TAMBUNAN: Oct 4, 2026 — The Bayu Ritma SEMENTA (BRS) Jazz Orchestra, representing the Sabah State Education Department (JPN Sabah), secured fourth place in the 2026 National Madani Generation Unity Jazz Orchestra Competition.
The competition, organised by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM), was held over three days from Sept 28 to 30, 2026, at the Taman Tamadun Islam Convention Centre Hall in Kuala Terengganu.
In the JPN Secondary School (Daily School) category, the Sabah contingent, represented by a combined team from SMK Tambunan and SM St. Martin, competed against 14 other state contingents. The achievement placed BRS among the country’s top four.
According to the team management, the achievement was attained despite the team facing logistical constraints. The team, comprising teenagers aged 13 to 16, encountered airport cargo weight limit issues that nearly affected their main keyboard instrument.
To ensure their performance could go on, the team borrowed an instrument from another contingent after a replacement instrument in Terengganu was found unsuitable.
The BRS team was coached by head coach Nick Arddley Nicholas, assisted by Aerence Judih and Nick Audrey Nicholas from House of Music Arts (HOMARTS), Tambunan.
Four accompanying teachers were also present — Delna Cleophas, Macrina S. Yubong, Nancy Liging and Frenysia Frencis — along with four representatives of the participants’ parents.
The BRS management expressed appreciation to donors and the local community for their contributions of time, energy and funds since the team was formed in May.
In this edition, the overall championship was won by the Perak JPN contingent (Bainun Youth Orchestra), followed by the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur as runner-up and Terengganu in third place.
