1000m! The distance that members of HCband have to trudge to their band room every CCA session whilst lugging their ponderous instruments. Imagine doing that for your CCA, bet you’ll dread every session; very much unlike HCband’s members!
Often hearing the catchy tunes of the school song played by the ‘Wednesday Morning Band’, HCband is more than just what meets the eye! Behind the lively performances at Hwa Chong celebratory occasions lies a tight-knit community of musicians, each bringing their unique flavour of pop and jazz to our school’s musical repertoire. HCband isn't just about playing instruments; it's a family where friendships are forged, skills are honed, and passion for music is celebrated. Every practice session is like a musical journey, where diverse talents blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious symphony that echoes the spirit of unity and creativity. So, the next time you hear the beat of the drums or the melody of the brass instruments, remember, HCband isn't just a band; it's a melody of camaraderie and a rhythm of endless possibilities.
HCband comprises a small group of 26 students consisting of the Upper Brass (Trumpets and Horns), Lower Brass (Trombones, Euphoniums, and Tubas), Woodwinds (Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets and Saxophones) and Percussions. These four sections harmoniously create the mellifluous and dulcet tunes that all of us endear greatly. Playing Christmas music for children and youths from Epworth, a social service agency, and organising engaging games for them are just some of the CIP (Community Involvement Programme) activities that HCband engages in!
Let us now take a trip to the band room, where the magic — and music — happens. This is where the pieces they play, from those the HCband members put on for the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), to those they performed for the National Day celebrations, take shape. The SYF was an especially memorable occasion. It was HCband’s first taste of success after a difficult preparation process. Jia Wei, from the Woodwinds section, remarked, “It took a lot of willpower to not eat Mala before SYF”. However, the difficulties they faced were much more than having to resist the allure of a sadistic bowl of veggies. The process of preparing for the SYF was an extremely tedious and time-consuming one. Fortunately, the HCband members were not daunted, viewing this experience as one of the precious opportunities they got to bond with their bandmates.
Capriccio’ 31 and the National Day performances were other standout performances they had. According to Jia Wei, it was the “first real-time performance where our family and friends could see us perform”, while according to Xavier, from the Trumpets section, was a time when HCband was able “relish the festive mood while playing for Hwa Chongians”. As usual, these feelings of satisfaction come along with numerous difficulties the HCband’s Exco had to face. From the meticulous designing of publicity posts and the artful choreography of skits to the thoughtful organisation of weekly banner painting sessions, all while diligently perfecting multiple songs for their numerous concerts, it is only fitting to say that the Exco has been through plenty.
Nonetheless, HCband’s performances have all been stunning and awe-inspiring! (Kudos to the Exco’s continuous commitment and dedication) Besides the crucial preparations made by the Exco, the other members of HCband have also undeniably pulled their weight throughout the preparation process, assisting the Exco in any way possible. The band’s collaborative spirit and mutual uplifting are underscored by the way they patiently guide each other through the learning of new pieces, including “Last Christmas'', “Feliz Navidad”, and “Mayday Medley”, which were our personal favourites. During their practice session for the CCA's CIP performance, everyone pitched in to find out what could be improved. Some suggested starting with a slower tempo to fix their mistakes, some suggested parsing out complex rhythms by clapping instead of playing the instrument, and others responded to the feedback with an eagerness that revealed the easy and casual camaraderie between the band members. Indeed, the favourite parts of CCA for many of the members were the interaction with their fellow bandmates, the constant “happy vibe, and mood” which also exists outside their allotted CCA time — most of the band members go for dinner together after every CCA session, enthusiastically sustaining this beloved tradition of theirs. Their mass practice sessions with their conductor run on the same kind of energy as well. At times serious, at times cordial and amiable, the conductor guides the band, a drumstick in his hand perpetually moving to the tempo. He has a sort of stream-of-consciousness style of conducting, prone to speaking his mind and casually sprinkling in both music-related advice (“The cold temperature makes your instrument flat due to contraction, so tune your instrument accordingly”, “Your fingers must move robotically to have a nice sound”) and good-natured jibes (“Trumpets find your first note OMG”, “Your tone quality is abysmal”) throughout the practice session. And then there is the occasional life-lesson storytime, which the band members are often greatly entertained by.
Though our interaction with HCband was rather short, it was startlingly obvious that this very CCA is more than just a musical group — it is a tight-knit family.
The HCband members are very excited to share what’s in store for the CCA next year, especially after the resounding success of their much-anticipated, nostalgia-themed Capriccio’31. We hope that you will come along with us to spectate HCband’s remarkable musical journey, and see how the band’s aspirations come to fruition through the bold melodies of the higher brasses, the lilting counter-melodies of the woodwinds, the smooth harmonies of the lower brasses, and the varying rhythms of the percussion instruments. So, when life hits you hard and you just can’t help lamenting to the world, ‘O, boe is me!’, HCband’s spirited music will act as a band-aid to your sorrows and as a balm to soothe your tired sol! Join HCband as they create a symphony of success, hitting all the right notes!
Written by: Samuel Naing Yee Sheng (23S75), Cheah Le Han (23S79)
Edited by: Wayne Tan Qi En (23S66)
Cover page designed by: Chua, Jia Xuan, Keris (23A11)
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