National Day Parade 2003 - Combined Rehearsal 2

[azone]

Made a trip down to the National Stadium and took quite a number of pictures on the Combined Rehearsal. Decided to string them up as a sequence of events. The description for each section/image is based on my own limited knowledge, so if there is any mistake, do forgive me. There will be quite a number of pictures, so please bear with me (esp narrow-band users).



Introducing 1st, the venu of the parade - Singapore National Stadium. With a capacity of 60 000, it would be a visual spectacle to see the entire stadium filled up with enthusiatic spectators.

One of the 4 spotlight towers responsible for the general lighting of the parade.

A rather empty stadium in the early morning before the rehearsal.

A view of the Grandstand and the VIP Gallery.

 

[azone]

800 students from Combined Schools will form the choir, which will be one of the highlights in the Pre-Parade Segment. They were one of the first participants to arrive for the rehearsal.

 

[azone]

The band is the soul of the entire Parade & Ceremonies Segment. The music they play is simply magnificent! This year, the combined band is made up of the SAF Central Band and the SPF band.

 

[azone]

The Parade & Ceremonies Segment commences on the command of the Parade RSM. The Supporting Contingents will then march in from the two main gates and take up their respective positions in the field.

 

[azone]

After the Supporting Contingents have taken up positions, the Parade Commander enters and gives the command for the Guards-of-Honour (GOH) Contingents and Colours Party to march in.

The Parade Commander stands proud as he awaits the GOH Contingents and Colours Party to march into the stadium field.

Introducing the winner of this year's prestigious Best Combat Unit - 1st Battallion, Singapore Guards.

Contingent Commander of the Guards Contingent.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) GOH

 

[azone]

The Escorts for the Colours Party

"Soldier, pull in your rifle butt!"

The Colours Party executing the "Hormat".

The traditional Feu-de-Joie (fire of joy), where the GOH fired 3 rounds into the sky as a mark of respect for the Republic's President.

 

[azone]

The Colours Party getting ready to march off

The Armed Forces flag bearers leading the parade march past.

The Army GOH.

 

[azone]

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) GOH.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) GOH

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) GOH

 

[mervlam]

Feu de Joie: Firing of guns as symbol of joy

The "Hormat" portion is executed as a mark of respect for the Republic's President instead.

 

[mervlam]

Good shot... i would suggest that you shoot in portrait instead

Just curious. why are they dressing left and not right? Plus that 2nd Sergeant (3rd from right) is not dressing left properly

Pity that the angle is too low... all their faces are blocked by their fists.


Very nice series you got here. Thanks for sharing with us! Hope that your day spent there was a memorable one! :thumbsup:

 

[DeepZpace]

They are dressing left, as they take their positions towards the centre, so that the whole parade will be centralised.

I was part of the parade before, as a colours escort. brings back memories.

 

[Falcon]

Very nice bokeh for some of the shots. Were u using your macro lens for all those shots?

 

[espn]

Great shots

Didn't expect to see my ex-CO as the parade commander this year. Thought he hentakaki liao.

Were you all allowed on the fields?

 

[ckhaos]

The girl guides are carrying, what, umbrellas??? :what:

 

[azone]

Thanks mervlam for the correction.

Falcon,
Thanks! Not using macro lens. Its a 24-70mm.

espn,
Thanks. Yup, can go onto the field. But from now on, you'll need a pass.

ckhaos,
Yup, brollies. They'll serve their purposes in one of the performances.

 

[SniperD]

Originally posted by azone

The Colours Party executing the "Hormat".

[/B]

Hooo... this is not easy man... 2 years ago I was the ensign officer for my Fmn flag and holding the Fmn colour throughout the National Anthem is no joke... strain sia...

Tweek will be able to experience that.. hahahaha...

brings back good memories... heehee..

Nice work Azone! :thumbsup:

Wish I can join you on the field shooting

 

[azone]

Thanks, SniperD. Yep, got to agree that being a participant in the P&C is no easy job at all.

 

[tomshen]

Great effort, azone! Keep more coming!

 

[Marx]

Very nice work, azone! :thumbsup:


Btw, were all these taken using the 24-70mm??

How come so close with the soldiers??

 

[dennislim]

Originally posted by azone
Thanks mervlam for the correction.

Falcon,
Thanks! Not using macro lens. Its a 24-70mm.

espn,
Thanks. Yup, can go onto the field. But from now on, you'll need a pass.

ckhaos,
Yup, brollies. They'll serve their purposes in one of the performances.

how do we get the pass ?
and is it during rehersal 1 and 2 we can go down and take without a pass ?