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MUSIC-PEACE-HARMONY

– A Long-lasting Friendship with Magong Wind Ma Kong Wind Band’s time to shine finally arrived

Band, National Magong High School, Taiwan as the Kuen Cheng Wind Orchestra finished the first
half of their performance. First up was the BIG FOUR
March. This marching song as its name suggests carries
a continuously running melody and rhythm, displaying
Jointly by: the diversity and grandness a band can reach through a
Isabel Goh Ern ZI Sr1ScB strong and intensely rushed tempo. Shin’ ya Takahashi’s
Michael Ng Choon Hau Sr1A ‘GOLD RUSH!’, an original solo intended for trumpet
in the first movement of Manhattan by Philip Sparke
was challenged by the coach of Ma Kong Wind Band,
Mr Chen Wei Fan who played it using the trombone. As
Under the blinding lights of the stage and anticipating gazes of the audience, the Kuen Cheng Wind Orchestra held one of the highlights of the night, his piece which had a
a concert entitled Music-Peace-Harmony hand in hand with Magong Wind Band of our sister school, the National distinctive blues vibe depicted a Saturday night in a jazz
Magong High School from Taiwan. This year, Ma Kong Wind Band was featured as a guest orchestra, presenting bar in Manhattan. Its alluring melody played smoothly
their unique and alluring character. Our Wind Orchestra had previously visited Ma Kong Wind Band in 2017 and and flawlessly on the trombone was reminiscent of a
performed together in the Performing Arts Theatre of Magong. Both bands had managed to create a one of a kind warm hug on a cold night. Then to alleviate the mood,
experience for the audience through their boldly different styles and choices of music. an arrangement of the classic song, Grandma’s Peng
Hu Bay for bands entitled March on Grandma’s Peng
Hu Bay was presented by the awe-inspiring Ma Kong
The night was unveiled with the playing of the respective national anthem of Malaysia and Taiwan by both bands. Wind Band. The band carried on with The Battle of
With a sure pace, March Shining Road was presented by the Kuen Cheng Wind Orchestra. This piece was carried Lepanto, a powerful piece of music which pictured the
by clear melodies which showcased the unique timbre of wind instruments by creating a dialogue between the
woodwind and the brass while being supported by the percussion. Following that was a tone poem by Satoshi naval engagement in the gulf of Patras during the battle
of Lepanto. A short intermission followed the daunting
Yagisawa, entitled Like the Eagle We Soar and Rise. The effort and contributions of educators and teachers were
painted through vivid melodies, rhythms, tones as well as harmony. The baton was then taken over by another Battle of Lepanto.
famous piece in the wind orchestra world, Warabe-Uta Fantasy. A story of childhood dreams and fantasies were
told in this lively and beautiful piece. Beep beep beep beep… the Wind Orchestra then skilfully depicted our
favourite childhood hero, Ultraman through Japanese Graffiti VIII- Ultra Daishugou! This nostalgic piece had all of
the audience walking down memory lane as different settings of an Ultraman episode were painted through music.
With visualisations of a lake and a blooming ecosystem in
its chords, Northland Pines was presented by the Ma Kong
Wind Band. The band once again successfully brought out
the flavours and textures of the music to depict the majestic
forests in this overture. Remember me…though I have to say
goodbye… The mood took a complete turn in this arrangement
of the song Remember Me from Disney Pixar’s film, Coco. This
piece opened in a ballad style, sending chills down the spines
of the audience then transcended to a livelier pace through the
Mariachi style. A Waltz for Wind Orchestra and Tom Zhang
medley were also presented proudly by the band, further
showcasing the young talents as well as the diversity of band
music. For their final piece of the night, Ma Kong Wind Band
presented a rather playful and fun rendition of the classic song,
Can’t Take My Eyes of You. Players moved their instruments
simultaneously, with the trumpets and trombones moving
their instruments in formation, and the bassist spinning his
upright bass while alternating between a sitting and standing
position. People were on their feet, swaying along to the beat
of the music, with some even dancing and singing along.
This familiar piece of music has left the audience with a huge
impact, putting on a perfect full stop to Magong High School’s
story. of the night.

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