Throwback Thursday: Group Singing

Before I ever held a mic for karaoke or dreamt of seeing Lady Gaga live, I had my first taste of the spotlight at just 10 years old — as part of a group singing competition in primary school.

From 2001 to 2003, I proudly represented Sekolah Kebangsaan Astana Raja in Rembau, my beloved little school in the heart of Negeri Sembilan. What started as an extracurricular activity quickly became a highlight of my childhood. We weren’t just singing kids — we were a team. And we were good. Like… really good.

In 2001, our group didn’t just win the district level competition — we went on to place second in the entire state. That meant we stood on the same stage as schools from big towns like Seremban and Tampin, and we held our ground. Imagine a bunch of kampung kids, armed with nursery rhymes and shiny costumes, competing against students from schools just a stone’s throw away from KL. And yet, there we were — showing up and showing out.

Group singing, for those who didn’t experience it, is kind of like a mini choir-meets-stage-performance. About 6 to 10 students sing together, often performing sweet, wholesome tunes — think I Have A Dream or Flying Without Wings. Sometimes we even threw in cute little dance moves or hand gestures to add flair. And the outfits? Think glittery vests and matchy-matchy ensembles your parents proudly ironed the night before. 😂

It wasn’t just about winning (though let’s be real — SK Astana Raja was THE team to beat). It was about the joy of rehearsals, the bond with teammates, the encouragement from our teachers, and the thrill of stepping on stage as one united voice. Even now, if someone mentions “group singing,” I can feel that familiar mix of excitement and nervousness in my chest.

We were district champions three years in a row, and although we never snagged that elusive first place at the state level (always behind some school from Seremban, of course 😅), it never dulled the pride I felt. We made our little school known across the state — and that’s something no medal could ever fully capture.

Looking back, I think that was the moment my love for performing was born. These days, I may not be the first to grab the mic at a party, but deep down, that performer still lives in me — all thanks to those early, glittery, joy-filled days of group singing.

Here’s to the memories that shaped us. And here’s to SK Astana Raja — the little school that could (and did).