Written by Aqila and Zhi Wei, Year 10Q
Last weekend nine students ranging from Years 7 to 10 accompanied by Mr Nolan left school for the FOBISIA Orchestral Festival at the British International School in Phuket (BISP). We were all a little nervous at the airport, but somehow we all knew that it would clear once we started making music together. We never knew how comfortable we would become around each other over the next few days. We departed Malaysia four hours later, with some equally eager musicians from BSKL. It was great catching up with some old friends.
We arrived in BISP in the evening, where we were given a warm welcome by the staff there. We also had a surprise rehearsal, where we had the opportunity to get to know our colleagues for the next few days. For the following two days, I had the fantastic opportunity to work with 4 trumpeters of different levels of ability. My stand partner was from BIS Ho Chi Minh City. The company was amazing, and there was a real feeling of camaraderie.
Everyone did at least one of the 2 orchestral pieces, parts of the first and second suite of Bizet’s L’Arlesienne and the famous Symphony in G Minor by Mozart. There was also a jazz band playing an arrangement of Paul McCartney’s Blackbird, a flute ensemble playing Cool, Calm and Collected, and a samba band. The final concert was an amazing event, where we even had to stand up to play the Thai Royal Anthem.
Here are our thoughts on this trip:
Aqila: I was very impressed about the quality of the final performance! I never expected that all of us would do so well together considering how hard the music was (apparently Mozart’s pieces are one of the hardest to play in an orchestra). I loved that feeling that after tonnes of practice and huge attention to detail, it’s all worth it in the end. I’m going to apply this knowledge when I’m practicing.
Zhi Wei: I felt at a loss sitting at the back of the orchestra, and also some envy for whoever who was actually sitting in front of the strings. The quality of sound was truly higher than any other orchestra I have ever been in. I was given the wonderful opportunity to play in the Bizet (in the Orchestra) and in the Jazz band, where we played a Paul McCartney song called “BlackBird”, and I couldn’t decide which was higher: the notes or the standard.
The event finished with a blast culminating in an awesome concert and pizza party. We are really looking forward to the next FOBISIA Orchestra event!
Please see below for :
FOBISIA Orchestral Festival - Closing Concert
FOBISIA Music Festival - Live stream
FOBISA Orchestral Festival - Gallery
Click here for this week's full issue - 20th November 2015