Muhamad Yusri

The one word I can use to describe the event is… Joy! From the moment I knew the list of people coming to the moment I waved my last beat of the full band session, I couldn’t be happier.

The instrumentation of the band for the day:

2 Flutes (3 Flutes originally)
1 Oboe (2 Oboes originally)
8 Bb Clarinets
1 Bass Clarinet
3 Alto Saxophones
2 Tenor Saxophones
1 Baritone Saxophone
2 Bassoons
6 Horns
9 Trumpets
6 Trombones
3 Euphoniums
3 Tubas (4 Tubas originally)
4 Percussionists

The event started with ice-breaker games to enable everyone to know one another better. I must say the games were simple but really fun and everyone enjoyed themselves and became quite familiar with each other by lunch time. We all had lunch together and I spoke to some of them to get to know them better.

After lunch, we had sectionals so that everyone could read through the repertoire before the full band session. I decided to add 2 more pieces to the original list as sight-reading pieces:

Overture Jubiloso by Frank Erickson
Fate of the Gods by Steven Reineke
El Camino Real by Alfred Reed (Sight-reading)
Buglers Holiday by Leroy Anderson (Sight-reading)
Concert D’Amore by Jacob de Haan
Earth, Wind and Fire Dance Mix arr. Paul Murtha

I went around during sectionals to listen to the different sections and I knew from visiting each group that we were going to have an amazing full band session!

Due to time, we did not do the Buglers Holiday during the full band session but we learnt so much from the other five pieces. The last 2 pieces, I did not do much except to share with the band on the topic of jazz articulation and how to make the music come alive. The band responded well and the result was incredible. They were exhausted but I knew they could carry on playing because they were all having so much fun. I did too. I wished I could keep the band together for a concert!

A big thank you to the organising committee for a great day and to those who came, you are always welcome to join us for rehearsals anytime!

The Republic Polytechnic (RP) will be having an Open House from 5 – 7 January 2017. The Republic Polytechnic Wind Symphony (RPWS) will be performing during the RP Open House on Saturday, 7 Jan 2017 from 11:15am to 11:30am and 2:00pm to 2:10pm at the Bosque. Visit the Open House to see what RP is like and come and listen to the RPWS. Bring your instrument if you want to jam with us!