Clash of the ensembles

short note: All photos courtesy of Khai Yuen, who I think should go into photography full time.

Just before band yesterday there was a fight - of the ensembles that is.


Trumpeters trumpeting

In all there were six groups. two saxophone ensembles , a brass quintet , the trumpets , the percussion and of course -ahem- the tubas. With such names as Excalibur(Percussion), Sax Quartet in Paris(Saxes) and The Ultimate Bass Adagio (TUBA) ^TM , you just know there's going to be blood drawn. Personally, between you and me, I think Percussion ensemble's name rocks but not as much as TUBA of course.

AKA Singapore Idol, the help of three judges were enlisted. They are, from left to right, Ian , Mr. Tan and Mr. Leng.


The judges three

Unlike Singapore Idol though, remarks about the performances were not made directly after the performance. Instead, they were written for each ensemble and because band people are nice guys(and the high quality of the ensembles),the judges were very generous in their compliments.

It is at this point that I would like to apologise somewhat to TUBA ^TM as due to my itchy hand, we were first on the list. And with most competitions, being first is mostly a bad thing. Erm, unless you come in with first place.


Adagio

It wasn't our best performance but hey, at first we pulled it off OK I think. We (our tutor) chose a nice sensitive song for us - Adagio by John Stevens. I actually forgot the composer in my introduction but apparently one of the judges liked my introduction of the section so much he decided to put it on the remark sheet.

Second in line was the first saxophone section, Saxophobia so named because "they were scared". Haha. They played a fast circus-like song and I was quite glad I wasn't in the room because they were, after all ,the winners of last year's competition.


not so phobia after all.

Initially I thought they going to play Gui Ji, one of Jay chou's singles but they changed at the last minute. I have a strong feeling it might be my singing that put them off.


Triumph brass

Moving on, we had the Amazing Grace Brass Quintet, of which I was also part of. Not that I greedy la but people asked so i joined. It was really quite a surreal experience playing in a brass ensemble as it reminded me a little of my secondary school days. Back then ,we played Tequilla! - quite a far cry from a Canadian Brass arrangement of Amazing Grace.

Having listened to the Brass Quintet, the judges were treated to the second Saxophone ensemble of the afternoon, the Sax Quartet in Paris.


Sax Quartet in Pa-ri.

I thought they sounded good with their "secret weapon", the piccolo saxophone. After having welcomed the American into Paris, the trumpeters charmed the growing audience with a fanfare with a chim sounding name that cane with an even chimer looking score.


Trumpeters

The very impressive looking Excalibur Percussion ensemble took to the stage next. They were so big , they needed three shots to make sure no one get left out.


Perk works

But in the end there can be only one winner. The Amazing Grace Brass Ensemble took top spot with two first runner-ups, Sax quartet in Paris and Excalibur Percussion Ensemble. Well done one and all!

Recording of event made possible with Ian's Ipod recorder, Ben's Laptop and Khai Yuen's upload.