STUDENTS DOING MORE AT THIS YEAR'S NDP

After a five-year hiatus, the Combined Schools Choir are making a comeback at this year's National Day Parade (NDP)!

Featuring 220 students from four secondary schools, the students of the Combined Schools Choir, as well as the 190 students from the Military Tattoo, are set to play a major role in the Parade and Ceremony (P&C) segment of NDP 2018.

"We celebrate National Day every year, and this is a special celebration for us, as we reaffirm our sovereignty, our nationhood and our independence," said President Halimah Yacob after her interaction with the participants of the Combined Schools Choir and Military Tattoo.

"(I am happy) as our young people feel that whenever they participate in the NDP, they feel very proud, and are very enthusiastic…I hope more of our younger generation will continue to support and be committed to the NDP, and also to rekindle, reaffirm and recommit our ties to Singapore, and continue to support our journey together."

Heartened by the passion of the student participants, Madam Halimah said: "It is truly a wonderful performance put up by our young people for this year's NDP."

Military Expert (ME) 5 Steven Tan agreed with the President. The Combined Band Conductor said: "This year's performance is very grand, especially with the inclusion of the Combined Schools Choir and the students from Special Education schools. Together as a performance item, it leads on well to the P&C segment of NDP 2018."

"There are a few key messages that we want Singaporeans to feel and empathise with us, with one being that regardless of age, no matter young or old, we can all collectively work together for a better Singapore," said the 46-year-old, who will be taking part in his 20th NDP this year.

During the performance, the Military Tattoo will be forming multiple heart shapes, while the students from Special Education schools will play their drums in a uniform rhythmic pattern, signifying that Singaporeans' heartbeats are united as one.

"As we look forward to our future and the challenges that we may face, all Singaporeans should come together as one people, and that is the message that we are aiming to portray."

The Combined Schools Choir's main purpose is to hype up the crowd with their enthusiasm and encourage the crowd to sing along with them, said the conductress for the choir, Ms Lim Jiuan. 

"The biggest challenge would be for the students of the Combined School Choir to synchronise themselves with the Military Tattoo, while singing and dancing simultaneously, and they have successfully done so," said the 59-year-old Nan Hua High Aesthetics Department Head.

For 14-year-old Muhammad Noraidilsahiq bin Muhammad Norasif, performing in a large-scale event like NDP was a first for him, and although he was nervous at times, he feels it is all worth it in the end.

Even though band training sessions are held three times a week, he has been able to balance them with his studies. "I would practise for the band (after school), then head back home to do my homework."

Said the Yuhua Secondary School student: "I'm glad to be part of NDP this year… I have watched NDP the past few years, but I didn't expect myself to be part of it. It is definitely a memorable experience for me."