Partnering with elite ensembles to support a local school band clinic allows Kane Music to help young wind orchestras maintain peak technical performance on the ground.

The Alam Shah Wind Orchestra (ASWO) has long been recognized as one of the leading Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP) wind orchestras in Malaysia, boasting an impressive track record of achievements over the past few years. This year, looking to expand their impact beyond their highly anticipated annual concert, ASWO took the initiative to organize the ASWO Heart Beat Band Clinic. 

Held at the prestigious Dewan Sri Budiman, UiTM Shah Alam, the clinic brought together passionate young musicians for an intensive time of learning, collaboration, and music-making. Kane Music was deeply honored to be invited as the Official Instrument Care & Repair Partner for this fantastic initiative.

This program was also a collaboration with the UiTM Faculty of Music. Several esteemed lecturers and tutors taught the students during the workshop, including:

• Dr. Siti Hajar Mohammad Saperah: Senior Lecturer and Diploma Coordinator for the Music Faculty.

• Madam Janette Jannah Poheng: Senior Lecturer specializing in Trombone and Aural Training.

• Mr. Yap Eng Sim: Senior Lecturer in Percussion and Traditional Percussion. He has also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the RTM Orchestra.

Additionally, several UiTM Faculty of Music students generously volunteered their time to assist throughout the event.

Supporting Young Musicians on the Ground

At Kane Music, we firmly believe that a perfectly maintained instrument unlocks a musician’s full potential, regardless of their level. To support the students, our team set up a dedicated repair booth on-site to ensure their brass and woodwind instruments were in top playing condition for the clinic. We also featured a special display of quality accessories, allowing students to explore the right tools and upgrades to enhance their sound.

Connecting directly with school bands and ensuring wind instruments are accessible and well-maintained is at the very heart of our Outreach Programs.

Highlights from the Clinic

The ASWO Heart Beat Band Clinic wasn’t just an internal event for ASWO; the camp was also joined by other esteemed school orchestras, including Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor (SMSS) and Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (SEMSAS).

The camp started with a wonderful performance by ASWO, followed by an opening speech by the ASWO band director, Mr. Asyahari Hussaini. We then kicked off with the Breathing Gym. An exercise designed to expand lung capacity so students can play longer passages without breathing at incorrect moments or breaking phrasing. Afterwards, they continued with the 4T ensemble technique (Tone, Tune, Time, and Touch) using an SATB Chorale led by Sir Asyahari.

After covering the basics, the students started going through the repertoire. First, they learned about the concert march and their specific roles within the piece. Following this fruitful session, they took a break to prepare for sectionals with the UiTM Faculty of Music lecturers and tutors.

During the break, the students had a chance to visit our booth and repair station. They were eager and very excited to see the various accessories on display. Genuine quality brands such as Bach, BG France, Denis Wick, Hercules, Rovner, Protec, Yamaha, Vandoren, Di Zhao, and more. Several students also brought their instruments to our repair booth for quick fixes by our technician, Annie. Most of the instruments needed minor adjustments, as they hadn’t been serviced in a long time. We also took this time to educate the students on how to properly care for their instruments and accessories.

They then continued their sessions with the UiTM lecturers. The sectionals were highly productive, as the educators provided insightful tips and techniques to help the students improve their playing. The participants also enjoyed the unique opportunity to learn side-by-side with the UiTM Faculty of Music students.

After the sectionals, everyone took a lunch break and prepared for the final performance. Some students continued to visit our booth, and a few even picked up some new reeds!

For the final performance, the ensembles played a Studio Ghibli March and Ode to Joy. Everyone played beautifully, showcasing everything they had learned throughout the workshop with their lecturers and tutors.

Being part of the clinic was a highly rewarding experience for our team. We love witnessing the dedication of Malaysia’s young musicians and the hardworking educators who guide them. A huge thank you to ASWO for trusting us as your official instrument care partner.