Ema, Jaydon, Melody, Ning, Mei Xi, Jordan, Ting Jun, Yuzhe
Band and Drum Majors 24/25, Queensway Secondary School Band
Our SYF journey this year felt surreal. It’s still hard to believe that it’s all over. At first, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our shoulders after the performance. But when we received our results, that sense of relief turned bittersweet. Many of us felt disappointed that we didn’t achieve the distinction we had worked so hard for. Still, more than anything, we feel proud of how far we have come and how much effort every single person has put in.
From the very beginning, we poured our hearts into every practice. But the journey wasn’t easy. We faced a lot of obstacles, from limited practice time to juggling academics and other commitments. Sometimes it felt like we weren’t improving no matter how hard we tried. Playing the same parts over and over again was tiring and even frustrating. But one thing remained constant — we never gave up.
We learned a lot about resilience. Even when the morale was low, and it felt like nothing was going right, we kept pushing forward. Our seniors guided the juniors through their first SYF, and we supported each other through every tough moment. Over time, we started to realise it wasn’t just about getting the perfect sound or result. It was about learning how to work together, how to trust one another, and how to keep going even when things felt impossible.
Our journey wouldn’t have been the same without the unwavering dedication of our band director, Mr Edmund Chang. No matter how difficult things got, he never lost faith in us. Even when he was clearly stressed, he never took it out on us. Instead, he reminded us to stay calm and not to let our emotions get the better of us. He encouraged us to be honest with ourselves and to reflect on our feelings after the performance. His patience, encouragement, and belief in our potential meant more to us than we could ever say.
Mr Chang always reminded us that even though we play different instruments and come from different sections, we are one band. That mindset helped us stay united. When we felt like giving up, his words gave us strength. Whenever we doubted ourselves, his support reminded us that we were capable of more.
Even though we didn’t get the result we were hoping for, this SYF experience is something we’ll never forget. From the nerves during soundcheck to the adrenaline on stage, every moment is etched in our memories. The feeling of playing together and knowing how much effort everyone had put in is truly something special. When we finally heard the results, we were overwhelmed with emotions— proud, disappointed, relieved, and grateful all at once. More than anything, we grew. Not just as musicians, but as people. Being in a band taught us how to be disciplined, how to show up even when we were tired, and how to work through both personal and group struggles. It taught us patience, empathy, and perseverance. We learned to lead and to listen, and we discovered how powerful it can be when everyone puts in their best effort for a shared goal.
For those of us who are graduating, this SYF was our final performance and a farewell bid. It’s a strange feeling knowing that this chapter is coming to an end. We’ve spent years together — in the band room, on stage, and through laughter, frustration, and everything in between. Parting ways is difficult, but we do so with confidence in those who will step up and carry the torch after us. We’ve seen the potential in our juniors and we know they’ll carry the band forward with passion and commitment.
To our conductors, Mr Chang and Mrs Yea, and to our teachers-in-charge, Miss Chia, Mdm Suguna, Miss Rekha and Mr Senan — thank you for guiding us through this journey. Thank you for believing in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves.
To our fellow band members, thank you for your hard work, energy, and support. You have made this experience truly meaningful.
To the juniors — keep going. Keep learning, growing, and playing with heart. The road won’t always be easy, but every struggle, every breakthrough, and every moment will shape you in ways you won’t expect. Focus not just on the result, but also on the journey and the people around you.
SYF was never just about a performance. It is also about discovering who we are as a band and as individuals. Even though this chapter is closing, the memories and lessons will stay with us. We’ll carry them forward, wherever we go.