.: New York Band and Orchestra Festival II :.
PICTURES AND UPDATES!
IT WAS A BLAST!
It's been long since the festival, since New York. After coming back, all that's done is catch up, catch up and catch up. From copying like 7 -9 lecture notes to writing 4-5 assignment answers out, it has been tiring. And worse still, PW, the infamous subject I would say. Have to rush my PI by tomorrow and it really took a toll on me today. Anyway, since I just finish my PI being the only thing I plan to do tonight, i shall finally update on my New York Trip.
One different thing after New York trip is that for now, everytime I stip into the band room, the feeling is somehow different. Like looking around, u can say, I actually went overseas with this girl/that guy. How many can actually do that? haha. Okay, putting that aside, the trip itself.
Being on the 2nd trip of course there were some minuses like the New Jersey trip, the buffets that the rest got to enjoy and of course, the 1 hour more of shopping at woodbury Commons. However, I guess the shorter trip people also enjoyed ourselves will we were the happy 14, the 'guest players' haha and of course when we joined the rest, the fun we had
together as a band is great.
Practice at Manhattan room! We had our own venue to practice for 1 night and a few afternoons in the hotel itself. It was some function room that had tables and chairs but was transformed into a band practice area for us. Kind of cool to perform where the view behind the conductor is actually builings and birds would jsut randomly fly past and we can see (if you do notice that is). It was definitely a good experience. haha
Our hotel room was situated in Times Square. Stayed in Manhattan Sheraton and the hotel a little bit screwed. First night while we were there, at about 10 or 11 pm (not so sure), the water was suddenly cut off and all those that hadn't bathe were of course pissed off and irritated. Lucky I took my bath already. Some came to my room to bath because my room had water for some reason but it was a rather bad first impression of the hotel. Oh ya! The original room given to my group of roommates was actually occupied! Room 1703 (as I remembered) was actually occupied and as I opened the door, I saw clothes and luggages lysing around, thinking that it was the one of my other roommate but it was not. So i quickly go out and told the rest of my roommates. What an experience! going to a room not yet cleared. Because of that, we got changed to 719... 10 floors descend. :( but was okay actually because going to Manhattan Room took only like 1min walking down by stairs. The lifts always took super long anyway. haha
Times Square was so much more nicer than i had seen on TV or had expected! It no doubt is a fashion city, a plave where broadway shows and billboards are everywhere, lightening up the place! The number of people walking on the streets, basking, shouting is a whole lot and it's really good to just breathe in the air and dip into the atmosphere of the New York Culture! Some real distinct shops are the Virgin Megastore, the billboards, M&Ms and Hersheys shop which are huge and 2 levels tall just across the road of each other and of course, the countless number of shops selling 'I (heart)Love NY' shirts.
One of the night was the Hudson River Cruise day. Where all the bands and orchestras in this festival go onto the cruise. The view outside as the boat sailed through the Hudson River was nice and of course, picture taking session started with many of us taking pictures. and i realize that Singaporeans in general take much much more pictures than those of other countries because we were sort of blocking the passage way just to get cool and nice pictures of us and the view behind. Passed many bridges, Brooklyn Bridge, and saw many skyscrapers from the view of the sea. It was nice. Dancing that night. Didn't dance but could see how some band members could actually rock their socks off on the dance floor! it was a fun experience! Until another band came to dance together on the same dance floor, it was all a dance frenzy in the cruise ship with music blasting! What an experience! It's like a legalised underage dance party!
Performance at Central Park was... FUN! Never perfomed in casual clothing but this time, we got to do it. Performing in like anything to keep us warm showing our pullover in the Band Shell was an experience! haha. Because we look like some professionals that just go to some venue and set up instrument, play and go. There for the sake of performing. haha. But it was fun. We sounded so great that one passerby who was resting at some benches nearby heard our music and she actually cried! (that was shocking when Mdm Goh told us) Quite cool.. we can move people emotionally ;) haha! than take pictures at Central Park and hear other bands play. How many people can get a chance to perform at Central Park? Seriously not many! Especially from Singapore! This goes the same for performing at CARNEGIE HALL!
To evey musician out there, performing in Carnegie Hall is a prestige, is a hell of an experience, it's a dream i suppose. My couductor even told us that it was to the extent that people dreams to have a breath in the Carnegie hall and that we should take as much of the Carnegie air while we're there. No doubt, the hall did not fail my expectations but instead, wowed me despite knowing what to expect. The hall is like a zillion times better than esplanade. Just with it's natural acoustics projection and decorations, gold plated walls at some parts, 5 levels of seats, beautiful furnishings and great effects, the hall was just stunning. To play on the stage was just...... unforgettable. So we spent our whole Wednesday moving in and out of the hall. Morning - Soundcheck. Afternoon - Adjudication. Night - showcase and results. The seats were quite comfortable too by the way.
Performing or rather, going through the adjudication itself was actually a little scary at first but soon, it was fine! After all the practice and all, Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band was ready to take New York by storm, take Carnegie Hall by storm and fill every air molecule with the music and vibes of our music. No doubt it did! We performed and the ending last few bars would be the moment I will always cherish. PLaying the high Fs and ending off with C and with the resonance of the band sounds in the hall, bringing stainding ovation from the audiences after our performance at the supposedly 2nd but actually last peice was whoosh... undescripable feeling! STANDING OVATION from the audience where only probably 4 people know us only! and of course, the results were what we had wanted which was a GOLD!!! with scores of 96, 93, 96 from the 3 judges. Average of 95%! Practicing hard for Machu Picchu and Entrance of the Gladiators was worth it! Singing school song and cheering outside the Cernegie Hall was fun and ya... surprisingly, it brought one girl from another band in california (North Torrence) to tears. haha. funny. What an experience!
And after all the stress and focus, it was time for actual city tour and we toured the streets of New York, went to see the Statue of Liberty, passed by Ground Zero, entered the UN building, saw Empire State Building, go to Jullius Music School etc. IT was interesting knowing that New York actually is populated by 8million odd people (yes, i did listen to that tour guide which i find very interesting.haha) and Manhattan stretches quite long. Anyway, after that, back to airport for some of us, bye to Group A and hello Singapore! The flight was super long - 22 hours i think. Sat with Alyssa, Gabriel and Charmaine on the way back which was rather fun!
This trip really made some of us grow closer together I think and it was fun! Eating together as a band, bonding and going on section outings at New York! Playing cards at night. Bracing ourself for the competition and the cold wind. making sure we're warm in the 2 degree celcius place and shopping and making fun of each other etc etc. A trip never to forget I'm certain!
Picture are finally up as well! this whole week was disastrous to the max la. No time to do anything except copying one week worth of Lecture notes and assignments, doing homework which i don't understanda at all. GRRR. Finally a break, at least for now.
