SIBF 2008

Well, SIBF was my last performance under Mr Oura (unless I come back as a guest player), it's not a nice feeling. We left school later while waiting for a PW teacher and came to the hall.

After a period of waiting we made our way to the tuning room, and began warming up and touching up some pieces. We then made our way up on stage to deliver the opening pieces of the Open division.

Now, I had been warned, but I still didn't expect it. The hall makes the SCH's acoustics look like the combined quality of VCH, the Esplanade and Fukui Harmony Hall. I couldn't hear anything except the echoey percs, and various problems kept cropping up. It sounded like there was another timpanist playing at the back of the audience. The lighting conditions were sucky as well, I had to strain to see the conductor and the scores. I can't comment on the pieces because, well, I couldn't hear them.

We went back to RJ after that, had dinner, and went back. On the way, Jinjun said that if both RJC and ACJC didn't get into the finals, we would go for a sushi buffet on Saturday. Then we laughed at the thought that neither band would get in. We weren't confident ourselves of getting into the finals, but the thought of ACJC not getting in was unthinkable.

Surprise surprise... ACJC and RJC didn't get in. We did quite well though, given the circumstances. An 86%, silver, but an SYF gold with honours.

I'm not unhappy with the result. I think we all did our best under the circumstances. What I'm disappointed with is that the school won't recognise our contributions as anything significant.. as usual.

Also, for my last concert, I was hoping to soak in the music, enjoy it, and let my emotions run, especially during Monument, with it's soaring melodies and music. Instead... I had to struggle to barely hear anything.

I' m very proud of RIMB though, and I envy the Sec 4s. A joint third with RGSSB, which is no mean feat considering the competition. Their batch was so happy, and I'm happy that I could bring them such good news, and by reading their blogs, I sort of wish I could have that batch spirit among us.

I really hope to wear the uniform of RJCSB/RIMB again, to play under the baton of the best conductor a band could possibly have. Thank you.