*Special dedication to all GRSB members who are now feeling the disappointment. I believe that this special "letter" is for you guys. I got the inspiration in my sleep. I type this word for word and i hope that you will read it and be encourage."
Dear Green Road School Band members,
Yesterday marks the day whereby again all the bands are competing and vying for the ultimate title. Nonetheless, GRSB didn’t manage to win any awards. I understand and know how you feel as you senior, we go through that a lot in life too. We can never change our past, but we can certainly change our future. I hope you won’t back down and give up but instead hold your pride and never give up going for it and doing your best. Take it as an obstacle and not a prevention of being at the top. I also hope that this “letter” will encourage you.
Yesterday I didn’t see mere students or teens playing music but rather you were the teachers. What do you mean? ; you may ask. Well I’ve learnt a lot from your actions, your performance, and your teamwork shown just in one night over a few hours. I do not know intimately all of you but I can see that they’re many juniors .I am surprised that you guys can improved so quickly drastically. Count your blessings that you’re under good hands and instructors guiding your every step. Not many of us have that privilege and great support like that. I would like to quote some comments I heard from other band members and friends during that night.
“During the first day for the rehearsal, Green Road School Band to us were just normal and just making a comeback. On the second day, Green Road School Band suddenly improved so fast and we were scared”. – a band member
“I’ve never seen Green Road School Band improved so fast. Next year, they will become stronger and WILL be on of the most FEARED bands – an ex-band member.”
I believe you shown us what you’ve got and the potential you have in being State level champions or even National champions. Work Hard and do your Best!!!
I like to share my thoughts with you. They are many things I’ve learnt from watching you last night:
- You shown me the spirit of dedication, hardwork, and never giving up.
Your tears last night speaks volumes to me and are the proof that you worked hard. I felt like crying too because I understand you’ve gone through. You wouldn’t have cry if you guys gave up earlier but NO you worked hard, dedicated lots of your time and show what you are worth. You showed the Kuching Crowd your performance and they love it. They are surprised at your lost but you’ve gain their support which will bring you guys further than all you can do !!
- You shown me sportsmanship and bridging friendship
We seniors indeed saw you guys mixing with other bands and making lots of friends. Instead the spirit of rivalry you show us friendship which Is a very good lesson to all of us. I pray that you’ll keep the spirit of sportsmanship. Honour them and they will honour you. Treat them with respect and they will respect you. Be a good example to other bands on what sportsmanship really is. I know you may feel other bands are not deserving of their places but put yourself in their shoes ; how will you feel if people come up to you saying you’re not deserving of the title? Hurts doesn’t it? So please, whether you like it or not, give your blessings to the winners. Bearing jealousy will lead to anger, which leads to grudge, which leads to resentment, which leads to murder. In the end, you are doing yourself no justice. Acknowledge their good points and praise them for that. So next time you ever win a competition/title, they will too respect you for it. Be open-minded and you’ll go very far with this right attitude.
- You shown your love for music
Many people can play instruments but not from their heart. Yesterday, you shown the Kuchingnites your love for music. No other bands[maybe] out there were showing fun through music BUT you guys did. You guys entertained us through music. The most important thing is that you enjoyed yourself through this experience. And hey, I was touch by your rendition of “Tanah Pusaka” which is considered to most repetitive song. Good job!!!
- You taught us how to take risk in life.
It was a risk that you guys take in choosing difficult pieces. I must give my kudos, credits, respect for that. You guys step out of your comfort zone and did your best. Other bands didn’t take that risk but you guys did. Though I know you guys could have done better and improve more, you raised the bar and standard in being in a marching band. If GRSB never took that risk, our standard will always be the same. Because of that daring act, I can foresee that you guys will do even much better.
- National Integration.
Its sound cliché , but you guys really prove it. Our band is only one of the band [not speaking about colour guards] that has a melting pot of different races, cultures, and gender. Everyone was speaking in different languages but you guys understand each other. What more can I say seeing such strong racial unity and teamwork. Your guys deserve the award “ Best Teamwork & racial unity”!!!! You’re a living testimony, that Malaysian do live in peace, harmony , and MUSIC! Because of your music, you brought the school spirit among supporters, you united your parents, you unite Kuching hearts as one to listen and support you.
- You guys honoured God.
Before the competition, you prayed to God for victory. Despite your lost, you thank him for that. Such good spirit I see in you guys. Its easy for us to blame God, but you didn’t. And I tell you, God will honour such people. He has better plans for you. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Maybe through this lost, he is making you stronger and better in what you do. What’s the point in winning when you get praised for your flaws? Rather, its better to be humble and know your mistakes and changing it for the best. I pray that God will continue to bless GRSB in whatever performance or competition they join. I have no qualms of GRSB even a possible chance of being champions next year because of your faithful trust in God.
There’s an old adage that goes like this; “There’s a silver lining behind every dark cloud”. You may be asking what the silver lining in losing this competition is. Well, step back and see what you’ve really gain rather than just one lost.
- You’ve gain a valuable experience
What more can I asked for? Experience is of such importance in your future performance and competition. You learnt the tricks of the trade on how to become a better musician and you’ve learnt proper marching techniques. You’ve learn how to conquer fear and do your best. You’ve learn on how to become a more beautiful person inside. You’ve learn sportsmanship, trust, teamwork, unity, helpfulness, kindness, patience, hardwork and so on. Where else in the world can you learn this in just three months? You didn’t lose anything, but you gain something that you can keep for LIFE. Winning a title is just temporary and will always fluctuate, but learning the values of life is everlasting and is very useful. Which do you choose? I choose the latter. Not only that, these values will continue to add on and will inspire you in things to come. You do need these values to do your best right? I’m not saying winning isn’t important and we should just lose instead however what I am trying to say is that the values you learned are of greater importance. GRSB will go further when these values are cultivated. A person who never fails, is a failure indeed, because he/she will never learn the beauty of life.
- You’ve gain amazing friends.
What I saw last night is indeed true friendship. People out there do not have the privilege of having such great friends around you. They are constantly searching for a good friend but hey, look around, you gained more than 10 amazing friends. When someone laughs, you laugh. When someone cries, you all cry together. What beautiful and true friendship you all share. You went through thick and thin ignoring the facts of our background, religion, race, and gender. Liken to the marriage vows, though some are rich and some are poor, you stick together. Though some are sick and some are in health you are united. No matter under what pressure and circumstance like last night, you guys stick together. I didn’t see any social strife amongst you and that is true friendship. To eat, sleep, play, talk, listen, work, march, look, breathe , run, walk, exercise, practice, drink, rest, and to prepare together speak volumes. This is even better than attending NS. You are blessed to have great friends around you even in your greatest disappointment or victory. I rather have friends for life than to be a loner for life.
- You learnt about humbleness and values.
There’s a saying that says “ Pride comes before a fall”. But you learnt humbleness. We may not come back with pride but in my opinion, humbleness is the accelerator to greater heights. It is hard being humble when you can be proud of yourselves. I rather have see a band of full potential having a humble spirit. Not only other bands will respect and honour you, but everyone will too when they see that spirit. Next time, when you win a competition , remember to stay humble. This humbling experience will last a lifetime. When you grasp that trophy in your hands, you will not be proud but rather humble at how you could have won. The lost didn’t make you weak, but rather a stronger person.
I like to liken this to the diamond analogy. If you ever been to a jewellery shop , I am sure you will notice the shiny diamond. Each one is cut , and carefully shaped to reflect and shine perfectly. These diamonds didn’t start out that way from rocks. It has to be cut away from rough edges and sharp ends in order to be beautiful. Like us, we are like those rocks. This lost is rather a process in making you a more beautiful and stronger person. You’re being cut off the rough and sharp edges so that you will shine for Green Road school. People will be attracted to you because of the personality and spirit that is shown through you. Take it with an open heart.
I like the saying by Sukma swimmer Amira Nuria, “No pain, No gain. No gain, No glory.”
Remember that this is only an obstacle not a stopper of what you do.
- You learn about teamwork and unity.
You guys didn’t learn about individualistic but teamwork glory. You work together as a team to achieve something. Keep igniting that spirit of unity and teamwork and strengthen it. Remember that being in a band is not about yourself but rather the unity among members. Each one of you represents and reflect the whole school band.
“One band, One Sound!”
If one of you does a mistake, the whole band is affected. We see a team working together and not an individual performance. Now is the time to forge the unity and make it stronger. Like our Green Road motto, “United we grow as one!” . You guys can be liken to a family. No matter what happens, you are there with each other. Using the analogy of a human body, if any part of the body feels pain, the whole body is affected towards it. The same goes for being in GRSB. We should always be sensitive to each other feelings and constantly ensure that we work together harder than before. Look at us seniors, how come we are always coming back to watch and support you guys? Its because we are like a family, and we missed that in band. I hope you will keep that in your heart.
- You’ve gain support
You not only gain support from “bandmates” but also from us, teachers, parents, and the society of Kuching. You prove that you are worth being supported by us. You prove that you spent time wisely and not for nothing. This will prove that you are worth investing into especially when looking for sponsors. Keep that up, and you will see miracles in GRSB. I am so looking forward to more high-class music with high-class instruments and a high-class performance next time. You deserve every support you can get. Do yourself justice and pat your back while reading this as I can’t do so J
You may feel that you’ve lose you pride, but instead you’ve learn humbleness
You may lose you dignity, but it only strengthens the band’s unity
You may not win an award, but you have won great friends
You may be disappointed , but you’ve learn the greatest values in life which no one can ever teach
You feel at the lowest peak right now, but you’ve gain the highest peak of support from us
In conclusion [long I know], we seniors believe in the potential of greater victory next time. We are looking forward to your next performance or competition with greater anticipation. The only thing now is getting the colour guards J . Good luck and God bless in whatever you do be it in band and studies, and work hard for the next Competition or performance. Do us proud and do not let these words fall on the ground. We believe in you and I pray that you’ll achieve greater heights.
World class mentality, World class quality!
Psalms 139:3
You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Psalm 56:8
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
Indeed, God cares and loves each one of you.
Love from your senior,
Anders
