A MARCHING band from Victoria Institution has won the second place in the World Association of Marching Show Bands World Championship in Taiwan.

The 81-member all boys school band, aged between 13 and 17, only lost by 0.6 points to victors Chien Kuo High School from Taiwan. Canada’s Calgary Stetsons Band got the third place.

Victoria Institution’s band, which scored 91.6 out of 100, was also showered with accolades such as Best Percussion, Best Drill Performance and Best Colour Guards.

The band’s score also earned them a Gold medal ranking, which was awarded when a band clears the required score of 85.

Band director Muhaizi Mudzakir said the achievement is the result of hard work and dedication by the boys, and also thanked band instructors, the school administration, teachers and parents.

“This was a group effort. Every bandsmen needed to play their part and if one part failed, it would affect the whole band,” said Muhaizi, who was a former student and former trumpeter of the band.

The band was founded in 1909 and is Malaysia’s oldest school band. – July 29, 2018.