St Joseph’s Secondary School band invited to perform in Germany
KUCHING: St Joseph’s Secondary School band has been invited to perform in the European Open Championships and Music Festival 2019 in Germany, from June 28 to 30.
Band director June Ling said they received a letter from the office of the director- general of the Education Ministry recently, informing that Rasteder International Music Festival in Germany had requested for the school to perform at the music festival.
“We are happy to say that the DG of Education has granted us the permission to perform as a Marching Show Band representing Malaysia in this music festival in Rastede Germany,” said Ling at a press conference in St Joseph’s Secondary School here yesterday.
The press conference was also attended by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Hui Kian, who is St Joseph’s alumni association member, and the school’s principal, Henry Chai.
Rasteder International Music Festival ( RIMF) is the largest and oldest music festival in Germany. Each year, approximately 55 bands from five to 10 countries will participate.
This time around, about 70 students aged 12 to 17 years and eight teachers from St Joseph’s Secondary School and chaperons will go to the championship.
Ling said for this special occasion, an internationally renowned creative team of experts from the USA has come to prepare them for the championship.
“Planning, building a new team and training began in August last year,” she said.
Band coordinator Jonathan Fox said this edition of the band is truly unique – young, energetic and talented.
“The demanding programme combines works of East and West, including classical masterpieces, and the members pull it off with such grace.
“The colour guard is exquisite, the winds are versatile, and the percussion plays like a percussion orchestra!” said Fox.
Prior to leaving for Germany, the brand new marching production titled ‘ Star- Crossed Lovers’ will come to life on June 16 at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg at 7.30pm.
Limited tickets priced at RM80 and RM100 each are available at St Joseph’s Secondary School or by calling 082-240885, St Joseph’s Private School ( 082- 414575) or Johnny Lim ( 012- 8498293).
The St Joseph’s Secondary School band has a proud history of artistic and competitive success, which include, among many others, recipient of the ‘Anugerah Jasa Persatuan Belia Keseniaan 2015’ ( Sarawak State Youth Day Celebration); Overall Champion of the US Band Association’s Yamaha Cup at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA 2015; winning the prestigious German Open Championships at the German International Music Festival in Chemnitz, Germany in 2013; and performing to a packed house at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore in 2012 and 2017.