Deep in preparation: Lee (in white shirt) guiding the wind band during practice.
SINCE April, students from the Catholic High School (CHS) Petaling Jaya wind band, sinfonietta and colour guards have been dedicating their time and effort to perfecting their craft for their upcoming orchestra performance on Oct 28.Through the ticket sales, they hope to raise RM300,000 to purchase new instruments and uniforms for the band, and to repair broken instruments.
CHS curriculum senior assistant Teh Hui Ping said each practice session is a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment and self-discipline. “They’ve set their sights on delivering an unforgettable performance that not only showcases the band’s culture of excellence, but also allows the audience to revel in the sheer joy of music,” she said.
CHS orchestra band conductor Eric Lee said while their Saturday practices are tiring, the students know that they need to have the right attitude and focus.
He added that the band’s hope is twofold: to acquire new instruments through the proceeds from tickets sales and to inspire more students to discover the joys of playing musical instruments. “It’s been over a decade since we last got a fresh set of instruments, and the wear and tear is showing.
“Repair costs have been piling up, and many of these instruments are wind instruments that are shared among the students, which isn’t the most hygienic arrangement in these times,” he said.
Student Loo Yang Shan Kristen, who heads the publicity and ticketing department, said they have made significant progress, with around 32% of the target sales achieved for the evening show and 5% for the afternoon show, but they are hoping to fully achieve their aim.
Band member Voon Zi Xian, 17, who plays the trumpet, expressed his eagerness to share his passion for music with the audience.
“I’m looking forward to more support, whether through ticket purchases, sponsorships or donations.
“It’s all in the name of purchasing new instruments and ensuring the orchestra band continues to thrive,” he said.
Saxophone player Delashini Thangaraju is excited about making a comeback following the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted all live performances.
“I’m certainly looking forward to showing a bigger audience how strong we have grown,” said the 17-year-old.
Themed “An Evening of Music: Reunite”, the concert will be held at CHS Dewan Brother Phillipe Wu. Tickets are priced at RM15 for the matinee (3pm) and RM40 for the evening show (8pm).The band will be performing musical pieces like “Bunga Raya” and “Dancing in the Wind - Kaze-No-Mai”, as well as a medley from the “Little Mermaid”.The concert will also feature solo pieces by National Symphony Orchestra principal flutist Foo Chie Haur and accomplished clarinettist Chew Kai-Xin, who studied at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. For more details, go to linktr.ee/CHS_Band_PJ_AEOM_Reunite_2023, or call 019-317 8866 (Kristen).
