The V.I.C.C. Band was one of only two school bands invited to perform in the Australian Marching Band Festival. It managed to raised $500,000 from concerts, contributions and donations to send its 80 members to Sydney to perform alongside bands from six countries. Preparations began as early as January with thrice-weekly practices under former band boys like Loo Keen Ngin and Jimmy Wong Ewe Mun. Before the start of the Festival, there were unofficial performances elsewhere, including a display at the Scots College, one of Sydney's premiere private schools. The highlight of Day One of the Festival included a performance on the swivelling Pyrmont Bridge followed by an indoor display in the Sydney Exhibition Centre. The next day, the Victorians marched from the historical heart of Sydney - The Rocks - to the Opera House. At the close of events, with the sun setting just behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Band played the School Song. This was followed by dinner at the Malaysia Hall in Kensington, where the Band went through a short repertoire. The Band were clearly crowd favourites at the Festival. The Victorians were the only military-style band; their discipline, precision moves and formations, serious demeanour put them apart them from the other more American-style, fun-loving and dance-like bands. One thing that really impressed the throngs was the Band's sturdy mace, which was unlike the slender, wobbly maces of the other bands. There was vigorous applause whenever the Drum Major, Chong Chia Liang, threw his mace high in the air and caught it without hesitation as it fell back. |