Humanities and Aesthetics Week '26
- ejorigin
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
Written by: Rachel (26-U1), Jamie (26-U1)
Edited by: Steven (25-A4)
Designed by: Rachel (26-U1)
The biennial Humanities and Aesthetic Week — otherwise known as HAW — is a big deal to many students in EJ. Whether it be due to the dazzling array of performances every other day, leaving every Eunoian’s heart full of awe and wonder, or the entertaining games that send all our competitive spirits flaring as we compete to win house points.
HAW marks an important event in the curation of a student’s Eunoia experience. Think of the buzz and inspiration flowing through your veins as you walk out of the auditorium after an unforgettable performance. Feel the pure emotion swelling in your heart as you watch your nearly graduating friends and seniors push through their performance with muffled sobs.
HAW 2026
Spanning from 18–22 May 2026, HAW consists of a large variety of events. From the huge array of performances being put up by our talented PA CCA members, the educational talks centered all around the Arts and Humanities, the wonderful Art and Music showcase, to the fiery Inter-House Games, there is certainly something for everyone.
Kicking off the first day of HAW, an online Bingo challenge based on our arts and humanities subjects (art, music, history, literature, geography, and economics) was opened to the EJ Cohort.
Students could be seen rushing to complete the Bingo sheets in class — after all, they couldn’t pass up the invaluable opportunity to win house points. Somewhere between the confusion and chaos of completing the Bingo Sheet, students found humour and happiness in the activity — frantically searching for the call number of the Albatross files in the library, or taking class pictures outside the EJVA mural on level nine — which greatly enhanced both student’s bonds with the class, as well as their overall appreciation for the Arts.
Then, on day three came the subject challenges. There was the History Challenge, in which students had to create a political cartoon, thus giving birth to many, many hilarious and slightly questionable portraits of our political leaders. As well as the literature Challenge, featuring a fun and witty crossword puzzle, with answers including but not limited to: ‘cesspool’ — a reference to An Enemy of the People — or Macbeth, everyone’s favourite Shakespearean tyrant!
Through these challenges, Eunoians could learn more about and appreciate the various subjects more, while having fun at the same time.
In tandem with HAW, Eunoians also enjoyed a wide array of performances by the various Performing Arts CCAs. Kicking things off were EJ Drama, with “Lanterns Never Go Out” on 24 April. It was then followed by a collaboration between EJ Dance and Street Dance for “Concert Lumiere” on the 27th. Entering the new month, Chamber Strings, Choir and Symphonic Band took their turn on the stage. And to finish the performances with a bang was Chinese Orchestra and Rock Band! Having so many concerts greatly lifted the atmosphere in Eunoia, even through the stressful exam period, as the students had something to look forward to and enjoy. The performances have become a core memory for many Eunoians, audience and performers alike!
Image Credit: EJ Media/Hannah Rusli
EJ Choir - La Vie En Rose
Held on 8 May 2026, “La Vie En Rose” was an unforgettable concert performed by EJ Choir, not just for the audience but for the performers too. Through their showcase of many uplifting songs, Natalie, the president of choir for the 2025 batch, hoped that the audience would take away a greater appreciation for choral music, and music in general. She wishes that even those not from Eunoia could immerse themselves in the EJ concert culture, with friends showing up to cheer on the choristers. Most of all, she hopes that the audience got to acknowledge and appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that went into “La Vie En Rose”, and fall in love with the family that is EJ Choir.
When asked about her favourite part of the whole experience, Natalie mentioned that it “had to be the performance itself” and seeing the culmination of weeks of hard work, stress and uncertainty come to fruition in front of everyone. As a graduating senior, Natalie found that the whole experience flew by incredibly fast. Her immense pride, joy and nostalgia as Choir sang their last song made her realise how much she had grown to truly care for EJ Choir during her two years spent in the CCA. The theme of the concert, “La Vie En Rose”, is clearly reflected in the love, care and appreciation the choristers have for each other, encapsulating the sincerity and admiration EJ Choir has for their CCA.
“La Vie En Rose” is about learning to appreciate the good in every situation, a message EJ Choir had to hold close to heart as they went through their concert preparation process. Natalie spoke about how the preparation period was extremely stressful for the choir due to the numerous songs they had to learn, especially with the J1s having such a short time to prepare by the time they joined the CCA. Due to the changing CCA dynamics and new songs everyone had to learn, there was a lot of initial uncertainty.
Fortunately, the choristers would frequently show up for each other, offering support when others faltered or felt overwhelmed, and getting through the challenges together as a team. In the end, Natalie felt incredibly fulfilled when she saw the choristers in their element during the concert, shining in front of others as they did what they loved. Regardless of the obstacles faced, “La Vie En Rose” turned out a success, with EJ Choir being able to deliver a concert and performance they were proud of.
EJ Rock Band - T.G.I.F
Finally, EJ Rockband ended off the lineup of performances with the highly anticipated T.G.I.F, making a huge bang in Eunoia’s cultural scene. With an impressive number of over 900 seats sold, It’s clear that TGIF swept the music scene — both in EJC and other schools — off their feet.
Right before the concert started, both the lower and upper tiers of the auditorium were filled with chatter. Only when the lights turned off did the audience fall into silence as the newest members of EJ Rockband, the J1s, took the stage in dazzling outfits and stunning makeup. The silence, however, did not last long, as the instant the spotlight fell on the guitarist and the opening notes of an impressive guitar solo started flooding the space of the auditorium, the crowd erupted into a series of cheers and screams.
Starting with Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime”, the band had truly lit up the stage, making each and every member of the audience at that very moment, feel alive. The J1’s set was packed with high energy songs that spanned across a large range of styles, yet the band pulled off each and every one seamlessly. But almost as soon as it started, the J1’s moved on to their final song, Paramore’s “Still Into You”. Adrenaline was coursing through everyone’s veins, and it wasn’t long before most of the lower tier found themselves gathering towards the front of the stage, ready to rave.
Image Credit: EJ Media/Dylan Seah
The J2s, of course, did not disappoint. Nothing could've prepared the audience for the J2’s set, especially not their emotionally charged acoustic segment.
Their vocalist had made a grand entrance, singing her opening lines in the middle of the auditorium floor amongst screaming, awestruck teenagers. From there on out, it was all high energy and full power, with the members of EJ Rockband performing their absolute best, churning out songs packed with sweet nostalgia.
Then, all of a sudden, the mood shifted to a calmer one. After the year spent together as a band, practicing their art together every Tuesday and Thursday, the fact that T.G.I.F would be their final concert together was finally seeping in. The culmination of these feelings exploded into a beautiful, unforgettable performance.
The concert ended with only the most fitting song yet, ‘Last Friday Night’, which was sung with large smiles, wet cheeks, and mascara running down everyone’s faces. In his closing speech, Frank, Drummer and President of EJ Rockband expressed his gratitude towards the band, thanking them for making his EJ Experience but regretfully expressed that “All good things must come to an end.”
T.G.I.F was a concert that aimed to transport its audience back to the iconic 2010s, digging deep into the feeling of nostalgia and longing by bringing old hits back to life on stage. All this while, EJ Rockband’s main goal has always been to ‘hype up the Eunoia JC crowd’, and by just looking at the sheer amount of tears and joy from both members of the band and audience, it's clear that they succeeded in their mission.
So, while this might be the last concert in EJ that the J2 band will get to play, it doesn’t mean it has to be their last. Following TGIF, the band will carry the memories of EJ Rockband with them. continuing to hype up whatever crowds they play for.
At its heart, the Humanities and Aesthetics Week is a celebration of everything that makes Eunoia special. Through the concerts, showcases, talks and games, HAW reminds us that the Arts and Humanities are not distant subjects confined to classrooms, but living experiences that inspire, connect and move us.
More importantly, however, HAW reminds us that Eunoia is built upon its people. As another Humanities and Aesthetics Week drew to a close, one thing remained certain: long after the final note has been sung and the last performance has ended, the joy, passion and appreciation for the Arts will continue to live on in the hearts of Eunoians for years to come.
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