Our Story
The Band Lab was founded on 8 April 2018 as Sarawak’s inaugural non-affiliated
Youth Community Wind Band. Today, it has expanded its role to become one of Sarawak’s
leading platforms in developing the region’s Band and Music Education landscape.
Scroll through to learn about how The Band Lab was formed.
Youth Community Wind Band. Today, it has expanded its role to become one of Sarawak’s
leading platforms in developing the region’s Band and Music Education landscape.
Scroll through to learn about how The Band Lab was formed.
Ever wondered what led to the formation of The Band Lab? Continue scrolling as we take you on a journey from when it all began in 2014.
The Genesis
On a fateful occasion in December of 2014, four alumni of the 2nd Kuching Boys’ Brigade Band happened to convene at the organisation’s first band camp after several years of inactivity.
Growth of 2kchbb Band
With the individual expertise of the team, the band began to grow at a steady rate, eventually making its first public performance at the 9th Kuching City Christmas Parade. During this time, one of the alumni was also managing the Chung Hua Middle School Combined Band, which provided grounds and opportunities for collaborations between the two bands.
Disbandment of Managing Team
The managing team disbanded at the beginning of 2016 due to individual work and study commitments, thereby handing over the management of the Band to the then seniors and officers in the organisation itself.
A New Beginning
In October 2016, a new opportunity arose as our founder was approached to restructure and co-manage the Faith Methodist Church Brigade Band. With the assistance of the previous committee at the 2nd Kuching Company Boys’ Brigade Band, a new team was quickly formed and the band began its first practice in January 2017.
Intense Training and Practices
With the clear goal of putting up a concert by the end of the year, the team worked relentlessly and kept track of the progress of each member in the months that followed. The band also had a few rare opportunities to receive training from the more experienced Music and Band Directors from the St. Joseph School Band as well as the St. Teresa School Concert Band.
Debut Concert and Performances
Through months of guidance, the FMC Brigade Band eventually made its first public appearance at the Official Opening of Ibraco’s ‘Christmas Wonderland’ followed by the 11th Kuching City Christmas Parade. To end the year with a bang, the band also held its debut concert (feat. the 2nd Kuching Boys’ Brigade Band) at the end of December, attracting a crowd of over 450. Needless to say, the event was a success.
Conflicting Visions and Parting Ways
Following the successes in the preceding year, there were expectations to push the FMC Brigade Band to further heights in 2018. However, due to conflicting visions for the band, the managing committee, along with a few members, decided to part ways in March that year.
The Birth of The Band Lab
Despite the disappointment and heavy hearts, the passion for music making propelled the group to set up its own (and Sarawak’s first) non-affiliated Youth Community Wind Band on the 8th of April, 2018. From then on, the rest is history.
