Investiture 2008

It's the end of an era in two senses.

2 years and a day after our investiture, it rolls around once more. This time it's the turn of the batch that was Sec 2 when we left.

The investiture was unusually a split one, not entirely sure why. The core elements were present, of course, but the section dinners would wait. I personally don't agree with this, and I can imagine it took a lot of significance away from the Sec 4s.

The Sec 1s went first with Centuria. The standard wasn't too bad for a Sec 1 batch, but overall of course, the greatest room is the room for improvement.

The Sec 2s played Crystal City Overture first, and I was struck by the fact that this is the third batch to play this piece, though somehow I didn't feel this way for Centuria. They also played John Williams in Concert, which was a medley of various pieces such as the Imperial March, the Cantina Band and Jaws. Slightly mangled, as is usually the case.

The Sec 3s played a medley including Careless Whisper and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. I was reminded somewhat of our Orientation. They also played their batch piece, Circle of Life. I wish Jurassic Park was still around, although Circle of Life has some poetic meaning. Finally they played Army of the Nile, something I don't consider to be a good idea given Mr Oura's history with the song.

The Sec 4s played Highlights from Ragtime, and played it well for an Investiture piece. Besides the obvious problems of having only one clarinetist and one trumpeter, they managed to sound good, and brought tears to my eyes as I was reminded of Prometheum XI. They next played a different arrangement of First Love as compared to our Utada Hikaru Vocal Selections. I didn't like the arrangement that much. Finally they played Centuria, which I think was the best batch piece ever played in an investiture since I joined the band.

The ceremony followed, and formal mixed with informal. Notable moments include Mr Oura's speech, as usual, the various exco posts being announced, and Jeremy Wong (alto saxophonist) presenting a certificate to Jeremy Wong (alto saxophonist).

After Investiture, I followed the Sec 4s to S11 because I promised Samuel a lift. They talked for a while, I joined in once in a while, then I left, with Samuel in tow.

I think this Investiture is pretty significant for me, because firstly, the band has now come another full cycle since the Prometheum XI band. Secondly, it meant that the batch of 2008 left, and well, I've always held them dear to my heart, almost as much as my own batch. I'm kind of grateful, even, that the Japan trip was with RI, so I could enjoy it with them. Of course, I'm not a member of their batch, so at the most I'm an outside observer. But the individuals that make up their batch are people who I've grown quite close to. It's people like Samuel, Bryan, Benni, Jerald, Alastair, David... who really made me feel welcome everytime I stopped by the band room, and who helped me keep up my spirits and sanity in RJ, knowing that RI band at least remained the warm, friendly, mad and spirited place that I remembered it. I hope their batch makes it through, somehow I know they'll do better than us, and I really hope so.

It's also the end of an era of waiting for one Pixar film and the start of waiting for the next. After the Teachers' Day Celebrations in school (I loved the quiz show, especially *cough1atmcough *), I went down with some people to watch Disney/Pixar's "Wall-E". It was really heartwarming and touching, and I loved it. I won't spoil any, but I'd love to watch it again.

2 years ago...

Investiture in 2003 had little significance for me at the time. Ditto 2004 and 2005, although they grew in significance over the years. Investiture 2006... At the time it felt a little insignificant because of Lillies on the River one week later, but still, it's a day that will forever be etched in my mind.

On that day, our batch was separated from the band we held so dear, and we've never gotten that back. There's a part of me that remains with RIMB forever, and the separation has left a wound, that time can cover up but not heal.

RIMB was really my home at the time, and I cherish the memories of the four years I spent there, especially those of my batch. Listening to our Investiture recordings, as technically bad as they are, still evokes feelings in me that I can't describe. Because all the music, and all the screwups.. they were ours, not anyone else.

While the batch as it was in 2006 is nothing more than a memory now, I'm thankful at least some small parts of the old ties remain. However, I still long (probably unhealthily) for what we were in 2006, a band of brothers.

Tomorrow is the Investiture 2008, where the batch of juniors (can I call them juniors? Friends, more like) I cherish the most will face the same thing we did. I think they'll come through better though, just a gut feeling.

While most in my batch may have forgotten, I'm afraid that I probably never will.

43rd batch of the Raffles Institution Military Band
Chen Shuotian
Jeremy Wong
Brian Cheung
Lu Yiding
Chester Gan
Jiang Lingzhang
Liu Wentao
Justin Ong
Aaron Theseira
Bernard Toh
Eng Zi Guang
Paul Ng
Michael Lim
Eugene Seow

Jinjun's quiz episode 2

got tagged by jinjun

1.What disappoints you the most?
Friends abandoning me, or losing touch with said friends.

2.Where would you go if someone sponsors u a air ticket?
Anywhere, really, I'm not fussed. But my prime choice would be the United States, and Japan after. Specifically I'd like to go back to Arizona, maybe Colorado. Also Pyongyang.

3.Whats your favorite things to do?
Play music, fly, listen to music, fly some more, spend time with friends.

4.Do you think money can buy you happiness?
"No, but it can buy you a private yacht" - Richie Rich commercial

5.If you had one dream to come true,what will it be?
That I remain close to my friends.

6.Do you believe in love at first sight?
Doubt so, unless the other party is a 747

7.What are u afraid to lose?
My friends

8.If you win one million,what would you do?
Let it collect interest until it becomes about $2 million, then i'd buy a small private jet.

9.What do you dream of doing in future?
2 main goals - short term SAF band, long term to become a pilot and play for a full-time band.

10.What do you want most right now?
For my current problem to vanish

11.Do you believe in fate?
I doubt so

12.What do you think it is the most important in your life?
That my friends are happy, safe and enjoy their life, and that my friendship means as much to them as theirs has to me.

13.Who are the ones that can make you very happy when you're super upset no matter when?
The person who gave me this quiz, and the people I tag.

14.If you have a chance to choose, would you like to come back in time?
I'd like to rewind, to re-experience, but not to change.

15.What kind of music turns you on?
Powerful stuff, think flowing high notes on roaring lower brass and horns sort of thing, or anything nice really.

16.What is the stupidest thing you have done?
Hmm hard to say... too many things to choose from.

17.How do you feel when someone important ignores you?
Quite upset, actually very upset.

18.What you like most about earth?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_x7LEJCvL4&feature=related

Seriously, the scenery. The mountains mostly.

19.What's the worst injury you ever had?
Physical? I've been quite lucky, worst is a twisted ankle. Emotionally, 2007 beginning has to be a low.

20. Do you think long relationships are good or bad?
Good, for sure. But that could be just me? I know I prefer a few long ones to many short ones.

instructions:Remove 1 question from above and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions then tag 8 people to do this in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them through their tagbox:Paul, Shuotian, Chester, Zi Guang, Bertrand, Jerald, Shuyi, Ben