Eden Tay
Drum Major, Chung Cheng High Yishun Band
When I first joined this school, my first choice for CCA was basketball. However, I was not selected and was placed in my third choice, Symphonic Band. At first, I felt a bit disappointed because I wasn’t chosen for the CCA I wanted. But I was also happy, as I have loved music since I was young. Still, I never considered joining a music-related CCA because I believed I lacked musical talent. Once I was placed in the band, I told myself that I would give my best in everything and strive to achieve excellence.
That was the beginning of my journey in Chung Cheng High Yishun. I started off as a Normal Academic student in Secondary 1, and my role in the band was simply as a member. No matter whether it was my studies or my CCA, I always did my best to reach higher standards. I have always set high expectations for myself. But at times, I still found myself doubting my abilities. Perhaps it was because I felt that something was missing.
In Secondary 1, I worked hard both in my academics and in the band. I achieved good results and was promoted to Secondary 2 Express. In my CCA, I maintained good conduct and performed well, which led to my promotion to Recruit Officer (RO) in June 2022.
I felt proud to have achieved something meaningful in my life. I reminded myself that I needed to keep working hard in both my studies and in band. Achieving something was not the end; it was only the beginning. I wanted to make my parents, teachers, and everyone who had guided me proud. I never wanted to forget the lessons they had taught me.
From Secondary 2 to Secondary 4, life became more challenging. Since I was not originally in the Express stream, I constantly reminded myself to work even harder to keep up. Balancing studies and CCA was not easy. At times, band activities clashed with schoolwork, and strong time management skills were essential. This was something I struggled with.
As a Recruit Officer in Secondary 2, I learned how to guide new members, introduce them to what the band was about, and teach them the importance of teamwork and coordination. I knew there was always more to learn in this team. I also had the opportunity to participate in the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) and the WBAS Youth Band Festival. These were valuable experiences that taught me a lot about leadership and teamwork. In band, we must work together to produce good music. Without unity, we cannot perform well as a group.
In Secondary 3, life became even more demanding as I took on more responsibilities. Based on my conduct and performance, I was nominated and promoted to Drum Major in June 2023. It was a significant step up, and I began to worry about whether I could manage both my studies and my leadership role in the band. Leading the entire band felt overwhelming at first.
I tried my best to lead the team while keeping up with my studies. It was very stressful, and I constantly doubted myself. Eventually, I became physically unwell from the stress. My parents brought me to see a doctor, and I was referred for counselling—something I had never expected in my life. I came close to giving up either on my studies or my role as Drum Major. I talked to my parents about what I was going through. They encouraged me not to keep everything to myself and reminded me that giving up would mean wasting all the hard work I had put in over the past three years. I listened to their advice and slowly found the strength to stand up again.
Now, as I look forward, I focus on the positives.
Time has passed quickly, and this is already my final year of secondary school. I have continued to work hard in both my studies and my role in the band. In April 2025, during the SYF, I am proud to share that we achieved a Distinction. This would not have been possible without the guidance of our teachers and conductors, and the dedication of my team. The efforts of the past four years were not wasted. I am grateful for all the lessons I have learned during this time. There were both sweet and difficult moments, but every bit of effort was worth it.
Through SYF, I truly understood the importance of coordination, teamwork, and perseverance. It taught me that before we step onto the stage, we must prepare everything—from our instruments and sound checks to our attire and attitude. Band has taught me many life skills that go beyond music. These include punctuality, self-confidence, time management, humility, teamwork, and coordination.
What I will miss the most is my team. Thank you to all the teachers, conductors, and teammates who guided me and supported me throughout this journey. I love you all. See you again soon!