Whoa after going back yesterday I've got so many things to say to all of you.

Just in case you didn't know, I'm the crazy talkative one who took you guys for sectionals yesterday. Ahaha I hope you guys are inspired to keep practising now.

I'm going to be 100% honest here and tell you that I've heard real bad things said about our section and I felt really scared for you all when I heard you guys play yesterday. Whatever happened to legacy that your seniors left behind for you all? We gave you guys a real good head start - the clarinet section was historically always the strongest and most independent section around. We never had a need for tutors. We were self-motivated, driven to keep improving. 

I personally started off my main-band life with the goal that when I graduate, I must be a very much player than my first direct senior (who also happened to be the SL and Eflat player of that time and she was really intimidating). Well, unlike you guys my batch never had the privilege of having encouraging seniors. Like what I mentioned earlier, I was mortally terrified of that direct senior of mine. With every wrong note and every screeching high note that I played, she would turn around and "tsk" me and say "stop screaming your high notes. You sound horrible." But that only made me more determined to become a better player than she ever was. And I kept working towards it. And now I can safely say that, although I am not as fantastic as I wish I could be, I am satisfied with the level of playing that I have achieved in my 4 years in RV. And I believe that most of the klarinutters of my batch can safely say the same for themselves too.

Right now, we seniors are always encouraging you, and I hope that you guys don't have to endure the same harsh treatment that we went through in our time in RV Klarinutz. Sure, we don't visit often due to our busy schedules, but we are always here if you need a helping hand. And I do hope that you all understand that it's not that you guys can't do it, but whether you guys WANT to do it. I saw this slogan on a shirt that a random girl was wearing once. "It's not about how good you are, but how badly you want it."

Hey nutters. I know you all can do it, just like I proved to you guys during sectionals yesterday. I'm thoroughly amazed at how much you guys have improved from when I began taking sectionals until the time you guys had to go off for drills. What was initially a messy clump of notes actually turned out to sound pretty neat. And I know that it can only get better. Although it's just 2 bars worth of triplets, I'm beginning to see the polished diamond that you lumps of coal can become.

Keep working on it. I've taught you guys the way to practice your stuff. It's tiring yes I know, and honestly I'm not a big fan of such technicalities myself. But it must be done in order to perfect your stuff. And this is YOUR SYF piece guys. If you don't put in the effort for this, what else will you put in your effort for? You can't rely on anyone else to help you improve. Each and every one of you must first push yourselves to improve. Bring home your clarinet and practice whenever you can, and practice smart. Only then can you improve as a player.

And remember. Band is not about individuals. Every band has star players. I will go so far as to say that I am the star player of the alumni band now, but that's not what should be the case. However good certain players are, the band (or the section, on a micro level) is only as strong as its weakest player. So even though you guys must all strive to reach new heights as individual players, you must always remember to help the weaker ones along. If you can already play this set of running notes clearly, teach those who cannot. Drive them; push them. Teach them how you did it, and make sure that they can. And work together as a section towards greater heights.

I hope that it's not too high a calling for you all when I ask that you live, breathe and play as an entire clarinets section when you come for band practices. I don't give a damn about who is BFF with who and who buay song who - these things must be left outside the bandroom door. When you come for band, you no longer are so-and-so (whatever your name is), but you are a clarinetist in RVCB. Leave your personal life outside the band room door please. My batchmates personally had so many problems to deal with in our time, and I'm sure it's the same for everyone else. But when we came to band, we tried our best to not let these problems get in our way.

I want to see you guys feel the song together. It might be tough for the parts of Epicus that don't seem to make much melodic sense, but I believe you guys can do it. Perhaps you guys can take some time off during sectionals and listen to the piece (someone saves it in their handphone and blasts it for everyone to hear). Sit down together and come up with a storyline for the song, or discuss what emotions you feel from each part of the piece. And perhaps it might be good to write it down on your score so that, whenever you play that part, you call up memories of that emotion and channel it into your music. I do it for my own exam pieces too. Tried and tested. Your money back guaranteed.

Remember what I said about what should go through your mind before playing? That includes cueing and jerking as a  section too. Contrary to what you think, cueing and jerking doesn't have to be taught unto you. It's a natural thing, as natural as tapping your feet to a familiar tune. Just let go, let loose and enjoy the music that you are playing. You don't have to sit up straight to the extent that your body is so stiff. Yes good posture is important, but relaxing and feeling your music is important too. And just let your body move along naturally to the rhythm and phrasing of the music. What's holding you guys back now, probably, is the thought that "eeyerr if I cue and jerk wrongly that will be so malu man!" Just throw that stupid thought away! I assure you that even if you guys don't cue and jerk together, it still looks great. But cueing and jerking comes naturally with the flow of the music so you guys will come in together as long as you listen to and feel what you're playing. I promise!

Whoa I know this is a really long post, and I've got no idea how many of you will read this. Whoever does, please spread the word. I want everyone in the whole section to read this. I'm sorry for taking up your time, but I hope this really does help. Ultimately, I want you guys to feel good about yourselves when you step off the stage during SYF.

You've only got 15 minutes to make or break it, and a few more months to make sure that the 15 minutes is the best that you can. Once you step on stage there's no turning back. It will pass in the blink of an eye. And I don't want you guys to regret it.

Cheers. I'll be back on Thursday.

HERE TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE SENIORS WILL BE VISITING ON TUESDAY AND HOPEFULLY THURSDAY TOO! SO PUT ON YOUR BEST FACES AND WORK THOSE DIAPHRAGMS CUZ IT'S BOOTCAMP TIME!

No I'm just kidding :D I'm a very nice person (if you don't piss me off) so yea. Got any probs with your playing or with the section please feel free to tell me or the other seniors alright? We're always here to help. Although sometimes we're really too busy to drop by, we're always available and more than willing to help. Cheers!

Much love,

Xin

Hello beloveds.

HELLO NUTTERS!