- 3 weeks to SYF 2009, 21 days (as of tomorrow)
- 6 or 7 combined practices with Mr Tan left, only 1 or 2 sectionals left
- 11 days to our next exchange on 19th March (WITHOUT SCORE)
I know some of us are upset that we didn't play our best, but that's okay. You know why?
Because I feel that it's better to realise our mistakes now than on 30th March.
If you're filled with guilt for playing horribly yesterday, even if you're filled with fear that the same thing might repeat itself on 30th March, then do something about it. It's all about practice, really.
Don't be upset over it, do something about it. We must move on and learn from our mistakes, we're stronger than this, I know it and I believe that our band is capable of overcoming these obstacles we're currently facing.
We've been through so much together, ups and downs and I have faith that we'll get through this together, like we did in SYF 2007, preparations for concerts, and Beijing.
Right now, we must realise what our biggest strengths are and make full use of them. If you think about it, sound and intonation are things that have to be worked on over long periods of time, like lets say a few years? And that's what's good about our band. Our big round sound.
We already have it, so what's hindering us from getting what we want?
Our energy, and our IJ band spirit, I know all of you think it's disappearing, and it's going away. And it was what made us special in SYF 2007, it was probably one of the reasons why we got our Gold. It hurts me to see that most of you feel that the band losing it's spirit but I cannot force it out of you, it's really up to you. I can only say that if you believe it's there, it'll be there. Our energy was good yesterday, so keep it up. But I'm pretty sure we're capable of giving even more.
Dynamics is another one of our weaknesses now. If everyone is willing to play softer for that one note, that one bar, or put in the effort to play louder when we're supposed to, we'll definitely get extra points for that and it'll be very impressive since we're such a huge band.
Okay here's our biggest biggest problem now: watching. DO NOT rely on your neighbour or the percussion section for the tempo, it won't work that way. All of you don't like the idea of not playing with score, but did you ask yourself why we're even doing it? Because the band is not watching.
If everyone just puts in the effort to look up, every bar, I'm sure this problem can be eradicated really quickly. And if this problem is gone, we can work on other things, other things that can bring us to the next level.
My point is ALL THESE THINGS ARE WITHIN OUR CONTROL. And if you realised, the solution to every single one of these problems is INDIVIDUAL EFFORT. It really is, up to you. And even if all of us put in the effort and one person doesn't, it wouldn't work. So I'm appealing to all of you to try your best to get rid of these problems while we can, okay?
So make the best use of sectionals time and focus on getting rid of these problems! :) If the problem with the section is watching, perhaps the SLs can conduct the section. And maybe for running notes for Die Fledermaus and overture, the upper woodwinds can have sectionals together? Just some suggestions.
We're going into the March holidays soon. And as all of you know, we barely have any practices left.
How many of you are willing to come back like lets say Monday afternoon during the March holidays to have extra unofficial practice with Catherine? Please tag on the tagboard.
Okay before I end off,
I love IJ band and I have faith in all of you (:
We really can do it, and all of you must keep on believing.
Nothing's going to stop us but ourselves.
Remember Beijing? Let's put in the same effort and same amount of energy and play like how we did last year.
