By Asmahanim Amir
Pix By Abd Raai Osman

BANGI, 9 August 2016 – Sekolah Datuk Abdul Razak (SDAR), Negeri Sembilan emerged as the winner of the 18^th Wind Orchestra Competition, held at Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak, the National University of Malaysia, recently.

SDAR defeated four other schools, namely Sekolah Alam Shah, Putrajaya (SAS), Sekolah Menengah Sains (SMS) Selangor, Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak (MCKK) and SMS Machang, Kelantan, in the final round before they were crowned as the champion.

With the victory, SDAR seized the challenge trophy from MCKK and received RM5,000 in cash and certificates.

The second place was won by SAS and the third place, SMS Selangor.

Muhammad Zaid Mohd Saad, 17, from SAS was announced as the best Conductor. He received RM500, a trophy and a certificate.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Syafiq Sazali, 17, from SDAR believed that his team’s commitment contributed to their victory.

 “This is our first victory in this competition. It is a very valuable success for us because our school had reach the final several times previously, but did not manage to win,” he said.

He said his team took four months to practice for the competition.

A total of 21 boarding schools joined the competition which was held for three days beginning 3 August. The schools include Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kolej Tunku Kurshiah, Sekolah Seri Puteri, SMS Kuching, SMS Tun Syed Sheh Shahabuddin and Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim.

The competition was judged by five juries headed by maestro music, Datuk Ramli MS.

The prize was presented by the President of the Band of Malaysia Association, Datuk Zulkifli Ishak.