When
my friends in JB Drums invited me to a drum show as the finale of their Annual
Performance and Primary School Exchange Camp, I noted that this show would be
held in their alma mater, Foon Yew High School Johor Bahru.
Inside the Dewan Sekolah Foon Yew |
Over
the years, I have covered countless stories on the art of the 24 Festive Drums
and co-founders, the late Tan Hooi Song and Tan Chai Puan, who have promoted
this performing art nationwide and abroad since its founding in 1988.
I have
never entered the premises of the Foon Yew High School, the largest independent
Chinese high school in the nation and the largest Chinese education secondary
school outside of Mainland China, so I must say that I was looking forward to
both: entering this highly regarded bastion of education and enjoying the drum
show in the place where it all started some 36 years ago.
Facade of the hall, Dewan Sekolah Foon Yew |
I
must clarify that I do not read Chinese and have limited command of the
language so on arrival at the lobby, I was pleased to see some familiar faces
whom I had met at the Drum Shows previously staged at the Permaisuri Zarith
Sofiah Opera House.
When
I received my tickets, I was also directed to enter by which door to find my
seats which, I was told, were clearly marked with my name.
My entrance ticket |
In
the next few minutes, the seats in the hall quickly filled up and when Tan Chai
Puan arrived, he took his seat next to me.
After
we exchanged pleasantries, I asked Tan about how he felt about returning to his
alma mater, the place where the first drum troop was formed in Johor Bahru.
This
question seemed to open the floodgates to his memories as Tan started by sharing
about this very hall which was a gift, presented by the late rubber plantation
tycoon, Tan Sri Lee Kong Chian.
Tan
recalled that it was probably 1966/67 and he was in his second year of Junior
High School when this hall was opened with a celebration that included the staging
of a drama show.
My seats in the hall, clearly labelled |
It
was an unforgettable experience for Tan because this role entailed getting his
ear pulled and he recalled the agony of his ear being often pulled – from
rehearsals to the actual showtime.
This
unfortunate experience, however, sparked his interest in stage and drama and
Tan eventually became the Vice-President of the school’s Drama Society.
In
1988, Tan collaborated with Tan Hooi Song to stage a performance for the
opening ceremony of the Ninth National Dance Festival in Johor Bahru, with their
creation of a dramatic drums show that developed into a global sensation.
Tan, a
gifted poet and cartoonist, wrote the poetry and created the
choreography while Hooi Song, a
renowned musician, composed the music for the theme song of the festival.
These cultural activists, popularly known as
the two Tans, shared their vision in using
drums, a musical instrument that traditionally echoed the rhythm of life, to
create a festive mood.
This first performance by nine
drummers on nine drums at the festival, was the humble beginnings of their
creation of the dramatic art of the 24 Festive Drums.
Tan
fondly recalled that in 2000, he along with Hooi Song and Tan Ching Swee,
organized the grandest performance in Johor school history for a fund-raising
dinner with 700 tables, held on the school field.
He
explained that there was a quota for Chinese independent high schools since the
1940’s so it was significant for Chinese education when a branch of the Foon
Yew High School was officially opened in Kulai in 2005.
Then
it was time to turn our attention to the live performances on the stage of this
school hall that holds a treasure trove of memories for Tan.
The Xi Yau Drum team presented their performance of Teng-Fei, or 'Flying' |
I
enjoyed the familiar sight and sound of the JB Drums troop who opened the show
with a classic performance of the art of the 24 Festive Drums, complete with dramatic
drumming and creative choreography.
Then
the Xi Yau Drum team, made up of drummers whose ages ranged from 15 to 50 years
old, presented their performance of Teng-Fei, simply translated as
“Flying.”
This
drum troop reflected the spirit of determination in drummers who committed
themselves to train for a public performance such as this, regardless of age or
gender.
The
Stone Percussion team from Seremban presented two pieces titled, ‘Big Rock’ and
‘Hot Day in the Summer’ that creatively blended the traditional art of the 24
Festive Drums with the additional use of Malay musical instruments like the
gong.
While
the art of the 24 Festive Drums was the original source of this dramatic art of
drumming, professional drum troops established throughout the country have
taken drumming performances to the next level with the creative incorporation
of traditional percussion instruments from our multi-cultural community.
The
evening’s showcase came to an end with a visually spectacular grand finale
performed by the JB Drums troop along with their two guest drum teams.
Presenting a token of appreciation to the guest drum troop |
While
the leaders of the three teams formed the first row, JB Drums presented a token
of appreciation to the guest teams for their partnership in this year-end showcase.
As
drumming enthusiasts in the audience made their way out of the hall, many
paused to capture photo mementoes with Tan and members of the drum troops.
It
was very encouraging to see a healthy interest from drumming enthusiasts as families
continue to support young people in their training with drum troops to hone
their skills and to proudly perform in drum shows such as this.
The
JB Drums troop trains regularly at their center located at 11-2, Jalan Permas
11/1C, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru. For more info, email:
jbdrums.24fd@gmal.com or Tel: +6016 797 3533.
Note: My
story on the Art of the 24 Festive Drums is featured among the Johor
brands in My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, the third and
final instalment in the trilogy of My Johor Stories.
My Johor Stories books are available from MPH bookstores nationwide
and online from mphonline. In Johor Bahru, some books are available in JARO, shortform
for Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation.