I am Chua Cong Yang, the Band Major of HCIBand.

Firstly I would like to thank you, for taking the time to vist our website and expressing interest in band. I would like to emphasis once again that there is no need to have prior musical experience to join band! Furthermore, most if not all resources will be provided by the school.

As mentioned on Wednesday, some of the advantages of joining band include:

• CIP opportunities with your friends will be provided.
• A chance to travel to places around the world including, Hawaii, Perth and Japan at heavily subsidised costs!
• LEAPS and leadership opportunities (both necessary for promotion, as band has many positions in the executive committee as compared to other CCAs)
• Exposure to music and new skills that will stay with you for the rest of your life. (You can choose to join the military band in NS if you do not prefer the physical torment xD)
• A lot of chances to meet like-minded peers and broaden your social network, via exchanges and workshops, the HCI JC Band, music programs etc.
• A chance to shine! If you practice a lot and become very good with your instrument, recognition and many future opportunities will come your way.
• Play music that you enjoy listening to and creating. (Pop, Jazz, Classicial, we play many different types of music)
• Enjoy wonderful facilities, as the band has many rooms available and you can treat the air-conditioned outdoor band room as your second home, available at anytime.
• Entry to band will open up many opportunities for you to shine, as an individual and as a band through solo and combined performances. With experience in high school, entering band will serve as an ideal springboard towards further musical education or careers.

However, no matter what I say, the final decision is up to you. If you are still undecided, I strongly encourage you to come for our trials and have a first-hand experience of playing instruments and getting a taste of our band. Regretting after having tried something is much better than regretting after having not tried something. Either way, regret is always there, so might as well gain a new experience :D.

Such an opportunity to try all 9 instruments in one afternoon doesn’t come by often!

I hope to see all of you at our trials, anytime between 3.00 pm to 6.00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

If you have any queries or questions regarding band whatsoever, feel free to call me at 97291598 or Dany at 81818555.

Sorry for the delay, we’ve finally managed to get a decent venue after a long search. Here are the details:

Date: 2nd January 2012
Time: 1230 to 1500
Venue: Heritage Place, 21 Tan Quee Lan Street, #02-08, Singapore 188108

Please remember to come with your cards/gifts prepared!
Some stuff to help you get there provided by the vendor:

Hi Bandits!

Hope you’re enjoying your holidays thus far.. There’s another thing coming up for you to mark your calendars and look forward to: that is our Sec4 Farewell!

In view of the farewell, please prepare the following for our seniors:

1. Submit all photos and videos you want to contribute to your section leaders (for our montage).
2. Complete the line “You will be missed because…” and address them to specific seniors. Record your voice down, and also send them to your section leaders (fret not, cos all these voice tapes are meant to be anonymous).
3. Gifts and cards (individually-made or combined effort) for your leaving seniors! Make them special and personal as much as you like.

For section leaders: Collate all the photos, videos, and voice tapes, and send them to me latest by the 27th December 2011 as I really need time to compile them into a montage.. Also, work with your section mates on the gifts and cards, and you could dedicate them to your section seniors! Thanks!

Lastly, here are the sketchy details:

Date: 2nd January 2011
Time: 1230 to 1500 (followed by an optional section/band outing)
Attire: Casual or smart casual (no school uniform :P)
Venue:  NTUC Conference Room (located in Raffles Place; but tentative)

Come prepared for the farewell!

Cheers and Merry Christmas,
Yihan

Band practice will resume this Friday (30th Dec).

Date: 30th December (Friday)
Time: 9.00 – 12.30
Venue: Salt Centre Main Hall
Attire: School attire
Things to Bring: Relevant band stuff (Instrument loan form,scores, pencils etc).

Please be punctual! Lastly, do have individuals before band practice begins!

Thanks,
Cong Yang

The farewell is still in its planning stages, but note the following:

- It’s tentatively on the first week of January (i.e. 2 to 6th Jan)
- Payment is most likely going to be compulsory, so please try to free up that week.
- Prior to the farewell, you should prepare personal gifts and cards for our leaving batch of Sec4 seniors.

Lastly, does anybody have an XBox Kinect and ‘Dance Central’ to contribute? This hints an extremely exciting component of our programme truly worth coming for, so those who have an XBox, please contribute it for a day. Drop me a private message on facebook (Khoo Yihan) if you’re keen to help!

That’s all for now!

Merry Christmas in advance,
Yihan

http://www.mediafire.com/?y478s7f5g2sny7j

4) Essential Rules:
Here are the basic rules regarding your instruments and the band rooms again since I have seen that many of them have not followed in the past few months.

Instruments:
- Do not leave your instruments on rough surfaces such as concrete, road and sand, if you really need to, place it on a piece of cloth/your files
- Do not leave your instruments unattended; assign someone to look after it if you have to be away
- Do not lend your instruments to band members from other sections (eg. To play); it is your fault if they damage the instrument due to improper handling
- Do not walk in the rain while holding on to your instruments, either exposed or in its case. For traversing between the OBR and main band room, use the long way through the classroom blocks and the multi-storied carpark
- Wipe your instruments after practice, do not leave any kind of stains such as fingerprints or water droplets on your instruments
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly before you start playing your instrument after lunch or drinking sweetened drinks
- Unless the SL/QM/teachers was informed, do not bring your instruments out of school compound (including the boarding school)
- In short, handle your instruments with care; your instrument should at least be in the same condition as when you first receive it, if not better

Band rooms/ sectional rooms/ any other locations:
- Clear up the locations after practice, with the furniture neatly arranged (stands straightened and aligned/ kept, instrument cases, percussion instruments and chairs aligned properly), the place free from litter and for SALT Band Room saliva bowls washed.
- Anything that are brought out from the band rooms should be returned to the exact location, unless with a proper reason
- No ball games in the rooms (basketball, football etc.), to prevent damages
- No eating or drinking in the band rooms except for plain water
- Do not bring any outsiders into the Band Rooms without valid reason
- Switch off the lights and air-conditioning and lock the door if no one is using the rooms
During the recent holiday practices, I have seen that the OBR was not locked after everyone went up to Salt centre for practice. This should not be happening as anyone and everyone will be able to freely waltz into band room and take personal belongings and/or instruments, so in the future I do not want to see this happening again. If this situation continues, punishments will be meted out. Also, I will be stricter in meting out punishments. It’s time to be more careful about your instruments as not only you will be using them, you will be passing them down to your juniors as well.
Thanks!
P.S. Please read the whole thing through… I’ll know if you didn’t!
- De Quan

Below are the details for Band Chalet.

Room Number: Blk K, 2018
Date : 6th-8th Dec
Venue: Coasta Sands Resort (Downtown East)
Reporting Time : 2.30 pm @ Lobby
: 5.30 pm for BBQ ppl
Please be on time!

Please contact me, Dany, Xuanyu or any band member if you are lost. Those who are only going for BBQ can you please contact any band member to find out the venue of the BBQ pit. The schedule will be free and easy throughout. However, there is a compulsory BBQ and night cycling on the first night! (6th Dec) Look forward to it! :D

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Below is the packing list for your reference.

Shirts :: 3 Sets
Pants  :: 3 Sets
Undergarments :: Self Determine
Sleeping Attire: 2 sets
Towel :: 2
Socks :: 3 Pairs
Slippers :: Optional
Shoes :: 1 Pair
Money :: $50+(++)
Water bottle :: Optional
Plastic bags :: Self Determine
Camera :: Compulsory!
Toiletries / Medication :: Self Determine
Entertainment :: Compulsory! (Videos, cards etc)
Swimming Attire: If you wan to go WildWildWet!

Strictly no Dota?! Maple?! Mugging?! allowed!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

As mentioned, band practices will stop until further notice. Lastly, thank you everyone for putting in your effort for Noel yesterday! :D

Enjoy your holidays! While it lasts,
-Cong Yang

Below is the practice schedule for this week.

November 29 (Tuesday) and 30 (Wednseday)
0900 – 1130 :: High School Combines
1130 – 1330  :: High School Sectionals/High school percussion lunch
1330 – 1430  :: Percussion Ensemble / Non-Perc Lunch/ Sec 1 dismiss
1430 – 1630    :: High School and JC combine (Lion King)
>4.30   :: Dismiss

December 2 (Friday)
0900 – 1600: Full Run through of concert

As shown above, practices next week will be extended till 4.30pm for Sec 2s and 3s and 1.30pm for sec1s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Practice on Friday will be extended till 4pm for both junior and senior band.

This is due to the necessary concert preparation. Thus please make the necessary arrangements and shift all commitments after band. If you are still unable to attend please inform your respective Sls.

-Cong Yang

There will be a uniform check next wednesday (30/11) after band practice.

Our concert attire includes:
1) Black long sleeve shirt
2) Black long pants
3) Black leather shoes
4) Black socks
5) Belt (Optional)
6) Solid coloured tie

Note:
1. Shirt must be long-sleeved, collared and fully black.
2. Pants must be long-sleeved and fully black (strictly NO jeans).
3. Tie must be solid-coloured (preferably not black or dark coloured). NO school ties allowed.
4. Shoes must be leather and fully black.
5. Socks must be covering the ankle (i.e. no ankle socks) and fully black.
6. Belt must be fully black and no prominent belt buckle. It is optional.

If you do not  have any of the items below, please purchase them soon. Please ask your sls if still unsure of the requirements of any part of the attire.

It is 7 days to noel! 3 more practices! Work hard! :D

-Cong Yang

Below is the packing list for band camp. It is just used as reference you can bring anything else if you wan.

Also, we would need the sec1s to prepare a 40 bar excerpt lasting about 2mins for the band camp. However, please do not choose anything from the concert pieces or essential elements. If needed please ask your sls for help :D

Lastly, Come to band camp with an open mind. Only then will you enjoy it :D

-Cong Yang

Band Camp 2011

PE‐shirts / Band‐tees 3 Sets

PE shorts 3 Sets

School Uniform 1 Set

Undergarments Self Determine

Towel 2

Socks 2‐3 Pairs

Slippers Optional

Shoes 1 Pair

Casual Wear 2 Sets

Money $25

Sleeping bag 1

Water bottle Optional

Band stuff Compulsory

Plastic bags Self Determine

Toiletries / Medication Self Determine