LAUNCHING OF "SONGS FROM DORMS" ALBUM ON 4th DECEMBER 2011

To all Bands,

This week, recording has begun with the first band, "Wild Hogs." I was told that it took some time to set up the sound but at the end of the day, things started to run smoothly. But it would take several days to record one song.

As such, the Producer, Roslan Aziz, has requested that all bands book their recording sessions urgently in order to complete it as soon as possible for mixing & eventually producing the "Songs from Dorms" album for the launch on 4th December 2011.

Since weekends are packed, he has advised that all bands practice on weekdays where he can personally listen in & determine if recording can start. Please call his assistant, Miss Veronica (+6013-330 0023) to schedule your practice sessions today!

We expect all recordings by all bands to be completed by 18th November 2011. After that, it is 2 weeks of mixing, burning & printing. The album is targeted to be launched at the ANSARA Dinner night on 4th December 2011.

Please book your sessions at Tune Studios today to ensure your songs are included in the album! Good luck & keep on rockin'!

Saiful Ibrahim
Killerbatch MRSM Kulim
Asrama RAYYAJ "Songs From Dorms"
Committee Member

Letter of Appreciation from Sabah Credit Corporation for First Installment of RM108,000

The Sabah Credit Corporation has sent an appreciation letter to Sdra Raja Ali Raja Othman & Sdra Hashimuddin Hashim upon receipt of the first installment of RM108,000 for the construction of Asrama RAYYAJ.

With this, Asrama RAYYAJ is well on its way to be completed in time for the next school year to benefit the needy students who will be housed there.

To those who still wish to contribute to this worthwhile cause, you can still do so directly. Other fundraising events are also being planned and will be communicated as soon as possible.

FINAL CALL for "Songs-from-Dorms" Album Project

All Bands,

Roslan Aziz wrote - "Sure... will start meeting them next week and should be able to proceed shortly after."

This is the FINAL CALL for all bands that wish to participate in the recording of the "Songs From Dorms" album. Roslan is allocating an entire month of his time to record the album beginning 6th July, as after that, he has several other projects with other local artistes, as Tune Studios will soon be ready for operation.

"Songs From Dorms" will be the first project for Tune Studios (under the Air Asia Group umbrella), and Roslan expects the studio to be ready for operations by June 6th.

Roslan says this album will be difficult because he will have to deal with 10 bands and all songs to be selected & crammed into a double album. As such, I request all bands to give their full cooperation.

From my conversation with Roslan, every band member & their respective instruments will be "tested" in special rooms. Communication with the Control Room will be via TV screens and cameras.

Each instrument will be recorder on 1 track except the drums which will use 6 or 7 tracks. All 16 tracks will then be "overdubbed" for vocals (I don't understand this either). Vocals, he said will be the most difficult, and all singers will be "tested" for correct pitch (I think he was a judge in a singing competition before). Anyway, he said not to worry, he can make a "lousy band sound good on a record;" that's his job!

So, all bands interested to join us, please post the following info at "Boarding School" Album Registration and Info Center on Facebook, group email at songs-from-dorms@googlegroups.com, my email saifulibrahim@gmail.com or my handphone at +60192651966.

1. Your band name
2. Contact person for the band (preferably the band leader)
3. The (real) names of all your band members & alumni of which boarding school
4. Your 3 songs

I have tried very hard to contact the following bands but they have not responded. If anybody can help...

1. Ku You Band (MRSM Langkawi)
2. Band from MCKK
3. Band from SMSAH
4. Band SAS

Anyway, thank you for your cooperation & participation. See you in the studio!

Saiful Ibrahim

(Killerbatch MRSM Kulim)

Committee Member

Update on "Songs From Dorms" Project (4/6/2011)

Dear All,

The bands below have confirmed their registration for the "Songs From Dorms" album recording. Band leaders, please be prepared to receive a call from Roslan Aziz's assistant, Ms. Veronica, for him to provide a briefing on the process at Tune Studios, at Harbour Place (2nd Floor), Klang, beginning Monday, 6th June 2011.

1. Lusuka Wasuka
2. Bob Dollah's Academy
3. The Jaw
4. Tiger Lane Boys
5. Compassion
6. Gannuboys
7. Magnum Opus
8. Switch On
9. Bob Willmie

I urgently need the following information from all other bands interested to record the album. Please post the information as listed below at the "Boarding School" Album Registration and Info Center on Facebook, group email at songs-from-dorms@googlegroups.com, my email at saifulibrahim@gmail.com or sms to my handphone at +60192651966.

1. Your band name
2. Your band leader's contact number
3. The (real) names of all your band members & alumni of which boarding school
4. Your 3 songs

Saiful Ibrahim

Committee Member

Cikgu Teh Sharifuddin Abdullah (17/7/1950 - 1/6/2011)

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved former MRSM Kulim teacher, En. Teh Sharifuddin Abdullah. He passed away today after battling illness for almost 2 months.

He has, and always will be, a source of inspiration for all ex-MRSM students, and in particular ex-MRSM Kulim students, to see beyond themselves, and to give to others more than they would to themselves.

May Allah accept his good deeds and forgive his transgressions. Allahu magh'firlahu warhamhu...

Update on Asrama Rayyaj song-from-Dorms Album Project‏

To all bands,

My apologies for the long delay in getting the latest updates for you. I was finally able to meet up with Roslan Aziz last night (photo below).

The points of our discussion were as follows:

1. Since Roslan Aziz will be the producer of the "Songs for Dorms" album, the end-product will carry his name & reputation as a one of the legendary producers in the country. He will evaluate each & every band and will call the shots.

2. Roslan requires the contact number of each band's leader and will contact each leader himself. He will call each band to meet him for briefing & assessment individually.

3. Each band will have to practice & record at Tune Studios at Harbour Place, Klang for a minimum number of hours which will be determined later. (Tune Studios is a subsidiary of the Air Asia Airline Group)

4. Each band is limited to 3 songs only. However, not all songs will make it to the album.

5. Extra charges will apply if video recording via personal video camera or handphone is done in the studio.

6. Each bandmember is encouraged to bring their own instrument. However, instruments are available at the studio.

7. After the "Assesment Period" starting from Monday 6th June, Roslan Aziz will set the Timeline & Practice/Recording Schedule which all bands will have to adhere to.

8. Recording will be done by a 16 track recording into a 2 track soundtrack and vocals will be by overdub (whatever that means).

So guys, I urgently need the following information. Please post it at "Boarding School" Album Registration and Info Center on Facebook, group email at songs-from-dorms@googlegroups.com, my email at saifulibrahim@gmail.com or sms to my handphone at +60192651966.

Your band name
Your band leader's contact number.
The (real) names of all your band members.
Your 3 songs.

The above information will be printed on the album cover. Your urgent response is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Saiful Ibrahim

Band Registration Committee

Asrama Rayyaj Songs for Dorms Project

Bands Registered for Songs-from-Dorms Album Project - Latest Updates‏

To all bands,

The recording session for the Asrama Rayyaj album project is anticipated between June 1st - June 31st 2011 at Tune Studios in Klang. All songs recorded will be loaded into a "various artiste" album called "Songs-from-Dorms", produced by Roslan Aziz.

Currently 14 bands have registered for the album project and we anticipate more bands & orchestras to sign up. But the Committee may limit the number to 20. A Press Conference of the Asrama Rayyaj "Songs-from-Dorms" Album and Official Opening of Tune Studios will be held tentatively on a weekend at end of May or early June. This is including a "Battle of the Bands" concert to showcase all bands & orchestras that will be eligible for the recording session.

Jamming & recording time packages at Tune Studios will be available as "minimum requirement" for all bands to purchase. Time slots for jamming & recording will be set in sequence throughout the month of June. So be prepared to take leave from your work to be in the recording studio for days or nights to record your songs. We will release more information when we have finalized it with Tune Studios.

We are now open to any suggestions for "charity based" mass production of CDs, album sleeve artwork & photography, packaging, distribution, sales, promotion, marketing & merchandising of the album, including filming of Music Videos and of the recording sessions. The more albums we can sell, the more money we can collect for the Asrama Rayyaj project & the faster your band will be famous.

Please spread the news around by forwarding this email or posting it in your chat-groups or messaging it to your boarding school band friends. Get them to join songs-from-dorms@googlegroups.com and/or "Boarding School" Album Registration and Info Center on facebook for further information & updates.

This is your chance to set your milestone as a professional recording artiste while contributing to a charitable cause. So keep on jammin' & rockin'....

Thank you.

Saiful Ibrahim & team.

Songs-from-Dorms Album Band Registration Committee

Photos at the Groundbreaking of Asrama RAYYAJ in Bombalai, Tawau

Everyone getting ready for the big moment

Another photo of the attendees

The lorry arrives

And it's official! Work on Asrama RAYYAJ has begun!

The lorry pulls away from the site

Everyone is excited that the vision will soon become a reality

The site where Asrama RAYYAJ will be built

Ceremonial handing over of working papers

That was the easy part!

Discussing what's next

Discussions, discussions

The guys try out the lorry...

Making room for another in the lorry cab

The urge to give it a try is too great!

Tipping over the next load

Success!

More photos of the site below

More Photos from the Cheque Handing Over to Sabah Credit Corporation

Raja Ali with the mock cheque for the first installment for the construction of Asrama RAYYAJ

Datuk Vincent Pung, SCC CEO

Raja Ali, Datuk Vincent & Hj Ambotola

Cikgu Dzulkiflee Harun doing the honours

Another one for the album

Datuk Vincent handing over a souvenir in return to Cikgu Dzul

More smiles for the cameras!

Songs From Dorms Night - A Great Success!!

On behalf of the band registration counter, Saiful Ibrahim (MRSM Kulim Killerbatch), Saiful Zainal & Hana (MRSM KT), we would like to thank all bands who participated tonight to make the event a great success!

Ten (10) bands participated in the following order:

1. Seize (Kuatagh)
2. GannuBoyz (MRSM KT)
3. Tiger Lane Boys (STAR)
4. LuSuka WaSuka Band (MRSM Beseri, SMS Taiping, VI Hostel & SIGSLW) (video link here)
5. Compassion (SMT Bukit Katil) - Solo
6. The Jaw (SAS) (video link here)
7. Bob Wilmie (Melaka High School) - Solo
8. Bloody Kay Kay Band (MRSM Kulim Killerbatch, MRSM Kuantan) (video link here)
9. Bob Dollah's Academy (Kuatagh, MCKK)
10. Magnum Opus - MRSM Seremban featuring Dato' Shazalli Ramly (Kuatagh) on drums

We regret the following bands couldn't join us (maybe next time):

1. Fall Apart (SMTT Melaka Tengah)
2. Orkes Alor Akar (Kuatagh / SMS NS / MCKK)
3. Wild Hogs (Kuatagh)
4. X-Troopers (SMS NS / MCKK)
5. Ku You (MRSM Langkawi)

We would also like to thank Patio@21 & all MRSM Kulim Killerbatch & Kuatagh for helping with the band registration & performance sequence. See you next time!

Saiful Ibrahim

MRSM Kulim Killerbatch

Songs From Dorms

The first meeting & jam session for the “Song From Dorms” initiative will be held this Saturday, 23/4/2011 at Patio@21, 16-1, Jalan USJ 21/6, UEP Subang Jaya, Selangor. 5 groups have confirmed their participation and will be performing. They are:

1. GannuBoyz (MRSM KT)
2. Bob Willmie - Solo (Melaka High School)
3. Tiger Lane Boys (STAR)
4. Kay Kay Band (MRSM Kulim/Kuatagh
5. Bob Dollah's Academy (Kuatagh, MCKK & SMS Johor)

Another 6 groups have tentatively agreed to perform, but have not confirmed at the point of writing. They are:

1. Compassion (SMT Bukit Katil)
2. Fall Apart (SMTT Melaka Tengah)
3. LuSuka WaSukaBand LWB (MRSM Beseri, SMS Taiping, VI Hostel & SIGSLWB)
4. Redline II (SAS)
5. Magnum Opus (MRSM Seremban)
6. Orkes Alor Akar (Kuatagh/SMS NS/MCKK)

The performances will help decide who will contribute their songs to the “Songs From Dorms” album that Roslan will produce, pro-bono. Proceeds from the sale of this album will go directly to the Asrama RAYYAJ fund. Further details can be found in an earlier posting on this blog.

In the meantime, those who wish to contribute directly to the fund may continue to do so. Contributions can be deposited into the following accounts:

CIMB: 14220002689203 (Nor Esah Abd Ghani); or

Maybank: 114020751597 (Badrol Hisham Lebai Talib).

Please email name and NRIC no to tabungrayyaj@gmail.com for record purposes. Tax exemption receipts are available for contributions above RM200.

This Saturday promises to be an exciting evening so join us at Patio@21 to contribute to a worthwhile cause while enjoying great music!

Work on Asrama RAYYAJ Can Now Begin!

The first installment of the funds for the construction of Asrama RAYYAJ has been handed over to the Sabah Credit Corporation. The funds were handed over during a dinner in Kota Kinabalu last Friday, April 15th.

Former MRSM Kulim teacher, En. Dzulkefflee Harun handed over the mock cheque to SCC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Vincent Pung in presence of AnsaraKu president, Raja Ali Raja Othman and En. Ambotola Pelu.

.

Note from AnsaraKu president, Raja Ali Raja Othman in his email dated April 11th, 2011:

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As of last Friday (8 April 2011), our collection has reached RM78,216.94!

I have printed a mock cheque to bring to Tawau and with that sum, the contractor has agreed to start constructing the hostel. Thank you for all your support. Hopefully, our aim to have the hostel ready for children of Tawau for school year in January, 2012 will become a reality.

I am off to Tawau on Wednesday for the groundbreaking and will bring with me the mock cheque. Will update you as we go along.

It is still not too late for you to bank in your contribution in either the designated CIMB or Maybank account. We will use that for second installment when the contractor presents his progress claim.

WHY DO PEOPLE CLIMB MOUNTAINS?

This letter was posted by former MRSM Kulim teacher, En. Teh Sharifuddin Abdullah in the ex-mrsmkulim email group, to urge for support of the Asrama RAYYAJ initiative:

_____________________________________________

Dear Friends

Salam and greetings

I have often wondered why people climb mountains or run marathons or go the extra mile in anything they do. I have seeked the answer for a very long time. The commonest answer is that people climb mountains because they are there. Or some say that it gives them a sense of achievement or accomplishment. Some even feel that by doing so, they are in power or in control. Somehow these answers although they sound logical never seem to me to be comprehensive.

Very soon (in April) a bunch of ex MRSM Kulim guys are embarking on the second phase of an extraordinary odyssey that they started back in 2009 with the Donni Duin project in Kiulu. On April 14 they are going to climb the magnificent and awesome Gunung Kinabalu. And they are not doing it just because it is there, nor do they have the need to feel powerful and in command of the elements. They might not even reach the top of the mountain. However there is a hidden and much more noble agenda. These unfit misfits (overweight and non athletic souls) will climb that majestic mountain to bring attention / publicity to a hostel that they intend to help build in Tawau, in a sekolah agama there. Hopefully they will reach the summit of that dream.

Many of us will support them from the comfort of our homes and pray for their success but I am appealing to you all to support them in more tangible ways. Dont just say that you are with them, but be with them Dont just say 'good job', mean it by doing your share in helping them help those kiids have a hostel in their school. Contribute in whatever way you can to make this project a reality. Dont just leave it to the guys who are climbing the mountain. You dont have to climb that mountain but you can help them reach their summit.

Twice I have seen Raja Ali's appeal to the alumni to call for us to donate a day's salary to jump start this project and both times I feel that the response has been rather cold. Many of us are now in a position to help those kids in Tawau but we are holding back. We have forgotten that we are where we are today because we had a good education and from the comfort of a hostel life. We were able to stay in the hostel because someone thought of us and by virtue of this we should now be thoughtful enough to help others. I maintain that the success of a person is not measured by how much wealth he has but how much he contributes back to the society that had provided for him. Do stand up and be counted.

I recollect a story I heard a long time ago when I first started to teach. The story was about a boy from a kanpong who was brilliant in his studies but could not continue his education after SPM because his family was poor. The Ketua Kampung was wise enough to call for a meeting after one Isyak prayers at the surau and declared that the kampung folk had to help this boy achieve his potential. This was the only chance for the kampung to see one of its anak jati become a success in life. With tears welling in their eyes but with great determintion, all of them pledged to contribute a few dollars each from their monthly income to see the boy through the university. The boy eventually graduated with honours and obtained a high ranking job. The kampung folk were happy, just like your families are happy with you now.

One day, the Ketua Kampung had another great idea. He felt the time was right for this boy whom the kampung folk had helped with their sweat and tears to come back to the kampung and contribute to the community. The kampung folk were told to organise a kenduri and they invited the boy (who was now someone important in the society). During the kenduri, the noy was invited to give some words of advice to the kampung folk, he stood up and asked a question of the kampung folk " Do you know what I am going to say?" The kampung people answered "no" THe boy then said "If you dont know what I am going to say, then there is no point for me to say anything" and he sat down to the consternation of the people.

Perplexed, but not one to give up on his objective, the ketua kampung then called for another meeting later with the kampung folk, and they decided to invite the boy again. This time, the ketua said, if the boy asked if we know what he is going to say, let us all reply in the positive. Maybe by saying no the previous time, he must think we are stupid. Another kenduri was organised and the boy was invited. The same question was asked and this time around, the people answered "yes' to his question. The boy then said "since you know what I am going to say, then there is no need for me to say anything" and he sat down. And again the folk were left without an answer.

A determined ketua kampung deided to try one last time to get this boy (he still had faith in this anak jati kampung) and he asked the kampung people to organise another kenduri and this time if the boy ask the same question, half the kampung folk will answer in the postive and the other half will answer in the negative. This way he has no choice but to share with us his ideas. Again the boy was invited and during the kenduri when it was time, the question was raised. According to plan, half the folk said "yes' and the other half said 'no'. THe boy then said, "good. In that case those who know what I am going to say, please tell those who dont know" and he sat down once again. And the kampung folk remained status quo. They had helped this boy achieve his potential but apparently, he is not going to contribute to making their lifes better.

Yes, let us all not be like that boy who achieved his potential through the sacrifice of others, yet reluctant to give back a little to help others. Kiulu was a great success. Let us make sure that the RAYYAJ project is as successful. Remember what I said during the buka puasa session last Ramadhan, Change a life and you change the world. Again stand up and be counted. Start by pledging a day's salary to Ansaraku and maybe you will finally understand the reason why people climb mountains.

May Allah bless you always.

Wassalam

Teh

Asrama RAYYAJ Fund Raising Launching Ceremony

The Asrama Rayyaj Fund Raising Launching ceremony was finally done last Saturday. In total we have more than 50 attendees from both chapter together with a few reps from MCOBA, MRSM PC, MRSM KT and SMS Kuala Pilah.

The event goes smooth with the participation of 2 ex-teacher, one from each chapter and they are Cikgu Faizah and Cikgu Teh Sharifudin. Both teachers are so proud with this project and it shows a gift back to the society.

The event end up at 6.30 pm with a jamming session by Tapok, Kem and Raja Ali. The committee will have a conference call to get some updates from the member on Monday 14/02/2011 at 10 pm.