~River Valley High School Concert Band~
Beautiful friendships were forged over the last few days! It was great to have our friends from Kashiwa Municipal High School Symphonic Band to fly across the Pacific Ocean and came right here to our sunny island, Singapore. They arrived on last Wednesday and they went down to RV to rehearse for their concert at the Esplanade. The very next day was the concert day, before that they came down to rehearse at Yuhua. They looked tired but they didn't complained. After that, they headed to Esplanade. I was impressed by their performance, their rehearsal looked like an actual concert to me. We, the combined band people were at our dressing room to wait for our turn. We waited quite long .The atmosphere was great. When it was our turn to proceed up to the stage, we kinda ha jitters. Cos we didn't want to spoil their concert. We played Festive Overture Op 96 and Ishida-sensei conducted us. Wow!!! Our festive overture sounded good!!!! Subarashi!!! Next, We played Tears. We were conducted by Ms.Chan. It was great to play with the Kashiwa band members. It was quite and experience for us!
The next day, the band came down to Yuhua for an exchange program with the Yuhua & RV bandsmen. The clarinet section occupied the whole band room=P ahaha!!! After the exchange, we played games before going for lunch. The clarinet section played "Pass the parcel". Hahah!!!! Very funny la! Then it was lunch!!! Itadakimasu! We had "nasi lemak". Can say that Japanese people are abit scared of spicy stuffs! Hahahaha!!! Then it was the exchange concert. RV played first, followed by Yuhua and then the combined band. After everything was over, it was time for games again! =) We introduced to them local games that many students here play during their free time. The Clarinets played elope! It was great. And funny. Hey, at least they can introduced a new game to their fellow Japanese friends when they return to the land of the rising sun. Hahha! While playing, the ice-cream man came, and he like had to do hundreds of ice-cream for us. The Kashiwa members looked happy when they were told that they're gonna have some ice-cream!=) Soon, dinner time came. We had like a buffet with local cuisines la. They seemed to enjoy it also! Suddenly, while we're eating, we had like this mini-performance. There was like this ensemble la. Cool man! Sugoi- neh!!!! I like the woodwind ensemble and the Saxophone ensemble! They played a tune from the Swing Girls movie!! Sugoi!!!!
The next day was the excursion day. We like had to bring them around Singapore. haha.. It's a Sunday and the shopping district is so like damn packed la! Hahah.. We like had to split the clarinet Section into half! haha... First, we brought them around the heartland area, then we walked to lakeside MRT and we headed to Chinatown. We brought them to Bee Cheng Hiang to buy the Ba Gua. They loved it! But a pity, i can't eat it! =X They bought some to bring back to Japan and eat it. Haha! Next, we went to Orchard and had our lunch at Cineleisure. They had local dishes like Ban Mian, Fishball noodle and others la. Some of them ate Japanese food.. hehe. We let them try ice kachang. They loved it. Next, we went upstairs to take neoprint! Kawaii!!!! I was like the only guy in the photo la. Then took them to Far East to shop again. Then we headed back to Downtown East and called it a day.
They will leave Singapore and head back to Japan tomorrow morning. I've learned many things from them these few days and will always remember them. This beautiful memories shall never be forgotten. They might be far away from us, but i know, they will always be in our heart. Dear Kashiwa Band members, teachers and Ishida-sensei, hope all of you enjoy your stay in Singapore. We will remember you guys always! Domo Arigato Gozaimasu!! Sayonara.
