Toby Lee & Cai Fuxuan
Outram Concert Band
Toby Lee
Looking back on my SYF journey, one thing stands out the most: I truly learned the value of perseverance.
I used to hear people say things like “work hard” and “never give up,” but I never gave those words much thought. They just sounded like something adults say all the time. But going through the SYF preparations with my band changed that completely. I saw what perseverance really meant—not just in big moments, but in small actions too. Even something as simple as showing up a little earlier to help set up made a difference. To be honest, when I walked on stage that day, I thought we’d probably just get an accomplishment. I figured our conductor told us we had a shot at distinction just to keep our spirits up. But when the results came out, I saw the real power of pushing through—even when you’re not sure what the outcome will be.
The lead-up to SYF was definitely stressful at times, but it was also a lot of fun. There were moments when I felt hopeful, like we were making great progress, and other times when I thought we were doomed. But the process of working toward that one big goal, and performing together on the Singapore Conference Hall stage, was something I’ll always remember.
SYF itself was an experience I’ll never forget. We trained for months just for that one moment on stage, 10 to 20 minutes to show everything we had. That mix of nerves and excitement right before performing… I actually love that feeling. It makes you feel alive. And beyond the music, I really enjoyed the time I got to spend with my bandmates. One of my favourite memories is all of us sitting in the school hall, refreshing the SYF results page on someone’s phone. The moment “Distinction” popped up, my heart rate went through the roof. It was such a rush.
Being in the band has taught me so much about teamwork. Funny thing is, Concert Band wasn’t even my first CCA choice. I was disappointed when I didn’t get what I wanted. I remember watching people play their own parts and thinking the band seemed pretty ordinary. But then I heard them all play together—and it blew me away. Somehow, the way the different parts came together just clicked with me. I started to enjoy practising with my section, joking around with seniors, and even just hanging out after practice. It was after our first performance in November 2023 that I really started to feel like I belonged.
If there’s one thing I’ll miss the most, it’s the seniors. They helped me so much, especially when I was just starting out on the euphonium. From performing at school events to grabbing breakfast before practices and playing badminton during the holidays, they made band life special. I’ll really miss having them around.
And while I don’t use my band skills every single day, they’ve still come in handy. Learning music theory helps when I mess around with other instruments like the guitar. And honestly, just knowing how to play the euphonium feels kind of cool—it’s not something many people can do. Lots of people play guitar or drums, but euphonium? That makes me feel a little bit special.
This journey has been full of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Being part of the band has shaped who I am in more ways than I ever expected.
Cai Fuxuan
Participating in SYF 2025 has taught me many valuable lessons and skills that I will carry into the future. Learning to cooperate with our instructors and bandmates wasn’t always easy, especially when it came to teaching and learning together. Spending countless hours each day just to practice two pieces was exhausting, but it was worth all the effort. We had to be patient with bandmates who were still catching up, and we helped each other with almost everything—mentally and physically.
Preparing for SYF was very stressful for me. I had to dedicate several hours of my day to practice with my bandmates, which forced me to make my weekly schedule more flexible. I was tired after every session. We cried when we couldn’t get things right, and the amount of effort we put in just to make it all happen was overwhelming. Since our band was small, we had to improvise in every way we possibly could. We went to the hall to get used to the environment and had to adapt quickly to major changes like sudden shifts in music tempos and lines.
When we were about to perform, I was very nervous and so were my bandmates. But our conductor comforted us and told us that we could do it, and that he would be proud of us no matter what. There were many bumps along the way. I’ve been in band since Primary 1, but in secondary school, I only rejoined when I was in Secondary 3. I never thought I’d be able to adapt again but I was proven wrong. My seniors were kind and welcoming. I felt like I belonged. For once, I felt important.
What I’ll miss most about band are the people. Even though we were small in number, we were strong together. We cried together. We laughed together. We bonded as one band.
Learning to adapt to change has helped me a lot in my daily life. I truly enjoyed the SYF journey, from the process all the way to the end. Getting a Distinction for Outram Secondary School was a sensational moment, one that will forever be remembered by our band.
I’m proud to be a part of Outram Concert Band.
Learners for Life.
Labour Omnia Vincit.
(Labour conquers all!)