WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MARCHING SHOW BANDS this July: 16 countries so far!

Hey guys just got this fresh from the oven. This is the confirmed list of bands/ countries taking part in World Championship Marching Show Bands this July in KL as at 1st January 2011...According to sources more bands will be confirming their participation in the next few months. Here goes..!

1. Canada - 2 bands
2. China
3.Taiwan
4.Czech Republic
5.Singapore
6.Denmark
7.Holland
8.Thailand- 3 bands
9.Indonesia- 3bands
10.South Africa
11.Columbia
12.Italy
13. Hong Kong - 3 bands
14. Japan
15. Germany
16. Malaysia

This  definitely IS an opportunity not to be missed by Malaysian bands. Compete against the best! Compete against the World! Go for it!

Hello 2011! What Is Your New Year Resolution?

Hey guys,

Welcome to  2011!...almost February and this is only my first post this year. Sorry about that. Have been away..and am still away at the moment in the US on work assignment. Is there anything going on in the Malaysian band scene at the moment? Everything is a bit quiet isn't it?....or is it??hehe.

Today's topic is...What is your New Year resolution? (Che...like school teacher meh) hehe. Mine is simple...to be myself...good old Robin...straight as an arrow...shoot from the hip, to speak out without fear or favour,...to tell it as it is in this blog so that people are well informed and get along with others who share the same passion.

You see...it being still "relatively" a new year and all.. it is still not too late to plan on what we intend to do for this year...take your bands for example! I think it is time that we really think what we want our bands to achieve.

" Eon" years ago people set goals and these goals were followed by others and these became known as time goes by as traditions. And these "traditions" became a yardstick for further development. So people set goals to achieve....Moving on to 2011...NOW we don't call them traditions (old school la)...we call them KRA- Key Result Area...We also hear of KPI- Key Performance Indicator. The government recently launched ETP- Economic Transformation Plan ( see I oso read a lot meh...not only obsessed with Malaysian band scene...unlike some people...hehe)

So lets ask ourselves what is the KRA or KPI of Malaysian school bands? Does any school have a "BTP"? (Band Transformation Plan??). Before you even attempt to answer that... STOP! I challenge you to sit down with a group of friends and discuss this in detail! It is not an individual's job to answer that question! It is not an individual's EGO trip to say "I know how to solve this!" THIS is the problem with our band scene... we leave it to some "demented" ( maksudnya gila la) individual to tell us "Hey this is MY dream and others follow me!"

To me a "real" KRA or KPI for your band is to set high standards. It should target being world beaters! I DIDN'T SAY WORLD CHAMPION coz now as you know Malaysia have so many "World" body hehe ( I can't help that). Key Result Area should not only cover music but also other areas such as for example..academic performance should not be affected by band activities. It should also include which type of competition your school enters. What kind of standard are you targeting your band to achieve? The days of bands setting 'jaguh kampong' standard is over! Bands should not take part in competitions which is sub standard not only because are you being conned, but also because the world has moved on to higher standards and a faster tempo. We need to catch up with the rest of the world. Since 2007 we have been exposed to world class bands...THAT my frenzs is the new standard!

KRA should say - I want the best trumpet players in my band or I want my band to improve by ten folds.  So the KRA should be matched over a time period against a KPI ( a set of targets to achieve) for example being World  Champ. Is that achievable? YES it is! The Thais have done it so many times at world class competitions in europe. NOW take up my challenge meet up any where and every where...be it in Miri, KK, KL, Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Kuantan (did I miss out anyone?? Sori k if I did! hehe)...and DISCUSS and DECIDE! What The KRA and KPI of the Malaysian band scene should be. Tell your teachers what you want your BTP to be! . TRANSFORM YOUR BANDS! Set higher standards! Should we believe what others say about us?(like Misterrr Billl) No! I think we have confidence enough to say that we are ready to challenge the world!

Look, I'm already almost 30. I am now in the USA. The world is ours for the taking. It is not just about marching bands my frenzs..it is about seeking your full potential. Go for it!

I hope this post will generate a lot of positive discussions among The Band Members and Teachers. I throw you another challenge..if I get a hundred reply from this post I will organise a get together when I get back next month. Then we all can meet up. A hundred reply and we'll meet up! Anyway I am meeting a few  frenzs here later on to "talk shop" kopitiam style...and catch up on things in Malaysia.

Hmmmm.....

Guys I have received a... "response" from one Isham Ishak ....I don't know this guy...but he claims to be the Director of NATCOMP...Anyone know him?? I would gladly appreciate an update from anyone. He wants to meet up with me to...."explain things"...I am thinking...( may not be a bad idea). Hmmm.....

An Absolutely Grand Finale For 2010... KLWMBC'10 ROCKS!

Wow, M feeling a bit tired after last week's marching band extravaganza. I managed to watch every event and found them not only entertaining but really world class. Mr. jimmy should be congratulated for his tenacity and perseverance in bringing such an international event to Malaysia every year.

I must say the bands that took part were really world class! Pupuk Kaltim was as ever entertaining, and Norteastern was as all big Thai bands very polished. No one doubts their world class performance. The kiddy bands were a great introduction to this year's event. It showed how the Thais and Indons keep the talent coming up the ladder. Those kids in ten years time would be playing in senior teams at KLWMBC. Malaysia really have to play catch up. Something must be done to make sure that we are able to keep up with our neighbours. One thing I noticed is the many brilliant soloists in the Thai and Indo bands. Even the band members and conductors are able to express themselves and connect with the audience. This is something which Malaysian bands fail to do. We look amateurish and "school kiddish". We have to bridge that gap.


So what's next? I hope...and everyone hopes that next year 2011 will be a new chapter in Malaysia's marching band scene. Lets work together and make Kuala Lumpur World Championship2011  next July truly a world class event. I heard forty bands have confirmed participation. This I personally know after talking to some of the judges. Bands from USA would be coming...maybe not DCI coz their season is too close to our dates but definitely many good bands would be coming. Mr. Jimmy confirmed that three bands from Canada have confirmed, plus a few bands from Europe. As always there will be a large contingent from Indonesia and Thailand. The big names will be here...some who came for KLWMBC'10 will return ( I loved Pupuk Kaltim's rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody...just fantastic!) So seven months is not a long time to wait. Hope to see Asma back too. VI wasn't that strong in KLWMBC'10 ( I was told most were lower secondary...many form 2s)


I hope the organisers of KLWMBC gets to organise the Nat Comp back in 2011. Enough of mediocre Misterrrr..Bill and The Ugly Dato' Ogre. This is not the stage for clowns and we have had enough being the butt of ridicule for their folly.

To MOE let the experts run the show....no 3 day seminar can turn a cikgu into a world class judge...enough of "tak reti mengira"...when scores are intentionally or mistakenly manipulated. Enough of giving face to "Pretenders Wanna Bs".. KATAKAN TAK NAK...NOT ONLY TO CIGARETTES BUT ALSO TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO BUSINESS TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE MALAYSIAN MARCHING BAND SCENE.

To all the hard working Kementerian pelajaran people out there..En. Rashid ( we really respect you sir!) and all the dedicated teachers please listen to our plea and make our Nat Comp the best again!


Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year everyone. C U in 2011!

The "other" World band competition is coming...

Hi guys,
M very excited for this coming December, monsoon not withstanding. "Big names" like Pupuk Kaltim, Bhina Caraka and Northeastern will be challenging for the big RM at KLWMBC'10. Who is your favourite? I heard that the Thais and Indonesians are sending a very big entourage, with other countries like South Africa, Hong Kong and europe joining in. ..hmmm..will confirm this with the organiser. I also heard the monsoon really has washed out the "other" competition...remember the so called DCA??hehe

What happened to the Ugly Ogre?

Hi guys.. Am back in town after a long assignment overseas. Today I'm finishing up my conclusion to the Ugly Ogre story...remember? The story about the ambitious big kahuna? The one who wanted to own the WORLD?? Well of course it is a happy ending.....I don't like sad endings. Well here goes..

The Ugly Ogre said to himself "I AM the only lion on the mountain!" he mused. Having married into nobility and gained an 'Ogre Datukship' he proceeded to plunder and before time gained a reputation as an  'ORANG JAGUNG' ie. Conman! Everywhere he went he would use the name of his majesty to gain favours or get his way but the truth is his majesty was unaware that the good name of the royal house was being used as a cloak by the Ugly Ogre to plunder. Until.... one fine day the Ogre happened to glanced and noticed that the kampong next door had a WORLD class 'boyband' and he had always wanted to sing in a 'boyband' and "conquer" the WORLD! The thought stuck in his mind day and night. He could not sleep, nor could he eat. All he thought of was how to get in on the act. Finally in the middle of a silent night Aha! The Ugly Ogre's face lights up. You see, he came up with a plan! The plan was to barge his way to the kampong next door and introduce himself as...the WORLD famous singer Justin Timberleg (Justin kaki kayu in malay) You see all the inhabitants of the kampong next door are blind since birth. So he thought to himself how would they know he is actually the Ugly Ogre.They would not be able to see him and he "thinks" he can sing very, very well. Darn, they would not be able to tell the difference! Perhaps..perhaps they would love him so much they wouldn't even mind if he plundered their kampong next!

And so the Ugly Ogre puts his plan to action. He sends his "Pegawai Khas" ( glamorised P.A. la) to the next kampong and this guy flashes his "biz" card to the kampong's "palace chamberlain". he then said "I am the "Pegawai Khas" of  Dato' Justin kaki kayu, the WORLD class singer. Dato' and his entourage is in town and demands to see your king!" he arrogantly declares. The palace chamberlain  being blind as a bat himself was excited to have this famous WORLD class singer in his kampong. He composes himself and quickly arranges an audience with his king. The Ugly Ogre was thrilled that his ruse worked and quickly made his way to the palace, of course with his list of demands as deemed fit for a WORLD class entertainer.

Once the king saw the Ugly Ogre the king burst into laughter as the Ugly Ogre introduced himself as  Justin Timberleg (kaki kayu) " You are not Justin Timberleg!" the king proclaims. "You are the ORANG JAGUNG Ugly Ogre who tricked my cousin next door to have you as his son in law!" his highness's face brimmed with anger! "You see.." he continued " In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king!" " Do not think for one second that I can't see you! I also can hear very well and know what my subjects really think of you!" he thundered! The Ugly Ogre for a long time felt very afraid and pleaded for his life with the king. The king will have no part of this. "Guard!" the king orders. "Take this Ugly Ogre and  put him in the dungeon! The king had  got wind of his ruse and ordered the Ugly Ogre arrested by his palace guards. The Ugly Ogre who by then had surrounded  himself with "apple polishers" refused to believe his days was numbered. He continued to bark at his servants. "They can't do this to me" he screamed! I am The Dato', the Ugly Ogre who is married to nobility! I demand to be treated as such! Egged on by the "apple polishers" who continuously showered him with compliments on how brilliant his crazy strategies were which only served to further inflate the Ugly Ogre's ego and shortened his reign, the Ugly Ogre was dragged unceremoniously by the guards and jeered by the people of the kampong.

Finally the dark cloud was lifted, the kampong people rejoiced.Their 'boyband' is safe again to perform and the Ugly Ogre remained in the gaol. "To this day if you walk along a certain road in kampong pandan at midnight you will  hear the Ugly Ogre growl from his dungeon far far away..." I am the Dato' ORANG JAGGUNG! Respect me! I am married to nobility!I am talented! I can conquer the WORLD!...I really can! Yeah, yeah SHUT UP! the guards shot back!...and everyone lived happily ever after. The End. hehe.

HOW TO RUN A BAND COMPETITION FOR DUMMIES....get this latest book at MPH or yur kedai buku popular...LOL

CHAPTER 1 - 17 Must Ask Questions

1) Who is Misterrrr Bil??

A friend from Indonesia was in town a couple of days ago. Over some fresh coffee at a kopitiam he casually mentioned that "Misterrr Bil" actually arrived on Indonesian shores sometime ago as a telco technician for AT&T which had a project with a telco in Indonesia. He never had any formal experience teaching bands   before Indonesia. He sort of  "goofed" around with Indonesian bands finally ending up as management team staff of one of the Indonesian bands. What is his credentials with DCE my fren have no idea except that both are from Netherlands.

2) Where to shop for "WORLD" sanction?

     Email DCE or just be creative and appoint yourself a WORLD body

3) How to get DCE "sanction" or license partner?

    Just buy by paying 1,500 Euros annual fee and 1,000 Euros per competition

   (this IS actual from DCE) and walla! You can run your own WORLD competition

4) How to "create" WORLD class judge?

    Organise Judges College

5) How long to qualify as WORLD class judge?

    3 days

6) What is qualification to be WORLD class judge?

    None

7) Who should apply?

    Anyone oso can...cikgu ke....star gazer ke....

8) How much should I pay for this certificate?

    None. Just pay for food, lodging and air ticket/holiday package of kwailo/angmo trainer

9) Which organisation recognise this certificate?

     It is recognised "WORLDWIDE" by:

     WBC- World Band Competition (WORLD governing body from Desa Pandan)

     MWBC - Malaysia World Band Competition ( WORLD class Indonesian open)

     DCA- Drum Corp Asia ( coming soon..if it is not washed out by the monsoon??)

     DCU - Drum Corp Universe ( next year...bigger than WORLD)

     DCH - Drum Corp Heaven  (even bigger than Universe!)

10) What other names are "still available" ( better hurry before somebody tapau all) for       WORLD class competitions?

      WMBC- World Malaysia Band Competition

      BCMW- Band Competition Malaysia World

      BCWM - Band Competition World Malaysia

      UBC - Universe Band Competition

      HBC - Heaven Band Competition

11) Where are these world competitions held?

       Malaysia - last one was held in palm oil plantation

12) What are the addresses of these organisations?

       Same address, same floor, same desk, same person, different phone numbers

13) How to become technical director of WORLD class competition?

      Get employed by above WORLD class organiser (ask Misterrr Bil)

14) How to become chief judge of WORLD class competition?

      Same answer as previous question (ask Misterrr Bil)

15) Isn't that a conflict of interest?

      Who cares (ask Misterrr Bil)

16) What other MUST have qualification needed for this job?

       Must be white guy (kwailo/angmo) and wear glasses to look more "WORLD"

17) What you need not worry?

       Don't worry if you are tone deaf

       Don't worry if you cannot add numbers or dunno how to count

       Don't worry if you can only blurt in the MP3 " barisan tak kemas..."

There you are...it's so simple. Now everyone can organise WORLD class competition!

WATCH OUT FOR UPCOMING BOOKS...

1) How to be Misterrr Bil for Dummies

2) How to form Persatuan Pancaragam for Dummies

3) How to become WORLD class marching band competition technical director/ chief judge for Dummies