Band Camp 2012

And we're at that time of the year again! Camp isn't too far off and everyone's thinking about it now. This year, like the previous year, we will not be staying over in school. And like the few times we were lucky enough to have special guests over, this year we will be having an exchange with a Singaporean band.

So, the committee list for this year is as follows:

Chairperson         : Jezz Tan
Vice Chairperson: Farhan Aadiy
Secretary              : Kimi Nyam
Treasurer             : Natalie Lim

Programme &      : Sheryl Tan       *
Accomodation         Wong Shi Min **
Department              Lim Khai Jin

Food Department: Chan Kah Yan   *
                                 Michelle Phang **
                                 Lee Shi Hui

Quarter Master:  Sofeanna Long  *
Department           Wong See Yan  **
                                 Grace Ng

*   Heads of department
** Assistants of department

Good luck to all and here's to gaining interesting memories during this camp!

A Reverie of Memories

The AEOM concert pictures as promised:

The band room

The hall

The performance

The after party



The Concert

On the 28th of April, we successfully held our An Evening of Music 2012 themed 'Celebration'. The tickets for the Evening Show were sold out and the response we got was overwhelming. This concert was special indeed, with the joining of our full renewed organisation showing up - complete with the Sinfonietta and Colour Guards! We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has contributed one way or another for the concert, and of course everyone who were present! Thank you for making the concert such a great success! We would like to grasp this opportunity too to thank our dear conductor Sir Eric,  the amazing percussion soloist, Miss JoJo Ho, the CHS teachers, staff, students and clubs who have helped us, and not forgetting our ex-members! It has indeed been a pleasure to bring this concert to everyone.

Photos will be uploaded soon!

An Evening of Celebrative Music

The renowned Catholic High School Band will once again be holding another one of her famous concerts, “An Evening of Music”. Acting as Resident Conductor and Tutor is professional trombonist Eric Lee, who has played in venues that include the Royal Concertgebouw, Konzerthaus Berlin and Sydney Opera House. Joining the band in this event is successful percussionist JoJo Ho from Hong Kong, the Catholic High School Choir and the recently formed Sinfonietta section.

Information
Date
28th of April (Saturday)

Venue
Brother Philippe Wu Hall, Catholic High School, Petaling Jaya

Time
Matinee – 2.00 p.m.
Evening – 7.30 p.m.

Price (per ticket)
Matinee – RM 15
Evening – RM 30

An Introduction to Catholic High School Band
Catholic High School Band is an active music organization. Like any other school band in Malaysia, its primary objective is to introduce students to the field of music as well as to nurture self-discipline and management skills.

Famed as she is to date, Catholic High School Band had her humble beginnings 30 years ago under the patronage of Bro Paul Sung, former principal of Catholic High School. That year – 1982 – the band started off as a marching band with only 30-odd members and Mr. Anthony Xavier as the first band tutor. Since then, the band started its long journey into the musical world.

For many years the band has worked hard and developed tremendously, with a steady increase in band members, musical instruments and better facilities, courtesy of the generous donations of the public, as well as the PTA of Catholic High School.

Catholic High School Band has been invited and requested to perform on numerous occasions for both the school and the community. In her early years, Catholic High School Band won “The Best of PJ” award. Under the guidance and tutelage of both Mr. Chin Yin Soong (1991) and Mr. Eric Lee (1992-today), themselves former band members of the award winning Catholic High School Band, the young and talented band’s music quality and standard has improved tremendously. In her early years, the band has performed at various state and national level events such as the National Day Parade, the Birthday Parade of the Sultan of Selangor, to name a few. In 1998, the Catholic High School Band was selected to perform in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 16th Commonwealth Games along with other well-known school bands. The band was once again selected to perform at the closing ceremony of the SEA Games 2001 with Victoria Institution Cadet Corps.

Yet, what would Catholic High School Band be without its ever-famous concert, the “An Evening of Music” (AEOM) series? The first AEOM was held in 1991. It was a joint concert with Raffles Institution Symphonic Band. On 13th of February, Catholic High School Band held yet another successful joint concert with Fo Ho Junior High School of Taipei, Taiwan. Later, AEOM 1993 was held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Band. Consequently, a tradition was established and the Catholic High School Band marched on to 5 successful concerts in 1996, 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2009 respectively.

The Catholic High School Band avidly participates and has achieved much national success in major band competitions. From 1997 onwards, at the National Level Marching Band Competition, Catholic High School Band has comfortably secured a spot among the top 5.The band also obtained her first national victory in the year 2000, and was selected to perform in the 13th Magdalena Music Festival, Spain in 2001. On top of that, Catholic High School Band also won her subsequent national victory in the year 2005 – Selangor’s greatest pride ever. In recent years, Catholic High School Band has won a High Silver Award in the Singapore International Band Festival in 2010 and a Gold Award in the 3rd Winter Band Festival 2011 Hong Kong Disneyland. Catholic High School Band was the first Malaysian band to perform at the Disney Performing Arts at Hong Kong Disneyland Park. Catholic High School Band is now undoubtedly one of the best school bands in the country.

The CHS Band continues to strive towards greater heights and takes pride in all her performances and achievements. Her aim – to become a world class band with the highest musical standards would simply enchant the audience with yet another mesmerizing performance.

An Evening of Music
As the name suggest, An Evening of Music (AEOM) is an evening, or somewhat night, filled with mesmerizing and enchanting music, a mix of the members’ incredible musical techniques and stupendous musicality. Thus, AEOM is the name of the series of concerts held, and will be in the near future, by Catholic High School Band.

The first AEOM began in 1991, a joint concert with Raffles Institution Symphonic Band. Later, AEOM 1993 was held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Band. In 1996, the third AEOM, along with the school’s first ever choir in Civic Hall in conjunction with the school’s 40th Anniversary. Three years later, AEOM 1999 was held in order to bring the band to greater heights. Subsequently, AEOM 2001 was held to raise funds for the trip to Spain. Later, AEOM 2006 was held to commemorate the school’s 50th Anniversary. The recent concert, AEOM 2009 was held to raise funds for maintaining the band.

Aim of AEOM
1. To improve the musical standard of band
2. To educate the younger generation on the world of music
3. To share the beauty of music with the audience
4. To build a relationship and good rapport with the public
5. To excel in self-discipline and music talent


• Celebration!
The theme ‘Celebration’ has been chosen for various reasons. Throughout the years, the Catholic High School Band has triumphed against all odds, conquered the best, and is now even evolving into a new organization. The events worth celebrating are many. This includes many splendid performances by the band, and many achievements in many competitions. Something really worth celebrating is the recent achievement of a Gold Award in the 3rd Winter Band Festival 2011 Hong Kong Disneyland. Besides that, the band is slowly transforming from just a marching band into a more diverse organization, comprising a marching-cum-concert band, a Colour Guard section and a Sinfonietta section. This evolution is a great change, and is turning the band into a different and improved organization than what she used to be.

Achievements
A neat and detailed list of achievements of the Catholic High School Band can be easily found on the blog here.

To promote the concert to the rest of the student body at Catholic High School, the band had the launching of the concert on the 20th of February. The launching, as the concert’s theme of “Celebration” suggests, was celebrative, involving much cheer and confetti. After the principal, Mr. Ong Boon Phua, gave his speech, he stroke the gong three times and off the poppers and band went, performing a short excerpt from one of the songs to be played in the concert, “Journey to the Lion’s Castle”. Catholic High School Band will further promote her concert for the second time on the 2nd of April, in which the banner will be revealed. On the very same day, Catholic High School Band will also open a booth for ticket reservations as well as the selling of key chains, badges and the like to raise more funds.

To prepare for this concert, members will go through intensive practice to ensure that they bring you the very best of Catholic High School Band. Whenever a major event is close at hand, the band would enlist the help of professional musicians. To aid the band in this concert, the help of professionals have been called upon.

Over the years, Catholic High School Band has invited a few talented schools as well as prestigious soloists to join with us in this series of concerts. Most recently in 2009’s concert, the reputed trumpeter Lertkiat of Bangkok Brass Quintet, Thailand was invited to play at the concert. As for this year, Catholic High School Band is lucky to have the percussionist JoJo Ho from Hong Kong to perform with the band.

So if you happen to be a fan of music, be sure to catch this great opportunity to witness one of the most famed school bands in the nation perform.

For further information, please kindly contact the following entities:

Head Teacher Advisor

Puan Hardeep Kaur

019-2194541

Band President

Wong Phooi Yee

012-2101971

Band Secretary

Law Ley Mun

017-2320988

Welcoming a New Generation

On the Friday just past, we welcomed our new members to one of their first practices and their first whole band gather. In the morning, they were taught the basics, each of them joining their fellow section members for breathing exercises and such. After the recitals in the whole band gather, the top fours introduced themselves, their JTs and the rules regarding their section, starting from the Treasurer and ending with the President. Sir too, had a few words to say to the new members. After the whole band gather, all the three sections (woodwind, brass, percussion) stayed to welcome the new members to their respective sections.

Everyone was happy at the pleasing amount of new members who joined us this year. Although this has been said many times already, let us say it again: welcome to band, all new members!

Hari Gerko

So, we just had our Hari Gerko on the 13th (Friday). The number says unlucky, but our fortune for that day was rather well, with a large amount of students signing up for band.

Many of us scouted the school compound for new members while some stayed in band room to welcome and guide students who went up. We put up a total of two shows in the school hall, performing a popular jazz piece "Take the 'A' Train".

All in all, it was a good Hari Gerko and members were pleased with the number of new incoming members.

One of Those OC Lists

This time, it's the organizing committee's list for our concert, An Evening of Music.

Chairperson: Wong Phooi Yee
Vice Chairperson: Tan Qian Ru Julie
Secretary: Law Ley Mun
Treasurer: Choon King Fung

Program:
Lee Shi Hui *
Lee Soo Teen **
Koh Yuen Zheng

Stage Management/Technical:
Michelle Phang *
Sofeanna Long **
Lim Car Siong

Administration:
Sheryl Tan
Tan Kim Hoong

Publicity:
Grace Ng *
Kimi Nyam **
Brian Wong
May Esther Wong
Yaw Ming Wei

Program Book:
Khoo Xin Le *
Choo Earn **
Poon May Nee

Tickets & Invitations:
Ang Hui Qing *
Au Yong Wei Qing **
Wong See Yan

Sponsorship & Donation:
Kok Ming Wei *
Farhan Aadiy **
Wong Shi Min
Chan Kah Yan

Hall Decoration:
Yap Shein Weng *
Tan Qian Huan Jezz **
Lim Khai Jin

* Head
** Assistant


Good luck to all OCs!

New Afternoon Committee!

Presenting to you the new afternoon committee!

Afternoon In Charge: Siow Li Yaw
Assistant Afternoon In Charge: Lim Gen Tean

Afternoon Woodwind Section Leader: Lee Zi Xin
Afternoon Brass Section Leader: Lok Jin Wen
Afternoon Percussion Section Leader: Chok Sean

Good luck to the new afternoon committee!

It's Coming

This year's Emergency General Meeting will be held on the 19th of December (Monday). And the candidates are:
Lee Zi Xin
Marissa Remesh
Low Seow Sin
Siow Li Yaw
Lim Gen Tean
Lok Jin Wen
Lai Yuki
Chok Sean
Loo Jia Wen

Good luck to all candidates!

Back from Hong Kong

We've come back from WBF 2011 with a... (drumroll please!)

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GOLD AWARD

This trip to Hong Kong was incredibly educational, especially with those workshops from Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser. It was also tough and fun, tiring and envigorating, encouraging and inspiring. So here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

*Pictures courtesy of Rave Group and Natalie

Ahoy, Beloved Ex-members of 2011!

So, we had our Farewell party on Saturday. Ex-members were welcomed back with screaming and shouting, ex-members were treated to comedic dramas, ex-members told their stories, ex-members were showered in gifts. This is only a little of what we had at our Farewell party, but most important of all, they had fun. Some of the other ex-members paid us a visit as well. It was all in all a pleasant time.

Now for the pictures:

Farewell is Soon Upon Us

The Farewell of 2011 is close at hand!


Date: 5 November 2011 (this coming Saturday)

Time: 8.30 a.m. - 12.00 a.m.

Venue:
Band room (Band members and colour-guards)
Class 3A2 (Sinfonietta members)


We hope to see everyone there!

Farewell Organizing Committee List

Yes, it's out!


Chairperson: Kimi Nyam
Vice Chairperson: Sheryl Tan
Secretary: Lim Khai Jin
Treasurer: Wong See Yan

Programme Department:
Sofeanna Long*
Farhan Aadiy**

Technical Department:
Natalie Lim*
Grace Ng**

Quarter Master Department:
Chong Shwen Hwei*
Lee Shi Hui**

Decoration Department:
Kok Ming Wei*
Tan Qian Huan Jezz**
Michelle Phang

Sinfonietta Department:
Lor Yuan Qi*
Leong Kum Chuan**
Choo Yuen Foong
Eunice Lim
Yeong Wen Joe

* = Head of Department
** = Assistant of Head of Department


Good luck, OCs!

Welcomed to Join Us!

Yes, ex-members are more than welcome to join us on our once-in-a-lifetime experience to Hong Kong Disneyland for the Winter Band Festival Competition. This 5-day 4-night trip will begin on the 29th of November and end on the 3rd of December. There will be competitions to join, clinics by esteemed musicians to learn from, behind the scenes of Disneyland to see and much more. Those of you who are interested to participate with us may contact our Top Four, Wong Phooi Yee (President)-0122101971, Tan Qian Ru Julie(Vice President)-0172021110, Law Ley Mun (Secretary)-0172320988 or Choon King Fung (Treasurer)-0125380610.

For further information on this, please visit their site for the festival info: http://www.ravegroup.sg/winterbandfest/festival_info.php

Briefing of Hong Kong Trip

So, Mr. Steven from the Rave group dropped by on Saturday to give us all a briefing of the Winter Band Festival trip at Hong Kong. However, this meeting of parents, teachers, etc. had more of a purpose. Besides showing to the parents how their kids may benefit from this expedition, they may also provide suggestions and alternatives to our financial problems.

At approximately 10.18, everyone was seated and ready just as Mr. Steven arrived with Sir Eric Lee. Madam Hardeep, our wonderful teacher advisor, gave her speech and we moved on to Mr. Steven Phua's briefing.

Despite the fact that some of us may have scoured the internet for information on this trip, the briefing was still ratehr enlightening. The fee was steep because aside from including the usual lodging, all meals provided, transportation, etc. (we will survive just fine without a penny, according to Mr. Steven), we had added benefits too. We learnt that the reason why we had to stay in a 5-star hotel instead of a motel and save money is because the coaches are able to swiftly annd efficiently fetch us to Disneyland as it is not too far off. Speaking of coaches, another reason for the high price of our trip (approximately RM 3500) is because we have the coach are entirely ours for the day, due to safety reasons in case we're ever in need of a quick evacuation. During our time in Disneyland, we are also treated to many behind the scenes specialty which all ordinary visitors are not privilaged to. We get to see how certain aspects of Disneyland are run and even question professionals about their performance and such. After the fireworks (which will be different from any other year due to Disneyland's 5th birthday), the park closes for the day. Our party, however, are to attend a gala that the public has no access to. And (most important of all) the learning curve that is sure to come under the guidance of expert musicians such as Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser (President / CEO, Attitude Concepts, Inc.), Mr. Yasuhide Ito (composer, Senzoku College of Music), Dr. Christopher Hughes (professor of conducting / Director of Bands, Mahidol University).

If we have any spare time in which nothing is planned (not part of the package that includes Symphony of Lights and rides), it is up to our leaders to decide what to do. If it is decided we stay go shopping on the last day, we go; if it's decided we stay in the hotel, we stay.

These are just some extra tidbits of the whole package. From the photos shown on the projector, anyone could tell that this is a trip with class (chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, queen-size beds, interesting locations, etc.). Of course, Mr. Steven also warned us members to not be late getting down the hotel (people have apparently assume you can get down in 5 mintues), not to lock yourself in the toilet (the very modern settings have caused this before), and various other thigns that will make the trip more enjoyable for all.

Parents may follow their child on the trip if they wish to. The performances are open-for-all. However, the parents have to pay for themselves and are barred from certain events such as the clinics and gala dinner.

The briefing from Mr. Steven was humorous at times and enlightening in others. At the end of his briefing, a souvenir was presented to him. After this session, parents asked questions to which the teachers, Sir Eric and Mr. Steven answered. Parents gave some suggestions and alternatives for sponsorship were discussed. Roughly 30 minutes later, all non-band members proceeded to the canteen for refreshments and instrumental sectionals were in progress.

This day has reminded us again what a benefit it is to have such an opportunity of a lifetime. Besides memorable experiences at the world-famous park, we also have the small bonus of possibly one of the greatest learning curves of our lives. So, I hope as many band members may attend this function as possible. : )

AGM Photos

Here are the promised photos of AGM.

The Top Fours
The presidents of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012


The vice presidents of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012

The secretaries of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.

The treasurers of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012

Alyssa the president speaking on the podium for one of her last times

The first whole band gather by the new committee.

The first "Brass Stay" of the new generation



The Photo Session
The teachers present on that day (with Alyssa)


The Woodwind Section

The Brass Section

The Percussion Section


The JTM members

The JTS members

The JTU&K members

The colour-guards


The form five ex-members


The whole band


This would make a decent background

The flutists


The euphoniumists/euphophonists/euphonists/euphists

Phoon Tze Ling and the oboe

Tan Wan Xuan and the horn

Lim You Zhi and the jazz set

Ng Jia An and the trumpet

Even the colour-guards are having fun

Pictures curtesy of Natalie, Jia An and Alison. Thanks for the pictures, guys!