A BALANCE OF MUSIC AND SCIENCE
THERE was hushed a silence in the music room of Sekolah Alam Shah (SAS) in Putrajaya as 55 pairs of eyes trained their gaze on the figure standing in front, waiting for his cue. The slight young man waved his baton and the Alam Shah Wind Orchestra (ASWO) launched into a joyful yet dramatic rendition of the Malay folk song Jong Jong Inai. With encouraging smiles and commanding gestures, he led the orchestra members, comprising 13 to 17 years old boys, through the complex music score.
Meet Dr Muhamad Noor Alfarizal Kamarudin, or more fondly known as Sir Alfa among the ASWO boys. A PhD graduate of University of Malaya (UM), with a doctorate degree in Biochemistry (Neuroimmunology), Alfarizal is the current principal conductor of the orchestra.
A stage four lymphoma cancer patient who is on the mend, Alfarizal described his involvement with the ASWO and SAS as a whole post-secondary schooling, as his happy place.
Alfarizal was also once like his wards, who started their music education from the most basic level upon joining the orchestra, taking on the trumpet as his instrument. Being an ASWO member at a fully residential science stream school where academic excellent is its highest priority meant putting in extra effort to balance the need to reach outstanding musical achievement as well.
“ASWO taught me the discipline, perseverance and the meaning of sacrifice while the school was the launching pad for my interest in science. In fact, since Form 4, I knew that I wanted to focus on biochemistry at the tertiary level. It was all due to my science teachers. They inspired me a lot,” said the 32-year-old research fellow at Monash University Malaysia’s Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway (BRIMS) at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine.
After completing his secondary education, Alfarizal went on to a matriculation programme at Kolej Matrikulasi Kuala Pilah in Negri Sembilan after which he gained a place to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at Universiti Malaya (UM).
He then pursued his master’s degree, which he successfully converted into a doctorate programme (UM, 2012) with specialisation in molecular biology, neuroimmunology, neuroprotection, cancer biology and natural products.
He developed an immense interest and in-depth knowledge on the modulation of neuroinflammation, particularly innate immunity in neurons and glia cells in neuroprotection, neuritogenesis and anti-inflammatory.
During his studies, Alfarizal continued to be involved with ASWO, first as a tutor for the brass section, then as an associate conductor then on to the principla conductor. He also attained an Associate Diploma in Music Teaching by the International Music Examination Board (IMEB) Australia while maintaining his busy schedule.
Together with SAS wind orchestra teacher Nik Anita Che Hamid, Alfarizal guided ASWO through various successes, including attaining Gold with Distinction, Best Wood Winds Section and Best Ensemble Performance at the 20th edition of Malaysia Fully Residential International Wind Orchestra Festival in August, emerging as the eight times National Champion in the competition.
“Twice a week I would spend time teaching and coaching the orchestra members despite my heavy schedule at BRIMS. And on weekends, I would coach the ASWO members, who will be facing major exams like PT3 and SPM. The school has given so much to me and it is only right I give back” he said.
Alfarizal knew of his illness some three months after joining BRIMS. In December last year, after accompanying a friend for a Kitaro concert at Genting Highlands, he discovered a small bump near his neck-shoulder area which he thought was an insect bite. After consulting doctors and doing a biopsy, it was confirmed he had stage-four lymphoma cancer.
“The cancer had spread to my liver and bone marrow. Because of my research in cancer, my reaction was more of an academic one. I went back to my hometown in Penang and was treated at Penang General Hospital with chemotherapy.
“I did not take alternative medicine throughout. Based on my research, alternative medicine requires more research for scientific validation. Alternative medicine can be taken after the chemotheraphy sessions,” he said.
Now, more than five months later, Alfarizal has completed his chemotherapy sessions and has been told that the cancer has gone into remission.
“Now I’m picking up my activities at ASWO and BRIMS again. At Monash University, I am currently leading the research platform for brain cancer. At BRIMS, we focus on autism, dementia, depression and brain cancer, which are the four major subjects when it comes to brain. When it comes to cancer, there is a gender bias as to the types of cancer one can develop and how this impacts prescription of medication,” he elaborated.
As for ASWO, Alfarizal is focused on preparing them for the Winter Band festival that will be held in Hong Kong at the end of the year.
“The festival is designed to provide an educational and positive music learning experience for school bands from the primary level to the college level. Apart from competing, it would the school’s way to show ASWO its appreciation for all the hard work and sacrifice they have put in,” said Alfarizal.
Asked about his passion for science and music, Alfarizal quoted Albert Einstein: “If I were not a scientist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”