This year marked the introduction of transparent score giving, with a panel of 5 judges watching over the prelims, and 8 judges on FINALS where 3 of them were on the field. It was supposedly a measure taken to raise the overall standards of marching bands in Malaysia, and while i felt this goal was largely achieved, the judging and opinions for the top teams still left alot to be desired.
To me, SMJK Nan Hwa has always been special to me because we are known as the band with one of the best drills in Malaysia, and we strive on that and are proud of the different shows we are able to put up year after year. And so when it came to this year's competition where a THEMATIC performance was MANDATORY, NH leapt at the opportunity to perform "The Prince of Egypt".
To be honest, the first time i arrived back in my hometown to watch NH's show, it just felt OK. Nothing too fantastic, nothing too bad, just OK. I thought, could we win this competition? Could we capture the minds and hearts of our audiences? Doubt crept in, but as alumnis, we always have to keep up a cheerful and encouraging face to our juniors.
Furthermore, receiving a abysmally low score during the Prelims did not help matters. And one couldnt help but feel after watching St John, Keat Hwa's, and CHWS's performances was WHY we couldnt seem to do better than them when we believe what we're doing is the right way for our marching band industry. We were dejected, at a loss, and fumbled around for a while.
Then came Junt Minalai. Having resigned from the NATCOMP finals as field judge so as to avoid controversy, he came to our school and taught us what it means to entertain the crowd, how to inject life and energy into a show, and at the same time show gracefulness and beauty in a performance. I truly believe without Junt being involved in the final stages of our show, we would have been alot less impressive.
The day of the Finals is a very sweet memory for me. Having had to look after a number of sick band members the night before, it was touching to see them so reved up to perform even with a high fever. This showed me they were serious, and were in it to win.
I sat in the middle portion of the stadium, behind fellow forumers who have been debating with me for many years. It was a great feeling of freedom to critisize each other without being offended, and i loved hearing other peoples opinion on various schools.
Then Nan Hwa came in and performed. From the very first note of River Lullaby, the audience was entranced and captivated. We had removed our Drum Major, but nobody seemed to have noticed, so great was our drill that people cheered without needing a thrown mace to indicate so. Silence and respect was provided during our Part 2 - When You Believe, and applause crept in when the solo colorguard encircled our trombone soloist at the end of the song.
Part 3 started, with the audience keeping silent, wondering what Nan Hwa would do. The pace was steady, majestic, and then it picked up. Faster, and suddenly the band parted into two blocks, stomped their feet, turned 180 degrees and started running. The crowd cheered, roared, totally unexpecting this turn of events.
The Drum solo came in, people gasped in admiration, while some of the audiences couldnt help but let out a whoop of suprise at the quads and snares. The percussion members then kicked it up a notch, giving it their all, while the wind players were performing one of the hardest drills ever in Malaysia in the background. Flags were thrown, sticks held high, plumes shook vigorously. The final note, the final thud of drumstick on snare surface. The crowd went wild. We owned the stadium at that moment.
Everything was a blur after that. People around me turned to tell me that NH was without a doubt no.1. I told them not to give me hope, for we have been screwed way too many times to believe that anymore. And unfortunately, i was right.
The final results were announced. Nan Hwa was fifth. But for the first time in my life, i felt the results was truly insignificant. Everyone present at that stadium knew what the real results was. The fact that many more fans thanked NH for our show was a better present than just any Congratulations.
NH Marching Band, you guys just overshadowed any previous performance by any of your alumnis. By far, this year was NH's overall best. I am proud of you. Do not be disheartened by scores and labels, but be empowered by the support of your crowd and fans.
Goodbye NATCOMP 2010. We look to the future now.
