Ritornello 2026 (Tian Wei’s POV)

 Hi everyone,

Thought I should write something too after getting inspired by sharlene

Honestly didn’t expect so many people would join this time but I’m glad we did!! 

I had fun chit chatting and catching up with each of you during the practices and learn about the interesting things you are doing now! New job, bto, new house, future plans(work or studies), job woes, pri school balloting stress etc. You know who you are!! And meeting Brandon’s cute daughter Clara! Our (trumpet) Clara was also there. Hehe

Also, saw a different side (?) of Mr Tan. My memory of him was still stuck at like at least 10 years ago.

I really forgot the details of each practice and I just felt the practices had gone by so quickly… so it’ll just be bits and pieces here and there… In one of the first practices I had trouble playing low G#, G, F# and I thought I couldn’t play anymore but phew it was because the instrument valve had some problem which Joel helped to figure. My self doubt was at an all time high…

And another prac I bought some pencils which we only used for one practice and then they’re gone(?). I remember we had a bit of internal trust breakdown cus a few people took turns to go to the section cupboard to find and cannot find! But again, I am not shocked about anything that could happen anymore… and thanks to Wendy who immediately got new pencils so we can continue to jot down notes. Oh, did I mention the young ones use ipads and old ones stuck to paper and pencils. Pls do not judge. 

Then, one day I thought to bake some financiers (happy for all good reviews and encouragement) - If have chance I will bake again but I’m more interested in Dominics bake (thanks in advance). 

It is probably my first time experiencing first trumpets helping the seconds instead of the other way round. Everytime it becomes too tiring, I look at first trumpets to see if they are playing the same thing HAHA. Don’t know why they don’t need to rest?

Some other big/ little things -

Douglas SL - thanks for taking up the role, you were the best fit. For allocating the parts and even arranging seats, dealing with logistics, scores and finances. So, I think you’re a very J person. And thanks for the cake!

Wendy - the most resilient member in our batch and still one of the most committed person to band! Thanks for all the scores and filing (still having librarian blood in you, unlike me I’m a fake librarian)

Dominic - thanks for all the entertainment and tanking a lot of the parts where we play together! Come, christian, join to sing~ It was really great that you could join the perf in the end! And I can’t believe you still remember pri schl syf piece? Which leads me to 

Brandon - not sure why we remember the same pri sch syf piece?? Were we in the same syf? Hahah still, think I got to know you much more this time and thx for tanking 2nd for into the sky. 

Joel - Thanks for bringing everyone together every time without fail. Also during the CNY. Power of friendships! I actually replayed our syf and woah, the section really sounded like one.

Geraldine - Thanks for validating my thoughts when I feel rhythm a bit off, sound a bit strange, key signature see wrong, of cus also good parts like good solos, good sound. Oh and our great job in highlighting parts in spirited away so we don’t need to count rest HAHAHA. When the file changed during one of the rehearsal I went into panic mode (scrambling to copy over!)

Xing Ni - next time people cannot say have braces cannot play. Thanks for putting in your best effort despite having difficulty playing sometimes! Hehe I remember you polishing the instrument have somehow have black marks on the legs?! 

LY - You’re an inspiration - buying trumpet immediately after first practice!! And for coming to practice after flight!

Zi Wei & Joshua - Even though I think we have totally no overlapping parts but the dinners and suppers helped!! Suddenly recalled the Teh ice that was for Douglas but we all thought was Zi Wei’s. Hahhaha anyway, all the best for the next phase of your lives.

Sharlene, Chloe, Derek - Great to see you guys again this year!! + Derek this year! Thanks for your fun energy!! and after reading sharlene and chloe’s pov - thanks for coming and staying till the end of the band prac :’)

I’m always amazed at how band bonds us together, even though we are in different walks of life, different career/studies path. Thank you Yu Qing, Joel and rest of committee for making this happen. 

No pictures here - pls go to other posts to see them.

Cheers!

Tian Wei