BY ELEAZAR BARRICK PETER
KUCHING: An event titled ‘Meet the Orchestra’ enthralled some 101 students at Lodge National Secondary School, providing them a firsthand encounter with the world of orchestra performances.
The event, held on today (Aug 28), was organised by the Wind Orchestra Kuching Association (The Band Lab) in partnership with the Lodge Group of School and Prodigy Music Centre.
The occasion was seamlessly woven into The Lodge Group of Schools’ (LGOS) Platinum Jubilee 70th anniversary celebration.
Jesmond Siew, founder and president of The Band Lab, said that the interactive and immersive musical outreach was designed to unveil the allure of orchestral and band music to the local community.
“Today is about acquainting the students with the array of instruments that constitute an orchestra. We are also providing them with the unique opportunity to listen to our members playing these instruments and even feel the instruments themselves,” Siew said.
He said that the event was aimed at underlining the significance of music education in Sarawak while nurturing a burgeoning interest in music among the youth.
Speaking to the broader context, Siew acknowledged a pivotal challenge in extending musical pursuits beyond school bands. He noted the lack of space upon students’ departure from school bands when they desire to continue their musical journey.
“Our current main office at King Centre has limited space. Expanding our location and securing additional instruments necessitates funding to facilitate practice sessions and engage a wider audience,” he explained.
Additionally, as a tribute to LGOS’s 70th anniversary, The Band Lab is gearing up to host Sarawak’s inaugural anime-themed concert. Details regarding the concert’s date are expected to be unveiled in due course.
