2024 1017

Being the Arts Captain for Mulchat during the House Singing Competition was a big journey. It tested every ounce of my leadership, patience, and passion. From planning each rehearsal to directing every practice, I poured my heart and soul into me as a conductor, determined to turn a group of non-music students into a choir.

Our journey began with song selection—a process that taught me that luck can sometimes force the best decisions. Our first choice fell through, and we chose I Want It That Way. Looking back now, I imagine how things would turn out differently if I had chosen the first choice. Since everyone was familiar with the song, I could expedite the process of acclimating them to the song. I then rearranged the sheet music four times, simplifying it so that even those new to music could confidently project.

For a month, I worked tirelessly to prepare us for the competition. Unlike other houses, I decided to rely only on our designated tutor times and Friday rehearsals. I tried to perfect myself as a conductor before asking Mulchat to be perfect. Late nights turned into countless calls with friends, listening to the same practice recordings over a thousand times to generate detailed feedback for the next rehearsal.

On performance day, standing in the conductor’s light, I faced a stage filled with shining eyes, all looking at me with excitement and confidence. They may have missed some harmonies, but it was fine because we had fun.

The next day, when the results came out, we learnt we had won—not only first place, but also the respect and admiration of everyone who heard us.