Hey Band!
Great job yesterday (: All our hard work has indeed paid off. There are many things that we could have done better yesterday of course, but let's take it as a learning lesson and work on them when we come back from our long break. Remember, it's alright to make mistakes, what isn't right is that you repeat the mistake again.
Meanwhile, take this time to complete your work, catch up and work on your basic techniques, it's the key to everything.
Anyway, those that have hesistations about going Sydney, here's my point of view.
Remember how IJ wants to provide an holistic education for all their students? School isn't always about the textbooks & academics, it's also about how you develop, find yourself (for example, by seeing how far you can push yourself) and gain experiences that will last a lifetime and you can't place them in words, but it can only be felt. The Sydney trip, to me, is a fantastic opportunity that the school is giving to go out of the books and gain new experiences in so many ways.
Band wise, Band isn't always about sitting-in-the-band-room-to-make-music-and-performing-once-in-a-while thing. This Sydney trip will expose you to other Bands, allow you see Band on a whole new level. There will be also good lessons learnt such as adapting to a whole new environment (yeah, the cold then VS the tropical equatorial climate Singapore has), and learning from other people there (from the tutors, and the other Bands as well).
If you're worried about not catching up, don't worry, like what Clarise & Roslyn said, it's all about the time management, that's one other thing you'll gain from this trip too, indirectly.
In short, Sydney would be a once in a lifetime experience for many of us (probably second for the coming Secondary 4s & 5s). Firstly, you're going with a huge contingent. Secondly, you will be going with your friends. Lastly, you'll get to play at wonderful places that are tourist attractions to many (not many get such opportunities).
Every single of one you is important in the Band, without you, the Band's difference would be extremely vast. We can't do without one another. And for the Sec 4s & 5s next year, I'm sure you want a nice ending to your Band Journey in IJ.
Last thing, if you want something, you've got to fight for it. I rest my case.
See you all soon! I miss you guys already :(
With a lot of love,
Cherie
