By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, April 9: St Joseph Secondary School Band (SJSB) intends to take part in The Rasteder International Music Festival in Germany and to compete in The European Championship and Music Festival 2019 from June 28 to 30.
Seventy students aged 12 plus to 19, eight teachers and adult chaperones comprising band members’ parents will be in Rasteder, Germany, from June 24 to July 3.
To raise funds for this trip, students and former students of SMK St Joseph School and members of the public are welcome to watch the new musical production by SJSB titled ‘Star-Crosses Lovers’ to be held at SMK St Joseph here on June 16.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is an ex-Josephian, called on ex-students of the school to support the band, which has done very well on the international stage over the years.
“We are proud to have this school band having international recognition and this fundraising is to help support the school band while competing in Germany.
“The band has worked so hard and made us proud. To compete at this level is a great achievement for those individuals, the team, teachers and the parents of these students,” he said at the band’s fund-raiser press conference today.
Dr Sim explained that part of the money raised would be used for the trip while the rest would be used to nurture new band members.
“Don’t laugh at people from the jungle of Borneo. We, too, have the talent that brings us to rub shoulders with the best in the world. We must support them to make us proud,” he said.
Meanwhile, SJSB director June Ling said the musical production and the school band had been well supported by renown world music experts, and they travelled to Kuching to even train the band.
Ling said she felt proud and ecstatic to have a team of talented musicians from her school representing Malaysia and the state and also being able to compete in the world renown international music festival in Germany.
“This is the focus for me as we don’t have such opportunity before like the band now and, at the same time, to give these talented musicians the opportunity not only to train with the best musicians in the world but to compete with the best in the world,” said Ling
Present at the press conference were Visual and Colour Guard Choreography instructor Alex Perez from Florida, USA, principal Henry Chai Yan Fui, senior assistant (Co-Curriculum) Johnny Lim and Dance Academy director January Chan.
Tickets for the musical production are limited and are priced at RM80 and RM100. For ticket reservations, call SMK St Joseph at 082-240 885, St Joseph Private School (082-414 575) or Johnny Lim (012-849 8293). — DayakDaily
