Today is the first anniversary of my journal!! Im so happy that I have kept this journal faithfully for one whole year! Never have i kept a single journal, online or offline, more that a year before! I hope that this internet site will continue running forever and forever coz i hope that i will keep this journal updating even when i grow old.
I just want to sing a Happy Birthday Song to my Journal:
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to Journal,
Happy birthday to you!!
And now, having celebrated, the aniversary of this journal, its now time to post my personal letter to my future Band Major, My first ever post to cross the 1 year mark, and 2 days earlier when i got a letter from the previous Band Major exactly one year ago.
_______________________________________________
From: Muhammad Jasrie,
Band Major of Northland Secondary School Symphonic Band,
2002-2003
To: Chen Jing Ying,
Band Major of Northland Secondary School Symphonic Band,
2003-2004
Dear Jing Ying,
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your promotion of being a Band Major, the 8th batch in Northland Secondary School. This letter however, serves as a reminder on what’s like being a Band Major and words of encouragement that you will find throughout the letter. Also, I would briefly tell you of my experience as a Band Major.
As you already know, being a Band Major is not easy and is the most demanding post in the committee. Being a Band Major can be a life-changing situation, but most of the time, it does good to yourself. You hold one of the highest post in the band and therefore you must ensure that all the members and committee members give their utmost respect. Do not let your personal feelings and emotion get in the way of you duty. It is not good to vent your anger or spread your sadness to the band if the feeling is personal, as it will not be fair to them. Always clear your mind and focus in what you are doing. Most of the time, you will be doing a lot of administrative work, but most of the cases, you must ensure that the committee members give their very best and does their duty faithfully. You cannot do everything alone. Most of the time, you have to work with the teachers closely and try to maintain a healthy relationship with the teacher.
Always remember the relationship triangle. You must maintain a healthy relationship with the Drum Majors, the teachers as well as the conductor, in order to work efficiently. As for my case, I work closely with the Assistant Drum Major of my batch, as you already know the situation with the Drum Major. Do not give up when doing tasks that are beyond your capabilities and ensure that you divide the work evenly. Never let anyone be on top of you.
When making decisions, DO NOT make decisions because the band wants it like that. You must be able to make your own decisions for the good of the band. You must always try to be neutral when making decisions and do not sway from your decisions when you have made them. I am confident that you are a capable leader and able to make good decisions that will benefit the band to a great extent. Always go for the extra mile and ensure that the band is contented with your decisions. Try not to make enemies in the band, as these things can hinder you on your duty. Always try to find out and get feedback from every band member so that they are happy at what you are doing and that any disagreements can be sorted out as early as possible. Whenever you are stuck in making decisions, you can always approach the ex-band majors like me, Ayuni or Sheri. They will certainly give you some fruitful advice. Do not be disappointed or give up easily when things are not going as planned. Sudden things happened at its up to you to take initiative, which I am confident you can.
Remember that being a Band Major, it takes time for the band to get used to it. I myself was terrified whenever I tried to talk to the band. Once everything has settled down then you are ready to run the show. Take note that being a Band Major means that everyone will look at you with the highest regard! Not only the members or the committee members but the teachers of the school and also the principals. Remember this: Respect comes in both ways, you must learn how to respect people in order to gain respect from them in return. Outside band, be wild and let go of your duty! (you know what I mean)
Next year, there will be no SYF, but that does not mean you can slack a little bit on your duty and never think that your life will be a little bit easier than the time when I was Band Major. Every successor are faced with different challenges during the course of the year, and you must be mentally and physically prepared when it comes. I am very confident in you and that the future of band will be as successful as the previous batches. Sheri and me were the ones who selected you and ensure that Sheri’s decisions are the right ones, always. Whenever she makes the decision regarding future Majors, it has always been successful and I do hope that with this thought in mind, you would be encouraged.
I would not be sure of the agenda for next year, but I just want to give you some guidelines of what you should do when you are Band Major. Once you completely take over the post, please ensure that the playing skills of the band improve to the same level as last time, ensure that Lye Huat does his duty as a Student Conductor and ensure that our section will be in tip-top condition whenever a concert arrives. Please take note of that because Forte 3 may be coming next year, and without the seniors playing by your side with the band, please ensure that they are prepared musically. As for the Sec Ones, ensure that every one of them knows how to play the National Anthem by the end of this month and make sure that they are in the main band as soon as possible. As a Section Leader of Trombone, please consult Rebecca on what you should do with the section. My guess, though now definitive would be to train Chun Howe to train the Sec ones, so that he could be the next Section leader of Trombone Section. We have not other choice.
Discipline: Now that SYF is over, there will be more time on Drilling sessions. Please note that everyone must participate the Drilling session and that Hafiz is capable in doing the Drilling Sessions. Make sure that he does not play a fool during the Drilling sessions and make a point to correct his mistake. He as a Drum Major should be serious as well. Discipline will once more be No.1 priority so that when the next SYF arrive, they will be prepared.
Lastly, all Band Majors and Drum Majors will have to attend NCO Camp for Majors. This is an annual camp. There is a 3-day pre-camp, which you must attend, but not overnight. This pre-camp, is basically to know the other Majors of other schools all over Singapore and gives you scores that are quite challenging. The Pre-camp is to familiarize yourself to the other Majors and also to the upcoming 5-day NCO camp, the real thing. As a Band Major, you will be learning how to play the difficult scores that was handed out previously and be able to play them well at the end of the camp, marching in parade, where all the Drum Majors will show their mace work skill. ( In which you will be proud to see Hafiz finally be able to do some mace work skill) So, my point is this, have frequent sectionals from now till the NCO! Be prepared and learn the different scales.
With all these, I will end my letter here, although it may seem long, to me I have a lot to tell. If you wish to consult me or clarify any matters regarding the post, please seek me or Sheri. I’m always at the library everyday after 3.30 pm. You can always look for me there if you have any doubts or you want to talk about any difficulties that you encounter and that you wish to talk about. I am very busy lately, but I will try to be in band once in a while to see if you are ok. Remember, discipline is No.1 and don’t be scared to shout and scream at the band when they are not listening to you, but remember to let it all go after the band session ends. Best of luck, in your new post and your future endeavors.
Yours Truly,
Muhammad Jasrie Firdaus,
Trombone Section,
Band Major (2002-2003)
Northland Secondary School Symphonic Band
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