National Day celebrations, certainly an event that occurs every year almost everywhere.
The day began as usual, but I startle at the fact that the bus has arrived at school a whole 20 minutes earlier than the norm. I was glad, nonetheless, for it gave me time to dream a little dream while the clock hands move to read 07:15 when I would test for my temperature.
Soon after, I leave the classroom with my belongings, making my way to the parade square where I finally assemble at the left wing with my right to the flag poles. For the whole time I was there, I couldn't notice a thing. The crowd was too thick and the marching contingents too short (in my opinion). The national and school song were sung, then the pledge followed in four languages, only 2 of which I vaguely recall some of.
As the marching contingents take their leave, I and my fellow batch mates padded to before a stage set up in the middle of the parade square. Facing it, we were greeted with a fashion show of sorts depicting various costumes which were supposedly a materialized form of an amalgamation of what makes Singapore who she is. It is followed by a short prize awarding ceremony, and then a singing session of past national day songs. I found out (the hard way) that RGS girls tend to disregard the speed and tempo of songs completely when they get excited (indicated by rowdy leaps).
The means I know not but I found myself staring at a group of men with instruments either in their hands or before them. I remember the man who oversaw our last RS session and whom I think European blood runs through his veins handling a bass guitar, and I recall a man who wears a cloak with a famous symbol from 'Full Metal Alchemist' on the back sitting at the drums. A little before the drums was a man grasping a red and white electric guitar whom I took note of last. He was, very possibly, the person in charge of IT happenings around the school. A song struck up, the new national day song which many didn't like, though I was sure I was fond of it, but I think it was, perhaps, not an appropriately tuned song for national day (not at all patriotic).
A voice silenced the crowd, and I saw a man heavily built but not chubby mouthing the lyrics. The voice abruptly changed to one of a person whose name I remember (Mr. Toh, I think, and I believe he was sporting a pair of sunglasses) whose voice was noticeably higher than the other singer's. The crowd went wild somewhere and in my honest opinion, the school has successfully transformed the dull and much dreaded parade square to an impromptu concert arena. The atmosphere which greatly resembled one from a professional concert was real, and to say I didn't feel excited would be a lie. It was as if I was standing in the middle of a concert by a professional band, and a smile tugged at my lips.
It was unreal, so surreal. I had never once thought that I would be able to witness a concert much like this in my life but I have been proven wrong, and by the very teachers that reside in the school I attend! The exhilaration of being part of a crowd was enchanting, and the only thing keeping me from hollaring my head off was the fact that my friends were there and it wouldn't look very good to look like a raving lunatic then. I say those performing could form a band immediately. RGS' very own. Of all the people to perform, the teachers! I do enjoy songs by male bands, which may be a reason pertaining as to why I felt so giddy when the song started. The teachers left their teaching professionalism behind and took on the identities of rockstars, and that riled the crowd up.
Chants of 'encore' could be heard throughout, and the group performed the song again. I hope someone caught it on film, I will want a copy.
