Clarinets rock your socks :)

ALL THE BEST SENIOR HIGH!!

2011-04-10T22:34:00.002+08:00

Hello Senior High!! (:

YPS(SSSS) here, wanna wish you guys all the best for SYF (junior college level)'2011! (:

Know you guys have long hours of full bands etc, but really jiayou!! remember after all these tough full bands, you will play extremely well for syf :D do have a healthy lifestyle and sleep early (lol, but i dont sleep early de :S, but still, you all older so must sleep more :D - a bit nonsense but heck care :x)

Heard you guys on saturday (lol, i felt extra when i went in w thiri, she wanted to hear how her senior plays etc) sounds very nice :D

DHSSB (JH) Clarinets are on your back :D

Bonne Chance! Bon Courage!! (:

J'aime la clarinette (:

YPS(SSSS) [:

DHSSB CLARINETS ROCK!

2011-04-10T20:01:00.004+08:00

I cant think of other sentence other than dhssb clarinets rock :O

ANW, after all many long hours of practice and rehearsal,

DHSSB (JUNIOR HIGH) has attained GOLD for the recent SYF'2011!

pieces played: Two Symphonic Movements by Vaclav Nelhybel and The Singapore Flyer by Satoshi Yagisawa [heh, i write in case 20years down the road i read this blog & i forgot the pieces we've played for SYF]

Congratulations to DHSSB JH!! :D yay!!

I have to say, clarinets (junior high) has bonded so much (i dont care the definition of terence's bonded section means). I have to admit, half a year ago, i had difficulties trying to convey my thinkings to clarinet section about working hard etc.

I remembered, the long hours of long notes, foundation killed a lot of people and that 5minutes of break isnt enough actually. but our section's tone now is so so much better :D and so much more in tune! :)

Now, i have a son and daughter :D hahahaha, never imagine myself to have kids in clarinet sections half a year ago. Remember in November, everyone just leave after band with their own friends, and now. we go to circle line as a section. WOW, thats a big change.

Lol, now no one mention anything and everyone just come for afternoon practices :D so glad (:

Idk when the time when we suddenly started walking together as a section. but indeed this means something. i really cherish the -idk whats the word- feeling in the section. family i guess? :)

I really want to say, i love clarinets (:

Though syf is now over, may we continue to stick to each other and work hard for rhythm!! :)

my last rhythm as JH member.

lol, seriously time flies. a few days ago, i went to search for saga scores 'cos thought we are playing it for taiyo, i found overture no.1 and 2. wow, they already turned yellowish.

i remember following alissa in 2nd stands, and she's the one who always tell me whether im sharp or flat and how to blend in etc.

now, i already the SL of clarinet section -.- and have no one to depend on for tuning :O

i(i think can write as "we" yeah?) wanna make this last rhythm the best rhythm ever, jiayou!!

Rhythm - 28 May 2011, counting down, 48 more days! and we have no idea what we're really playing for it. lol :S

Clarinet (section / instrument) holds a very important place in my heart x3

YPS(SSSS) [:

Changes in SP!

2011-01-16T23:27:00.002+08:00

Sorry changes!

School has been busy lately!! & Tests are coming up (esp for Year 4s!) yup, everyone jiayou! (: eat sleep tsm :D

Changes in Band:
Saturday practices will start 6 weeks before SYF.

Hence, we've decided to have SP on saturday mornings! the day when most people are free (:

Below are the dates:
January: 15, 22, 29
February: 12, 19

Time: 8.30 ~ 12.30pm

Will have section lunch after that (:

* will have SP when there's saturday full band practices. To be confirmed!

YPSSSSS!

Updates!

2011-01-10T23:25:00.002+08:00

Hmmm, since Lester said that he has been checking this blog everyday to check whether there's any updates, there it is (:

What we've done for the past 2 months plus (:
- We had intensive band practices during nov (7 in total)
- We had 7 extra SPs during the blocked period
- We had 2 combined woodwinds & 1 full band on the week before band camp
- We had band camp from tuesday to friday
- We had concert @ Ngee Ann City on 18 Dec 2010
- We had concert @ SCH w YCK on 27 Dec 2010
- We had concert @ school performing arts centre on 30 Dec 2010
- We had concert @ SCH w SWO on 2 Jan 2011
- We played Singapore Flyer & Stand by Me during the CCA exhibition for Year 1s

Upcoming stuff (:
- Do up tuning chart by Friday
- Marching (aim to finish by next week sat)
- Tons of SP!
- Thursday morning practices (from 7.45; tune up before that)
- Saturday half day practices

Proposed SP dates/days!
Week 2: 11/1 (tue) & 13/1 (thu)
Week 3: 18/1 (tue) & 20/1 (thu)
Week 4: 25/1 (tue) & 27/1 (thu)
Week 5: 1/2 (tue)
Week 6: 8/2 (tue) & 10/2 (thu)
Week 7: 15/2 (tue) & 17/2 (thu)
Week 8: 22/2 (tue) & 24/2 (thu)
Week 9: 1/3 (tue) & 3/3 (thu)
Week 10: 8/3 (tue) & 10/3 (thu)
- band camp (14 ~ 17 Mar) -
Week 1: 22/3 (tue) & 24/4 (thu)
Week 2: 29/3 (tue) & 31/3 (thu)

Tuesday: 400 ~ 530
Thursday: 330 ~ 500
*might have intersectionals

Hmmm, I know it looks super hiong.
We shall see what happens and change accordingly (:
But i have to say, let's put in our very best. Eat Sleep Drink BAND. k? We cant slack right now, esp when SYF is so near! Yup, actually we cant slack at all during band, no matter there's SYF a not. SYF is just a goal, but even w/o SYF our mindset is always to produce good music, play well as an individual, section & band! Hope you guys understand this point.

SO EAT SLEEP DRINK BAND

with love, YPSSSSS

Clarinet Chalet 2011!

2010-12-29T23:57:00.003+08:00

HOHOHO! YPSSSSS here (: Below are the details of the clarinet chalet!

Date: 7 Jan 2011 ~ 9 Jan 2011

Venue: Costa Sands Resort Downtown East

Room Information: Deluxe Plus (1 Room)

Cost: $258

Please bring around.. $15 (includes bbq!)

More information to be given out SOON

2010-12-24T13:47:00.001+08:00

SOJOURN III IS GONNA BE GREAT! :D

CLARINETS ROCK~

Changes for SP

2010-11-27T23:55:00.003+08:00

Changes in the SP dates!

Week 5: ~~30 Nov (tue) &~~ 2 Dec (thu) & 3 Dec (fri)
Week 6: ~~7 Dec (tue) &~~ 9 Dec (thu)
Week 7: -Band Camp-
Week 8: ~~21 Dec (tue) & 23 Dec (thu)~~ 20 Dec (mon) & 22 Dec (wed)
Week 9: 28 Dec (tue)

Important dates to note :)
18 dec - performance @ ngee ann city!
27 dec - invited to play @ SCH for YCK concert!
30 dec - sojourn iii @ DHS audi!
2 jan - invited to play @ SCH for SWO concert! :D

Let's have a section movie soon :D like next week or smth (: & go daiso @ vivo to buy stuff for section cupboard :D

PS: do remember to ask your friends to come for sojourn concert!! remember, there's smth like.. tickets though it is foc :)

What to work on

2010-11-16T19:13:00.003+08:00

Basically this week, please practise:

1) scales etudes (ex 89 & 90: two beats = 100. Work both tongue& slurs, ex 91: three beats = 80. Work both tongue & slurs). i want to hear clean articulations & good bridging. if there's a need to breathe when you slur, please breathe & start at the first beat of the bar.
these exercise are to work on your fingerwork(slurs) - whether your fingers move @ the same time a not. & also for tonguing - work on tonguing when moving from one note to another.
if you want me to link this to set piece/tsm. i can explain: slurs - there's a lot of bridging in set piece, an example is section A, thirds clarinets semiquavers @ B. tonguing will be for thirds for set piece at the opening bars. & all tonguing parts in tsm for all clarinets.

2) work out rhythm for section A for set piece. I already tell you guys how mr ng is counting (whether in twos or in threes) & i want you guys to go home and sing your parts out while you conduct. there might some parts which is hard, esp for 2nd&3rd clarinets for 2nd bar of section A after 6 bars rests. I will always conduct in that manner & i hope everyone can follow.

3) March is qt okay, just that the short notes i want to hear it more solid (listen to trumpets, their notes are short & very solid) ours sounds rather airy. remember to use the t-syllabus to tongue!

Addressing SP issues

2010-11-16T18:42:00.005+08:00

YPSSSSS here (:

Adding to patricia

What i really want to say is. We as SL, we know what we are doing, and not like we really want to torture you guys with boring stuff & everything. & you need to trust us that what we are doing can improve your playing.

Do you know why we do such boring stuff? cos the boring stuff is your basic foundation. is just like when you are young, you need to know how to stand before you walk then run. you might know how to stand already, just like you can blow notes in your instrument. but that doesnt mean you can run fast which a lot of you guys are doing. you guys are too focused on pieces. do you know whats stopping you guys from improving, is that you are practising the same way over & over again. without knowing that what is stopping you is your basic foundation.

The reason why we are drilling so so much about long tones, major scales, sbt, etc. is that we can infer that you guys didnt work on your foundation. most of you. even if you have, & you think that coming for SP & working on foundation is useless, for myself i dont think so. Everyone can improve & there is no best playing in the world. Compare ourselves to outside world. Do you think we are on par with them? you might think that it is ridiculous to compare ourselves with them as they have played the clarinet for so many years. the pt is, why they are so good is cos their foundation is strong. & from there we can know that our foundation is not as strong as theirs & i can say that we have a lot a lot more to improve on foundation, even myself.

I know that im strict with you guys. But what if i dont be strict? can you even say you are strict with your own playing? do you ever listen to your playing & wonder, whats wrong with my playing & why i cant play as well as the recording etc? If you didnt, we did for you guys. All of you & everything really goes down to foundation. Pieces are just little things that show your foundation. SO YOUR FOUNDATION MUST BE STRONG

I just hope you guys understand what are we trying to do here, forcing you guys to playing long notes & scales after every breaks. You have to know that we are still not up to standard. but trust me, after all the practices. WE WILL REACH THAT STANDARD. but that only comes true when you guys put in your best effort & understand what are we doing

From you guys reactions, i can feel that you all dont understand us & you dont understand how such little things about long notes & SBTs can help. the truth is that we year 3 clarinets did long notes & everything & here we are. I can say that between year 2 & 3 there is a slight gap in terms of playing & tonality. I really hope to make the gap smaller.

clarinets, what if you were the SLs of the section & you face this situation. What would you do? I can just simply ask you guys what to practise & tell you everything and ask you guys to go home & practise. But there is really little improvements in you guys since starting of the year till now. I really want to make sure that everyone practise & everyone improve tgt. I dont want anyone to slack, especially when SYF is nearing.

Hmmm, the thing about running. it can just show your perserverence. Running isnt tough you know as long as you perservere to the end. But from what i see tdy, a lot of people stopped & me & patricia have to stop to wait for you guys & push you guys along. It just show how weak you are. you can run slow & not stop. but you cant stop. When you stop, it is hard to start running again. You cant just say cos you have stitches or anything or you feel tired & thats why you stop. You cant give yourself excuses. Cos have you think about it? if you have stitches, wont others have? if i didnt stop when i feel tired & having stiches which is the truth, why cant you continue? if you guys cant even perservere to run just 2 rounds around the school, do you think you yourself can tahan the hard journey through SYF?

You guys need to grow up & really understand the situation we are in. You know, we cant give ourselves excuses to slack off just because we think we cant do this or that. Cos thats is limiting yourself. What we are doing now is making you step out of your comfort zone. & you need to step out of your comfort zone. Cos this is life & you need to learn how to survive with it.

So yeah, i expect better attitude towards running 2 rounds & playing foundation stuff. I know it's hard to see the change in your playing with all those boring stuff. but you will see it & hear it yourself after 2 months. provided you listen to us.

You need to trust us clarinets, you just need to trust us & do what we say. Cos we wont make you waste your precious time of life.

& please dont compare what we are doing with other sections or anything. Just ask yourself, you want to improve or you just want us to do what the other sections are doing? As musicians, we must always aim for the better. if we have the time to improve ourselves & the right method to. why not use that method though it is tiring. As long as our end result is good & we turn into great clarinetists & bring the band proud.

Cos, what we are doing is for your own good, clarinets. It might tire you guys out, but it is tiring us out too. But we really really hope that clarinet section can be a very very good section. Dont you want to make good music/sound out of your clarinet? Dont you want to play really well as a section?

Think about it, clarinets.

2010-11-16T17:56:00.003+08:00

Hello! Patricia here. :)
There's a number of things I would like to address.

1. Running

The objective of running is to build up your air so that you all will have more air to blow your instruments. Can go search online for evidence. got chim stuff abt how running can improve cardiovascular fitness, lung capacity blablabla. In fact, swimming is the best exercise. Mr ng said before also if you all can rmb. But I believe a lot of you all wouldn't like to swim tgt. heheh including me. So if you all have time do swim! ^^

Today's running was really quite fail. Can see from the number of ppl who gave up and walked instead. I really hope that you all will take the running seriously so that the whole section can improve tgt. If one person give up, another person will also give up. Domino effect. I know most of you all hate running but please just try to motivate yourself ok? Think of having more air to blow clarinet and better intonation.... positive stuff. And can train for 2.4 also hahas.

2. Fundamentals training (SBTs, long notes, scales etc)

I know most of you all hate these exercises cos its very tiring and and your mouth will really hurt. But only if you train on these then will your intonation improve. This is the objective from now onwards for tsm right? Anyone dare to say that their intonation is so good that you can play tsm without going sharp or flat? Not that i can lols. There's always room for improvement. That's why we are all training on this now.

Maybe some of you will ask how it improves your intonation. Then I ask you what is intonation linked to? It's linked to air, embouchure and all those stuff that links back to basic fundamentals like long notes. That's why we are training on these exercises right now.

Besides that, by playing all these, you are training on your bridging and flexibility and tonguing. Some of you will ask why can't we just focus on the pieces and work those problems on bridging and intonation by the pieces. But I ask you again. If you cannot even bridge from eg A to B fluently normally, how can you play as written? And if your notes are all of different pitch, ie, some flat some sharp, even if you tune C, is there a use? Your other notes will go out of tune!
And and if you just focus on the pieces, you play eg appassionato, then eg your F very sharp, your E very flat then are you going to loosen and tighten your embouchure every time??
The reason why good players can play in tune most of the time is because of their strong fundamentals. That's why we are drilling you all on these stuff now.

Same as running, I hope that you all will take these seriously and think of it positively.

PS: CLARINETS' CUPBOARD! Let's decorate it ok? Give me ideas!
PPS: Jiayou in practising! Let's be more bonded and motivate each other in practising. :)

Thank you for reading! ^^

Upcoming SP (:

2010-11-11T19:04:00.004+08:00

Hey YPSSSSS here again,

Here is the dates for SP (main band & Year 1s)

Week 3: 16 Nov (tue) & 18 Nov (thu)
week 4: 23 Nov (tue) & 25 Nov (thu)
Week 5: 30 Nov (tue) & 2 Dec (thu)
Week 6: 7 Dec (tue) & 9 Dec (thu)
Week 8: 21 Dec (tue) & 23 Dec (thu)
Week 9: 28 Dec (tue)
Total: 11 SPs

Time: 815am to 1030 (for Non Main Band), 815 to 1230 (for Main Band)
Venue: School, Music Atrium (if unable to book MPR)
Attire: Any School-based Tee (NO UNIFORM)

Aims:
By W5: Sort out March & Set piece
By W6: Sort out intonation for TSM
By W8: Able to balance & play tgt neatly
By W9: Able to play Set piece neatly

We'll be getting our Set piece & March Together scores soon! Please remember to practise!

Adding on to that, please remember to practise SBT Ex 29 to 38, Ex 89 to 91, Ex 107. 118. 120. We're using those exercises frequently as warm up exercises.

Good luck for Indoor test tmr (:

YPSSSSS!

Changed blogskin

2010-11-10T23:15:00.002+08:00

Rawr! Hey i've changed blogskin. If anyone hates it, just grab a knife & kill me bah. i spent quite a long time. But if someone more pro can do html stuff, feel free to change! :) haha i changed the skin so it's easier to read :) haha

Love,
YPSSSSS (:

Importance of A section!

2010-11-10T21:21:00.004+08:00

Hey Clarinets (:

Today marks the 4th intensive practice we had since the holidays started. We know that as a section, we are not up to standard yet & I really hope everyone will work hard & strive for the best of the section & the band. In terms of balance, intonation & neatness, we arent there yet.

Holidays is the time when we can spend our time on our instruments, especially when we have no exams to worry about. and we have such a long holiday (2months!). I hope everyone won't regret wasting your holidays when 2011 starts. I hope everyone will improve a lot in terms of tonality, musical expression & I hope that our section will be a lot more bonded.

I can assure you, that the journey for SYF is tough, very tough & we NEED to stay strong TOGETHER, as a section. No one is supposed to chicken out & announce themselves as weaklings. We need to believe that we can do it & work towards our ultimate goal. For myself, my goal for clarinet section is: Being able to play together & produce good music & have fun together.

I can promise you guys, that after all these intensive practices & sectional practices, we will grow & mature, and we'll grow tgt as a section. No matter what happen, we are a section. We must really give in with each other & move as a section. We can be good individually, BUT we can lack teamwork at the same time & our section will NOT sound good.

I really hope everyone will move at the same pace & people who are lagging behind will buck up & continue to work towards the goal. Always keep in mind about our goal for SYF. Really, we have spent so much time on our choice piece, we can't screw it up. Cause, if any of us give up now, we will really waste our past year for nothing. We must stay Strong & Positive.

So Clarinets, WE MUST HAVE THE NEVER SAY DIE ATTITUDE.

YPSSSSS (:

2010-10-30T16:10:00.004+08:00

HalloWinds

Pictures, Terence (Poh)

2009-09-29T19:05:00.007+08:00

The EXAMS are here, so 加油 everybody..!

有志者事竟成
When there's a will, there's a way

LOL :p
Ching Woon

2009-06-10T11:17:00.001+08:00

Hello my Clarinets! :D

I LOVE YOU!

<3

2009-05-31T09:04:00.003+08:00

Here's the schedule for the June Band Camp (1st to 4th june):

Fall-in is at 7.45am for all 4 days.

Attire:
1st June (Monday): Rhythm 22 tshirt (Year 2-4), Pe tshirt (Year 1)
2nd June (Tuesday): Pe tshirt (Year 1-4)
3rd June (Wednesday): Pe tshirt (Year 1-4)
4th June (Thursday): Rhythm 23 tshirt (Year 1-4)

The Rhythm 23 tshirt will be given out on the first day of band camp.

If you REALLY cannot make it for any of the days please tell in advance :)

YAY

2009-04-12T16:28:00.002+08:00

THE COOLEST SECTION ON EARTH! :D

chloe xx

2009-04-04T17:22:00.002+08:00

hello clarinets! :)

like ching-a-ling said, we've really bonded a lot. and that's something nobody can take away from us. :D we'll fight to win back what we've lost yeah? 君子报仇十年不晚 (or sth like that) we've still got rhythm to work hard for, and show everyone who we are ya? love all of you loads :D

zoe

2009-04-04T10:46:00.003+08:00

Hey clarinets,

It's time to move on... I believe that all of us have seen how our section has come together, especially during the last few weeks of practice for syf. That really touches me--the bonding is our real achievement, an achievement that will stick with us for the years to come.
Hmm about the issue of letting the seniors, Mrs Wong and Mr Ng down. I think we would all agree that the seniors really care about us, many many more times than the medal... It was really evident ytd when we were all crying and they came to console us. They said we played well, and that giving it our best shot was already enough for them... What we can do now for Mrs Wong and Mr Ng is to hold our heads high, and fight on. Let's work hard together for the upcoming events, especially Rhythm :)

FIGHT ON!

Love, Ching Woon

2009-04-02T20:07:00.002+08:00

Message from Chun Bok:

Hello clarinets! Tmr is the big day that you guys have been working so hard for and i'm sorry i can't be there. But you guys definitely have it in you to do extremely well, so go on stage and show others how good you are, don doubt yourself! All the best tmr and go all out =)

Chun Bok

2009-03-23T20:29:00.005+08:00

Hey Clarinets,
Today's full band was great yeah?
Let's put our hearts together and work super hard until SYF-- it's only 11 days away!
Do it for the band, Mr Ng, the teachers, and the banders you love. :D
Haha it's gonna be an experience we'll rmb for a looong time, so put in your BEST when practising and SHINE onstage! WE CAN DO IT!

ChingWoon

2009-03-22T14:43:00.003+08:00

HEY CLARINETS!
SYF is less than 2 weeks away,
so let's work reallyy hard!
JIAYOU!
we can and we will do it!
DHSSB will win the war=]

<3 clarinets

chloe xx

2009-02-18T18:19:00.002+08:00

Hello clarinets!
Let's work hard together as a section for SYF, we can do it!!!
GWH is our dream, and our common goal.
It's down to 6 weeks (?) only, so let's just give our very best and do DHSSB proud :)
We shall not let those who have faith in us down, yah?

DHSSB will win the war!
JIAYOU :D

W lots of love,
Teresa :)

2008-09-09T17:58:00.009+08:00

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY TERESA!

(haha, lucky you and your beloved patrick)

Yay, your long-awaited day is here!

Haha, it's been a few months since you started playing on the BASS CLARINET, but you sound really cool :P Jiayou, you can do it!
You've probably heard this many times...but:

You will always be a part of our clarinet family, we'll be behind you forever!
May all your wishes come true and have a happy day ahead! ;)

Love, Clarinets

HELLO

2008-08-16T21:02:00.006+08:00

heyyy clarinets.

first time posting hereee. (since teresa doesnt want to see my face)

loll(: c'mon lets have a part outing

movie/cycling/bbq suggestions pleasee

HAHAHAA all the best for band

remember to practice lolll.

(: see you on monday!

CHLOE

2008-08-02T16:00:00.002+08:00

Hey guys, must practise hard okay!
Remember to practise your quintets/ensembles because Mr Ng may be calling on you very soon.. Jiayou, we can do it :)

2008-07-19T13:17:00.003+08:00

Reminder:
There is clarinets tutorial this Wednesday 23/7
Please turn up @ 345 to warm up
The tutorial will be from 415 to 545
Please be punctual, thanks

2008-07-15T21:20:00.003+08:00

yo clarinets!

thank you for the presents!
i really really really like them! haha...i heart all of you! xD

love, zoe
p.s. haha belated birthday, chloe! (: sry it's soo late

2008-07-12T20:51:00.002+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOE :D

Teehee you're finally 15

So today's a really special day for you, ey!

Just to let you know that during these 15 years that you've lived, you didn't fail to put a smile on others' lovely faces at all :)

We, as a whole Clarinets section, love you :D

2008-06-24T17:41:00.008+08:00

DEAREST CHINGWOON:

Get well soon!
Hope your leg is better right now than in the morning (although it's in a cast)
But look on the bright side, you get to learn how to use the crutches!!! It's a cool thang :D
Heheh, just kidding.
Can't wait for you to be lively and kicking again! :D
Who knows, maybe you can defeat Po the Panda..?

With lots of love,
Teresa :D

2008-06-19T09:15:00.005+08:00

PICTURES! ♥

aw, makes me miss brisbane so much ):

can we have an outing pleaseeee :D

-Natalie

2008-06-18T21:46:00.006+08:00

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY, ISABEL! :D

May all your birthday wishes come true this year :)
Hope you had a bubbly time with the Clarinets this June holidays!
I think we're gonna have some Clarinets outing or chalet soon?
If not, we'll plan one! :D

With lots of love <3!

2008-06-18T11:19:00.003+08:00

HELLO CLARINETS!
haha, first time posting here :P

hehe, my editing skills not bad hor? :P
it's only been like one week since i saw you guys, but i'm already missing clarinets alot!!! D:
quickquick! let's have clarinets outing soon!!! ^^
haha, okay i'll stop talking, cos' it's my birthday today :P
yay! I'm 14!!! :D

Y Isabel

2008-06-14T20:26:00.003+08:00

Oh we have a new email address too: dhssb_clarinets@hotmail.com
If you want the passwords to the accounts, you can request through email :D
Feel free to make any suggestions too, thanks

2008-06-14T16:08:00.000+08:00

Hello, apparently we lost the password of the account at the previous blog
So we decided to create a new blog and continue to show the world that we rock :p
Please relink us, thanks! :D