So, I've finally got my final set of results for JC1 CT1.

GP - the mark is good, but I'm still a bit disappointed. I wanted an A, which would have completed my nice acronym of ABACUS (no I don't have a U, just invert a C), but a 29/50 for the essay shattered this aspiration. Comprehension was good, 39/50, but added to the essay I get 68/100, two marks from a B. Next time, I shall try to anticipate and do a question which the examiner's report doesn't say: Thankfully, most students steered clear of this question.

Final grades: ABBCCS. Average, I think, but my two sciences (which both are C) can do much better. The two languages (which constitute both Bs) are fine, though I want to pull GP up to an A. Economics, bane of most JC1 students, is still an S, and next time I hope to pass. Mathematics is a safe A so far, but we are moving away from statistics and starting on pure maths... so you never know.


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So, Limelight 2009.

I must confess that upon the conclusion of this year's biggest band event, I felt a great load slide off my back. Limelight has been a stressful concert, one of my most stressful perhaps. Lack of practices, lack of scores, lack of clarinets (first clarinet :X)... all that, but it was a fun and enjoyable experience on Wednesday playing in the Esplanade.

We were released from lessons at 10:45 AM. Lunch, travelling over to RI, moving of percussion instruments, changing into concert attire, and warmups ensured. Not much to say, except the excitement level was rising higher and higher as our performance time drew nearer. First photo from Aaron.

In this last photo we observe David the Brownie Fairy handing out brownies to everyone on the bus. Thanks David! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It's been a long time since we last played in the Esplanade. The previous time was myRIad, if I'm not wrong, and we were only Sec 2 then. Three years later, here we are again, except this time as the JC 1 batch of RJCSB.

The Esplanade Concert Hall has much better acoustics than the RPCC or the RI PAC/Auditorium, though I can't compare it to the VCH. However, whatever you play there, we were assured, can be heard by the whole hall... even though you yourself may not be able to hear it. This makes for a challenging amount of concentration on Mr Oura for every section to play together and blend in.

Rehearsal starts. I have no pictures of the rehearsal, but the next two photos are Jerald's. Third one is Aaron's.

... and none of them are of the rehearsal but ah well. Rehearsal ends, we all go back to our dressing rooms and the Green Room to eat dinner and relax.

Batch photos! J3s, J2s, then J1s! I'll try to get less blurry photos.

7:30 PM. Showtime. More like 7:40 though.

The whole concert was surreal. Maybe it's been too long since I stepped on stage in front of family and friends. In any case, the experience was profusely devoid of much emotion, so I just picked up my clarinet and played where I was supposed to, even though my heart sometimes thumped loudly especially near solos or more audible parts.

It went well, I guess.

What happened after the concert was not so nice, and as such I shall not be commenting on it here. Just a sincere apology to all those who came down to support us; we couldn't meet with you (well most of us), but I really want you to know how much we appreciate you all, the audience. THANKS FOR COMING! Special thanks to my classmates who came - reluctantly, but you guys came - our RIMB juniors, seniors, RWinds alumni, schoolmates (Ben Aw, Brent), and more! Of course, thanks to my parents for coming down to support (even my sister!).

And thanks for all the gifts! Special thanks to Aaron and Yun Song for their pre-concert gifts, my three wonderful clarinet seniors Joey, Qian Wei, and Nancy (they didn't play but they came!!) for their thoughtful edibles, Rebecca from RGSSB for the chocolate sticks, and Guo Wei (omg I haven't talked properly to you in a long time) for his flower haha.




And yes, I'm burnt out. We all are. A good proportion of the band isn't feeling so good, so rest and get well. We deserve it!


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So, back to school.

I'm tired. I'm sleepy. I'm not concentrating. I've survived these two schooldays (Thursday and Friday) by drifting in and out of awareness. Thankfully, I haven't fallen sick, but there's a lot more to do (and I'm sneezing!), so it's back to the pace of reality.

Important physics practical today. Two out of four band people in my class missed it. GET WELL SOON!

Labels: band, school