20 LUMEN | PROGRAMMES
Out of Time
For how much music has changed over the last decades , the reasons bands split up seem to remain stubbornly the same – interpersonal dynamics such as a member drifting apart , or simply that stress , studies and other commitments take over . SJI ’ s “ Out of Time ” band , however , has bucked the trend . Consisting of Wells Chin ( percussion / piano ), Justin Pansacola ( vocals ), Justin Tan ( bass ), Chia Jeng Yee ( guitarist ), Tyrone Santiago ( guitarist ), the band formed when they were wide-eyed 14-year-olds listening to and emulating pop bands like “ 5 seconds of summer ”.
The band has had a colourful history . Guitarist Jeng Yee recalls that their formative years were a struggle . Their first audition to play in SJI ’ s annual carnival in 2014 was not successful . In 2015 , things took a turn for the better when they concentrated on their musicianship , playing successfully in front of a live public audience . Some of their gigs include supporting community initiatives like “ Icancervive ” ( Citi-YMCA Youth for Causes ) and ( finally ) playing for SJI ’ s carnival . Recalling the generous and unreserved support from his SJI schoolmates , guitarist Tyrone says that this year was one of the most uplifting and validating moments for the band as local celebrities like Ryan Sylvia were in the audience .
to their repertoire . Female vocalist Erika Goh was also brought in to reach the higher notes that Justin could not hit . The band gained further prominence and compliments when they played for the SJI Old Boys ’ Association – a golf and dinner fundraising event at Singapore Island Country club , as well as for SJI ’ s 165th Gala Dinner in July 2017 . With teacher Alan Johnson as their events manager , and in front of illustrious alumni like Teo Chee Hean and George Yeo , they sang old songs from the Beatles and Backstreet Boys .
In 2017 , bassist Justin Tan was recruited to perform for the Inaugural " Homecoming " Assembly , to mark SJI ' s return to its redeveloped
these humorous anecdotes .
The band did not rest on its laurels despite being so popular . In spite of the hectic schedule of the IB curriculum , they invested time to be mentored by local band 53A and also participated in Voice of My Generation ( VOMG ), a band competition where students from junior colleges can showcase their talents and face off against each other . Though they did not win the grand prize of $ 1500 , they acknowledged how the winners from Raffles ’ Institution were technically better . Indeed , there was no sense of competition throughout and the group remains inspired by creating great music . 2018 saw the band performing in another fundraising event – “ Heartstrings ” ( with another female songbird Lindsey Lim ) and in the esplanade for the
2016 and 2017 saw the band grow from strength to strength as Wells Chin – a fellow schoolmate in Jeng Yee ’ s SJI military band - joined “ Out of Time ”. No trial was necessary for this talented musician as he was granted automatic acceptance . Vocalist Justin Pansacola appreciates how the talented Wells could play “ almost anything ” – a vastly useful skill to have as they prepared 8 songs for SJI ’ s 2016 carnival . Wells brought out a range of percussion instruments , such as the timpani , chimes , the marimba , that brought a new musicality
Malcolm Road campus . Justin was also in the military band with Jeng Yee and initially played the saxophone before picking up the bass guitar . All the members concur that “ Homecoming ” was their most memorable event , as all Josephians on the school track were jumping in unison to the beat of songs like Katy Perry ’ s “ Teenage Dream ” and Justin Timberlake ’ s “ Can ’ t stop the feeling ”. Wells recalls losing a drum stick amidst the happy frenzy whilst stage hands were helping him to recover . Indeed , there was a palpable sense of camaraderie as they recounted
Singapore Youth Festival . Familiar songs like “ You ’ ve got a friend in me ” and John Meyer ’ s “ New Light ” were sung , while Wells Chin even composed his own arrangement entitled “ Miss Naïve ” – a song about a girl pursuing her dream of fighting for her country .
On staying together for so long , and maintaining the spirit of the band , the quintet compliment and support one another unreservedly . Their plans are modest and sincere despite the different paths of tertiary education - Justin Tan for example , wants to join “ Indigo Scales ” a music community in SJI which hosts and organizes music events regularly , while the rest vow to meet up at least once a year , despite plans to study overseas . Who knows ? You might even hear them in Orchard Road busking for YFC or in future gigs