he Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Band was in Berakas, Brunei
recently to participate in the Brunei International Tattoo (BIT)
2006 for the first time, to celerate the 60th birthday of His
Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan
and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.
At their debut on 29 Jul, in the four-night Tatoo, the SAF Band
performed in front of an audience of about 30,000, along with
military bands from 12 other participating countries like
Australia, Indonesia and People's Republic of China.
His Majesty the Sultan, members of the royal family and
distinguished guests from participating countries graced the event,
held at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.
It was one of the biggest military band gatherings in the region.
All the bands wowed the audiences with their innovative mixture of
traditional music scores and funky dance moves.
Coming on immediately after a 200-strong contingent from Indonesia,
the 54-member SAF Band did not disappoint. What they lacked in
numbers, they made up for in the quality of their
performance.
"We have been putting together this show for almost two months
now," said Captain (CPT) Johnson Lee, Music Director of the SAF
Band.
"The team has been working very hard, with day and night
rehearsals, sacrificing off-days just to get this show together,
and it's a very commendable effort."
The Band had ingeniously incorporated a Malay rhythm called 'Zapin'
into their performance, much to the delight of the ethnic Malays in
Brunei. A full-time national serviceman who is barely into a year
of his national service, made this possible.
Lance Corporal (LCP) Azrejalil, who comes from a family of dancers
and musicians, taught his fellow band members the Zapin rhythm. "It
was difficult to teach Zapin in such a short time, but the
performance turned out well and the Band actually could dance!"
joked LCP Azrejalil.
Besides their own segment, the SAF Band was also involved in the
one-night-only grand finale where all 13 countries - 900 musicians
in total - came together to perform.
It was especially meaningful for CPT Lee who was among the four
master conductors chosen to lead the 900 musicians in the grand
finale. He said it was "a great honour" for him, especially since
this was his first overseas performance with the Band.
"I cannot explain in words the exhilaration," said CPT Lee.
"Conducting 900 people is a feeling that cannot be
described."
The SAF Band's performance received positive comments from
participating countries and the BIT organising committee which told
CPT Lee that they were "very impressed".
"We wanted to give a good representation of Singapore and put up a
good show for the people of Brunei and His Majesty to see," said
CPT Lee.
But it was Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Desmond Kuek who was
quite possibly the Band's biggest fan. MG Kuek was at the debut
night and he was very pleased with the good show put up by the SAF
Band. He echoed CPT Lee's comment that feedback from Bruneian
counterparts had been excellent.
"I thought it was an excellent performance, very outstanding, very
nifty and very sharp," said MG Kuek."They did Singapore
proud."
It could not have been a better compliment for the SAF Band,
especially when the contingent was made up of mainly full-time
national servicemen.
"I couldn't stop smiling," said LCP Azrejalil after the debut
night. "It's a personal achievement because I could make 50 people
dance and showcase what the SAF had to offer."
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (second from right)
shaking hands with CPT Lee (third from left) after the grand
finale.
The SAF Band marching in for their performance at the Hassanal
Bolkiah National Stadium.
