Band...

I'm finally back in the band scene after a 5+ month hiatus, and it feels good to be back. The wheels have started turning for Rwinds, and I'm confident that, as good as last year was for us, we can do much better this year. It's great to be back in RJCSB as well, to play under the baton of Mr Oura again and this time, to see my favourite juniors alongside, in fact, it almost feels like RIMB 2006 all over again.

On the other hand, having things to do for the bands brings with it a level of stress I haven't experienced in a while, thanks also to the fact that I am now working, and this post is probably going to be a rant designed to let a lot of that stress out. Physically, my schedule is screwed up and I'm wondering if it was such a good idea to commit to both RJ and Rwinds, with a result that my day looks something like wake up at 3:30am, work from 5 to 3, go for prac till 7+, come back and search for chalets etc for Rwinds. On the other hand, from experience, I know that such efforts will come with rewards and the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of my labour, so I shall not slack off!

Yesterday's RJ prac, however, wasn't really that good. Mr Oura wasn't all too happy with the band, and I can see why. It's really sad to see that most of the J2s aren't committed to playing for the band for this concert, and I was surprised at the low number who are. Last year this was the case for SIBF, but SIBF was a minor competition compared to the A Tempo in May, so perhaps it's more understandable why my batch never committed.

On the other hand, when Mr Oura commented on how disappointed he was with my own batch last year, I felt as though I was shot straight in the heart with a SAR21, but at the same time I couldn't help but agree. It's really disappointing to see the effect the current culture of the school has on the band, and it's unfair to those who do their best and want to see the band improve.

For my own part, I'm also disappointed in myself. If I'm guest playing for this concert I need to play my best, and I think my playing yesterday was substandard, no, it was downright bad. I can't use the excuse that I need to get back in shape because my playing on Saturday was much better. But what's done is done, and the importance now is in improving. The good thing is that I now have photocopies of some of the harder pieces, especially Shichi-Go-San, so I can study the scores in my own time.

Speaking of scores, another thing I should probably do is settle my own missing scores as best I can, especially Army of the Nile and Takarajima, which we played last year. If I can't find those around I suppose I should borrow the conductor's score and type them out myself. Just because I'm a guest player doesn't mean I should have the mentality that the members of the band need to prepare everything for me, yeah? Speaking from experience as an Rwinds librarian, I think the poor RJ librarians have enough trouble already.

I really feel for my juniors, those who are committed and give their all to the band, they deserve much better than what the band has now, but circumstances conspire against them. For my part, I will do my best for the band that I love so much, and help out where I can.

Speaking of which, Rwinds pracs are going to start soon, and I hope that I will not have to make the choice between the bands, although this is not likely. I need to buck up as the Rwinds librarian too, and not repeat the mistakes made last year.

Well, I guess when you make band your life, you have to take the downs with the ups. In the end, though, I hope it'll all be worth it, that I see Mr Oura's smile as the band stands up after A Tempo on the Esplanade's stage, that I'll enjoy good food and fun times with Rwinds on the first prac and the chalet, and that Coda V will trounce Coda IV in every way possible. If we can achieve that, it'll all have been worth it.