This article is part of the CCA Previews for 2016.
By Pan Jia Qi (16A01D), Secretary
Photos by Priyadarshini (16A03A), Student Conductor
The Raffles Symphonic Band at the 24th edition of our annual concert series, A Tempo.
Being in a world so filled with wondrous sound and music, have you ever wondered what’s it like to be behind the notes and the tunes? Well, fret no more, as we’re going to take you through a day in the life of a RSB musician. Being able to create music is one of the most amazing pleasures that we indulge in, whether it is during sectionals, where sections work on their pieces together, or during combined, where we all come together to form the melodies and harmonies of music.
Sometimes, our conductor will provide a new piece for us to sight-read. The thrill of reading a piece for the first time charges our spirit for perfection, as we try our hardest to hit the notes correctly. These are usually the times when you might feel rather weak or unskilled, these are also the times where you would gain the motivation to improve and better yourself to be able to accomplish what you couldn’t during sight-reading. Other times, we work on the pieces in our repertoire. Although less exhilarating, the sense of accomplishment upon perfecting a piece is extremely rewarding. These are the times you would feel extremely proud of yourself, that the hours of practice that you’ve put into that single few bars have paid off. As practice goes on and the piece comes together, you can start to hear the intricacies of music. Perhaps it was the rhythmic ostinatos that you had never notice but could now hear how it drives the music on; or how a certain interval in the melody that you have never cared much for suddenly creates a beautiful release; or how a chord fully resonates, giving the melodic foreground a vibrant background; etcetera. When practice comes to an end, you would discover that you’ve unlocked all the secrets and treasures hiding in a single 6-minute piece. Isn’t music simply wonderful?
RSB goes international! RSB travelled to Tokyo, Japan, having the opportunity to attend a band exchange with Bunri High School and attend masterclasses at the Kunitachi College of Music.The end-result: a joint performance by Bunri High School and RSB at a Tokyo Jazz Festival!
Of course, wonderful music cannot be made unless there’s a wonderful bunch of musicians making it! Our community of musicians, albeit small, has a large passion for music and the art of music making. We take pride and joy in playing our instruments and strive to improve our sound every way we can. We like to come down on non-practice days to practice, or stay till late hours to practice (often resulting in some speed-packing and sprinting towards the sidegate in an attempt to exit before they autolock).
Our Resident Sax Man is a master at the abovementioned
If our instruments are light or if our neighbours don’t mind (or we simply just don’t care), we occasionally bring our instruments home to practice, where we can blast to our heart’s delight (and to our neighbours’ demise).
Next to music-making, chilling together is another one of our favourite hobbies. In our storeroom, a well-protected, well-ventilated Cozy Corner awaits for the tired RSB member to nap in before practice, or just for us to chill.
The boys prefer this form of chilling.
And if the space isn’t enough, we can always count on the trusty main band room to host our many recreational activities.
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After tiring practices, we go for dinner together to relax and hang out, after which the bridge community within our batch often takes over.
Typical dinners.
And of course, when the stress of JC life starts to accumulate, we relieve our stress by going to a concert together to just have a fun time and listen to good music. Our conductor, the humourous Mr Lim Yean Hwee, also livens up practices with his continuous stream of jokes (“Are you doing family planning for your tuba?”, upon seeing our batchmate attempt to play a tuba that had bubble wrap stretched across it) or share a funny anecdote (“Ah yes. You remind me of this small small cute cute RIMB clarinet boy who tried to stand up and play his solo but missed his mouth trying to put his clarinet in”) to lighten up the band’s mood…and to warm up the 16*C room (the way he prefers it), although to no avail. Just as how we have fun and enjoy ourselves, perhaps music, in essence, is about enjoying the process of music-making itself.
Aside from his witty jokes, Mr Lim is also always prepared for a photo.
“Without music, Life would be a mistake.” Just as how life cannot be without music, music cannot be without life, without emotions and enjoyment. Through the process of music-making, we have all touched and enriched music in our own way. In a way, we have painted our lives with our music, now it’s your turn to draw your melodies onto your day in the life of a RSB musician.
To follow us on our daily adventures, do give us a visit on instagram.com/rsb2k16!
This article is part of the CCA Previews for 2016.
By Bryan Tay (16S03B), Farah Wu (16A03A) and Yee Yang En (16S06B)
Hidden away in the cosy haven of the Chamber Ensemble room situated behind the Indoor Sports Hall, the musicians typically rehearse every Wednesday from 2.30 – 6.30pm and Thursday from 3.30 – 6.30pm. While practicing interesting and challenging works, every musician indulges in the jokes and anecdotes by our conductor Ms. Marietta Ku. It is truly a magical experience working together to make music, and of course procrastinating before rehearsals; no doubt it is a good break from school work. The reason why the musicians all enjoy rehearsals perhaps is the fact that the Chamber Ensemble is a safe, non-judgemental environment — we laugh at our own mistakes! Perhaps one of the most memorable moments would be the ones where we break off into small, cosy chamber groups such as quartets — that’s where we really get to know each other well!
Our conductor, Ms Marietta Ku.
Size would be the identifying figure of the CCA, which boasts a single-digit membership from our batch. This makes the bonding between members infinitely easier. Though rehearsals are strenuous and often tiring, the massive sense of accomplishment at the end of a concert is the moment that they live for. Outside the CCA, members often indulge in individual practice sessions, entertaining themselves by taking practice selfies with their instrument and sending it to the ensemble group. The ensemble also occasionally performs at events.
This year, the ensemble was privileged to have held a CCA concert Intime, a collaborative concert Una Corda with the RI String Ensemble, and another one with RI and RGS Strings. It was heartening to have the members of the Raffles Strings family to come together and forge everlasting friendships. Ultimately, the aim is simple — to provide a supportive environment for musicians to play together, and at the same time expose the wider population to music.
Teater Ekamatra staged Geng Rebut Kabinet (GRC), a play set in another Singapore, vastly differing in form but in essence, unchanged. We see this Singapore through the lens of protagonist Catherine Seah, the minority Chinese candidate contending in Chai Chee-Commonwealth GRC and her attempt to defend Chinese rights in a world of Malay SAP schools, walls plastered with words in Jawi (the Malay script rendered in Arabic), and Malay-dominated armies ever ready against the ever-looming threat of China, roughly an entire sea away.
Substitute the words Malay with Chinese, and you get Singapore really.
Photos by Chang Po Chun (16S03K) and Hoong Li-Ann (16A03A)
It was going to be a dark and stormy night – looming gray clouds threatened a heavy thunderstorm. But even then, the weather could not keep the stars from coming out that night. Decked out in stunning gowns and tailored suits, excited Year 6s milled around in the lobby of the ShangriLa Hotel. The night was about to be a truly picture perfect one in the warm glow of lucent Christmas lights– capturing the essence of style, glamour and class, despite being the last significant event for the class of 2015.
Selfies were just one of the ways to capture the night’s memories.
When it was time to get the show underway at 7pm, the large mass of seniors finally entered the ballroom accompanied by music to the likes of AVICII and Naughty Boy. The ballroom was buzzing with the Year 6s’ nervous anticipation, but also their palpable sense of post-As relief, as they got ready to par-tay.
Grad Night started off on the right foot, as the Dance King and Queen nominees vied to win the title with their unique performances. First up was Choong Ting Wei (15S06Q), who, along with his entourage of friends, channeled his inner K-Pop fan by breaking out into sultry moves worthy of making him a ‘9th SNSD member’, dancing along to popular Korean hits such as Apink’s “Nonono” and Girl’s Day’s “Expectation”.
Choong Ting Wei (centre) and SNSD 2.0.
The next contestant was David Wang (15S05A) who, in a solo act, executed an impressive hiphop number involving complicated popping and locking techniques. Following his exit, Eunice Huang (15S06R) rocked out to the upbeat dance-along song, “Downtown” by Macklemore while Yvette Lin (15S03A), a self-professed ‘noob dancer’ danced adorably along to a medley of popular songs, showing that there is nothing more important than having the love for dance.
Eunice Huang and her friends really getting down(town).
As the votes for Dance King and Queen were being sent in, the first 2 rounds of the Lucky Draw commenced, featuring lucrative prizes such as Starbucks gift cards as well as H&M vouchers.
Afterwards, it was time for the Prom King and Queen nominees to strut their stuff on stage. Damian Chong (15S03J) strummed a heartfelt rendition of “Tear in my Heart” by Twenty One Pilots on his ukelele– his performance bolstered by clap-alongs from the audience. Hiak Jun Jie (15S03J) danced the Macarena, and even pulled his buddies out from the crowd to join him on stage, in a heartening show of camaraderie.
“Come friends, do the macarena with me!” – Hiak Jun Jie
Meanwhile, Prom King nominee Shant Sin (15S03K) and Prom Queen nominee Richelle Ang (15S06B) dueted Ed Sheeran’s ever popular “Thinking Out Loud”, crooning the lyrics as best they could, encouraged by the cheers of their batchmates. 34th Council Vice-President Chan Mae Yee (15S06R) showed her playful side of her personality by dancing along to Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies”, with fellow councillors Vivek and Russell as her backup dancers. Seah Ying Lin (15S07B) enacted an elaborate puppet-esque show, which humorously depicted her struggle with school and ended with her emerging victorious.
Chan Mae Yee (centre), not just Prom Queen, but Raffles’ very own “Queen Bey”.
The dance group from Street Dance, aptly coined “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” (featuring one female dancer and seven male dancers), then took to the stage as an act of their appreciation for the graduating Year 6s. The Lucky Draw Finals also saw the giveaway of big-ticket prizes such as USS Season Passes and the top prize of a two-person hotel stay at Shangri-La Hotel itself to the shrieks of delight to the lucky winners.
Finally, the pageant results were released after much anticipation.
Our Dance King and Queen Nominees! (From left: Eunice Huang, Yvette Lin, David Wang and Choong Ting Wei)
Choong Ting Wei and Eunice Huang emerged as Dance King and Queen respectively while Hiak Jun Jie and Chan Mae Yee were crowned Prom King and Prom Queen.
Our Prom King and Queen Nominees! (From left: Seah Ying Lin, Richelle Ang, Chan Mae Yee, Hiak Jun Jie, Damien Chong, Shant Sin.)
As the night drew to a close, a video montage of the Year 6s’ 2 years in Raffles was played on screen, depicting the most memorable moments of school life, all the way from Orientation Kaleidos to Mega Mugging Madness 2015. It was followed by a version of the batch song specially arrangement by the Year 5 Student Councillors, featuring well-wishes from their fellow schoolmates– a touching tribute as well as a bittersweet goodbye.
All throughout the night, the Year 6s, eager to take a poignant reminder of their final year together, visited the special photo booths set up in the ballroom foyer which printed out photos instantaneously. At the end of it all, everyone left with smiles on their faces – after all, life in RJ is less like a single snapshot, and more like a collection of experiences and relationships which will live on in our heads and hearts forever.
Surely the best way to capture a very picturesque night indeed.
by Heather I’anson-Holton (16A01E) and Adelyn Koh (16S06H)
Photos by Chang Po Chun (16S03K) and Hoong Li-Ann (16A03A)
During the annual Grad Night on 3 December a week ago, the fashion sleuths of Raffles Press and Raffles Photographic Society went outfit-watching together among the throng of Year 6s. What we found at this night of class and elegance certainly did not disappoint us, in terms of diversity and creativity from the trendy Year 6s. Read on for some highlights of the fashion parade!
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At first, Chua Ting Wei planned to buy his suit from Benjamin Barker (a popular choice amongst the guys), but did not manage to find something that could fit him as he was “really small sized”. People of Asia, on the other hand, had just what he needed. (Our vertically challenged readers, take note!) Ting Wei strayed from the conventional black suit, choosing instead a light grey suit with thin black checks that quickly caught our eye. What really made this outfit however, were the details that Ting Wei accentuated it with. A plain white dress shirt was made instantly more attractive with gold rimmed buttons, and a smart purple vest with similar gold buttons provided an additional pop of colour. His accessories didn’t disappoint either – Ting Wei finished off his outfit with a red ribbon bow tie with a pearl and gold button to fit the theme, as well as a matching pocket square, gold collar tips, and a pair of brown brogues that complemented his vest. This was truly an outfit that inspired envy.
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Dominic originally wanted to get a suit, but in his words, “a nice suit was very expensive.” Instead, he opted for the more wallet-friendly option of a well-paired casual blazer and checkered shirt. The deep blue of the blazer and the warm brown shades of the shirt, pants and shoes gave his whole outfit a level of cohesiveness deserving of praise. We especially loved the blazer’s deep pockets and unique elbow patches, which added a nice amount of detail. Dominic’s outfit just goes to show that if you shop smart, you can look great on any budget.
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When queried as to why she chose ethnic wear, Marianne provided several reasons: it’s more practical, it’s a unique look (we agree!), and that on a personal level, she feels she looks better in traditional clothes as compared to modern clothes. She also added that “one should not be afraid to wear ethnic attire even when everyone else wears modern clothes. Your culture is your identity and you should not be afraid to flaunt it!”
Marianne was one of few who were unafraid to wear bold colours. Her daring paid off, and she looked exceptionally regal in her sari of royal blue, crimson red, and shimmering gold. Marianne also picked her jewellery well; her gold headpiece helped frame her face and accentuate her features, and her dangly earrings and many bangles served to play up the colours of her outfit. Another thing worth noting is Marianne’s use of henna on her hands, which had the dual purpose of representing her culture, and adding a level of detail that was unique in the ballroom.
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Some might have thought that such an unusual look must have been coordinated by the two, but when asked, Vint Seng (left) and Danson (right) replied, chuckling, “no we didn’t [coordinate], it was a complete coincidence.” Their reasons behind their choice of trench coat weren’t harmonious either. Vint Seng claimed that “blazers are lame. Everyone wears blazers anyway, it’s boring.” Danson on the other hand, had a more practical reason. “My mom said that I could use the trenchcoat when I go overseas to study. Besides, everything was on discount!” Whatever the reason, their choice paid off, and the boys stood out amongst the crowd. Danson wore his black trenchcoat over a white shirt and red tie with shoes to match, while Vint Seng chose to wear his grey trenchcoat with other dark colours, with the exception of the rather unconventional accessory of a purple knitted scarf, which brightened up his look.
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Ragini chose this dress because she felt it was “the right mix between party and sweet,” and it was indeed a refreshing change from the many heavy gowns worn by others that night. Ragini brought some sparkle to the event with a bodice encrusted with glittering crystals, which she paired with bejewelled hoop earrings. The sweetheart neckline and bare back showed off Ragini’s figure, helped along by a pale pink chiffon skirt that cinched her waist. We loved the skirt’s flowy layers, which along with the transparent straps of the bodice, helped to balance the heaviness of the jewels, and kept the outfit light and airy.
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Nicole wanted to her outfit to be classy and elegant, and achieved exactly that with a stunning floor length dress. She still managed to set herself apart, however, with its solid red shade, which she chose for its “daring.” The fit of the dress lent her further advantage by showing off her figure and giving the illusion of longer legs. The outfit was complemented by some gorgeous silver jewellery – simple stud earrings and an eye-catching statement necklace, which were kept in the spotlight by her up-do hairstyle. This was a timeless ensemble that will never fail to charm.
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What impressed us about Nikhil was his ability to take staple menswear items (a grey blazer, a white shirt, black pants, brown shoes) and make it into an outfit that was his own, proving once again that details are everything. The choice of a wool blazer gave an added textural dimension, gold-rimmed glasses drew attention to and framed his face, and a fun floral print skinny tie gave his look a touch of personality. When asked as to why he chose that particular pattern for a tie, he replied that it felt right and he liked it – sometimes, that’s all it takes. Nikhil’s outfit shows that simplicity can be great too, and with a few careful touches, any wardrobe piece can be revitalised.
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Justine applied a geometric theme to her whole outfit that we thought was very clever. Her electric blue dress featured a series of black lines that not only framed her figure, but gave the illusion of longer legs, added height, and a slimmer look. The beaded detail of the dress also gave her look some texture. Justine accessorised with dangling chain earrings that mimicked the vertical lines of her dress, a necklace comprised of a series of rectangles, and a clutch with an outer casing that was segmented into triangles – each playing up a geometric element, giving her look an overall sense of cohesiveness. This was an outfit that was meticulously planned, right down to the crisscrossing braid Justine styled her hair with, and we loved it.
Name: Ho Yeung Jek Everything: Topman
Yeung Jek’s powder blue suit stood out amongst a sea of grey and black, and we loved the soft colour palette that he went with, which was a refreshing change from the many dark and heavy colours sported by the majority of his peers. Yeung Jek kept his outfit perfectly balanced with a white shirt and a silver tie with a slight sheen, which complimented the pale grey buttons on his suit, and a black leather belt and a pair of brown shoes gave the outfit some darker tones, preventing him from looking too washed out. Like Nikhil, it was Yeung Jek’s clever manipulation of the basics made this outfit so great.
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Mudassar had no explanation as to why he put together this ensemble, only that the inception of a harness as an accessory popped into his head, and he simply had to go with it. This edgy outfit featured black leather straps, an army green button-down with an unusual collar, and smartly polished dark brown shoes. We loved how the pressed vertical crease down the front of each pant leg played upon the lines of the harness, and how the belt buckle, the hoops and accents of the harness, and the reflective watch face provided just the right amount of metallic shine to what could have been a dull colour combination. Another thing worth noting was the attention that Mudassar paid not only to his outfit but to his face too, something less commonly practiced by boys, but which definitely worked in his favour. His sculpted eyebrows, flawless skin, and sharp, defined cheekbones made this great outfit even better. A bold look indeed, this was hands down the most unique outfit of the night.
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Sinéad’s cocktail dress featured a bodice made of velvet – a daring material few can pull off, but which she certainly did. We loved the details of her dress – the crisscrossing velvet ribbons across the front and back that were reminiscent of a corset, the box pleats of the skirt that provided dimension, as well as its unique buckled shoulder straps. Sinéad’s consistent commitment to diamonds and crystals in all her accessories – double bar hair clips, earrings, bracelet, clutch, even down to her bejeweled stiletto heels and studded nails – brightened up the velvet, and beautified areas often neglected. We also loved the attention she paid to her hair and makeup, such as the interesting ombré effect of the dye and the self-styled soft curls, as well as the bold lip colour that matched her perfectly-manicured nails. Interestingly, we recognise this to be the dress worn by Miranda Cosgrove to a recent movie premiere, and while the dress itself may have been deserving of Hollywood, we believe Sinead’s finishing touches made it truly red carpet worthy.
