30 Things Only A Malaysian Marching Band Member Will Understand
We're loud and proud!
By Thum Yee Lin
2. That feeling when your drum major says “Semula!” (or something similar) right after your nth time of repeating a formation
Oh well, practise makes perfect!
3. When your conductor cuts you off right as you’re about to start playing
Worse still, when you get cut off right after your 60-bar rest. Ugh!
4. When you have to do those embarrassing dance moves because it's time for 'display band'
5. The perpetual feeling of tiredness
And why wouldn’t you feel tired? Imagine having to perform for a school function at 8pm, then going home to sleep at 2am, then waking up in 3 hours at 5am to march in a Merdeka parade at 8am. #truestory Who needs sleep, amirite? (You do. YOU. DO!)
6. That feeling when your reed chips during a performance
Play play SQUEAK play SQUEAK play play play SQUEAK
9. When you’re sweating like a maniac, but again, you’re in baris, so you can’t wipe your sweat away
"Please don’t get into my eye... Please don’t get into my eye..."
13. The hard work and precision that goes into perfecting a simple, synchronised movement
18. Playing old jiwang kind of songs at school concerts because your band can’t afford new music scores
Typical song choices include Belaian Jiwa, Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin, Getaran Jiwa, and so on.
21. You like to listen to orchestral pieces you’ve played before
And it’s perfectly normal to do this at get-togethers with your fellow band mates.
22. You end up walking in step with the people in front of/next to you out of habit
Kiri… Kiri… Kiri kanan kiri…
24. Your friends outside of band like to say you’ve joined a cult
Meh. Who cares? Joining the marching band is one of the best decisions of your life. You get to be a part of something bigger than yourself. You get to be part of a family. How many people can say they’ve experienced all that in school?
25. You’re able to memorise 12-minutes worth of music, formations, AND movements, yet not able to memorise a couple of math formulas
Band brain... ON!
26. You’ve watched Drumline numerous times because it’s probably one of the coolest marching band movies out there
Btw, did you know there's Drumline 2 now?!
28. You look forward to the next combine band/band exchange camp
Yay to new friends, and most importantly, to new music scores!
30. ... and that you would do it all over again in a heartbeat
Once a band member, always a band member =’)