Our Hero

Greetings to everyone!

Firstly, I’ll like to take the chance to thank every single one of you who turned up at Mr Tan’s farewell, and more so to those who made the extra effort to turn up for the tight and limited rehearsals we had before that. Needless for me to say, we all could tell that Mr Tan was very moved by our gesture. I like to think that he was pleasantly surprised. When he asked how many from the alumni were here, I simply replied “Oh, not a lot… Just a few of them.” Thus when the doors flew open and the 50 odd of you streamed in… He stood momentarily in time. Then again, it was rather hard to tell the alumni from the main band since we were all in band t-shirts. (Side note: So it’s high time we come up with an alumni t-shirt already!)

Like you, every single moment in SMSB with Mr Tan has been a memorable one, each molding me into who I am today. His guidance brought me to places- Playing with the big guys at Philharmonic Winds, getting my first flute tutoring job in sch bands, opening me up to the local band scene, and even the “music teaching scholarship” that I now hold. Having been inspired by him, I too want to be an influential educator, touching lives and molding futures. He’s my hero, my model in life.

(Sorry, got a little carried away while typing.. *sigh* Typing this post is stirring up much more emotions than I thought.)

Well, back to the point: Mr Tan is leaving. Flight details are as follows (I don’t know if he’ll kill me for this..)

4 Jan 2009 (Sunday)
UNITED AIRLINES (UA) 896
TERMINAL THREE
Departure time: 0650 hours
He will be at the airport by: 0430 hours 

Those of you who are thinking of making your way down, do give me a call. I’ll be there.

Perhaps it’s appropriate for me to tell you this:

Mr Tan would like us to continue the alumni band, even after he leaves. In an SMS conversation, he said (Will I get killed for quoting his SMS??)

“If circumstances permit, I hope to have St. Marg’s Winds again one day…”

 With that, I leave you all to think about how we can keep this big band family going on. I’m not leaving this place, and I hope you won’t either. Let’s keep things alive! Start drawing up performance plans! Perhaps we can stage our own concert someday, or take part in POLKA!5 when it comes around. Whatever it is, please keep the passion for band, music and SMSB going.

“Never forget to thank the people who have helped you grow…”
and for that, we have SMSB and Mr Tan to thank.

But for now,I’ll leave nostalgia to overflow your mind and heart.

A part but not apart. :)