Soh Wan Ting
Band Major, Sembawang Secondary School Winds
My journey in band has been one of the most unforgettable and life-changing experiences of my secondary school life. As a band major and a euphonium player in Sembwind, I’ve had the privilege of watching not just the band grow, but also myself and everyone around me. From learning how to hold an instrument to learning how to hold each other up through tough times, our journey wasn’t just about music; it was about becoming better people.
When I first joined the band, I remember being filled with worry. I had joined a little later than the others, and I feared I wouldn’t be able to play anything, let alone keep up with everyone else. I was afraid of being left behind. But as I quietly observed how the band functioned—how everyone seemed so comfortable with one another, so full of joy and unity – I started to feel at ease. Slowly but surely, I began to look forward to every CCA session. One day, I realized that the band room had become one of my favourite places in school, – a place of comfort, laughter, and growth.
I’m forever grateful to be a euphonium player. I didn’t even know what a euphonium was when I first started. But the first time I heard its sound, something in me clicked. I was amazed by its warm, rich tone and even more amazed by the players who could bring it to life. Being a part of the euphonium section, and eventually leading it, has been such an emotional and humbling journey. From playing next to my senior in my very first SYF to playing alongside my juniors in my last, I’ve seen my section fall and rise again. I’ve seen our weaknesses, our strengths, and the bond that grew between us through every challenge.
My first SYF in 2023 was when I truly understood what it meant to be part of a band. It wasn’t just about playing the right notes at the right time – it was about unity, about emotion, about trust. I saw my seniors pour their hearts into their final performance, and it was the first time I realised: someday, that would be me too. At the time, it felt so far away. But now, I’ve already played my last SYF, and the memories are still fresh in my heart.
SYF 2025… it felt so different, yet so familiar. The same nervous butterflies, the same racing heart. But this time, there was a deeper weight to it, because I knew this was my last time performing with Sembwind. My last time being on stage with the people I had grown up with for the past few years. The stress we all carried felt heavier because we all wanted this one to count. Our last chance to prove ourselves. To make everything we went through worth it.
Practice was hard. We had our ups and downs; times when we laughed until we cried, and times when we were just… tired. But when SYF day finally came, we looked at each other and silently agreed: “It’s okay. No matter what happens, let’s give it our best.” And we did. Standing on stage, I remember hearing my heartbeat loud and clear, louder than the warm-up sounds in the background. I remember taking a deep breath and reminding myself: trust them. Trust the people beside you. And then we played.
That performance wasn’t just notes and rhythms. It was every ounce of effort, every tear, every late practice, every scolding, every laugh, every memory; all coming together in one final piece. And when we ended that final note, I felt everything at once: pride, relief, sadness, joy. That moment is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
More than anything, I’m grateful for the people I met in band. My seniors, who guided me, encouraged me, and showed me what true leadership and passion look like. I still look up to them to this day. My juniors, who gave me purpose, who reminded me why I had to keep going, and why I had to be better, not just for myself but for them. I wanted to be someone they could trust, someone who could inspire them the way my seniors inspired me.
And of course, my own batchmates. We laughed, cried, struggled, and succeeded together. We taught each other, supported each other, and never gave up on one another. We became like a family, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. Watching us grow from clueless Sec 1s to the leaders and section mates we are now is a beautiful kind of nostalgia. Now, we’re the ones teaching our juniors, passing on what we once struggled to learn.
I can’t end this without mentioning Mr Loo, our conductor. Band would’ve been a completely different experience without him. He didn’t just teach us how to play music; he taught us about discipline, responsibility, and unity. He pushed us to our limits, believed in us when we didn’t believe in ourselves, and created an environment where we could thrive. He reminded us constantly that music is more than sound; it’s emotion, connection, and trust. And he’s always someone we could count on, no matter what.
Looking back now, I realise how much band has shaped who I am today. I’m stronger, more confident, and more compassionate because of this journey. Band taught me how to lead, how to follow, and most importantly, how to care—for the music, for the people around me, and for the moments that pass too quickly.
As I close this chapter of my life, I do so with a full heart. Being in band wasn’t just a CCA. It was a home. And no matter where life takes me, a part of me will always be with Sembwinds