Credo.

Muziek lives only when the notes fly off the page and soar into glorious sound.

The Performers and the Konductor releases them from bondage through his or her feeling for their message, through the power of the Imagination, and by means of the physical technique one devotedly acquires.

We build the technique only to ensure that our Muziek can achieve its unforgettable moments, evanescent as they are, before once more returning to its prison of impatient silence.

The most profoundly inspiring performances of a lifetime were those where the performer's technique was so superb that we forgot it existed. Muziek spoke its own language in its own way, uninfluenced by human dignity.

-Elizabeth A.H. Green
Professor Emeritus
The University of Michigan

明朝壮志，绿义豪存。

《绿长青》

今夕叹兮忆往昔，
昨景物尤人飞逝。
明朝畅潇成壮志，
绿水青天义豪存。

。。。写于二零零六年公中乐队演奏会毕

Aesthetique '06: A Phoenix Risen From The Ashes ... Lest We Forget

Have been reflecting on the band's journey this past year ...

Recall the promise that our band made last year on August 8 during the National Day celebrations in the hall, when we told the school about our WMC results, and that we would make good, that we would press on, and be one day a phoenix risen from the ashes?

Remember when we came together and refocused ourselves to the true purpose of music not merely about competition, but about passion, humanity and compassion? Remember when we then relooked at our programmes back in August last year, and embarked on a new direction?

Remember how you guys embarked on the 5-year / 1-year plan for Band, Department and Section, the Fun Camp, the band website and band motto One Band One Sound One Brotherhood, the theory/appreciation plan, the drills and physical training, the soccer games, the band cheers, the concert repertoire, the slow and patient work on each piece, and the final sweep of musicality and exhiliration in the final rehearsals and final performance?

Finally, remember how we urged ourselves to be composed, calm, relaxed, focused, to give a great send-off concert memory to the sec 4s, and to do justice to the music, in the last 2 weeks to the concert, and on concert day itself?

And so, that is the journey from that humbled beginning after our return from the Netherlands, to Aesthetique 2006 when we emerged stronger, more bonded, more passionate, more human and more compassionate, both in our music, and as a band.

And this is the true lesson of this year's work by the whole band: A phoenix risen from the ashes ... Setbacks making us stronger, more humane and more compassionate ... Music conveying humanity, transcending boundaries and making connections with our audience.

And this journey of WMC 05 to Aesthetique 06 should be a significant epoch period in the band's development annals... it must become part of the band's shared memory and psyche, our raison d'etre.

These we must remember as we surge on ... Lest we forget.

Great Aesthetique 06 Concert! ... Thanks and Hopes!

Dear all,

It has been a most wonderful concert this Aesthetique 2006, a most satisfying concert, a most technically demanding concert, a most musically charged concert, and a most emotional and brilliant concert. The sounds, tones, shades and nuances, the colour, the resonance ... it felt great!

Well Done, Band! You have Done It! Again, this is the best sound and performance of the band so far. It's a culmination of your work this year. So, on a personal note, here's our thanks to all of us:

Thank you all our band members, for putting all the hard consistent and beautiful work in practising and rehearsal... all the early morning practices, all the afternoon late practices, taking all the demands and criticisms, taking all the scoldings, and believing in it and pushing yourselves on your own yet further and further, trying to improve on your music. Thank you for giving of your very best mental and emotional focus during the concert, and THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC.

Thank you all the band alumni, who over the years have never failed to come back and support, chastise, guide and push the band. As I always like to say, the current CHSSB is a culmination of the efforts of all the batches, past and present. Thank you for being such a strong support all these years. And thank you for always being there too at all the major rehearsals, competitions and concerts.

Thank you all the sec 4s, for putting in your best for this final year. Most significantly, many of you have significantly matured over this final year, and have really taken on the mantle of seniorship well. You have led and anchored your sections well. Thank you for having to manage your time so fine and well between the demanding studies and the gruelling hours of the band. But I am sure you will remember every moment with great fondness. Great!

Thank you all the admin committee members and section leaders, for coming together and gelling over the year. The smoothness of the band in terms of scores, instruments logistics, wardrobe, theory, music, audio, welfare, drill etc... everyone plays an important part, and that's what makes the band ticks.

Thank you all the 5 leaders, for believing, planning, leading, scolding, motivating, encouraging and urging the band on. Truly, you have given much much of your time to do all these additional things, and over the year I have seen the intellectual and administrative maturity developing in you, and this has helped you in helming the band. And thank you for taking all the demands that we pile on you, and the minute details we expect from you. Thank you too for all the work and support that you have done in your term of leadership - thank you for leading the band into the next phase! It would not have been possible without your dedication, and it has made this year of working together all worth it.

Now, I am sure the subsequent batches will all want to really work towards professional standards. 2007, aim for top 3 bands in SYF, and have a real public orchestral performance; 2008, have 2 performance seasons a year, 2009; aim for WMC 2nd Division gold. The sec 3s, 2s and 1s, you will be leading the way now. Believe. It is possible! It's all in the mind and attitude.
You will now work towards and look forward even greater musical excellence ahead!

So, here's my hopes for the band in the future, in our pursuit to that exellence in music:
- To always believe and keep moving further, higher and faster, according to a long term plan.
- To always apply yourselves to the music with utmost musical professionalism, diligence and patience.
- To always do justice to composer and music.
- To always enjoy the music you play, and have that connection with the audience.
- And most important of all, to always stay as one united band, like our motto: One Band, One Sound, One Brotherhood.

Thank you for a most wonderful time, and I am certain that for each of us, it will be a most cherish part of our memories.