my life!
I know the instructors have been harsh on you all recently but Sometimes it takes both side to calm down to see the situation clearly. To be honest, Teachers and Instructors do reflect on the things said and the things done daily. I feel that the band has come to a stage that respect has become a line that can almost be describe as invisible. There are many matters a instructors must be fair about and there are different methods to handle each individual problems. Lets cover what has been said and what have been done in recent weeks.
2 Weeks ago, a grade 1/2 or grade 1 piece was given to the band and sight-reading seems to be a problem as none of the student could read off the piece effortlessly except my Cornet boy, Won Jun (Hope i spelt correctly). What has the standard of the band become? The band which sight-reads pieces of Grade 2 1/2 and Grade 3 like "Sunset by the Lakeside" and "Ashland Park" has become so arrogant that a simple 75th Anniversary piece require individual coaching to accomplish. Does this strike anyone of you as Disgraceful? The band teachers and instructors expect that the standard of the P6s which read pieces like those of the competition standard to be passed on to the younger generation and from there begin to groom the band to play even harder pieces. The band should not be moving backwards. Ask yourself this, Can you stand teaching your cousin "A is for Apple" for 1 year and realise that after 12 months of teaching the "ABC", your cousin replies with a "A is for pear"? You too would have expected a certain standard by then. I hope you can understand this matter as learning should always move forward and never backwards.
Our band members should realise that the 75th Anniversary performance is coming and everyone is telling us that they need to go off early. To be honest, no one stays as far as i do. I stay in Bukit Panjang (Click on the work "Bukit Panjang" to see a map of Singapore) which can be seen on the map that it is all the way WEST of Qiaonan Primary School. You don't see me complaining. Also by looking at it from a different angle, everyone is going home late and if everyone complains, how am i to settle the moving of the instruments? Do you expect the teachers and the instructors to move everything for you? It is only fair to everyone if you stay and help. Once or twice, you ask for early dismissal, i can still accept. But constantly, i think it is being unfair to others. Again i hope all my students will understand that if i let one student go, i am obligated to let all my students go.
Lastly, Performance standard. I guess in all the stress and confusion in the 75th Anniversary rehearsal, you all have been affected and your playing standard driven down by this. So no scolding from my side but i want you all to hold your chin up and be proud of your own band and do your best on that day. Believe in yourself and believe in the band. I am sure we will do well.
Before i close this "Understanding" section, i want all my students to know that although we are fierce sometimes and we are unreasonable sometimes, do always remember the times we joke and the times we laughed together. The gossips we shared and the joy we had. We scold cause we care and we may seem harsh but we seriously try to be fair. If we know our students are sick during practice, we, the Teachers and Instructors will always be there to protect and care. Remember that.
By JG
Labels: Understanding
the passion lives on;
7:49 AM
7:49 AM
Friday, July 25, 2008
It may kill but don't let it get you!!!To all my beloved Band Members, i know this coming 75th anniversary rehearsal has taken a very heavy toll on everyone of you all. So this is just a simple reminder to everyone of our dearest Band Members to remind all of you that in this very stressful and tiring time, we understand all your pains and suffering and we want to also let you all know that we DO care. So please come up to us (Mdm Lau, Mr Chong or Mr Goh) if you have any problems faced in school or at home. We might not be able to help you full but we will try to find someone that will be able to help you. There isn't much time left to the 75th Anniversary and i know that all of you are already drained by the many rehearsal that you all have been called for. Hang in there and we will get through this together. For those falling sick or are already sick, please drink plenty of water and rest enough. For my beloved P6s, please take the weekends seriously and study hard. Remember to always PLAY HARD and always STUDY SMART! All the best to everyone and remember, WE CARE!
By JG
Labels: Stress Kills
the passion lives on;
7:43 AM
7:43 AM