As you may have realized, I like to put important events on important post numbers. This one, post number #250, is dedicated to today's RJCSB Investiture ceremony.

Random picture of a pair of squirrels there.

My vague memories of my Sec 1, 2, and 3 RIMB Investitures are, as always, hazy and unclear. Most present in my mind's eye is probably Investiture 2007... where I received my duties and responsibilities as UD Head and Clarinet SL (both from Dao Bo lol). It was exciting, mostly, at finally being the "biggest" batch in the band... and scary, having to shoulder the responsibilities of what, just a few years ago, seemed for the older guys to handle.

Not so much this year, because having been through Investiture once already, and being able to look from both sides of the "senior" line, I know pretty much what to expect. Except this time...

Two years ago, I told myself that I didn't really care whether I got EXCO or SL or any post at all, because I didn't think I deserved any. SL-ship was... not forced, but there was only one regular clarinetist in the batch after all. EXCO? I didn't think I was worthy.. but still did get it.

Now, though... the borders are less well defined.

Of course, using my criteria, a lot more people should have gotten EXCO. I can't say much about the female half of our batch, not having known them very well for very long, but I feel that a lot more of the RIMB people should have gotten something.

To my dear batchmates... congratulations if you got a post, EXCO or SL, and even if you got neither, I know 100% that all of us will still do our utmost for the band, no?

Anyway, let me start my account of the day.

Investiture was held in classroom B31, a rather small venue for such an occasion, but I suppose there were constraints. We gathered in pockets here and there in the morning; some at the canteen, some at the windy benches, and others in B31 itself, all writing final notes and preparing presents.

With the arrival of our TICs, Investiture began. Speeches by the BM and ABM of the going-out-batch, and our coming-in-batch too. Presenting the EXCO and SLs of 08-09 with certificates to acknowledge their contributions, and then the presentation of the EXCO and SLs of 09-10.

Without further ado.

Band Major: LUCAS
Assistant Band Major: ZHENYI
Student Conductor: DANIEL
Secretary: CHLOE
Treasurer: ERIC
Personnel Officer: HILLARY
Librarians: ETHEL, ALASTAIR
Quartermasters: WEIQI, HUIJUN

Flutes & Oboes SL: FAYANG
Clarinets SL: ALASTAIR
Saxophones & Lower Woodwinds SL: SAMUEL
Basses SL: ZHIXUAN
Horns SL: CHLOE
Trombones SL: ZHAOYUE
Trumpets SL: WEIQI
Percussion SL: HILLARY

I sincerely hope it doesn't seem too egoistic or arrogant to be reporting this.

Anyway, the formal bit of Investiture done, we broke up to exchange presents and messages.

Below are the messages and the gifts (OK, they're stuffed toys, but aren't they always?) that Kangwei and I (with help from our new section mate Cassandra) got. I admit, we were rather last minute about this, but still, to all our seniors, we hope you appreciate our gifts and words. It's been a great time in the clarinet section in the past half-year - and we hope to give our juniors next year the same good time that you've given us.

After a briefing (no other word does it justice) to the incoming EXCO by our TICs, we set of for a band outing.

Okay, it turned out to be band lunch and batch outing, but still, it was the most successful outside-band band gathering we've had this year. About twenty five people at lunch, at the top of Junction 8. To get there, we went on the Circle Line (my first Circle Line trip!) from Marymount to Bishan. Yes, we're lazy.

And for the first time in AGES, we went LANning!

Actually we originally wanted to go catch a movie, but we couldn't decide which one: Terminator Salvation was strongly supported but already watched by some, Night at the Museum 2 was also supported but also opposed, Monsters Versus Aliens was supported by none but me, and Angels and Demons just sounds plain scary.

So we hopped back on the MRT and went down to Paradiz Center at Dhoby Ghaut. With us were Zhi Xuan, Ryan, Russell, David Zhao, Benni, Austin, Eric, Leonard, Leong Wen, and myself. Exactly ten people *rubs fingers*.

Emerged after three and a half hours. Longest LAN I've ever had. Quite fun too.

And that concludes the day. Handover is over, and it's our batch's turn to take over the band. With A Tempo XX upcoming and plenty of other events waiting in line, I'm sure we'll need lots of support and encouragement from each other.

Labels: band