Firstly, I would like to ask, what's happening to the Zwinds now?

I know it isn't fair to all of you here, i.e. the 1307 members because I want to 100% believe that your interest and zest for band and music is also 100% real and sustained.
Don't let me down please.

I don't intend to put this in my blog as I know this may draw members to think a senior thinks the band, after the sec4s' 'departure', is collapsing with the new control under new leaders.

I don't intend to put this in the Zwinds blog cos I know flamers may come and other bands' members who see this will be sniggering in delight and gleeful that a band that had managed to rise up may well now be nothing but a good-for-nothing neighbourhood band.

Yes this may be a silly analogy to many people cos blogs are public.
Even if I type this here, many people will still come and see anyway.
But typing this here will reinforce the idea of bond and band.
How many family blogs do you see anyway?

Now.
What is happening may I ask?
I am not pin-pointing anyone here but in general, there has been hiccups here and misunderstandings, possibly rumours and now everyone is unhappy.
Even those who are/were oblivious to it all may have been influenced by their peers.

I would like to ask all members:
What does band mean to you?
Why did you join band?
What does going for band mean to you?

Think through seriously and answer yourself.
I have no results like those quizilla quizzes as answers to the above are plentiful.

There is no more past.
You may think that previously, under the reign of a different instructor, band might have been more fun and enjoyable back then.
Ok think about it again.
Are you sure and sincere in your thoughts of that?
Perhaps a few I presume but those who had taken it for granted, I am sorry cos it's too late.

There is only the present and most importantly, the future.
If we wallow in our unhappiness and just moan, groan, protest and whatsoever; do it in front of the mirror.
Yes don't discuss with ur fellow band members, ur families or ur friends.
Before you speak, ask yourself whether you had really put in effort.
your own effort.
not a final glorious result w/o your effort at all.

What had I said previously?
All those banding and bonding nonsense you might say.
But as Hermione Granger says, "There is some important stuff hidden in the waffle."
And no, I don't to intend to issue out any Educational Decrees.

Some of you might give suggestions.
"why not have less practices?"
"why can't we just abolish parade?"
"why must we pump all the time?"
etc etc etc.
But honestly, did you think of the big picture?
Did you think of the band as a whole, or just merely yourself and a small group of 'si dang'?

Band is not about one person.
There is no 'I', 'Myself', 'You'.
There is only 'We' 'US'.

Now you might be thinking as well.
But the leaders are not reinforcing it themselves!
Well then, in that case are you just gonna ignore it all as well?
Or lend a helping hand by initiating it?
As some people had mentioned 'Leaders are also humans. Leaders have to nurtured.'
If they are still learning the ropes, they might be temperamental and all,
if you are a real member, you would not sit and complain about all these and worst of all, think of revolting cos of the lousy leaders you think the band has.
C'mon. If you were in their shoes, what would YOU do?
I suggest, if YOU had any suggestions, practical/concrete/reasonable ideas, there shouldn't be any problem with rising them up with the leaders themselves.
When I say that, the ideas are involved with the Band as whole, not you and you only.

Btw, think of the cirucmstances as well.
How would it feel if you were humiliated in front of the whole band?

Have you ever thought what goes on behind the scenes?

I'm not siding with the leaders or whoever else.

I'm just expressing my point of view from what I have been observing all this while.

Some people think Band is too slack.
Some people think Band is too stressful.
Some people think Band should be NCC-style.
Some people think Band should abolish parade.

In the end, it all boils down to your own selfish interests, if you had any.

Did you really think Band was all fun and games?
Which CCA does that?

I've read the reflections, in which some contain content such as 'Hopefully SYF 2007, we can get Gold with Honours.'

Well?
Really?

In the case of the seniors, your actions and words will affect your juniors adversely.
Big influence so please please please think before you act or say, especially something subjective AND/OR objective.

All for one and one for All.
It's not just a myth.
It's up to you all to create it yourselves.

Don't allow this band, this one Zwinds, where we are all the pioneers (not prisoners mind you), deteriorate.

Work hard, put in all you've all got.

One goal. One aim.
The instructors are there to help.
Why would they be paid to scold and yell only?
In that case...how would we have achieved what we have now...?
or before.

Think about it.

-afk-