The Band
The Montfort Military Band has had a rich history, spanning over 50 years. Over these five magnificent decades, we have, from a humble bugle band, grown to become a military band that is known widely throughout Singapore.
Our inception in 1951 was due to a wild and bold ambition by the Holy Innocents High School Scout's Troop. The idea to set up a bugle band materialised with the purchase of about 5 bugles. Soon, the sound of the untrained players gave rise to the appointment of Mr. E. V. Smith, the superintendent of the Singapore Police Training School as the band's instructor. He was succeeded by Bro. Adolphus in 1953.
In 1953, a brass band was formed and the bugle band merged with this band to form the Holy Innocents Scouts Brass Band with about 20 members, providing music for school and public functions, increasing her popularity in Singapore. Under the baton of Brother Philibert, the band soared to greater heights within four years. In 1967, Mr. Krempl, a British professional musician, took over and the band continued to give numerous public performances. From 1959 onwards, the Holy Innocents High School changed its name to Montfort School and Bro. Andrew shared duties with Mr. Krempl who had taken ill, passing away in 1963 and Bro Andrew took the lead. Under his leadership, the band's membership increased to 50.
Between 1960-1970, the School Band participated and won top positions at the Central Judging of Singapore's School Bands, even receiving the highly coveted Mace of Honour in 1970 from the hands of Mr. Ong Pang Boon, then Minister of Education. Sadly, Brother Andrew left the school in 1971 and the band was taken over by different conductors until 1975 which saw the entry of Mr. Robert Toh as instructor.
Mr. Toh stayed with the band from almost 20 years until he was taken over By Mr. Nicholas Lim, an old boy of the school. In the year 1997, the band clinched a Bronze award at the SYF Central Judging of Indoor Bands under Mr. Lim. That year, Mr. Ng Eng Kee who entered as a music teacher in 1997 became the Band's next conductor, bringing the band to SYF 1999 where he clinched a Silver award. Mr. Ng also initiated the "Montfiesta" and "Little Christmas Music Concert" Series in the same year, conducting the band at her first two Montfiestas at the Victoria Concert Hall and the first Christmas Concert in the school hall.
Due to Mr.Ng's transfer to the Ministry of Education as a Curriculum Specialist in 1999, the band was left to the leadership of Mrs. Arlene Chan, its Teacher co-ordinator-cum-instructor and music teacher in the school. In April 2001, Mrs. Chan brought the band to the Central Judging for Concert Bands, clinching a Bronze award. Later that year, unperturbed by a plethora of hurdles, Mrs. Chan led the band to a rousing Montfiesta 4. Sadly, after a momentous 2 years, Mrs. Chan left the school and Band to continue her quest of bringing higher music education to others.
In late September 2001, Mr. Tay Jiun Ngiap, a trumpet specialist and member of the Singapore Wind Symphony, stepped in as the band's resident conductor, leading the band to its most successful Christmas Concert. Mr. Tay later led the band to a rousing "Montfiesta 5" at the Victoria Concert Hall in June 2002. After a highly eventful and productive one and a half years, Mr. Tay had to take his leave of the band.
January 2003 saw Mr. Ng Eng Kee rejoining Montfort Secondary School as HOD of Aesthetics and once again taking the baton of Montfort Military Band. He led the Band to the SYF Central Judging for Concert Bands of 2003, where we received a silver award, as well as the well received "Montfiesta VI" at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 30th June 2003.
In 2004, he was appointed as HOD of Aesthetics and Library. As the Band Advisor and Conductor he lead the 100 strong ensemble for another busy yet fruitful year. "Montfiesta VII" was held at the Esplanade Concert Hall on 5 July. Besides performing in the first N4 Arts Festival held at the Kallang Theatre in June, the Band participated in the SYF Outdoor Marching Assessment in April 2004 and clinched a Certificate of Merit.
Mr. Ng Eng Kee left the Band in December 2004. Mr Darence Leng joined shortly, he together with the band co-ordinator, Mrs. Cassandra Tan bringing the Band through its first stage of metamorphosis. In April and we clinched our second Silver award, with a sustained achievement award. In May 2005 the band took part in the Balloon Hats Festival. In July the band staged its Montfiesta VIII Concert. Shortly after which Mr. Darence Leng left and Mr. Sukit has taken over the band ever since. We had the honor of playing at the World Cyber Games in November 2005.
On 16 June 2006, we had our Montfiesta IX at Victoria Concert Hall under the baton of Mr. Sukit. On the 12 of April 2007, the band attained the Bronze award in the SYF Central judging. The band is now preparing and working hard for the coming SYF Assessment of Display Bands in April 2008.
Teachers-in-charge
Coordinator : Miss Ong Wuan Seah
Band Advisor: Mrs Eleanor leong
Teacher Advisors :
Mr Tan Geok Hean
Mdm Foo Ming Ming Chermaign
Band Pledge
We the members of Montfort
Military Band, hereby solemnly
and sincerely pledge that
we will strive our best
in whatever we do,
as well as to be rsponsible
in all our actions.
We will do our best
to nurture and flourish
the young to become
better musicians.
Age Qoud Agis
Glory to Montfort!
TICs
_____________________________
Mrs Tan L.H
Ms Ong W.s
Ms Chua
Chat Members Alumni Others Band Fusion Singapore
Band Instructors
_____________________________
Mr Aw
Mr Goh
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Flutes & Double Reeds
Nicholas Cheong# 4E3 (oboe)
Jun Hui* 3E2
Wang Ting 3E1
Muhammad Kafi 2A2
Ryan Tay 3E4 (oboe)
Jun Ming 4A3 (basson)
Clarinets
Fu Yuan 4E2
T Nazirul B T Ridhuan 3AA
Joshua Seng 3E2
Dominic Kang 3E3
Clarence Lim 3E3
Norman Koh 2A1
Nicholas Lee 2A2
Santa Maria Bradley Gerard 2E4
Saxophones
Darren Gwee# 4E3
Syakir Dasuki 4E2
Yong Sook Prasit Attavit 3E1
Dennis Tan 2a1 3A1
Tan Zan Hao 2A1
Muhammad Danish Khoo 2E4
Horns
Roland Tay 4E1
Tan Yi Sheng# 4E4
Syabil B Sarafian 3E5
Trumpets
Jeshua Lim# 4E4
Alvin Yeo 4E2
Ben Tan* 4E1
Guo Hua 3E5
Hai Tao 3E3
Aloysius Lee 2E1
Vickneshvaran 2E4
Trombones
Sitoh Enoch 3E3
Jian Rong 3E4
Jian Zhi 3E2
Terence Wong 3E4
Lim Jin Long 2A2
Ho Zong En Hardy 2A1
Euphoniums
Joel Leow# 4E3
Ben Tan* 4E4
Sean Aw 2E1
Ng Wei Jie 3E2
Tubas
Alvin Lim 4E2
Haikal Haris* 2E1
Muhammad Adi 2A2
Percussions
Jonathan Tan 4A3
Danial Khoo 4A1
Wei Lun 3E2
Eugene Quek 3AB
Paul Wong 2AA
Muhammad Aqil 2AA
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* = SL
# = Committee member
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Jeremy Leong
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Kamal
Kenneth Ang
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