Lim Yu Cen, Arelia
Drum Major, Compassvale Wind Symphony
As I am graduating this year, one of the most significant chapters that I will always look back on is my journey with the band, especially the unforgettable experience of the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF). Being part of SYF wasn’t just about performing on stage – it was about learning, growing, and discovering the power of perseverance and passion. Looking back on my SYF journey, I am filled with a mix of pride, gratitude, and a touch of sadness knowing that my journey in Compassvale Wind Symphony is coming to an end.
The SYF journey was a rollercoaster of emotions, lessons, and challenges. One of the biggest things I have learnt is that success doesn’t come overnight. Behind every clean, polished performance is an incredible amount of effort and dedication. We spent months rehearsing the same pieces, over and over again, refining the tiniest details. Through this, I learnt the value of perseverance. From long rehearsals to the smallest details in the music piece, I learnt that excellence is not just because of talent – it is about commitment and being willing to work hard to improve. Sometimes, it felt like we were making no progress, or even doing worse than before. But little by little, we improved.
Another important lesson I learnt was about teamwork. In a band, every player matters. No matter how skilled a person is, one can never carry the whole group alone. SYF helped me to understand how important it is for everyone to play their part in putting in effort. Success will only come when everyone has played their part.
The preparations for SYF was intense. It demanded a level of commitment that I had never experienced before. Countless practices, sacrificing several Saturdays for band exchanges, and effort put in for SYF. Three weeks before SYF, we had to change our choice piece due to some reasons. This added on to the pressure as we were worried that we could not prepare in time. Many of us thought that we could not make it, but we did it. There were moments of frustration, but we managed to play both pieces well on the actual day of our performance. Our teachers and instructors pushed us and encouraged us, not just to play better, but to believe in ourselves and in one another. We had to be consistent and disciplined, juggling with our schoolwork and personal responsibilities.
SYF was nerve-wrecking and unforgettable. Standing on stage, knowing that we had poured our hearts into our performance, was very rewarding. The sense of accomplishment when we played the final note. It is something that I will remember forever. Moments before going on stage was the scariest. We were all so nervous, all worried that we would not perform well. But the encouragement from our teachers and instructors allowed us to gain confidence in ourselves.
Being in band has taught me so much more than just how to play an instrument. It taught me perseverance and how to work with others towards a common goal. It showed me that when things feel impossible, with effort and support, we can achieve more that we think. It also taught me the importance of discipline – practicing regularly, showing up on time for rehearsals, and being prepared. We had to always be prepared before the rehearsals so that we can be efficient and productive during rehearsals to solve problems.
Without a doubt, what I will miss the most about band is the people. The friendships I have made in band are special because they were formed through share experiences, both good and tough experiences. I’ll miss the shared silence of focus during rehearsals, and the times when we were on stage. Despite the hard work, there were also many fun and memorable moments. We bonded over lunch breaks during rehearsals, and supported one another when things got stressful. Most of all, I will miss being part of Compassvale Wind Symphony. Those memories are just as valuable to me as the actual performance.
The perseverance and teamwork I developed in band has allowed me to communicate better with my schoolmates and allowed me to not give up easily. I have learned to listen more, not just in music, but in conversations with others. This has helped me to better communicate with others and work better with others. I have also become more confident in facing challenges, knowing that just like in music, practice and persistence makes progress.
As my journey in Compassvale Wind Symphony comes to an end, I am filled with gratitude for everything the band and SYF have given me. The memories, lessons and friendships. They have all played a huge part in shaping who I am. Therefore, being in band has given me a memorable experience that I will remember forever, and participating in SYF has taught me very important values and skills that I can apply in daily life.