GREAT JOB RIMB!

Even though its a Silver, I will not stop being proud of them. Even though the Gold streak has not been maintained (yes, it's the truth), I am 100% sure that they did their best, as did RGSSB (I heard the recording!). Even though people might ask me what did RIMB get for SYF, I can proudly tell them that it was a Silver, and they rocked.

It was a long, long way since we handed over the reins: and the improvement has really been exponential. Not just in skills, but in attitude. Not just in attendance, but in the work put in while attending. Not just one by one, but as a band.

And I am infinitely humbled by what you played today, you know that? Perhaps not for Overture One, but for Die Fledermaus...

Anyway, today, after the Principal's Talk, we rushed down to the carpark gate to hail a taxi. There were eleven of us: Jerald, Eric, Ben, Russell, Samuel, Ryan, Lucas, David, Fayang, Austin, and myself. Assembly ended at about 1:40 PM, the taxi hailing took from about 1:45 PM to 1:55 PM (three taxis left independently). Thanks to the cunningness of the taxi driver, our taxi (WHICH LEFT FIRST) ended up LAST, and we had to pay extra because he took an "alternative route".

But I digress. We got there just in time to see RIMB lining up to go in. Quickly rushed up to the audience doors and queued up.

They let us in. Took a row of seats.

Absolute silence while RIMB took their places.

And so they played.

I'm not going to describe Overture One, but Die Fledermaus was... a far cry from what five of us heard, squatting in the instrument room on Friday. It was clearly visible: every eye riveted on Mr Oura, the band raising instruments and breathing together to begin the piece. The beautiful harmony. The in-timing offbeats.

And I saw him smile.

Which left me with a couple of tears, while mashing my head into my bag.

Not to say it was perfect. There were bits and pieces unrefined, and there was a particular section which was really out of tune. But otherwise, I think they did an excellent job.

If there's one thing that I wish my juniors to have, it's to let them discover the joy of performing. The feeling of expressing months and months of blood and sweat, putting in 101% of heart and soul, and doing it all for the pride and honour of the band is absolutely amazing. If you never felt it before, I hope that you did today. No words can convey how it is to create music out of air, metal, and wood that can touch the hearts of the audience.

Band was the first time I touched love. Love for the instrument - because it's what I play, and what I move you with. Love for the band - because together we move many. Love for each other - because we do that which we love, together. I sincerely hope, that today, a few of you might have felt what I did.

Well of course you did!

Seniors have told me about "perfect harmony" before, but I only realized it today, upon the last chord of Die Fledermaus. A chord, in perfect harmony, leaves a resonance that can be heard after it ends. The harmony is still perfectly audible, and it makes the sound beautiful. That's exactly what I heard today.

After the performance, everybody convened on that legendary staircase outside SCH. It brought back memories of SYF'07, the only SYF that our batch has participated in so far...

Speaking of which, I still have these photos (first one courtesy of Aaron).

RIMB SYF'07

RIMB SYF'09

Imagine the momentary shock, not two hours later, while sitting in the band room practicing Overture Two, when I got an SMS from Irvin, at 4:27 PM, simply saying "Silver".

It spread quickly, and before long everybody knew. Silver. No more Gold.

I won't lie; after that I suddenly felt very sleepy. I tried to do my utmost to concentrate during the remainder of concert practice, but it didn't work that well. And concert took a long time to end.

Well, what can I say? I was disappointed, yes, when we got that message. Kept some of it throughout dinner, and general chitchat session.

But as I thought back (hint: Ryan) to the music, it all disappeared. Seriously. What's a medal when you have real music? Who cares about the opinions of others, so long as you impress yourself!

So here's to RIMB: we're proud of you!

Labels: band