“From the days of 1909,
Till this very present day. 
We have always been the very best,
In every single way.
For the honour and the glory,
All occasion we will rise..
In our heart we’ll go on striding out,
As a VI Cadet Band..”

I remember those days..
We sang the song.. with our right fist strongly binded to our heart..
Some had tears in their eyes.. running along the cheeks.. 
For we all felt proud that day..
For that day, we roared.. we rose to the occasion
Winning or losing. It was not our concern
The song will be always be the serenade 
The hymn of our glory days.. 
Because we are Victorians.
Mighty Victorians..

Since the year 1999, I was the member of the VICCB as a bagpiper. Back then, the band was just about to metamorphoze from the so-called ‘old-school’ marching band to the modern-styled marching band. The idea came because we wanted to improve the standard of the malaysian bands as we realised that when we were performing in Australia (1996) and Japan (1998).Also during the time when one of the Drum Corps from US came and performed in our school. Then we realised that we could do more... we could do even better.. and we have the thought of being one of the best marching band in the world.

Therefore, for the first time ever, a new history was made. Colourguards (CG) Section was established with most of them were the juniors (form 1s). Back then, we know nothing about the skills of playing the flags, the rifles ect.. Also, new uniform (we call it Ceremonial No.2) was made for the band. The reason was - to ease the movement of the band during marching and to add some colours to the band as we were playing to entertain people not just to make people clap during the end of the show. The uniform was blue..a bit light with silver stripes on it.

I remembered that day.. for the first time, during KL Marching Band Competition. People were laughing at us. They called us clowns. I was holding the maintenance box for the bagpipers because at that time, the block for form 1s in bagpipe section was filled by the seniors. Even the Ex-member of the band were laughing..some of them were mad.."because that was not a part of our tradition!” They said..

During the competition...we won! 

Guess what happened? During the encore, we brought our CG on the field!! The people were like.. whoo.. “what the hell is that?? Back then, the CGs were just holding the rifles..without spinning the flags much. But still, it was a big leap for us. It was a risk we took.. for the sake of all the band in Malaysia.

Back to the school hall.. we got a bad news.. due to some reasons, we were DISQUALIFIED.. We cried indeed but then realised that those tears were the reason for us to go on and because of that, we have the reason to change our own future.

Year 2000, for the first time, we competed in World Association of Marching Show Bands Competition that was held in Calgary, Canada. Finally I got the chance to play!! But the practise was hectic because it was the first time we used the formation charts and marks, and the music we played was totally different. Also, Andy Dogarthy and Rene from Bontang Pupuk Kaltim Marching Band were there as our music and percussion instructors. Man, Rene was huge!! (u know what i mean? LOL) still, it was an honour for us. Thanks to them, the band improved a lot...the best since 1909!!

During the competition... we got GOLD MEDAL! 85.55 was the score. We also receieve a standing ovation for our marvellous performance~

2003, was the greatest year in my life as the VICCB member. During that year, Ceremonial No. 3 was used. It was cream in colour with sparkling blue labucci at the back. It was in fact, the most exquisite uniform of all, especially during the night performances. The effect was marvellous..

Unfortunately, the CG wasn’t even recognised in Malaysia.. still, we took the risk and brought it during the National Competition..as expected, we lost..still, we are proud of it because we have made the people to open their eyes and minds..

As a member of VICCB for 5 years. I’ve seen much.. I’ve been in the situation where we jumped for joy for winning a competition, i’ve cried, i’ve laughed.. basically i’ve felt everything that i supposed to feel in life. During my time.. we were the pioneers.. and i am proud of it. The aim was to improve the standard of the band in Malaysia. Now u’ve seen it..how all the bands are.. with their colourful uniforms.. shakos, wrist bands.. no more people laughing.. no more teasing.. none were called clowns like we once, were called before.. why? Malaysians are not like before..now they have become matured.. and that is a relief..

After KLWMBC, people were banging us..why didn’t u win?? Why Asma still beat us? Why this and that..I’ll say.. screw u guys.. we have been winning since like..forever. In fact, if it wasnt  because of us, KLWMBC wouldnt even existed! People around the world won’t even know Malaysia has one of the best bands in the world. For what have happened for the past decade.. WE WON.

For us, winning isn’t everything. It is alright to lose for we know that we still have things to be done..things to be improved. We proud for what we have become. I’m proud to be one of them. If only, I was there during the competition, i would have cried watching the band with so much improvement that i wish to make during my time. For me, i am relieved..to see my boys that i once trained to surpass the band I once led before. If only, I wasnt here, studying my ass off.. i’d be on the field with them.. dancing.. spinning the flag..tossing the rifle.. laughing on the field..just like the old days.. I would turn back time for that moment to come again..

So, as i watched the band only form the corridors, from the videos in youtube, I would like to thank all the instructors, the members, and the supporters who have made the band as it is right now. Special thanks to Mr. Jimmy Wong who has been our instructor since the 80s..his dedication to the band is superb..what a true Victorian u are. With all the pit percussions, CGs.. those were our dreams..right? Thank God, we have made it this far.. and thank you for making our dreams come true. Remember, as we step one stone ahead, we actually have made a giant leap for our nation and for that, we deserved to be called a winner. So, you people out there who know nothing about VI, all i want to say is - we,as the Victorians... don’t care what people say.. VI Blues are here to stay, listen you don’t block our ways..because VI Blues will lead the way..

Being a Victorian has taught me the greatest lesson in life – Never  fall and cry for losing, always stand with pride and cry with joy in the heart because only that way we could realise that we have something to lose, and something to fight for. Proud to be a VICTORIAN..always do.. always have..