Anyway, i got ready about like 4.30 pm and left for the Hockey Stadium next to MBKS at 5.15pm. Reach there about 5.30 pm. As i came out of the car, i saw all the bands practicing and warming up for the competition. I took a minute reminiscing the times i also warm-up with the band. I miss the action and spotlights. After that i went to the "audience section"[???] of the stadium. Met some of the Greenian Supporters and they did a wonderful job of making banners . I told them to invent a chant to support the groups. I went back to watch GRSB warming-up while being crazy with Antonia and Christine.
*don't bother about the watermark date, i know its wrong*
Bands preparing
St.Joseph Miri preparing
SMK Bintulu
Chung Hwa Colour Guards
Green Road School Band playing "Tanah Pusaka"
The GRSB uniform. We call them the "GREMLINS" because of the "G" in front. Do you like the name?
See the "g" , See the "g"!!!
Dressing up and final make up :)
Grsb Prepared to show their best
After that, we and a bunch of others volunteered to carry the things to the tent. Instead of being a spectator, i decided to help instead as i can always watch the recordings later. Green Road School Band and other school bands were on the field for inspection of uniforms. Kinda hard to tell apart Green Road and St.Joseph Kuching when they are not wearing hats. Green Road is know as the "Cavaliers" but i rather like the name "The Gremlins" . Oh well~After the inspection there was a long pause of time. Final preparations are being done now. The band members were eating and so were we eating Junk Food. Help to pass food and drinks though through telepathy. Haha. Christine did the job lar, Antonia and me were being gluttons. Haha. We had to move around the stadium too to get water and food. About 30 minutes and the competition started. I don't want to comment much so that i won't get hate messages but i will just give my two cents worth of thoughts.
The order was :
1. St.Joseph Miri
2. St.Columba Miri
3.St.Joseph Kuching
4. SMK Green Road
5. SMK Bintulu
6. Chung Hwa Miri
We didn't really pay attention to the other bands as i was concentrating more for the Kuching bands. I just wanted to watch Green Road and St.Joseph Kuching's performance. Being at the tent, you're at ground level so you can't hear much and see anything too[formation wised] . But the stadium was getting very jammed pack. Never i have seen such crowd just to watch a Marching Band competition. Having Band Fever, we all were going crazy just because we get to watch band. Its worse than ecstasy. Haha. We wanted to scream but we saved it for St.Joseph Kuching and Green Road. Don't get us wrong, we support both teams but we support more for Green Road. Oh yeah, we prayed before they get ready for the competition
When St.Columba performed, Wilson came and we proceed to go to the audience section to watch the full performance for St.Joseph Kuching and SMK Green Road. Its an interesting match this year. St.Joseph wants to take back their title and Chung Hwa wants to retain it. SMK Green Road just wants to be in TOP 3. Standing at the top of the stadium you could see the formation properly. It was fun.
It was St.Joseph Kuching's turn then, we shouted and cheered for them. Kuching ka ki nang[own people] mar. Besides, few friends are in the band too. I love St.Joseph's music as it was so stereo. The formation was done is such away that the sound projected is very nice. Good Job Mr.Anthony! However, its a bit abstract for non-music knowledge audience. If you're a musician you understand the feeling and meaning of the song. The song was called "Sowing" if i am not mistaken. Basically giving the season of spring, when a the land is toiled and the seed is sown. Being water and the sun shines on it till it grows. This may cause a low mark for crowd puller as people did not understand why suddenly got the "sun" flags and "water" flags done byt the Colour Guards. For those who don't know what's the functionality of the colour guards, they are the ones who give the artistic impression of the performance. They're the dancers and they use different apparatus to bring out the mood of the song. I find the jazz version of rasa sayang didn't fit the song or whole package. A bit out of place here and there . BUT overall a great performance.
Then it was Green Road's turn. We shouted like nobody's business.
WHAT ROAD??
GREEN ROAD!!!!
HA MIK LO??
CHE CAO LO!!!!
*Scouts clapping chant* GO GREEN ROAD!!!!!!!!!
It went for about five minutes at least. Its kinda funny as this is the first time World Style Marching Band competition is being introduced. So the format is very different. First of all, World Style permits colour guards. All the schools except ours has a colour guard team. Nonetheless, The band is more important. Besides that, the band is allowed to do warm up on the performance field before starting. As i suddenly thought, if we have shouted so early then they will be hype up for the warm-up and not the performance. And my thinking was right. Oh well, we can't change the future. Sorry for the blur photographs. After carrying so many stuff, my hands are too shaky to even take a proper picture.
Back to the performance. I have to say that SMK Green Road is one of the most entertaining groups. You guys enjoyed yourselves on the field and we can't help enjoying ourselves too. From juggling the mace to dancing with it, Mr.Drum Major i salute you. The band you did an awesome job by taking the risk in playing challenging music pieces. I love the touching rendition of "Tanah Pusaka". Its so beautiful. I think you would have made the composer cried too. GRSB did the music from popular film Zorro and we had the chance of seeing our beloved drum major donning a Zorro mask. That got the crowd going. I could really say with all my heart that SMK Green Road was really entertaining that night. You brought Kuchingnites closer. I felt that GRSB had top 3 in their pocket. However i would like to give some constructive criticism:
1. Music has to be louder. It lacked the "goosebump" effect. I am not saying that don't care about dynamics but the sound has to be louder. Like f become ff . This is because we are outdoors and not indoors so you lacked the acoustics.
2. My favourite section, the trumpeters. I salute you for being able to play such hard scores when most of you are juniors. However, you guys have to work harder on articulation, blasting, tonguing, and timing. One tip is constantly doing sit-ups to have better breath control too and more power when playing.
3. Formation. We need to see more interesting formation. I felt that the 2nd song the formation can be done more. We need "jaw-dropping" and those special formation. Most probably it was last minute, but our footwork is world class. I know that you guys are using Cavaliers technique so that's good.
4. Woodwinds. We missed the powerful woodwinds. Saxophones were good. Flautist and the clarinetist has to step up their game. Green Road School Band is known for powerful woodwinds and let that legacy continue.
Hmm, other that that its ok.
After GRSB performance we all ran down to meet out "idols". Haha. Shook hand with the juniors and congratulate them. Everyone was happy and confident taht GRSB can win. We waited while being crazy again . Chatted with other seniors and teachers too. We weren't paying attention to the rest of the band because we were lazy. Haha.
GRSB warming-up
Bustling Greenian Street
Random Photo
Green Road and St.Joseph Mixing around
Soon it was time for showtime again and all the bands get ready to march into the field. Kinda funny that GRSB and St.Joseph Kuching went in together with the same drum beat. Then, St.Teresa perform some songs. After that, It was time for the speeches. You know about the fact that women speaks 40,000 words a day? It was that time of the day. She had to speak so long. In addition, another guy gave a speech too. In the end, we were munching on Antonia's homemade muruku and mentos. Chatted about a lot of things regarding band and what we would do if GRSB got 1st place [that was how confident we were......i think] . Some say they will take off their shirts and run to the field. Antonia said she would throw her muruku into the field. Haha. Then it was time for the awards. It was very exciting. *beethoven in Cminor*
All the bands are waiting for this and now just from one microphone, a band's destiny can be changed forever. And we were shocked with the results. Seriously shocked.
1st - St. Joseph, Kuching
2nd - Chung Hua, Miri
3rd - St. Joseph, Miri
Best Colour Guard
Chung Hua, Miri
Best DM
chung Hua, Miri
Best Preparation
Chung Hua, Miri
Best Percussion
St. Joseph, Miri
We were happy that St.Joseph Kuching won however we were also sad at GRSB lost. They were 4th place i think. As they marched out of the field, tears flowed from their eyes. Supporters gave them a standing aviation as we clapped our hands. We were shocked,the teachers were shocked, the audience were also shocked at they could not believe GRSB wasn't even top 3. Standing speechless i really didn't know what to say. I thoroughly understand how they felt as i experienced it so many times this year. The feeling of disappointment. Nevertheless, they gained something more through the lost. I went to encourage those who are under ISCF. Teachers , seniors , and parents gave words of encouragement to cheer up the band members. We may cry now, but next time we cry for joy!!! I am glad that GRSB members could take the lost. I am proud of you guys!!!! What more, they gave a thanksgiving prayer. Such good spirit should be commended!!! Kudos to the leaders who kept their cool and lead them with the right mentality. Some band members stayed away from those who cry so that they won't cry. haha
I was happy that they put on their smiles and went back to the field for a phototaking session. Certainly they are not teens, but rather young men and women with mature minds!
Aunty Mei Queen giving some encouragement
Posers :)
Pushers as in pushing each other
Happy taking photo
Best photo- One for the album!
Brass Section
Cute cute juniors-Future Leaders
The tired band members
In conclusion, GRSB you're the best and you will go far next times. Never have i seen a band with such great potential which improves so rapidly in just a short time. My blessings goes to you! Go for it and be the best next year!!!!!!!
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