Hwa Chong Institution High School Band: Difference between revisions

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The Hwa Chong Institution Band in its present state is a concert band, yet run in a military style. Thus, while there is focus on the "Indoor" aspect, the band still maintains its "Outdoor" skills. As a military band, The Hwa Chong Institution Band not only plays concert music, but also does drills and marches. Thus, band members are fed a balanced diet of both physical, intellectual, and musical training. As a concert band, the band does not just practice music and perform concerts. Life in the band is interesting, to put it simply, as the band takes part in a wide variety of activities. The band has put up numerous concerts over the years, some at Suntec City, some in the Botanic Gardens, and some in their own school, attracting a wide range of audiences. The band has also performed in the Istana for the President of the Republic of Singapore S.R Nathan, taken part in the National Day Parade 2001, together with Commonwealth Secondary School Band. The band has organised many workshops with professionals, and exchange programmes with other school bands. HCI Band has also went to Perth in 1999, and Hawaii in 2000, for a 2 week course of musical fun and tutoring, which ended with a performance / competition in which they achieved a gold medal. Lastly, they also participated in the bi-annual SYF Central Band Judging, where they achieved a Gold in 1999 and a Silver in 2001. The band originally also took part in the biannual SYF Outdoor Assessment For Marching School Bands, but stopped in 2000 to focus on the symphonic aspect of the band.

History

The Hwa Chong Institution Band was formed on the 2nd of February 1967, consisting of 20 members. Though there were few instruments available, the band had extremely dedicated members. It is due to the dedicated participation and the fine leadership of the first band captain, Wu Pengdi that the band managed to attain a participation certificate in the outdoor competition. Although it was only a certificate, it was the beginning of a long and eventful journey, which brought the band to its current state. In the year of 1968, the band shot up in rank and was listed as one of the elite bands in Singapore, and in the following year, it was awarded the privilege to be televised over Television Singapura. As a result, the number of band members shot up to 120 members the following year. The band took part in the annual indoor and outdoor competitions from 1977 to 1985, achieving a string of gold medals. In 1977, the band's tenacity rose to a peak, attaining the highly prestigious Mace of Honour, and being chosen to represent Singapore in the Pesta Pulau Pinang in Penang. For the past 40 years, the band has come under many conductors such as Mr. Wu Qi Ming, Mr. Richard Png, and Mr Yeo Poong Poh. The hard work they have put in has brought the band thus far. The band's former conductor, Mr David Anthony Glosz, took The Hwa Chong Institution Band under his wing in 1997, achieving a Gold in the 1999 Indoor Band Competition together with the band. In April 2000, 60 members of the band went on a trip overseas on a journey of learning and exposure, traveling to various cities in USA, attending band workshops and visiting bands in different high schools. In Hawaii, the band attended the Pacific Basin Music Festival, attaining a gold award. In 2005, the band managed to clinch a Gold in the SYF. ^[1]

Present

2006

The HCI Band made a comeback to the local marching scene in 2006 and was awarded a "Certificate of Distinction" at the SYF 2006 Assessment of Marching Bands for secondary schools. In recognition of their outstanding performance, the band was invited to perform in the SYF @ Ngee Ann City and Police Parade 2006, also participating in CHINGAY! Parade of Dreams that year.

2007

Year 2007 has been an eventful year for the band. In the 2007 SYF Central Judging, the band won a Silver award. In August, the band was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the 5th Band Convention at Raffles Town Club. The band was also invited to perform at Namly Park, with important guests, Minster for Education, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Mr. Christopher De Souza, MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC gracing the occasion. Within the school, the band brought much colour and festivity to the National Day Celebrations.

Achievements and accolades

The Chinese High School Military Band, now called Hwa Chong Institution Band, has always been a powerhouse in the local band scene. The band has garnered a considerable number of golds over the last 39 years, including the Mace of Honour, which represents excellence in both indoor and outdoor aspects.

'67 2nd February, The Band was formed
'75 First participated in SYF competition
'77 Top Band for both indoor playing and outdoor display, Garnered the Mace of Honour
'78 Gold Award in SYF Band Display
'79, '80 Silver Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'81, '82 Silver Award in SYF Concert Performance Competition
'83 Gold Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'84 Gold Award in SYF Concert Performance Competition
'85 Gold Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'87 Gold Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'88 Gold Award in SYF Concert Performance Competition
'90 Gold Award in SYF Concert Performance Competition
'91 Gold Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'92 Gold Award in SYF Concert Performance Competition
'93 Performed at Closing Ceremony of SEA Games in Singapore
'94 Gold Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'95 Silver Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands
'96 Silver Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'97 Gold Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands
'98 Silver Award in SYF Band Display Competition
'99 Gold Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands
'00 Pacific Basin Music Festival, Hawaii (International Competition), Gold Award Invited to perform at National Day Parade
'01 Silver Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands
'03 Gold Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands
'05 Gold Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands Invited to participate in Chingay 2006 - Parade of Dreams
'06 Certificate of Distinction for Assessment of Marching Bands
'07 Silver Award in SYF Central Judging of Concert Bands
'08 Certificate of Distinction for Assessment of Marching Bands ^[2]

Current conductors

Lim Lip Hua

Mr. Lim Lip Hua, is an alumnus of Hwa Chong Institution. His early years in the then Chinese High School Military Band nurtured his passion for making music. After graduation, he remained actively involved in various bands in Singapore, either as a playing member or as a conductor. With more than 20 years of experience behind him, he returned to the HCI as the instructor for our band in 2002. Under his guidance, the band achieved Gold Awards in both the 2003 and 2005 Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging for Secondary School Concert Bands. He also conducted the combined band of Chinese High School Band and Hwa Chong Junior College Band during the 85th Anniversary Concert, Beyond Boundaries, which was held at the Esplanade in 2004.

Besides instructing th band, he is currently also the Junior Band conductor for CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh),the band instructor for Chestnut Drive Secondary School,and assistant band instructor in St. Magaret's Secondary School. He is still playing the clarinet, and is an active member of the Philharmonic Winds, a prestigious band in the local band scene.

Darence Leng

Mr. Darence Leng was first introduced to wind instruments upon joining his school band in Mei Chin Secondary. Though band wasn't his first choice, his interest in the flute grew quickly and he soon was performing in several bands and orchestras, including the St. Andrews & Catholic Junior College bands, Church orchestras and the Singapore Wind Symphony (known then as National Theatre Symphonic Band).

Mr. Leng made his debut as a professional conductor of symphonic bands when he was appointed the Band Director of the National University of Singapore Symphonic Band in 1997, after having been the concert master for 2 years as a student there. He is now the Band Director of the Hwa Chong Family Band - Hwa Chong Junior College Symphonic Band and Hwa Chong Institution (High School) Band and also Balestier Hill Secondary School band. His accomplishments with these school bands include an immediate improvement in the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), particularly for Hwa Chong Junior College which attained the Gold award after a 6-year hiatus from SYF participation. The school band continued to attain distinction at the SYF for the next 6 years. In 2005, Chong Boon Secondary also attained the SYF Gold award under his baton.

Mr. Leng's musical experiences also include tutoring and conducting at wind band workshops in Brisbane, Australia in 1998. In 2000, he adjudicated for the All Thailand Yamaha Wind Band Competition. Presently, Mr. Leng performs with and is the concert master for the Philharmonic Winds. ^[3]

Members

Executive Committee

Present

Drum Major: Chua Jie Xuan
Band Majors: Lin Jiasheng / Pah Qi Fan
Student Conductor: Ong Hui Yao
Quarter Master: Lam Bo Xiang
Welfare and Public Relations: Walter Seow Wei Zhe
Uniforms: Tee Zhuo
Librarians: Lim Zhenyang / Low Zi Qian
Treasurer: Lam Bo Jun

2008

Drum Major: Ang Yao Bin Edwin
Band Major: Chua Zong Xian
Secretary/Student Conductor: Bu Fan
Quarter Master: Tang Jianye Nicholas
Welfare: Leong Woon Ho Jason
Uniforms: Lin Jiasheng
Public Relations: Lim Bo Dong
Librarian: Wong Jiajie
Treasurer: Hoe Tze Han

2007

Drum Major: Liu Zhen
Band Major: Khoo Yong Jie / Chai Yui-Hsi Luther
Secretary: Hwang Yi Kun
Student Conductor: Cheng Wei Chin Mark
Quarter Master: Kevin Lingga Makmur / Ng Yi Yi
Welfare: Liang Sai / Darrell Mark Leong Zhi Wen
Uniform: Lin Jiasheng / Jiang Wenshen
Public Relations: Lim Jia Chen
Librarian: Lam Li Chan
Treasurer: Yang Yuxin ^[4]

Section Leaders

Flutes: Low Zi Qian
Clarinets: Tee Zhuo
Saxophones: Ong Hui Yao
Trumpets: Lam Bo Jun
Trombones: Lam Bo Xiang
Euphoniums: Lin Jiasheng
Horns: Chua Jie Xuan
Tubas: Gideon Yosua Purwono
Percussion: Tay Zheng Yu

References

External links

Official website for HCI Band

[1] HCI Band

[2] HCI Band

[3] HCI Band

[4] HCI Band

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 | Associated_acts     = HCJC Band
 | URL                 = [http://www.hciband.org]
-| Current_members     = Conductor(s): Darence Leng, Lim Lip Hua<br />Marching Band Instructor: Lawrence Siao<br />Teacher(s)-in-charge: Mrs Melissa Lai, Mrs Rachel Chan, Ms Quah Lee Hwang, Mr Goh Liang Zhou<br />}}
+| Current_members     = Conductor(s): Darence Leng, Lim Lip Hua<br />Marching Band Instructor: Lawrence Siao<br />Teacher(s)-in-charge: Ms Melissa Choo, Mrs Rachel Chan, Ms Quah Lee Hwang, Mr Goh Liang Zhou<br />}}
 The '''Hwa Chong Institution Band''' in its present state is a [[concert band]], yet run in a military style. Thus, while there is focus on the "Indoor" aspect, the band still maintains its "Outdoor" skills. As a military band, The Hwa Chong Institution Band not only plays concert music, but also does drills and marches. Thus, band members are fed a balanced diet of both physical, intellectual, and musical training.
 As a concert band, the band does not just practice music and perform concerts. Life in the band is interesting, to put it simply, as the band takes part in a wide variety of activities. The band has put up numerous concerts over the years, some at [[Suntec City]], some in the Botanic Gardens, and some in their own school, attracting a wide range of audiences.