JUDGES COMMENTS ON EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

SUNRISE

- Maybe they were too nervous, but must fix the entrances of notes at beginning till figure 4

- Good woodwind tone (better than lower brass)

- Can’t hear clarinets at Figure 18, and most places they are too soft to hear, whereas flutes can be heard throughout

- Brass always seems shaky when they enter

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- Tone in lower brass not very consistent

- Very nice saxes tone (probably could be darker still)

- Intonation for flutes in the soli section tends to be flat

- Moving bass line drowned the trumpet soli

- Band tone turns muffled due to balance

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- Tuning at trumpets was bad

- Horn and trombone solo need more work

- Sax ensemble needs more work in harmony

- Long notes needs care

- Flute pitch not perfect

- Good flute solo

- Attack of notes need more clarity

- Pay attention to dynamic contrast, pp p mp mf f ff

- Ending needs more excitement

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- Timpani rhythm on the quavers – be steady!

- 1^st clarinet and flute melody need more clarinetists to support

- Brasses sounds are trapped on stage

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- Brilliant solo at Figure 4

- Some intonation problems in the horns and flutes

- Brilliant flute solo

- Trombone needs to be more projected during ensemble playing

WITH HEART AND VOICE

- Flute section to play like the 1^st flautist in terms of phrasing

- Clarinets sounded dubious

- Get brass to play a more solid / thicker tone a f and ff, and everything will improve

- Nice interpretation

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- Great opening

- Careful of brass articulation (tends to be quite harsh)

- Great flute solo!

- Articulation in lower brass needs more tone in the fast section

- Flute solo was great but tends to be flat

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- Trumpet and Eupho section needs more extra hard work

- Needs more practice to improve sound

- Tenor voices (tenor sax / bari / trombone) needs more clarity

- Bass clarinet sounded rough

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- More air support needed for trumpet

- Articulation could be clearer for the clarinets during the fast passage

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As we can all see, although we sounded good, there is much room for improvement. To the untrained ear, we do sound good, but judges of SYF are not going to be untrained ears. They are going to be more strict compared to those judges at the band exchange. So if you think our standard is good enough, you are wrong. PLEASE WORK HARDER!!!

From now on, please treat every practice seriously. Your utmost concentration is needed. Rules will be carried out by the book and there will be no negotiation. So PLEASE give us your fullest cooperation unless you really love to be punished.

Do not be late for next practice. WEDNESDAY. 31/1/07, 2.30pm. You will be given more details on the upcoming audition. Please ask Mr Chiang if you are unsure about any details. I am not the one who came up with the audition details. Just work hard and do your best, you won't need to worry. Good luck!

Chien Teng

Maris Stella Symphonic Band
(special announcement)

To all main band members,

There will be an audition for the Singapore Youth Festival 2007 on 3^rd February 2007, Saturday. Those who fail the audition will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming SYF in April.

Below will be the desired instrumentation number for SYF.

Flute: 3
Clarinet: 9
Sax: 4
Trumpet: 5
French Horn: 4
Trombone: 3
Euphonium: 3
Tuba: 4
Percussion: 6

*For Double Reeds or Double Bass player who fails the audition, will not be allowed to go for SYF. A substitute instrument will be placed to replace the part.

Those who fail the audition will NOT be joining for FULL BAND practices but instead will go for OWN INDIVIDUAL Practice during band practices. NO members are to SKIP any band practices during this period of time. ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS of the band APPLY during these practices.

We will conduct an “Appeal Audition” (for members who have failed) after every single band practices. Members are ONLY to come for Appeal Audition if they think that they are well prepared. Members will be joining for the FULL BAND practices ONLY after they have passed the Appeal Audition.

The SYF Auditioning Team

- Details of Audition -

Date: 3^rd February 2007
Venue: Band Room
Auditioning Team: Mr Lin
Mr Chiang
Fredy
Chien Teng
Audition pieces: Set and Choice Pieces + Basics

All members will receive score and comments sheet from the auditioning team after the audition session.

Great job for today's band exchange at Chinese High School! It was a really wonderful performance by us. Although there is still much room for improvement, we are already not that bad with our current standard. Now our standard is maybe only a high silver, so if we want to get Gold with Honours we must really pull our socks up. Once again, good job.

Next practice, wednesday, 31/1/07, 2.30pm. Do not be late.

The rules for the new system in combined practice is below.

New System for Combined Band Practice (Until after SYF)

Talking is NOT permitted, unless permission is granted from Mr Chiang. Raise your hand to ask for permission. Therefore, total silence is expected at all times.

Only Section Leaders are allowed to talk, to pass down messages related to music. Members of the section are NOT allowed to reply. They are only allowed to give an acknowledgement by any form of non verbal communication. However, this is discouraged. Section Leaders should settle any updates related to their scores during sectionals or before band practice commences.

Section Leaders MUST ensure that all scores are with ALL the members before start of each combined band practice session. During change of pieces, members are not allowed to talk or move about. If anyone does not have any scores, settle with the librarians before band practice.

Members are only allowed to talk when breaks are given. When the break is over and the rehearsal is resuming, the rule takes effect IMMEDIATELY.

Section Leaders, Sec 4 committee and all Majors and Mr Chiang are allowed to pump anyone immediately, on the spot, if anyone is seen, or heard, talking without permission.
First offence carries a punishment of 10 push ups.
A subsequent offence doubles the punishment, i.e, 20, 40, 80, 160… push ups.

There will be no negotiation.

The reason for this is for everyone to concentrate at every combined band practice. SYF is nearing and time cannot be wasted. Please be understanding and cooperate with us. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Let's work hard to our Gold With Honours!

As such, I would like everyone to cooperate with us. I would like to remind everyone again that although these rules are strict, but it is only with discipline that we can get things done. Let us all have that self discipline in each and everyone of us, so we can play together as one band, one sound! Let's do the school proud. If the basketball team and softball team can do it, so can we. Work harder! Jia you!

Chien Teng