Teenage talent

2010/09/01
By Nur Afiqah Azizan, 12, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor

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Nor Hainei

EVER thought of joining an orchestra? Well, the students of my school, Sekolah Kluster Kecemerlangan Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3, got the opportunity to do so with the formation of the Mini Orchestra SEJATI. I learnt more about our orchestra from our music teacher, Mohd Najmi Zamani.Mini Orkestra SEJATI was initially formed in 2007. “There were 14 people playing for Mini Orkestra SEJATI at that time. It was formed to seek out talents among students and give the school its very own orchestra,” Najmi said.

Today the orchestra has 20 members. It consists of traditional musical instruments such as the angklung, conga and djembe and also modern musical instruments such as, the keyboard, percussion and guitar. Mini Orkestra SEJATI is truly an orchestra with a difference according to Najmi. “Not many orchestras nowadays include the use of traditional instruments.” I have to say that the combination of different types of musical instruments really result in awesome melodies.

When I asked why traditional instruments were included in the orchestra, Najmi said, “I notice that not many are doing so. I don’t want traditional instruments to become extinct.” The melodies played by the orchestra are often children’s songs that might make you nostalgic.
Muhd Mahsyuri Badri plays the angklung for Mini Orkestra SEJATI. The 11-year-old only started learning the instrument early this year. “It took me about three to four months to master the angklung,” Mahsyuri said with a grin.

Mahsyuri will be performing at the Istana Budaya along with fellow orchestra mate Nur Faatihah Umairah, 12. Mahsyuri is among the students going to Japan next year in collaboration with Laman Seni Budaya Shah Alam.

Nur Faatihah Umairah plays the violin. She said, “Music has always been my passion. I hope to get involved in the music field and go on to international levels some day.” As for Ammar Rahimie, 12, he got interested in playing the piano after seeing his sister playing it when he was seven. Today, he sees music as not only his interest but also a career field in future. Ammar plays the melodeon for the orchestra along with a few other members of Mini Orkestra SEJATI.

So how much time does music take away from studies? According to Najmi, the members of Mini Orkestra SEJATI go through their practice three times a week and these are held in the evening. Therefore, they are free at night to study.

So far, the Mini Orkestra SEJATI has achieved much. They have performed for TV3’s Malaysia Hari Ini.

What does the future hold for these young musicians? Headmistress Nor Hainei Abu Bakar hopes to see more students come forward and showcase their talents and not be good in academics alone. Najmi hopes that Mini Orkestra SEJATI can move forward to the international scene. His advice to youngsters who want to get involved in this field is, “It is better to practise with seniors and it is a must that you practise hard if you want to get it right”. So, do you think you have what it takes to be a good musician?

Read more: Teenage talent http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Teenagetalent/Article#ixzz0ySJJFFr8