Sarawak State Marching Band Competition 2008 Results

As it were, another year has come and gone by. It's always difficult to see kids getting disappointed and heartbroken. I remember being at that age where winning is almost all that matters. I hate to say it. That mentality worked well in the school most of the time - mainly because there were hardly any loses. But then the occasion comes when it has to happen, and you'll see sad faces. I think that is where I get some of my spirit from. During my time, in that setting and under those particular circumstances with all the desolate instruments and skills we had, we were known as the best band around Miri. That was saying something because St. Co always put up a good fight. Now, if you're thinking this isn't familiar to you, then it's likely that you're too young to remember this. But yes, things were different back then.

Until one day in 2001, we were caught in this whirlwind that began this different era - the State Marching Band Competition. After the ho-hum and high spirits, we got handed our asses basically. Let me tell you, we were crying like how our juniors are now. Crying our hearts out then because the impact was just too unbearable. For myself, I think the tears were of confusion rather than anything else. It's the taste of unfamiliarity. Defeat was not something we were accustomed too.

But you know what? We all rose from that in more ways than one. Every year since then, I watched as my juniors came to terms about the position we're in and they've continued to improve by the year. No where to go but up!

I told a fellow ex-member and junior last night, as the years passed, winning became less of an issue. More so, the magic lies behind the renewed spirits every single time the members are pushed back to the ground. You have to see the tough stuff they are made of. It's a lifetime's worth of games you have to play - fall down, get up, falldown, getup, falldowngetup! And they never give up! Never missed a year of competition - always believing in themselves no matter what the outcome is.

So let me say this to you now..
You have done well in more ways than one, so that's something to be proud of. Now one day you will understand, out of these experiences, you will have risen more than scores and placing, because you know how to pick yourself up again when all has fallen apart. That's how you win.

Results

1st - St. Joseph Kuching
2nd - SMK Chung Hua Miri
3rd - St. Joseph Miri

Best Percussion - St. Joseph Miri
Best Drum Major - Chung Hua Miri (Terrence Ling)
Best Colourguards - Chung Hua Miri
Best Preparation - Chung Hua Miri

If you'd like a taste of the program this year, one of the songs is embedded to the right-hand side of the blog. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Videos will be up as soon as I get my hands on them.

**edit: All videos can be found here http://www.youtube.com/user/einzen