Discipline Key To MRSM Ulul Albab Felda Trolak’s Victory In Prague - Principal

IPOH, June 24 (Bernama) -- Despite a tight study schedule, 53 students from the MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) Ulul Albab Felda Trolak proved that excellence is possible both in the classroom and on stage, earning the Golden Diploma Award at the 2025 International Wind Orchestra Festival in Prague, Czech Republic.

MRSM Ulul Albab Felda Trolak principal Zeidi Zakaria said the students’ commitment and discipline were key to their success, as all practice sessions had to be held after school hours.

“They practised only after school and in the evenings, and whenever there was a competition, they gave it their full attention, even with limited time.

“When they arrived in the Czech Republic, they only had two days to practise, but I was truly impressed with their performance, especially considering that 17 of them achieved a CGPA (cumulative grade point average) of 3.75 and above,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said all members of the MARESMAF Wind Orchestra (MAWO), aged between 14 and 17, were first introduced to orchestral music upon entering MRSM, with some coming from B40 families who had rarely been exposed to elite musical instruments.

“In European countries, children are introduced to musical instruments from a young age, whereas most MRSM students only start learning them in Form One, at the age of 13.

“We performed at an art school before the competition, and on that same day, they were awarding diplomas to their students. I noticed the youngest recipient was just nine years old, unlike in Malaysia, where students usually receive their diplomas at 20 or 21,” he said.

In addition, Zeidi said Malaysia was the sole representative from Asia, while the other 10 participating teams were from Europe, including Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Germany, Poland and Croatia.

“We were quite humbled just looking at the physical build of their students on the opening day. They (MRSM students) may be physically small, but they displayed a strong will and determination,” he said.

According to him, MRSM Ulul Albab Felda Trolak is currently the only MRSM in the country that has its own orchestra group.

Zeidi said that in light of this, the school aimed to make orchestra music an integral part of the curriculum to give students an edge when continuing their studies abroad.

“I’ve seen this as an opportunity since taking on the principal’s role in 2021, particularly in terms of how we can leverage the curriculum to prepare students for the international stage.

“Sports and the arts are highly competitive fields. So, when I see the unique strengths our students have, I want to elevate the music curriculum as part of the core to set them apart,” he said.

Held on June 20 and 21, the festival featured 13 orchestras from 11 countries, divided into three categories – lower, middle, and higher class – based on musical complexity and technical capability.

--BERNAMA