Penang Free School Drumline members march home victorious in the drum battle category (school division) of the National Band Competition (Natcom) held at Sultan Abdul Halim Indoor Stadium in Alor Setar, Kedah. — Photos: G.C. TAN/The Star and courtesy of MWBC and Natcom
VICTORIA Institution Cadet Corps Band proved they were a cut above the rest when they emerged as the overall marching show band champion in the Malaysia World Band Competition (MWBC) 2019.
Edging 29 other teams, including a visiting team from the Philippines, the 70-member Kuala Lumpur-based team gave a spellbinding performance as they marched in synchronised and almost flawless steps.
They swayed rhythmically to the music and covered the four corners of the Sultan Abdul Halim Indoor Stadium in Alor Setar, Kedah, at the recent four-day event that saw the participation of over 1,000 youths.
Their colour guard members also gracefully crisscrossed the brass band members, raising the mood and lending variety to their formation.
They received thunderous cheer from the audience especially when they occasional slanted their bodies in sleek snappy movements.
Their band director, Muhaizi Mudzakir said, “It is not easy to emerge overall winner, as we never overlooked the strengths of other competing teams.
“Winning a competition is not the ultimate aim, but rather the development of good team spirit, which is the backbone of a successful band.”
Coming close, in second place, were boys from Kedah’s Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid, who delivered an equally energising and memorable performance.
In third position were members of the mixed team from SMK Kepong in Selangor, who looked smashing in their cowboy hats with long quill feathers.
Sinag Colour Guard from the Philippines, was declared overall champion in the colour guard competition.
Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid and Vortex Winterguard of Kuala Lumpur secured second and third positions respectively.
Sinag Color Guard also won the colour guard competition (open division), while Voice of Percussion, Kuala Lumpur, won the drum battle competition (open division).
In the National Band Competition (Natcom) 2019, held simultaneously at the venue, Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid emerged champion in the school division category, as well as in the colour guard competition (school division), while SMK Kepong took second position in the school division category.
Penang Free School Drumline topped in the drum battle competition (school division).
Also present were state education, human resource development committee chairman Dr Salmee Said, Association of Malaysian Bands president Professor Dr Shahanum Md Shah, Asian Marching Band Confederation president Kosin Suebprasitwong, National Creative Industry Trust Foundation trustee Datuk Zulkifli Ishak.
