Information
Date
28th of April (Saturday)
Venue
Brother Philippe Wu Hall, Catholic High School, Petaling Jaya
Time
Matinee – 2.00 p.m.
Evening – 7.30 p.m.
Price (per ticket)
Matinee – RM 15
Evening – RM 30
An Introduction to Catholic High School Band
Catholic High School Band is an active music organization. Like any other school band in Malaysia, its primary objective is to introduce students to the field of music as well as to nurture self-discipline and management skills.
Famed as she is to date, Catholic High School Band had her humble beginnings 30 years ago under the patronage of Bro Paul Sung, former principal of Catholic High School. That year – 1982 – the band started off as a marching band with only 30-odd members and Mr. Anthony Xavier as the first band tutor. Since then, the band started its long journey into the musical world.
For many years the band has worked hard and developed tremendously, with a steady increase in band members, musical instruments and better facilities, courtesy of the generous donations of the public, as well as the PTA of Catholic High School.
Catholic High School Band has been invited and requested to perform on numerous occasions for both the school and the community. In her early years, Catholic High School Band won “The Best of PJ” award. Under the guidance and tutelage of both Mr. Chin Yin Soong (1991) and Mr. Eric Lee (1992-today), themselves former band members of the award winning Catholic High School Band, the young and talented band’s music quality and standard has improved tremendously. In her early years, the band has performed at various state and national level events such as the National Day Parade, the Birthday Parade of the Sultan of Selangor, to name a few. In 1998, the Catholic High School Band was selected to perform in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 16th Commonwealth Games along with other well-known school bands. The band was once again selected to perform at the closing ceremony of the SEA Games 2001 with Victoria Institution Cadet Corps.
Yet, what would Catholic High School Band be without its ever-famous concert, the “An Evening of Music” (AEOM) series? The first AEOM was held in 1991. It was a joint concert with Raffles Institution Symphonic Band. On 13th of February, Catholic High School Band held yet another successful joint concert with Fo Ho Junior High School of Taipei, Taiwan. Later, AEOM 1993 was held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Band. Consequently, a tradition was established and the Catholic High School Band marched on to 5 successful concerts in 1996, 1999, 2001, 2006 and 2009 respectively.
The Catholic High School Band avidly participates and has achieved much national success in major band competitions. From 1997 onwards, at the National Level Marching Band Competition, Catholic High School Band has comfortably secured a spot among the top 5.The band also obtained her first national victory in the year 2000, and was selected to perform in the 13th Magdalena Music Festival, Spain in 2001. On top of that, Catholic High School Band also won her subsequent national victory in the year 2005 – Selangor’s greatest pride ever. In recent years, Catholic High School Band has won a High Silver Award in the Singapore International Band Festival in 2010 and a Gold Award in the 3rd Winter Band Festival 2011 Hong Kong Disneyland. Catholic High School Band was the first Malaysian band to perform at the Disney Performing Arts at Hong Kong Disneyland Park. Catholic High School Band is now undoubtedly one of the best school bands in the country.
The CHS Band continues to strive towards greater heights and takes pride in all her performances and achievements. Her aim – to become a world class band with the highest musical standards would simply enchant the audience with yet another mesmerizing performance.
An Evening of Music
As the name suggest, An Evening of Music (AEOM) is an evening, or somewhat night, filled with mesmerizing and enchanting music, a mix of the members’ incredible musical techniques and stupendous musicality. Thus, AEOM is the name of the series of concerts held, and will be in the near future, by Catholic High School Band.
The first AEOM began in 1991, a joint concert with Raffles Institution Symphonic Band. Later, AEOM 1993 was held to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Band. In 1996, the third AEOM, along with the school’s first ever choir in Civic Hall in conjunction with the school’s 40th Anniversary. Three years later, AEOM 1999 was held in order to bring the band to greater heights. Subsequently, AEOM 2001 was held to raise funds for the trip to Spain. Later, AEOM 2006 was held to commemorate the school’s 50th Anniversary. The recent concert, AEOM 2009 was held to raise funds for maintaining the band.
Aim of AEOM
1. To improve the musical standard of band
2. To educate the younger generation on the world of music
3. To share the beauty of music with the audience
4. To build a relationship and good rapport with the public
5. To excel in self-discipline and music talent
• Celebration!
The theme ‘Celebration’ has been chosen for various reasons. Throughout the years, the Catholic High School Band has triumphed against all odds, conquered the best, and is now even evolving into a new organization. The events worth celebrating are many. This includes many splendid performances by the band, and many achievements in many competitions. Something really worth celebrating is the recent achievement of a Gold Award in the 3rd Winter Band Festival 2011 Hong Kong Disneyland. Besides that, the band is slowly transforming from just a marching band into a more diverse organization, comprising a marching-cum-concert band, a Colour Guard section and a Sinfonietta section. This evolution is a great change, and is turning the band into a different and improved organization than what she used to be.
Achievements
A neat and detailed list of achievements of the Catholic High School Band can be easily found on the blog here.
To prepare for this concert, members will go through intensive practice to ensure that they bring you the very best of Catholic High School Band. Whenever a major event is close at hand, the band would enlist the help of professional musicians. To aid the band in this concert, the help of professionals have been called upon.
Over the years, Catholic High School Band has invited a few talented schools as well as prestigious soloists to join with us in this series of concerts. Most recently in 2009’s concert, the reputed trumpeter Lertkiat of Bangkok Brass Quintet, Thailand was invited to play at the concert. As for this year, Catholic High School Band is lucky to have the percussionist JoJo Ho from Hong Kong to perform with the band.
So if you happen to be a fan of music, be sure to catch this great opportunity to witness one of the most famed school bands in the nation perform.
