I feel very hesistant going back to ngee ann band later. I really miss fairfield and ac band loads. NiCK's decided not to play for the last concert.
Heres my reasons why: 1. Np Band has some of childish people. Somehow they think playing after the conductor stops the band, if they can make significant "music" in that short period, they'll accomplish something. No, i'm not saying that the band is full of them. The band is as childish as the most childish child. Making extra noise even seems to be in fashion. Sometimes i wonder, are the people genuinely stupid or something that they must voice out their stupidity.
2. I am at fault here as well, Band practise is never serious. This is almost the same as the top. I'm guilty of laughing and talking non-stop with my fellow clarinetist and the surrounding. But at least, I honestly think i can handle the music cause its not that difficult. For example, its amazing how the trumpet and trombone section can disappear in between rehersals. Thank god the trombones are a strong section, but the trumpets are terrifyingly weak.
After a Band practise, nothing seems to improve. The same mistakes, the same pitfalls. Worst still, its all simple technical mistakes. I feel like I have to lower my mentality to force myself to accept our incompetents.
3. When in the presence of juniors who will lead the band in future, is it justifiable to use vulgarities when talking to the band? Once again, I have been forced to accept the fact that this is OK, based on NP standards. Words like Fu*k appears and added with Fu*k care. Is this how we want our juniors to act like in future?
I personally avoid speaking vulgarities. But words like "shit" and "go and die" is fine, its just an expression.
4. When i play in NP band, i feel like i'm in a rehersal of my fairfield Junior Band. Fairfield's junior band consist of sec 1s and sec 2s who join band 1 yr late. Only on the actual performance, does it feel more like a proper band. After i've been through 3 months of ACJC band, i'm once again forced to lower my standards to that of a junior band. I can't cope with it. It pains me that i even rushed down from the airport to face players who don't seem to give a damn about what they play.
5. Attendence has never been proper. I try my best to come every practise, but even those in the commitee can't be borthered. With such a mentality, is it really possible for NP band to ever reach a proper social standard of responsibility? Nah i doubt it.
6. Freshies come in looking confused, through the practise stay confused and go off confused. Its almost as if nobody gives a damn who is present. As a result, big fractions of band people are lost. I heard that this is very common for neighbourhood secondary schools. Like having half the population disappearing. If that is the truth, i'm thankful i didn't have to go to a neighbourhood secondary school.
For this year's freshies, I've been trying my best to retain at least those in my section. I think my freshies are quite stable now and have blended internally just fine. Maybe not yet with the rest of the band. But i guess with all the unfriendlyness, thats just the way it is. Whether they quit after i leave, i seriously don't know. But i'm sure they would give me face and won't quit while i'm still around.
7. Social politics. When i first came into band, i was so shocked when the seniors actually talked about each other behind another person's back based on gossip. Until now, i see the same trend. I guess i've sort of conformed to this way of life. But i genuinely think you suck, i won't hessitate to tell that to you if you as me. I try my best to at least smile at you in hopes of a better future. This may seem like hypocritical to you, but I don't care what you think.
Now that i look at this point, I think Ngee Ann Band's social politics is getting worst. Now its as if they're backstabing people openly. Not only do people joke about it, they even take it for real based on rumour.
8. Section politics. I'm honestly not happy with my section leader's method of handling, but she's a nice person apart from that and worthy of being a good friend. Take for example the allocation of parts (1st,2nd,3rd). It is a common misconception that 1st is by far the most important. Its almost as if the competitive school environment is brought into band.
My sl tends to give most of the 1st parts to the alumni player, cause the alumni player is a good player. That being the case, she gets many solo parts. Which makes me wonder, is she really that good? After hearing all her solo parts, i conclude that our section has better players who can do it better. No, i'm not refering to myself.
Ironically, I should be the only one who doesn't-give-a-damn-attitude-about-it because i am NOT affected by parts allocation, i play the Eb clarinet which doesn't have 1st,2nd or 3rd. Nor does it enough any other players to fill 2nd or 3rd Eb clarinet parts if such a thing existed.
Ok back to the point...... Why are we training the alumni when we should be giving priority to those currently in band. We pay school fees, we give the cleaners their celery, we this we that and the alumni gets to enjoy. Might as well rename NP band to NPA band.
