Just 2 weeks when I'm not around, so many things happened. This is where I have to step in.
Before that, Let me share with you somethings you may or may not have known about the band and how I feel towards it.
A story about ESMB, a story about Choices and ResilienceThe band was formed just about the time when the school was formed. Should be in 1999. Before that, we had a wonderful instructor, Mr Samuel Tan. He's nice, friendly and a very fatherly figure. However, things were taken for granted. In fact, many of them.
Students started off fine, enthusiastic, wanting to learn. However, they became complacent. Because the teachers in charge then were always changing, Mr Tan don't scold them, they start to well, become less hardworking. Many chances to perform in school and in public, chances to do take part in SYF, competitions. They had games day and day camps during the school holidays as well. Why were we called the East Spring Military Band? I'm not sure. But I feel it was because of the former school Principal, who was very very supportive of the Band and hoped that one day, we can truly become a Military Band
SYF comes around. For 2001, 2003, 2005, each time, the East Spring Military Band was given a Certificate of Participation (COP). No Bronze, Silver, Gold. Just a simple "Thank you for your participation".
By this time, yes, many many people have become demoralised. They made choices - Quit band, don't come, or stayed on.
I came into East Spring in 2006, about the same time Mr Ng was hired. I saw the way he worked. He was a slave driver -- he made sure students come, students played and practiced. He yelled, screamed, punished and used certain remarks, some of which I may not approve of.
But have you ever wondered "Why"? Think about it before you read on.
I came across a quote, "If people are screaming at you to get things done, be glad about it. When they don't, it meant that they have given up on you."
In a nutshell, Mr Ng has very very high expectations of himself, of the band. He saw potential, un-cut gems. He saw things that many people would not have seen it. But then, he also saw that there were many who well, didn't quite work hard enough, practiced enough.
Many of these people were the GEMS. So he did what he had to -- scream at them when they didn't play well.
What do these people do?
They had choices. 1) Avoid which means quitting. 2) Press on, grit their teeth, bear with it.
Those who chose (1), some of them actually came up to me and asked "Can I still join Band?", some regretted the choice they made and others, well, have not seen the consequences yet.
Those who chose (2). They were the lot who became more resilient. They were the lot who worked really hard in band, and used the same kind of peseverance and determination in their studies, in their life. They became high-achievers. And of course some of them became a little "over passionate".
At this point, I would never fail to give comments to these students. How they have contributed to the band, to the achievements of the band. How through their dedication they had became role models to the band members and the juniors.
1 thing that you may not know. For this year, most of the students in Sec 4 and 5, they had long long comments about their contributions for the band, and they had A1 and A2 for their CCA points. If you don't believe, ask them. Ask those in Sec 4s and 5s especially those who may not have any major leadership roles in band.
In 2007, we had the 1st annual band camp during the Dec holidays. The current batch of students who are graduating this year were the exact same few people who had neary chose to quit band. Some cited Mr Ng as reasons, others said it had become too boring, too monotonous. I'm glad many of them stayed. Why did it become monotonous? 1) we have very much exhausted the funds for the SYF. 2) after the SYF, the focus is again on building up the skills and foundations of the Sec 1 - 3 students. 3) not many opportunities to perform in public. But we had our public performance at the Bird Park that year after the camp.
In 2008, Band has participated in the National Band Competition, we had our annual Band Camp in Dec, in between, we had a couple of games day.
And in 2009, you know the details. For the first time, Sec 1s were involved in the Speech Day, although well, not all of them were involved and they weren't exactly playing instruments. They were involved.
And the rest, you all already know.
As much as I could, and Miss Ong could, we spent time thinking about band and when possible, joined in or observed the band practices. But many times, it's not that we don't want to, we really couldn't.
And I think many would know by now, I was never in band when I was in Sec school. I was given Band to be in-charge of because I had some music background (the piano). And I chose to work with it, work with what I have and tried my best to keep the band together. Till now, though sometimes I tried, I am still unsuccessful when trying my hands on the brasses or the woodwinds. The only one that was able to make the sound most easily was the percussion. Miss Ong joined in 2007 and both of us have been here till now.
Ask the seniors, especially those who have already graduated. How many teachers-in-charge they had over the years? How much activities they had then other than band practices? How many pieces of songs they were able to play?
My current worry is that there are many band members now who are taking things for granted. Who become less resilient, who are giving up easily because they have not seen any other problems that is harder or more difficult than band practices and Mr Ng.
I worry for these students who quit, but they made the choice to avoid the problem.
But my area of concern is to make sure that the ones remaining in band continue to grow. That's why, every year, all of you will have at least a chance to try in organising, being in charge of events like games day, orientations etc. It's for you to work together, for me and Miss Ong to see who are the potential leaders, your strengths and weaknesses and how you could contribute to the leading of the band.
I firmly believe, when you are thrown in a situation, given many roles to play, take the lead and work together, you learn a whole lot more. I am speaking from experience. That's why I let the band maj, drum maj and the committee members to take the lead while Miss Ong and I watched. Of course, these were the peoeple who came up to us to share about their problems. These were the people who grew a lot more compared to those who chose to quit.
I am proud of the achievements of the band. I am proud of the students who graduated when I'm in charge. I am proud of their achievements till now. I'm sure Miss Ong shares the same sentiments.
For the current band students, I want to see you grow, to become the most resilient batch of students I've ever seen. I want the band to be able to achieve a gold award in SYF 2011. In order to do that, grit your teeth, bear with it. Share your problems with Me and Miss Ong. (We don't bite but we may nag. no guarantees)
For the overseas trip, like many other overseas trip, because of the H1N1, we have to cancel. But we are going to have a 3 Day 2 N Band Camp in school and I want you to take the lead in suggesting activities.
The choice is always yours. So make the best choice for yourself, for your development, for your future. Many people make choices for instant satisfaction. What does it mean? think about it.
Love,
Miss Tan
(PS: can someone who is more blog savy make this writing space a little wider? =) it's annoying to see some of the words cut at the edges!)