SIMPLY THE BEST: Nonami (right) conducts the band during rehearsal.
MIRI: SMK Chung Hua Miri’s brass band (CH Band) will hold a two-night concert with renowned Japanese coach and conductor, Mitsuo Nonami, at Miri Dewan Suarah on Jan13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday) from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
CH Band Miri will showcase a repertoire worthy of their previous international successes in Italy in 2007, Spain in 2009 and Kuala Lumpur in 2011.
“Come and be enthralled as they take you on a themed journey — ‘The Time Machine’ focusing on a classical genre for Friday (Jan 13) and a pop evening on Jan 14,” urged teacher-in-charge, Susan
Goh.
She said members of the school choir would be the chorus group this year while the band’s Colour Guards will be dancing to tunes like ‘Mambo Jambo’ and ‘Blue Tango’.
Tan Sri Datuk Paduka (Dr) Ting Pek Khiing, the school board’s honorary president and Tan Sri Datuk Paduka Chai Yu Lan, chairman of the school board cum the band’s patron will grace the function and declare the concert open.
Being the chief sponsors of this event, they take this opportunity to invite the people of Miri to come and appreciate the full brass orchestra music of CH Band.
Mitsuo Nonami, from Okinawa, Japan is a very highly sought music/band clinician, composer and conductor in the Asia Pacific region.
He coached most of the top bands in Malaysia and Singapore.
He has been with CH Band since 2005 — coaching, teaching and grooming — on a consistent basis.
“There are so many countries in the world today that cannot enjoy music because of war, poverty and hunger so, I truly appreciate this wonderful opportunity to create music with you in this beautiful, peaceful country of Malaysia for music is a tool for us to spread peace and harmony,” Nonami said.
CH Band Miri was started in the late 1990s with a handful of students. Today it is a band of international standing, represented by youngsters from the age of 12 to the 20s, said Goh.
Fueled by their motto of ‘One Band, One Sound, One Heart, One Soul’, they have scaled the heights to achieve fame beyond their humble beginnings.
They won not only the overall Music Festival Championship in Guilianova, Italy but also the Best Choreography Award as well as the Most Popular Jury Award in 2007.
In Murcia, Spain, 2009, this group of young musicians –all from Miri — again captured the overall ‘Hercules Award’ plus the ‘Most Popular Band Group Prize’.
Last year, they again captured the eyes of the judges with their musical talent in the World Marching Band Contest in Kuala Lumpur.
The school’s principal Wong King Kui felt that this concert gives Mirians the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy their very own local international musicians.
“We have played for the Italians and the Spanish, but not for ourselves! Come and enjoy an evening with us,” he said.
Meanwhile, those coming for the concert are advised to be present at the venue by 7.30pm as doors will close soon after to guarantee ‘no-distraction’ in order to preserve sound quality.
Limited tickets priced at RM50 and RM40 are still available from any CH Band member or contact Wong at 019-4846163 or the school at 085-433517.