Ryan Syufrizal Bin Husli
Band Major 2024/2025
Being in band has taught me the true meaning of resilience, adaptability, and leadership. Over the course of four years, especially for us in the graduating batch, we’ve faced challenge after challenge that tested not just our musical abilities, but our strength of character. One of the biggest lessons I’ve taken away from this journey is how to persevere through change and grow from it.
Throughout our time in band, we had to adapt to frequent transitions, especially in leadership and instruction. Each instructor brought their own approach, expectations, and tempo, and adjusting each time wasn’t easy. Most notably, under our current instructor, Mr. Yeo Jie Yuan, we were pushed harder than ever before. Where we once had two SYF prep sessions a week, Mr. Yeo introduced a more rigorous schedule: three full practices weekly, each more intense than the last.
As a Euphonium player who takes pride in maintaining high standards within my section, this change hit hard. I had to step up, not just to improve myself, but to guide and support my section through this demanding period. It wasn’t always easy, but I learned how to lead with purpose and how to be there for others under pressure.
There were tough days; aching arms, sore lips, long hours, and more than a few tears. But we never gave up. The bond we built through all that struggle became unbreakable. We poured our hearts into every note, and all that hard work led us to something we’re so proud of: our band’s very first Certificate of Distinction at SYF.
It was more than just a result; it was a reflection of everything we had overcome.
The six months leading up to SYF were intense, emotional, and unforgettable. It wasn’t just about showing up to rehearsal. It was about commitment, consistency, and heart. Many of us stayed back three to four times a week, after school, to study our scores and refine our playing. Some even brought their instruments home to practise quietly in their rooms, running through tough passages, analysing recordings, and constantly striving to do better.
Our choice piece, Bloom: The Gift of Spring by Satoshi Yagisawa, was beautiful but challenging. Our set piece, Overture No. 1 by Dr. Kelly Tang, tested us with its energetic pace and tight ensemble work. I remember being shocked when I first saw Rehearsal B in my Euphonium score. The rhythms looked crazy. But with the experience I’d gained over the years, I managed to tackle it confidently within two weeks. It reminded me of how far I’d come since the first time I picked up my instrument.
As SYF drew closer, we had opportunities like masterclasses and band exchanges. These sharpened our ears, built our confidence, and helped us see the bigger picture. Everyone was hungry to improve, and the energy in the band room was electric.
On SYF day itself, the nerves were real. My heart was pounding as I looked out at the judges and the audience. But once we started playing, something clicked. We trusted our preparation. We trusted each other. And we gave it everything.
When the results came out and we saw that Certificate of Distinction, it was overwhelming. Joy, relief, pride. It all came rushing in. Alumni flooded our band’s IG and our instructor’s inbox with messages of support and congratulations. All the long days and late nights had finally paid off.
Band has shaped me into someone who doesn’t back down when things get hard. It taught me how to adapt, how to lead, and how to give my all for something bigger than myself. Most of all, it showed me that with resilience, teamwork, and heart, even the toughest goals can become proud achievements.
“With hardship, comes ease.” And this one, we fought for it.
Bendana Aliya George Malonzo
Band Major 2024/2025
Being in band taught me the real meaning of teamwork and perseverance.
Preparing for SYF meant seeing my bandmates more often than anyone else and through that, I saw sides of them that went beyond just music. I saw them struggle, stumble, and doubt themselves. But I also saw them rise, grow, and burn with quiet determination. Being alongside them reminded me that this journey was never meant to be a solo one. And just knowing I wasn’t alone gave me the strength to keep going, no matter how tough things got.
So, how has band changed me outside the band room? Honestly, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is how to manage stress. As Band Major, Assistant Section Leader, and the only Bass Clarinet player in the band, there was a lot resting on my shoulders. I started off hesitant, unsure of myself, and not exactly the type to open up easily. But the process of preparing for SYF, especially my second one was a turning point.
With expectations rising, and the dream of a distinction feeling closer (and scarier) than ever, I could feel myself slipping into old patterns of bottling things up and isolating myself. But this time, I had people around me who reminded me I didn’t have to carry it all alone. Their support gave me the push I needed, not just to perform well, but to take care of myself too.
And that mindset followed me into other parts of life. During my recent ApLM, I had to produce a short film from start to finish. Scriptwriting, directing, editing, I did most of it solo. But thanks to everything I’ve learned in band, I didn’t feel alone. I knew how to lead, how to lean on others when needed, and how to stay grounded even when things felt overwhelming.
Looking back now, what do I really remember? It’s more than just earning a title or ticking a checkbox in our report books. It’s the late nights. The quiet moments of doubt. The intense practices. The post-practice bubble teas. The pep talks. The days where everything clicked, and the days where nothing did but we showed up anyway.
It’s the people who never gave up on us even when we wanted to give up on ourselves. Our instructors. Our teachers. Our bandmates. The ones who reminded us why we started, and why we should keep going. And to the juniors, this legacy is yours now. Take it. Hold it. Shape it into something new. Don’t just aim for the next award; aim for the moments that matter. The kind that leave a mark not just in your memory, but in who you are becoming. The kind of moments that don’t need a certificate to prove they were real.
What we created together? It wasn’t perfect. But it was real.
It was us, at our rawest, most determined, most vulnerable and somehow, that made it everything.
We fought for this.
Together.
Madria Christoph Brent Marcolino
Concert Master 2024/2025
The whole SYF journey was nothing short of remarkable.
When Mr Yeo Jie Yuan joined us as our new conductor in 2024, everything changed. New rules, higher expectations, and stricter standards were set. We knew we wanted that distinction award and we wanted to be the ones to break the cycle, to finally achieve what had always felt just out of reach.
I’ll never forget how each rehearsal pushed us to our limits, not just musically, but mentally and emotionally too. There were days filled with frustration, when nothing seemed to click when the rhythms didn’t align, the harmonies felt disconnected, and emotions ran high. But then there were the magical moments, the times the band moved as one, when a tricky passage finally fell into place, and all the voices wove together into something beautiful.
Now that I’m looking back, I realise that it wasn’t just “magic.” It was the result of every single member’s effort, discipline, and heart. It was all of us, showing up for each other, sharing the same dream; to build a new legacy for WRSS Band. Together.
But what I’ll miss the most isn’t just the music or the results. It’s the people.
It’s the little things: the laughter during breaks, the way we’d help each other through tough parts, the quiet encouragement exchanged in nervous glances right before a performance whether it was our NDP Parade at Kampung Admiralty, a school showcase, or the big day at SYF.
These are the memories that will stay with me for life.
Band was never just a CCA. It was a second home. A place where we struggled, grew, and shone together. With 2025 being my final year in Woodlands Ring Secondary School, I know I’ll carry these moments and friendships with me, always. From my seniors to my juniors, and every teacher who believed in us. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.