Swiss Winds: The NCC Command Band

How do you or your students feel to be part of this major national event?

Jerome Wong, Drum Major:

I am deeply honoured by the privilege accorded to me to head the NCC Command Band at this prestigious national event and I hope to my nation, corps and school proud.

I am grateful to the powers that be, the National Day Exco headed by Col Benedict Lim, Chairman NCC Council Dr Arthur Beng and my principal, Mr Liu Earnler, for permitting the Band and myself to participate in such a monumental occasion.

Other comments include,

• It’s been a joy being part of the National Day Parade!
• Tiring but worth it
• The experience is one that I WILL remember”.

The band members were thrilled to be part of the parade (as were many parents, who indicated so during our meet the parents session) and especially to be able to play alongside the SAF Central Band, SAF Ceremonial Band A and the SPF Band – something they will remember for the rest of their lives!

Finally, what do you expect your students to benefit from participating in this event, or rather what do you hope to see them achieve?

I believe it is the experience that I would like my students to take away from this event. No other band in Singapore has ever been given such opportunity to work side by side with professionals for such extended periods of time; both of which I believe have  displayed the highest levels of musicality and discipline through their playing and drills.

This may have been our first time participating in the National Day Parade, but I trust this would not be our last.

Musically they have benefited from working with the professionals – one of the most fundamental musical concepts that our student musicians have learnt from both the SAF and SPF Bands is something very dear to every musician’s heart – to play the music and not the notes.

It is often said that the March is to the band what the Overture is to the orchestra: Both bands have, whilst performing for the NDP, transformed the marches into living music.

Leadership wise, Drum Majors ME2 Hafis of the SAF Band and SI Mohammad from the SPF Band have provided pointers for our Drum Major and other leaders.

Administrative leadership has been an added bonus for this event – my Sergeant Majors and Logistics Head have learnt  and proper procedures  from the work of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) ME3 Razak and (Acting) DOM SAF Ceremonial Band C, ME3 Goh Poh Wah, in addition to ME3 Hussin and ME2 Jais.

What I appreciate most is the fact that all the SAF Band has treated the NCC Command Band as young adults and have demanded the highest standards from us. It is incredible how my cadets have matured both mentally and musically through our participation in NDP 2010.

It is my hope that my cadets will have many “take aways” in this journey and these lessons learnt will continually inspire them to persevere and strive for the best both in their academic life and musical life.

Musically I hope that more of my student musicians will be inspired through their interaction with the SAF and SPF bands to always aspire to be the best and to consider making music their career at some point in their future!

Lastly, my sincere thanks to the SAF Band and SPF Band for a wonderful and a very successful NDP 2010.

Administrator

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Related posts:

1. National Day Parade 2010