche, are when he smiles or nods at you during a performance.
He has seen the band change and grow through these years. He has, undeniably, seen its standards dropping. Does he ever blame himself? Does he ever get frustrated thinking about why the band is so lousy? One can only guess. But this man has put in so much for the band and taught every single one of us so much. We must do him proud.
And of course, you answer to yourself. Do you put in effort? Do you practise? Do you go the extra step to improve yourself? Do you ask when unsure? Whatever the announcer says at the end of the day, who is to blame, or who does the credit go to? Will you be lamenting over that wrong note or will you be proud to have perfected your part? Will you let yourself down? We should always answer to ourselves.
Brian sticked around @ 11:46 pm
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