Presenter and writer Tamara Geraldine wiped away tears when a documentary began showing on a big screen in the auditorium of all-girls senior high school Tarakanita 1 about the school'€™s marching band over the years.

A whoop of '€œViva Tar! Viva Tar! Viva Tarakanita!'€ echoed from the speakers, prompting Tamara and hundreds of other women in the room to become lost in nostalgia about their time in the group, known as Korps Putri Tarakanita (KPT), years before.

'€œI used to play trumpet in the group,'€ said Tamara proudly. '€œI had my debut when I was assigned to join them in a national marching band competition, although at that time, I was still a candidate '€” not yet an inaugurated member.'€

Tamara and other women who graduated from the girls'€™ school, located in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, made time on Saturday for KPT'€™s 50th anniversary celebration.

KPT has long been in the limelight for its charming performances and numerous achievements. It is well-known not only at the senior high school level, but also on the national stage.

Regularly joining the country'€™s Marching Band Grand Prix (GPMB), a prominent marching band competition, KPT has many times won prestigious titles.

To name a few, it was announced as the 7th winner of the competition in 2014. In 2011, KPT went home as the 7th winner of GPMB and also the 3rd winner in the field commander category.

KPT has also made a name for itself internationally, like at the Thailand World Music Championship in 2014 when it brought home a trophy as the 7th winner.

KPT started off as a group of girls with only five drums when it was established in 1965, according to its founder Peggy Samiasih Odang.

It eventually acquired a complete set of marching band instruments for its 60 members after a donor saw a performance at a church event and provided instruments, said Peggy.

Peggy added that she had started the senior-high marching band with the help of basketball coach Budi Nurdanadarma, who was part of a marching band when he studied at the Armed Forces Academy (Akabri).

'€œBudi was an Air Force graduate. So, he applied a semi-military method to train KPT marching band members. KPT still uses the same method today,'€ said Peggy, adding that KPT had a hierarchical structure, with a commander, chiefs of staff and assistants.

When asked how KPT had managed to sustain its existence, Peggy said it was a result of the devotion of its alumna, members and school management. Love, care and support had created a strong sisterhood between all parties, she said.

Meanwhile, documentary producer Sheila Timothy, who previously produced the movie Tabula Rasa, said KPT'€™s semi-military approach had shaped her attitudes toward being disciplined and well-organized.

Initially meant for Tarakanita 1 students, KPT is now open to students from all Tarakanita schools regardless of their grade, as long as they can take up the challenge, like the tight practice schedule.

KPT members practice twice a week for two-and-a-half hours, according to current KPT commander Gabriela Elfrida Elsaudy, better known as Gaby. However, she said, they might extend the hours when preparing for a competition.

Currently in 12th grade, Gaby said she did not have much difficulty balancing her time between KPT and school assignments.

'€œIt might look difficult. However, my friends and I always try to fulfill school tasks despite the tight schedule of KPT practice. [...] I have also never heard any friend complaining to her parents or boyfriend about the schedules,'€ said Gaby, adding that the marching band had currently inaugurated 43 members and accepted 46 candidates '€” four of whom were junior high school students. (agn)

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