Important Message from Mr Foo

I am quite embarassed because we are playing such a cheesy repertoire for such a big event. But, well, no choice. Hong Kong pieces took up too much of our time. We would just have to do our best to make this easy pieces sound good. Let's work harder. I strongly advise members to pen down all the mistakes I spotted during rehearsals. This will help a bit. (edited by Mr Fahmy: Would the SLs like to meet Mr Foo 15 minutes before band practice to note down all his advice and remarks for EACH bar? Arrange to meet him separately, please, then disseminate to your members. This may help to make band practice more productive and also save a bit of time.)

Remember guys, don't play like the performance during Montage!!! We will get a C.O.P!!! The Montage playing style is for entertainment only, not for a serious band competition. Playing too loud and without a good balance and blend or good perception of the piece structure will only result in a lot of marks being deducted.

Every member must do his or her part well. Even the 3rd clarinet and the 3rd trumpet are important parts. In fact, the 2nd and 3rd players are all the inner voices of the piece. These parts are usually neglected as non-important roles, when in fact, they have equal levels of importance.

Percussion players usually treat their instruments as hitting tools. They should in fact be the group of people that know the music every well and are very sensitive to the phrasing made by the other blowing instruments of the band. Their banging and hitting must fit the music and the style or structure of the music. I'm sure composers don't use percussion to make more noise. It should be more than that. For example, composers use the percussion to achieve the harmonic texture or colours of each phrase. Or cadences.

But now, well, let's not say too much. Hahahaha. You guys must do your best to get the correct rhythms or entries.

2nd and 3rd clarinets and trumpets. Jia you!!!
Triangle and cymbals players. Jia you!!!
Our fate depends on you. God bless.

One last reminder - the 1st trumpet and clarient players, etc. etc. are all the outer voices. Or I can say the perimeters of the picture. I need more inner voices and depth in our music.

Listen for them during the next practice.

Don't judge a book by its cover. Don't play like the Montage performance.
Memorise the percussion notes. You have no pitch notation to read. Go listen to the recordings. Get familiar with the music, my dear percussion players.

Don't always think big. Do the small little things well. Notice the small joys of success everyday during band practice. Put in the small steps of hard work everyday. Little accomplishments are also progresses that lead you to future successes. (=

There is no last minute miracles without these small daily accomplishments.

Getting a bar perfect each practice is an accomplishment in itself!

Thank You!