Judy Zhao
Clementi Town Secondary School Winds (CTWINDS)
When I think about my SYF journey, the first thing that comes to mind is the courage it takes to walk on stage and simply play. That was something Mr. Alvin, our band’s former conductor, reminded us of when he kindly came back to guide us through some masterclasses before SYF. He told us, “You’ve got it all. You just have to be brave and enjoy the music.” That stuck with me throughout this journey. More than just notes and rhythms, SYF taught me to be daring — to embrace the nerves and uncertainties, and turn them into passion and expression.
The lead-up to SYF was one of the toughest times I’ve faced as a band member. Coming straight out of our Limelight performance at the Esplanade, we had to switch gears quickly and start working intensely on our SYF repertoire. The transition was demanding, with the little time we were given to rest. But beyond the music, what truly challenged me was my role as a leader — specifically, helping my juniors prepare, especially the Secondary 2s who had just joined the main band. It was their first SYF, and guiding them through it while making sure they didn’t feel overwhelmed was something I really tried my best to do.
At the same time, I also struggled with motivating my Sec 4 batchmates. After years in band, many of us were feeling tired, and the weight of SYF preparations only added to that. As the drum major, I had to constantly push and encourage my friends to practise and improve — but as their friend, I didn’t want to be too harsh or come off as overly demanding. Balancing that was incredibly hard. There were many moments when I doubted myself, wondering if I was doing enough, or perhaps doing too much. I wanted to help everyone grow, but I also didn’t want to lose the friendships I had built over my secondary school life. I had to learn how to lead with both empathy and firmness.
Looking back, the SYF experience felt like it flew by. It still feels like just yesterday when our teachers and conductors were constantly reminding us how close Limelight and SYF were, and how much work we had to put in to make both successful. And just like that — suddenly, it was over. The whole journey may have been intense and overwhelming at times, but it also brought out a side of us that I’m really proud of. We pulled through.
Band has also taught me something very important: sometimes, you just have to let go of all the negativity and focus on putting up the best show possible. That meant letting go of past conflicts, disagreements, and misunderstandings between members. We had to move forward — choosing communication and teamwork over pride. After all, when we step on stage, we are one band. We can’t play as individuals with divided hearts. We have to come together to make music — not just play off scores, but to pour our feelings into every note, every phrase.
I will definitely miss band — especially my batchmates, seniors, and conductors. They are truly amazing people. I’ve enjoyed all the ups of this journey despite the downs we encountered along the way. A special shout-out to my EXCO — Bernice, our BMM; Ziyu, our BMA; Wenjun, our Quartermaster; and Sijie, our Librarian — thank you for being there with me all the time and for listening to all my complaints. To Jada, my Assistant SL — thank you for always stepping up to hold sectionals when I was caught up with admin work or announcements. To my clarinet seniors — thank you for all the nonsense we got up to during self-practice; you made band life so much more fun. And to Mr. Hendrik, Mr. J, and Mr. Lim — thank you for putting up with my tangents, guiding me, believing in me, and supporting us behind the scenes. These are the people who made this chapter so special — the ones who stood by me through the best and worst days.
Beyond that, there’s also something special about knowing that even when we’re all stressed, we still find moments to laugh, support one another, and remember why we love doing this in the first place. Whether it’s joking around during warm-ups or that quiet nod of reassurance before stepping on stage — those small things matter.
The skills I’ve learned in band have also shaped how I manage my friendships. I’ve learned how to lead while still listening, how to be there for others, and how to stand up for what I believe in, even when it’s hard. These are lessons I carry with me not just in band, but in life. Working with different people, managing different personalities, staying calm in stressful situations — all of these have helped me become a better person. And I think that’s something really important that I will bring with me even after I step down.
Band has been a huge part of my life. And even though SYF has ended — and soon, so will my time in CTWinds — I’m grateful for everything it has given me. Looking ahead, I know I’ll carry this experience with me. The memories, the lessons, the people — all of that stays. And maybe one day, when I hear a piece we once played, I’ll smile and remember the days we stood together as one band, giving it our all.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I’ll always look back on this journey with nothing but love.