Kien Shang, Aqyl, Chanel Chan
Hillgrove Concert Band
Kien Shang
From my past experiences in SYF, I’ve learned a lot especially about teamwork and communication. These two things can really make or break a performance. Imagine the entire band playing together and suddenly one person squeaks a note. It doesn’t just affect the music slightly; it stands out a lot. That’s why I believe working together and communicating is so important.
Another important lesson I’ve learned is patience. Imagine having a junior who looks up to you and wants to learn from you, but takes a longer time to pick things up. If you scold them, they might lose respect or complain to a teacher, and you’ll have to face consequences. Patience, in this sense, benefits both sides. It gives your junior a safe space to grow and shows your maturity as a leader.
Now that I’m in Secondary 4, I have to step down from band. Looking back to when I was in Secondary 1, I really regret skipping band practices. I didn’t have any interest at the time. Luckily, my seniors encouraged me to return, and I’m so glad they did. I realized I could play well if I worked together with my bandmates and communicated through music. Once I got used to it, time in band seemed to fly. I’d check the clock and see it was 2pm, then suddenly it was 6pm, and it had only felt like 30 minutes.
I’ve come to believe that band is far from a “lousy CCA.” Whether or not you enjoy it depends on your passion. Two years ago, our school band aimed for a distinction. Everyone worked incredibly hard. There’s no such thing as luck. It all comes down to how much effort you put in.
What I’ll miss the most are the friends I’ve made. We weren’t in the same classes, but they still made an effort to talk to me, even though I used to be an introvert. If it weren’t for them, I would’ve just been that quiet kid sitting alone. I’ll also miss the feeling of walking into the band room and instantly feeling safe, like it was my comfort space where I wouldn’t be judged.
And of course, I’ll miss my conductor, Mr. Sherman Foo. He helped me understand music more clearly, explaining things slowly and in simpler terms since my English isn’t strong. He also joked with us, creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere. I consider him more of a friend than just a conductor. If I ever become a conductor which is my dream, I’ll definitely turn to him for advice. I truly believe that having someone like him can make a band both strong and enjoyable.
As for this year’s SYF, I think our band showed a lot of improvement compared to two years ago. We maintained our tempo better and avoided rushing, which had been a problem in the past. I believe this progress came from individual reflection and asking questions. Even small efforts like that made a big difference.
We also had sectionals to identify weaker parts and support one another. If just one person plays a wrong note while everyone else is on point, it becomes very obvious to the judges and that can affect our marks significantly. Even a small mistake could mean missing a distinction by 1–3 marks. That’s why individual practice and checks are so important. I hope every band incorporates this.
To the P6 students considering their CCAs: I really encourage you to join band. Don’t believe the stereotype that it’s boring and you just sit for three hours playing music. Band teaches life skills; communication, collaboration, and discipline. At the end of the journey, you’ll be happy you joined. You’ll learn a new skill, gain lasting friendships, and who knows, maybe even find a future career as a tutor or conductor.
Aqyl
SYF this year was honestly one of the most intense and unforgettable experiences I’ve had in band. As a snare drummer, I’ve always known how important it is to stay locked in and keep the beat steady for everyone else. But this time, I truly felt how much every single part of the band matters.
We played Overture No. 1 by Kelly Tang and Cave You Fear by Michael Markowski. The two pieces were completely different. Overture was powerful and uplifting, while Cave had a dark, suspenseful energy that kept us on edge. For percussion, it meant staying extremely alert, especially during tempo changes and transitions. There were moments where I had to count like mad in my head to make sure I didn’t miss an entrance. The pressure was intense – one wrong hit could change the whole mood.
Looking back, I actually enjoyed that challenge. It forced me to be more focused and intentional. It made me appreciate how much effort goes into making a performance feel smooth and seamless.
The weeks leading up to SYF were no joke. We had sectionals, full rehearsals, and extra practices after school. At times, it felt like I lived in the band room. I’d be tired and hungry, but still looked forward to coming back the next day. There were messy rehearsals, but also incredible moments when everything clicked—and that made it all worth it.
During our final practices, the pressure ramped up. We weren’t just rehearsing anymore; we were refining and polishing every detail: dynamics, articulation, posture. Our conductor kept reminding us that it’s not about being perfect. It’s about playing with heart and intention. That message stuck with me.
What really made the difference was the people. Our band is more than a CCA—it’s a family. Like our Hillgrovian band T-shirt says: “One Band, One Sound, One Family.” We supported one another when things got tough, cracked jokes during breaks, and celebrated the small victories. The bond we built through shared stress and joy is something you don’t find just anywhere.
On SYF day, I was full of nerves. I kept checking my sticks, going over rhythms in my head, trying not to overthink. But when we stepped into the performance hall, something changed. I felt calm. All those hours of hard work came together in that one moment. The lights, the silence, it all faded. We just played. And I gave it everything I had.
SYF taught me more than music. It taught me patience, discipline, time management, and how to listen—not just to music, but to people. In band, you can’t focus only on your part. You have to listen and adjust. That lesson has carried over into my daily life.
What I’ll remember most isn’t just the performance. It’s the entire journey, the late nights, the laughs, the stress, and the pride. I’m not graduating yet, so I know I’ll be back in that band room soon, working on the next challenge. But SYF 2025 will always hold a special place in my heart.
To my bandmates: thank you for every shared laugh, every intense rehearsal, and every moment of support. To my conductor and teachers: thank you for believing in us and reminding us why we play. And to those preparing for their own SYF journey: it’ll be tough, but if you give your all, it might just be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have.
Chanel Chan
If I had to sum up what the SYF journey taught me, ‘Discipline’ would be it. Discipline to keep listening to our recordings even when I was tired of hearing the same song over and over. Discipline to stay focused during practice and especially on stage, where one mistake can change everything. And discipline to push through the fatigue. The week before SYF, we had five practices totalling ten hours. My lips were sore, and I was mentally drained. But I kept going.
The hardest part came just a month before SYF. I’m a trombonist, but people kept saying I sounded more like a euphonium. Then, my conductor told me bluntly that my buzzing “couldn’t make it” and asked me to change my embouchure completely. That moment crushed me. It made me question everything I had done until that point. But instead of giving up, I turned to YouTube and spent hours alone trying to fix it. Slowly but surely, my tone improved. I still slip into old habits sometimes, but I found my trombone voice before stepping down.
SYF was unforgettable. Performing at such a grand venue was an honour, and I’m truly grateful. But the experience wasn’t just about the ten minutes on stage, it was the months of work leading up to it. The determination, frustration, and small breakthroughs. It also created bonds with friends from other schools, giving us something meaningful to share.
Being a drum major taught me a lot about leadership. I had to work with an EXCO team where most of the members were already close friends. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to contribute or be heard. At first, it was difficult to communicate and collaborate. I was afraid to suggest ideas, fearing judgment. But in time, I realised that our shared goal, to make the band better, was more important than our personal differences. When I finally spoke up, my ideas were accepted. That gave me the confidence to keep contributing.
What I’ll miss most about band are the people. The juniors, the conversations during breaks, the small moments of connection. Even though we can still text, nothing replaces seeing them face to face. The band room brought us together. We weren’t just playing music, we were growing up together.
Band helped me grow too. I entered secondary school as a shy, introverted student who only spoke to one friend. Now, I’m more open and confident. I talk to classmates and even relatives I wasn’t close to. The confidence I gained through band has followed me outside of school.
It’s hard to say goodbye to something that has been such a big part of my life. I wish I had more time with my juniors and my instrument. But this chapter is ending, and life moves on. Still, I know the lessons I learned, discipline, growth, resilience, will stay with me always. And for that, I’m thankful.