MANY FIRSTS: Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya band SP Winds is all geared up for more international exposure after taking Sydney and Vienna by storm
IT all started in Singapore when Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya band SP Winds competed at the National Wind Orchestra Competition in 2012.
And then it played at the Sydney Opera House in Australia a year later. It continued its journey towards excellence when it clinched second place under the Symphonic Band category and received the coveted Jury Jeunnesse Award — the Encouragement Award — at the recent 8th Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.
The festival is one of the most prestigious youth events in the world, bringing together 34 best youth orchestras, choirs and bands from all over the world for five days at the famed Golden Hall of the Musikverein and Konzerthaus, the centre of Viennese musical culture.
At the concert, Westlake Concert Band (New Zealand) came in first while SP Winds and Homestead High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble (US) emerged runners-up in the Symphonic Band category. SP Winds beat nine professional orchestras from the US, New Zealand, Japan, China and Singapore, among others.
Sekolah Seri Puteri principal Siti Rogayah Yahya said that SP Winds is the first orchestra from Malaysia to win the special award.
“The majority of the schools competing at the festival were those specialising in music like Westlake Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Orchestra from the US.”
She added: “Being one of the bands with the youngest members competing among those with college-age and professional musicians, SP Winds’ ability to be on a par with these ‘special schools’ is commendable and a boost to our confidence. We have carved a niche.”
CULTURE OFEXCELLENCE
Starting out as a marching band with 25 students in 1976, SP Winds has since became the ambassador of cultural and youth performances in the country.
Under the baton of conductor Raja Muzafar Shah Raja Abdullah, the desire to perform with finesse is at the heart of every performance. SP Winds holds true to its motto C’e gloria, con corragio (With guts, there’s glory).
“I have been directing SP Winds since 2008. Within seven years, it has reigned as national champion at the National Wind Orchestra Competition and received a succession of gold awards in competitions.”
The orchestra started its international endeavours under Raja Muzafar’s direction in 2010 by participating at the Singapore International Band Festival, and has flourished on world platforms since.
In 2013, SP Winds was champion of the Symphonic Band division at the Australian International Music Festival (AIMF) in Sydney and received the gold award, a testament to the ensemble’s world-class performance.
At AIMF, SP Winds received high commendations from the faculty and was given the honour to perform as the Command Ensemble at the closing ceremony.
“Winning the gold award at AIMF 2013 was a step to qualify to compete at the Summa Cum Laude International Music Festival 2014 (SCL2014). It was an achievement to qualify but winning the excellence award (second place) at SCL 2014 was a greater achievement.”
SP Winds prides itself on not only being the first Malaysian orchestra to qualify for top international festivals but also the first all-Malaysian ensemble to perform at the Sydney Opera House, Golden Hall of Musikverein and Konzerthaus.
Raja Muzafar, who is pursuing a Master’s in Music Conducting at London College of Music till the middle of next year, said the challenge was to monitor SP Winds’ progress from thousands of kilometres away.
He said: “Great achievements come after big challenges. The biggest nightmare for a travelling orchestra is losing instruments in transit — it happened to SP Winds during our trip to Vienna.
“In addition to incurring €2,000 (RM10,000) for instruments rental, we also had to borrow from an American school. The SCL 2014 organisers were very supportive. They secured instruments for rent which was difficult given that rentals are confirmed months in advance and there were very few instruments left for rental.”
But SP Winds managed to give a stellar performance before a panel of seven international judges. “It amazes me that the girls are strong emotionally, mentally and physically, given their young age.”
ROAD TO VIENNA
It was expensive to bring the all-girl ensemble, comprising some 70 students, to Vienna.
Siti Rogayah said: “We needed to raise RM1 million for the trip. Parents and SP Winds teachers worked to make it happen.”
SP Winds Parents Support Group, a team consisting of seven committee members, worked at getting sponsorships from the government and corporate sectors as well as raising funds at a charity dinner.
Its secretary, Rodziah Zainuddin, said: “We received the biggest sponsorship from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. We also worked hand-in-hand with the principal, teachers and Parent-Teacher Association and organised the fundraising dinner, Flourishes — Road to Vienna 2014.” Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, who is SP Winds patron, attended the dinner.
Rodziah, who is Qatar Shell senior legal counsel, said the highlight of the dinner was the granting of the Malaysia Book of Records Award and certificates for being “The first Malaysian government residential school to win the gold award at the Australian International Music Festival 2013”. In addition to the contribution from the Prime Minister, donations came from Muhyiddin, the Tourism Ministry and Ministry of Youth and Sports, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Malaysia Airlines.
“We also received RM3,000 worth of Gardenia bread which served us well during the journey,” said Rodziah.
“Fund-raising activities were done weekly in school. The girls sold food, drinks and T-shirts during Sports Day, Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang and movie nights in school. Some RM30,000 was raised.”
SP Winds also took part in Hari Belia Malaysia 2014 at Putrajaya, performed for Malaysia Hari Ini at TV3 and did some street performances to raise funds.
Persatuan Alumni Sekolah Seri Puteri (Puteri), the old girls’ association, also played its role to support SP Winds’ journey since 2010. Puteri president Mastura Ma’sud said: “This year, we assisted in the sales of SP Winds merchandise and concert tickets through our members’ network via corporate and individual financial contributions.
“The band’s success has not only elevated our alma mater’s name, but also the country’s name in the international music scene. We are proud that Puteri runners will be wearing SP Winds T-shirts during the Standard Chartered KL Marathon in October.”
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
The school’s music teacher adviser, Shahriyah Abdul Rashid, said not all band members knew how to play an instrument prior to joining it.
“As a music graduate, I teach some of the students the basics till they know how to read the notes.
“We give students a chance to learn to play an instrument to uncover hidden talent,” she said.
SP Winds president Nur Farhana Abd Samad Jamaluddin, 17, said she has participated in three international competitions.
“When I was 15, I entered my first international competition in Singapore, followed by Australia. I have bitter sweet memories as I was overwhelmed by high expectations, not only from my parents but also teachers and coach as well.
“But winning the gold awards has not only boosted my confidence but also took the band to a higher level,” said Nur Farhana, who plays the French horn.
She said performing in Vienna was “something for her to remember” as the team had to go through challenges such as lost baggage and some of the instruments failed to arrive on time.
Vice-president Izzatul Munirah Ismail, 16, who plays the clarinet, said the team studies and practises together almost every day.
“It’s all about time management,” she said, adding that it was thrilling to compete internationally and make friends.
For Syamim Aqilah Zamros, 16, the opportunity to play in the school band was a dream came true.
With no music background, Syamim Aqilah needs to put in a bit more effort on her own compared to other band members. After four years in the band, she can play the flute and piccolo.
“I had a hard time at the beginning but I managed to overcome the obstacles with help from the seniors. I will be sitting SPM next year. Nevertheless, I will try my best to perform at international competitions,” she added.
Saxophone player Farha Nabila Md Sharif, 14, said she is proud to be part of the band. “I feel at home now and am getting used to band practices,” she said, adding that her brother is her biggest influence to play music.
“My brother, who is a band member at SM Sains Tunku Jaafar, encourages me to become a better player and helps me to overcome my fears,” said Farha Nabila.
Band member Ilham Khalisah Khairuddin, 14, said the competition in Vienna was her biggest contest so far.
“I was afraid at first but I managed to play well. Only two of us play the bassoon. I have three more years in school and I hope I can play in many more competitions in the future,” she said.
FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
After the successes on international platforms, Raja Muzafar said SP Winds has recently qualified for another prestigious competition, the New York International Wind Band Festival 2015.
“It is an honour for SP Winds to become the first orchestra from Malaysia to succeed at the highly selective auditions and qualify among seven other teams worldwide.
“We will perform at the world famous Carnegie Hall, one of the best concert halls in the US,” he said.
Siti Rogayah said: “By qualifying for the New York International Wind Band Festival, SP Winds not only made the school proud but also the country.”
The school will be submitting an application for another Malaysia Book of Records award for its success at SCL 2014.