Anime medley!

Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind

Porco Rosso

My Neighbour Totoro

Hayao Miyazaki!!!

http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/

Performance Pressure

I think it's something which bugs most performers. If you'd listened to the recordings made by the Small ensemble off stage(which I did not until recently); and comparing, really sounds much better than on concert day!

Anyone have any idea how I can upload them somewhere?

MEGAFLARE!

"This monstrous fish comes from Moslem traditions. The legend goes that it floats in a vast sea. A giant bull rides on its back and on the bull is a ruby mountain. There is an angel on the mountain over which are six hells, then the Earth, and then seven heavens. The bahamut is so huge and dazzling that human beings cannot look upon it. Its name may have lead to the behemoth."

玩完了!

This is what happens when you use your own phone to call students playing truant!
Time to shop for a new one!!!

孬种

As usual, Dominic has made communicated information seem uncommunicated. Verified with Alex that they had discussed on the audition criteria and he pulled a fast one on Alex, by changing the audition topics last minute; and of course without concensus.

What a jerk! And he lamely excused himself, diverting the error as an inevitable manifestation of his character(or what's left of it).

Nonetheless, he's gotten his retribution when Daren told him that he's not playing the bass part for Rondalla last minute as well. Perhaps I should pull one on him too. heh heh...

杀!!!

Time to 进货!

意见分歧

Hours after I blog about Alex's email, comes Domy's one which sets quite different expectations about the auditions. 2 free choice pieces and sight-reading. I wondering what's happening to the upper management. Do they even communicate before sending out mass mails??? Perhaps Chua Beng Hwee or Thumboo could send out the next email on another set of audition criteria as well... hahaha

Nontheless, I still think if they are serious about encouraging the younger members to go for the trip, the should just concentrate on the repertoire on the trip, which addresses more pertinent issues for the trip's performance itself. Knowing Domy, he must think that the juniors have played in the annual concert and assumed that they are fantastically at home with their individual parts.

Spring Overture is a tricky one to bring to Japan, percussion instruments and all. It's already quite difficult to balance between full ensemble and the chinese percussion, what's more now it's a down-sized ensemble.

Auditions for Japan Trip

Tuning? and Sight-reading? I think it's a little too tough lah. Ho Xim lah, this is an audition for a trip, don't use formal music examination assessments.

How to test for tuning? Test whether they know how to use tuner or not ah?

Test sight-reading for what???

If anything, just test them on their readiness of the chosen pieces. If they can play those WELL, it's already half a miracle.

Do.... Re Mi Ti.... La

IT has arrived!

Percussion Concert - Strings Attached

YST Conservatory's concert with Percussion and Strings was good. The first piece was played by their head of violins(or strings) Qian Zhou, which I always thought sounded like 欠揍. But that wouldn't make sense, as the dialect would become Kiang Mao or Kiang Pah. Anyway, very exotic violin concerto by Harrison, employing some compositional technique called Control Intervals.(or was it Interval Controls?) Anyway, the highlight was much on the mixture and use of unconventional percussion instruments, rather gamelan sounding and a little western comtemporary. Fusion I suppose. Almost dozed off after a while, felt like I was in a temple in Thailand. Luckily the piece made a hasty ending.

I enjoyed the 2nd piece a lot, Shchedrin's rendition of Carmen Suite. Plenty of surprises; both blending and yet offering contrast. Theme of Toreadors and Habenara was made reall interesting to listen to. Thought entr'acte and Aragonaise wasn't too much of difference, in fact I thought entr'acte didn't sound as good as the original. Loved the re-make from Les Dragons d'Alcala, fantastic change in rhythm and colour. Seems like Shchedrin forgot about Seguidilla and Gypsy Dance though, was hoping to catch these two familiar favourites.

Strings and Percussion seem to blend better in modern pieces, perhaps due to the decrease in need for harmony in parts. The 2nd piece kind of reminded me of the GENUS getup for Chinese Spring Overture, quite similar in a way. Balance between strings and percussion is quite hard to achieve. Find that the percussion cuts through too much, but yet asking them to play less would also mean losing that 'oomph' in the percussive parts. Dilemma. As with GENUS's Spring Overture too, the percussions are a little way too above the rest in the recording, which makes the sound a shade too pompous and unpolished.

My favourite mistake

废戏一部, 但真字名言.

紫青双剑合璧那一幕, 我淌出了开心的眼泪. 好动人的情节啊!

白眉: "浩然天地,正气长存!"

令人愤怒

Gloomy entries from Hiong Gai gai and Yen about the future of MASAK, which I still see much potential to be excavated. Alas, Alex doesn't have a blog, else he can air his views to us over cybernet as well.

To set things in perspective, Small Ensemble was formed for the Singapore Guitarist Networking event organised by Toa Payoh Guitar Club. After that performance, I thought it'd be good to keep the group going, since the feel I get when we rehearsed together was really good. On the technical aspect, the group could attempt pieces which are more challanging and need a larger number of players to bring forth greater impact in terms of sound.

Before we go into asking "when's the next practice?". We'd like to ask ourselves "what's the next piece?". Music progress in the small group is driven by the availability of scores. Without scores, what's there to rehearse?

To obtain scores for a niibori quintet is definitely harder than for a guitar quartet. Besides the archive of existing pieces, if we do not actively arrange or source for materials, the death of any group is inevitable. I think we need to encourage ourselves to write for the groups we play in, and not sit back and wait for nice tunes/scores to drop from the sky. Instead of worrying whether or not the group should/would/could disband, get off your butt and do something about it!

I'm very much annoyed by people who sit back and ask themselves silly questions. I spend my nights cutting and pasting scores, arranging pieces for both MASAK and small ensemble(still owe Guitaresque the "loose canon", yes it'll come.), while others lament about the possibility of group disbanding.

WTF?

购物乐

Was shopping on eBay for a present for Snowparang, since he mis-informed me via his blog; thought he was interested in the CD but ended up not. (!!!)

Decided to get something for Hiong Gai Gai as well. Hopefully it's Hiong enough for him.

倪的大牌

What! Want to buy present for him and yet gimme big shot remarks. "I don't really like the arrangements in the CD." KNN! 耍大牌! 咒你一辈子胡不了十三幺!

The CD has already been shipped! 他妈的! Stupid snowparang! Blog incorrect information on your OWN blog!

常年会议

Heard from Shuhann that Pris was wondering why I didn't say much during the AGM. In fact, I was also quite silent (or so I thought) during the Small ensemble meeting prior to the AGM.
Well I think it has come to a point where I believe that time can be better spent on something else, and I've decided not pro-long everyone's agony.

Common pitfalls of AGMs:
1. The usual bulk of time during AGM is always spent talking about the past, and hardly anything pertaining to the future.
2. Nominees are not well prepared beforehand, constantly rejecting posts and gesticulating about how incapable/useless they are, which I seem to agree, gradually, after being innoculated about the same point, person after person.
3. Ridiculous planning, I see Marie running in and out of the DT like a frantic Maria, Zhao Jin hurrying along the elections, like Chinatown sales during Chinese New Year.
4. Elected personnels are made to sit in front of the spectators. Weird.
5. Current committee members are all seated with the audience, which in fact they should up there chairing the meeting. Everyone of them.
6. Loss of prestige to office holders; "By the way(!?!?), Priscilla is the librarian." While the rest continue to pack and stack up chairs.
7. Refreshments not catered for, expect people to sit there for hours.
8. Where's the bloody Music Director?
9. Committee members put on and give out a "get it done and over with" or "phew, I'm finally out of this" aura. Hardly surprising why everyone rejects almost everything.

Ya know, sometimes things are really strange. I particularly liked the AGM which Leo's comm got elected. Somehow, the nominees are well-prepared and very enthusiastic to take over, though the office was handed over from Shirleen's comm, which was ahem..... rather "spectacular spectacular"...

I think Zhiqiang's comm has done pretty well too, except a few phantom ones which I wonder if they could even play their concert pieces or not. There was much thought into many matters though not all matters were handled with style. Well, com'on, we're all learning.

The issues which I would potentially highlight at the AGM are:
1. Sales of the Annual Concert. had they listened to me and devoted on concerted effort to the March concert, perhaps we would have raised more funds.
2. Purchase of new instruments
3. Purchase of new scores
4. Small group management/development of juniors
5. Committee attendance for rehearsals
6. Review of the issue of quitting rates of juniors during Timeless Classics period.
7. Attendance of juniors(figures to be presented, who's monitoring?)
8. Review of the need for sectionals
9. Job scope of Section Leaders
10. Role of AC and CM
11. Downsizing of comm/New positions for comm
12. Role of tutors in the new year

向未来看齐!

倪的礼物

Was comtemplating to get this.....

but decided that a CD is of better choice, since he yearns to be in US to hear it "live".
SO DO I!!!

And yes, I've not forgotten about the FFVII medley too.

So many things to arrange and so little time....

The young ones

1. During the meet parents session last Sat, one of my ex-students(B*s**) in Sec. 2 came to look for me and popped me a strange question. Yup, the ultimate one, "What's the meaning of life?". I discussed it briefly with him and he told me that he doesn't find much happiness in himself. And he's wondering if the others are as happy as they seem. I eventually asked him to find happiness within others, he seemed a little puzzled about what I talking about though...

2. My technical class has managed to get themselves into a chalet and invited me over for BBQ. I was very glad since FOR ONCE, they were independent and could get the show running. Usually, I'm the one picking up the scraps after them, which makes me furious. The chicken wings and chicken fillet they cooked for me was really goo too! Haha, which makes me wonder if they heading to SHATEC. heh heh... I was worried about their safety though, since some of them have really bad temper and I wasn't staying overnight in the chalet; well, in case they pick a fight becuase someone "funked with their hearts". I didn't get any calls since Tuesday, so it should be fine. I hope. An very warming feeling filled me when I was there at the chalet on Tuesday night; this is the 3rd year they have been with me and I'm starting to think they are starting to grow up.

3. My cousin gets on the phone every night and talks non-stop for about an hour or so. So much so that they can spend time debating whether another person would like go out or not, or "how much is the present?" etc. real trivial stuff. She's a bright kid, but if this is going to go on, I don't think she's even going to get close to SA JC. So I've decided to be the 黑脸. My mum usually is the 白脸, or rather the indulgent spy. Soon she's going to find me a nag, probably just like her teachers in school as well. Occupational hazard eh?

4. 16 year olds still yakking away in my class. Gave them a piece of my mind this morning. Bloody hell, come for remedial class and talk and talk. Already so weak in Physics and not even taking the extra time and effort to beef up a little. Mostly all from Chinese Orchestra, acting like aunties and ah sohs from Chinatown, gesticulating every moment of their lives.

I'm suffering from a streak of back/hip-aches as I'm typing this, somehow started coming on and off after my trip to MacLeHost, now exacerbated by the bowling session with Pa and cousin, which of course influenced my choice of the title to this entry.

Perhaps I really should visit the doc soon...

长江后浪推前浪

If there's anything about Zhiqiang's comm that irks me, it has to be their communication with each other. Things like cost of AGM dinner, deadline of nominations for committee, there's always erratum after erratum. Several occasiosn, it's always a comm member sends email, and a while later Zhiqiang sends another mail and adds on with some modifications/clarifications/corrections. Considering the number of meetings the comm has had before the concert, it's really a terrible trend. Meet so many times and did not manage tie down such simple things.

On the other hand, the comm has come a long way, managing the group from PGP till CFA rennovations where completed. And not to mention managing Domy as well. They're quite a special batch, arising from the SO/PO system, which makes them currently the only exclusive batch, since the 2 sub-groups merged and the separation fizzled off. I empathise with their situation, since they wouldn't have interacted much with the seniors due to the segregation last year, and yet while being comm members, they'll need to manage and interact with the seniors and alumni. The 1.5 system definitely has allowed more of the juniors to come closer to the oldies, else how would I have known Chiok Yen's antics??? Haha.

We should also get rid of that 1.5 nonsense as well. Just reunited back as one officially, that 0.5 is utter rubbish with Domy around.

Anyway, their office is coming to an end, soon they'll put down their appointments and administrative roles. I do hope that the comm will continue to stay with GENUS in the following years, and enjoy making music together! It's their turn to 修成正果, 化身龙柱!

The Passion of Maazel

Lorin Maazel's concert was great! Unfortunately, we(Wai, Junhao, Alex and myself) were seated a bit high up due to a lack of ticket budget, so the impact of the sound wasn't that great. Nonetheless, the orchestra sounded different under him, much filled with subtle nuances.

Looks a bit like Jack Nicholson

Overture to Romeo and Juliet was fantastic, what I thought was the best piece for the night. Beautifully crafted and the tragedy/conflict not as harshly put forth. Recordings/Concerts which I've attended previously love to bring sorrow to grieve and conflict to confrontation. Maazel had a finer touch to it, keeping the music within human realms and not overblowing it into "War of the Worlds". Pompous french horn though.

The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto had plenty of good tunes and virtuosic moments. Looked like the violinist breezed through it, quite the feel I like. As usual, with the lack of woodwind participation, I'm already biased to giving the piece lower points!

Pictures at an exhibition was straightforward and simple. I really liked some of the brass chords, esp. at the Great Gate of Kiev; superb tone and balance, unlike the usual blasting from recordings.

After a few listening to Jin Ta and Evgueni's tone, have to say I really prefer the latter's. Jin Ta's is awfully sweet and Galway-ish, not so in the sense of vibrato but just the sound itself. I think the sound makes a good flute solo, cuts through quite clearly, but doesn't really blend well with orchestral sound. Evgueni's tone is clear and very european. Basic rich tone with great musical ideas. Wonderful for solos in orchestral works.

演后感

I must say this is one of those concerts I feel rather hyped-up after. Could be because I was participating in 2 small groups and conducted in 2 pieces too. Hahaha. Though I was running in and out of stage during the first half, it was kinda fun.

My deepest apologies to my dear 三弦 player. Incidentally, I did notice you were tuning the instrument with Edwin. And, incidentally I did not notice you were picking up the Alto! Oops! Started without your glorious pianissississimo tremolo... heh heh... indirectly also startled Mel as well.

Yangyang displayed what would happen if he went into a trance or twilight zone. Things will slow down inevitably. Nonetheless, flawlessly executed, much the small ensemble's surprise and consent too! Quasi Cadenza!

Moh decided that Allegro in Farandole shall not be Andantino on stage. Alto players' eyes dilated for a while and conceeded to his tyrannic offer, the relentless pedal D note, he hummed on the contrabass silently.

Handel was as rehearsed. Perfected actually. Sheepish tone in the later movements from the guitar orchestra. Long and weary feel. Fatigue perhaps.

Duet was fine from backstage, till the end. It sounded like someone missed or was confused as the piece ended quite abruptly, incongruent to the title "Things that we do". Nonetheless a short dessert style piece for the audience after the interval break.

I liked the piece by Daren's group, Pain. I've played Xenosaga too, and I like the gameplay, the story and the music too. They presented it in combo band fashion, was quite refreshing to hear it from backstage.

春节序曲 had to be one of the best pieces in the evening. Nicely placed as the last piece for the night, I thought it roused lots of excitement and gave the audience a new aural sensations, using guitar to portray oriental works. As usual I want to hiss about the Alto's tremelo in the Andante section, sickeningly accelerated without remorse during tremolo, an obvious trait of unpolished music understanding/technique.

Met up with Ruijian, Buk Lan and Kennedy after the concert. I was happy that some of my school people came to attend the concert. (on their own interest, I did not pester them to get tickets) Saw quite many long lost alumni during supper; Sherrie said she might want to come back and join in the Small Ensemble, TMC said that he'll join to guest conduct, jokingly I hope he meant. Daokui also manged to whizz SiewLi back home before meeting us at King Albert for Macs, what a pleasant surprise! Vehicles do miracles!

战前

Saturday was a very long day. I had to meet students' parents in the morning from 10am till 1 plus, on a endless chatter about how their child can do better in school, behavioural problems, encouragements, that sort. I wanted to leave school by 1pm and get to UCC but turns out quite impossible. Met Hiong Gai Gai for lunch before we proceeded to UCC for concert rehearsal. Domy was doing Handel, the cue-ins and all that directing he insisted on doing from his 1st alto solo. Felt that the ensemble was quite disinterested in getting the piece together neatly for him, and so it sounded that way for concert as well. That sluggish sound and sheepish accompaniment.

Next up was sound test for small groups. Huifen and Songyi did a duet; in fact was not ready by audition about a month back, but Domy gave them all the time they needed(till concert day!) and finally agreed to having them on stage. A bad move it is. When it comes to music auditions, I feel it's either a yes or no, after audition. Meaning to say if you feel that they group should have potential to be ready by concert day, but not ready during audition, just give a yes if you are willing to take a risk and trust your judgement. Saying no, should also mean definitely no. Striking up a pact to give the players all the time they need till concert day before saying yes is ridiculous and impractical.

Just imagine, how to say "NO" to the players who've been practising that song twice as hard after audition, even if they really still can't play together? Hello to morale? To top it off, it's Huifen's group. I think unless the conductor wants to see her transform into a 冥炒炒的木乃伊, it's not exactly the best option.

Anyway, she always gets these "special offers", 见惯不怪. Wonder if it's because she's his student yah? Heh heh...

Listened to the duet during the sound check. "Something that we do", new age guitar stuff, I kept losing the melodic line, hence the phrasing and all that. Maybe just no knack for it. I mean myself.

Sound check for Guitaresque, Masak and small ensemble were rather smooth. I borrowed Moh's Alhambra, Alex borrowed Yangyang's Yamaha. The Alhambra was fantastic, a steal for $2k, the high notes were solid and the bass broad. The Yahama wasn't too bad either, but lacked a bit of character in sound, IMHO. In the end, I used YY's and Alex used Moh's instead, since Alex was doing the guitar 1 part. Greatest thanks to both of them!!! Rehearsed a bit with EXPOSE!, Raj was helping out with the sound, everything turned out ok despite cancelling our recent proposed weekday practice. Pro seah.... ha ha. Oh yes! Talking about Pro, Masak only rehearsed 3 times for Suteki!!! (Hansen was away in Thailand, eating scorpions, getting massaged)

This year we had lots of free time in the afternoon, kinda liked that. Instead of that usual rushing here and there, cleaning up of pieces, last minute changes etc.

Hmmm... which stage are we in?

保存实力

(This is the sub-article to Hiong Gai Gai's entry)

Operation Mitosis is not a project to primarily segregate the senior and junior players of the ensemble. In fact, the absense of sectionals has much contributed to the current segregation, with the juniors unable to catch up due to the lack of guidance and support.

The separation of the group is mainly to preserve the players who are still interested to make music together, but unable to reconcile the horror/disappointment during practices under Domy. My take is that either
1. there's something around to keep the alumni
2. or they are just going to go off anyway.

Might as well keep the group intact right?

I think it's a waste if we leave things be and watch the seniors all exit the group. We've come a long way, with many dedicated players. It's truly a pity to give it up.

稀客

Liling messaged me and asked for some ideas on where to get flutes, she's thinking of starting on it. Jokingly(I suppose) she told me her budget was zero, I assumed Zhizheng is buying for her lah. Anyway, she sounds quite interested(from the messages) and hopes that it will not end up like guitar. Really makes it sound like it was such a complete catastrophe with the 6 stringed instrument. heh heh

It's quite amazing that she still keeps such keen interest in music learning. I suppose many of those GENUS alumni people out there feel similarly, but have their individual reasons/reservations.

Preparation Woes

Once again, Chiok Yen is the only prime junior who faithfully attends my extra Prime sectionals. Well, he's got quite an optimistic character so I think he'll be alright for concert, despite glitches here and there in his playing.

Ensemble was quite unusual, with this practice being the last before concert. Domy was absent, doing sound test for Rondalla (for their Saturday Fringe concert), or so he claims. So we did Handel without both soloists. Much like a scamper though. Haha =) Most of us agreed to do the 4th movement a favour and 送他上路. Can feel that everyone's a little flustered and impatient, perhaps due to concert closing in soon. Attendance was quite under expectations, many juniors were missing from practice. Has NUS work just gotten harder or what? Seems like many of the undergrads are dumped with tons of work. Quite unlike the uni days of mine. Hmmm...

We spent quite some time on 春节序曲, ironing out percussion matters and the loose ends. For more than an hour perhaps. We skimmed through the surface of La Partida, Alex kinda facial-ly decided it was the best there was and we went on. Haha =)

During supper, the issue of the Japan trip came along and we were talking about the pieces to be played there. The group seemed to know of my dislike to let Domy do my pieces, and I feel quite bad about letting this come into the choice of repertoire for the trip. I just don't like the feeling of letting Domy sit there and have pieces prepared and served on his bed while he continues his nonsense with the group. It interferes with the interest of the ensemble, I feel it's just not right letting the vicious cycle go on and on. If he has poor choice of repertoire or concert planning, then it should surface to the CFA people, and hopefully, he changes or gets sacked.

Noc-tuned 2006

It's been years since I went for a NTU guitar ensemble(was called "club" years back) concert. Conjured enough curiosity to decide to visit them just yesterday night. Much of the reason was also I've never been to the Lee Foundation theatre at NAFA. Pris, ZhaoJin, Zhiqiang, Daren, Moh were there as well.

There wasn't much to listen to, literally. Miking was rather minimum, so the guitar sounds came forth pretty acoustically. They played some Kitaro piece, Matusri, which had some guitar knocking; completely drowning the altos and the alto cembalos tremelos in the process. Then there was that Air on G, Tomas conducted. He's gotten a bit fatter since years back, swollen to be exact. Perhaps guitar sales are really sky-rocketing eh?

Then came like 5 to 6 pieces of small groups, from Kill Bill soundtrack, schnappi the crocodile, Manha de Carnival... I was most unimpressed by their sound. Quite raw and unfocused. Lacks collaborated direction.

Interval came and I had a slight discussion with Daren. He had the most abhoration for the guitarron player, occupational hazard I guess. Moh and I were quite distraught about their sound. Looking at the booklet,we realised they only have 5 Altos, and 3 Alto Cembalos. Yes the Alto cembalos were playing the melody. Strange isn't it?
Primes? Hmmm... I think they have about 20 or so... but the sound is really unlike the numbers. Well, the pot is calling the kettle black. haha =)

We were transported to another realm of cacophony when they opened their 2nd half with vocals and keyboard. (huh?) Anyway, The keyboardist was FANTASTIC. He played with such confidence, but alas, the 20 second celestial realm was broken once the girl started to ignore A = 440 Hz. She somewhat decided at 430Hz I guess. Well, I survived through it, so did the keyboardist(God knows how...) AND Moh woke up. He slept through it!!!! Unbelievable. Must have be well trained by the SO last year.

We were greeted by many more small groups, some asking for money(2 dollar bills), some renditions of Chocobo theme from FF series and the evening finally ended with Plink Plank Plunk, a different version from Leroy Anderson's, re-arranged with a interlude in minor and a waltz. The concert ended at around 9:45p.m. We were rather grateful it did not escalate beyond 10p.m.

Overall: VERY VERY JC standard. I told Moh, VJC plays better.

Hope I'll be there for Not-tuned 2007!

几年前的一群疯子

青春的岁月总是充满无限的活力与疯狂.
但愿人长久, 千里共婵娟.

先诛少林,后灭武当.

狂妄.

有杀气!!!

天山童姥,威震武林.

脚踏实地.

吉他万岁!!!

曾经.

听天由命

Writing this as I’m standing behind the piano at the Activity Room. It’s Tuesday’s practice. The group is running through Handel’s Concerto last movement. I can vividly understand why Hiong Gai Gai would walk out of the DT in despair of the soloist’s performance. The solo was rather raw I must say, with little regard for the orchestra coherence. Notes go haywire at times, some wrong, some out of tempo. There was even a passage Daren was counting for him(or for the orchestra???)!!!

Spectacularly weird.

往事如烟

I found photographic evidence of sectionals in the past!

Somewhat induces nostalgia, imagining to be one of such a session. Not forgetting of course, the forgotten Studio 4!!!

That's a combined Alto sectional for you!!!

I'm inside too, and I almost couldn't find myself!!!

Fireworks in the Dance Theatre - RELOADED

This Saturday was most entertaining. Here’s the story:

A couple of us were scheduled to visit Mr. Alex at his place at around 1pm. It’s really been several attempts since last November we tried to meet Mr. Alex, and yes, we’ve finally succeeded this weekend. 7 of us went. (Jianqun, Yangyang, Shuhann. Alex, Adrian, Wai and me.) We were kindly treated to lunch at his condo’s clubhouse and we spent about an hour looking through some guitar materials and resources he shared with us.

Little did we know that back at CFA, Domy was throwing his little tantrums and making a fuss. Apparently, many Alto members were not present for the rehearsal. He asked Zhiqiang to call Alex and get everyone to come back. Seems like he knew of our whereabouts through somebody, which we speculate he’d be mightily jealous or envious about. So Domy decided to use the old-fashioned way of childish black-mailing, he would not start the rehearsal until the seniors came back to the rehearsal. Oh mi god, what a fool! 简直无聊透顶!

Shuhann and Alex returned to CFA while Wai, Jianqun, Moh and myself stayed a while longer at Mr. Alex’s place; once Alex took his instrument and settled in with the ensemble, Domy began the rehearsal. I really felt this was injustice to Alex. That stupid bird-brain made it seem everyone was waiting for Alex. Ridiculous! If he had any balls left in his shriveled up scrotum, look for the late-comers/absentees and trash it out. What a wimp! 欺善怕恶! 没种!

During rehearsal he gave hell to the players; citing that the members should already know their music stuff by now and not make mistakes; when he himself made a hideous amount of blunders on his stupid Handel Solo, which he did not practice diligently. What’s more, he even went NITRO and claimed to be trying to bring up the tempo when Michelle told him off. Hah! 强词夺理!

This scumbag is truly a sore loser.
1. He has a girl/auntie friend which I almost mistook for his paternal aunt. The striking resemblance between the two was annoyingly comical and reminds about incest.

2. He threatened to make things regimental in the ensemble, like anyone cares. Charge me lah!

3. He accused the committee of being unable to garner attendance. It must be a while since he used his bathroom. There’s so much shit in his gut, it’s oozing out of his mouth. And! He’s not been looking in the mirror often enough.

4. He frequently speaks in a condescending tone and hurls sarcasm at players during rehearsals. How uninspiring!

Blowning up at the entire ensemble just because you have some players unable/unwilling to come for practice is totally inappropriate and one of the worst things you can do when running a music group, especially when the group is made up of undergraduates and adults.

It's a hat trick!

Genus members were informed that if the ticket sales of the concert is not up to expectations, they will give away the remaining unsold tickets to charity!

HAHAHAHAHAH +)

Once again, UCC CFA has outdone themselves yet again!

GALA CONCERT: LORIN MAAZEL LIVE WITH THE SSO

13th March

Anyone interested?

http://www.sistic.com.sg/SOPApp/SOPPortal/portal_proxy?uri=rA8Om!Lr,Wk4bYV7oCSgmC9QvHL6=j4AxN-6jFB9xMAwsJFM

How to get animated gifs to work

When I upload them, they always get converted to JPG format...

Anyone knows?

Testing animated GIF

2 Sides of the same coin(Rebirth)

I recieved a SMS from Jingli asking me if I'm taking extra sectionals for Prime on Tuesday evening from 1730 to 2100. I was like "huh"??? Anyway, I took the initiative to check out the rehearsal time and got it settled.

(The text below shall be gentle, please do take much heed, if your name happens to be Zhiqiang. This is the divine chantings of Seraphic OWLS, read at your own pleasure.)

To my dearest Zhiqiang:

I need your help here. I'm doing you a favour since you asked me personally if I could help with the Prime juniors. So perhaps you could help to co-ordinate with the juniors and monitor their progress as well. Jingli is not from Prime so it may not be wise to let her do the liason. Perhaps you could take more ownership.

It is not a good sign that your comm meetings go into sectional time. It may be reflective that you are not scheduling well or the meetings aren't effective enough. With the upcoming concert, we really need you to attend the small ensemble practices. Time management is the key.

I do not see the purpose of a verbal introduction of a small group piece. If we could schedule groups to play for ensemble, just like what Guitaresque did, it will prove more beneficial and the ensemble members will get to listen to the music as well.

Yours sincerely,
Seraphic OWLS

2 Sides of the same coin(Death)

Grrr... out of nowhere I recieved a SMS from Jingli asking me if I'm taking extra sectionals for Prime on Tuesday evening from 1730 to 2100(huh???). How would I know?

(The text below shall be offensive, please do not take too much heed, if your name happens to be Zhiqiang. This is the unholy rantings of demonic OWLS, read at your own risk.)

To my dearest Zhiqiang:

Please get YOUR act together. In case you haven't noticed, I'm doing you, the small fry president a favour since you asked me personally if I could help with the Prime juniors. So the very least is you could do is fucking help to co-ordinate with the juniors and monitor their fucking progress as well. From where I'm fucking standing, it looks like you've pushed the liason to Jingli and that isn't really helping much. Hey fuck, you are from Prime section and you should take the initiative to do the co-ordination if you really have fucking balls.

And yes there's more shit, please don't ever drag your bloody little comm meeting into sectional time. It's already bad enough that you are fucking missing small ensemble rehearsals because you stubbornly insist on scheduling your silly comm meetings during the practice time. What the fuck! If you have some common sense, conduct your meetings outside rehearsal time and you can meet till the fucking cows come home!

And don't ever fucking ask people to give a verbal introduction to their small group piece at the end of practice. KNN, what on earth was that for??? Do you seriously think that verbal introduction is useful to any living creature!!?!!?!??!

Yours quite sincerely,
Demonic OWLS

Fireworks in Dance Theatre

It's been a long time since GENUS felt like GENUS. Seriously, the vibes that I get when the ensemble plays Spring Overture is really different from Handel Concerto and Capriol Suite. Everyone is just more "into" the music. Perhaps it's just that the players have yet to appreciate the beauty of the latter two pieces? Anyway, it definitely feels good to hear a confident sound.

I have a collossial job of making sure my piccolo part is in tune, seemingly harder. Doesn't help when the guitars are non-sustaining instruments. 3 weeks to get it sorted out.

How to cure insomnia

Try going for an organ concert. That's what I did yesterday evening. The organ is really a fascinating instrument, I never knew there was such a wide spectrum of tones and timbre available on the instrument itself. The basic tone which I remember of, prior to attending the concert was the usual Dracula theme, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Martin Setchell was the performer and he wizzed through the first half of Bach's pieces with ease and dexterity. Some of the chorale works really sounded nice, I was also inspired to arrange one of the pieces for small ensemble.

Pictures at an exhibition was presented at the second half. This is really the sound which present lots of the tonal colour the organ was capable of, though some of the timbre, in my opinion, was not very pleasing to hear. Also there was this lag that came with certain parts of the pieces; feels like the organ is responding slower than the organist. Junhao proposed that it may have been done purposely for style; though we agreed it kinda sounded strange.

Nonetheless, Esplanade's organ boasts a fantastic sound; I've wanted to come for this concert after attending an open rehearsal of SSO, Mendelssohn's Elijah. I love the bass notes; such embodying power!

I have been sleepy ever since I went for that concert last night. Yes, I slept almost immediately after I bathed(11:30p.m.); this morning I was still sleepy in the classroom(which usually isn't the case since I'd be perked up after delivering my lesson), and I'm still sleepy now as I'm typing this entry... So to those of you who haven't been sleeping well, try an organ concert.

*yawn*

Theory of Relativity

Tuesday is always my most gruelling day at school. I have endure 4.5 hours of guitar teaching to students, managing enthusiasm and indifference at the same time. I'm learning to focus on those teachable ones, the rest whom prefer not to pick up a life skill, I give up on them. Piang eh... too "xiong" to make sure everyone gets something out of the lesson. 吐血...

Which leads me to think that the only other one who's benefited(besides my very own patience) in this Tuesday crisis is none other than the participants of the weekly Tuesday GENUS extra sectionals. In this week's episode, I was honoured to have Chiok Yen solo for me. Armed with his wonderous idealogy that by not practising at home, he can learn to sight-read better during ensemble, he came and I sat through 1 hour plus with him, stopping and waiting for him to get his so-called sight-reading act together. Once again, Basse-Danse was quite impossible to flow through without him stopping at double notes, Bransles was probably half-plodded through at Andante. Seriously, he's another one who's gotta count his lucky stars in the year of the dog.

Fund Raising Recording

I was most disgusted that UCC sound crew has once again lagged in turning up the miking system. It's rather apparent that for the first 40 seconds of Haru ga Kita, the crew was either sleeping or talking to his ass. When will they ever learn? The recording turned out not to bad, except that I have to turn up my audio set's volume quite high to hear what's going on clearly. I sincerely hope that is not the volume the audience were served with that actual day.

Haru sounded a little over-enthusiastic, mainly due to the lower voices whacking their silly quavers before the beat. Nonetheless, the overall presentation was ok, we never did do that wierd piano at the last 4 bars, sounded more like a moment of instability. The tracks were so tightly recorded that it almost sounded like we modulated to the second piece "Get Back". I quite liked the recording of that piece, sounded like a VERY professional Sec/JC group. I have a hunch we'll be able to catch this piece at SAJC's next concert. HO HO HO =)

The tutor's trio was fine, some parts sounding a little under-rehearsed, which happens to be the truth to it all. My salutes to Shuhann and Raj, for enduring through everything. Concerto en Sol was a good attempt by the committee's group, yet again saluted! Personally I felt the best ensemble piece had to be America. Though short, and not totally clean, I felt it enamated an substantial amount of musical substance, a feel that every player was at the same dimension for some moments. I know very well that the recording does not represent the third and fourth row of players very well(blessing in disguise perhaps?), but at least, what was captured was somewhat good enough.

Guitaresque was up next after the interval, Capricho Catalan was not quite well-balanced in my opinion. The piece went on quite effortlessly, something which I quantify as easy-listening. No stress on the player nor the listener! Granada was our perennial favourite to rehearse, there was much virtuosity to hear but alas! Ivan had demonstrated a spray of South Indian elements in the very Spanish piece we vowed to excel in. Segovia would have our quartet named after him if he heard the "ultimate" version during a rehearsal 2 weeks back from now. For posterity's sake that was 2006 大年初四. (Ivan demonstrated supreme music nirvana then.) Nontheless, we went through the piece without much ailments. Oh yes, I still recall that Shuhann had his nail chipped off just before sound test! KNN!

I must commend whoever was playing the alto 1 in Part of your world(Melissa?). I must say it's really one of the better sounds/tone I 've heard in the entire recording. There was also plenty of musical direction in the voice which I believe comes from diligent practising. So to those EXPOSE people out there who are reading this, it's time to get your act together and practise. Really, the amount of musicality you can deliver is just so much more if practising is done instead of SIGHT-READING on the spot every week. Moliendo cafe was nice and easy to listen to, despite a certain nitro booster pack added just about after the melody came in.

La Partida is as per rehearsed. ELO Medley kinda lacks that groove at places. We shouldn't have played the encore though. Haha, didn't sound as good.

Competitors!

I really like that "guitar smashes head" part.

seems like more and more guitar orchestras are popping up online. +)

If we're to enter into a guitar competition with them, what's the odds of winning? Hmmm...

http://staff.mh.luth.se/joer/guitar_orch_record.html

Are you ready for GENUS 2006?

I wonder how the audience is going to tahan more than 15 min of Handel... I have a string orchestra recording which is 17 min already...

It's always quite a tussle between audience's and player's taste. The concert grosso isn't lousy music but it may not be as palatable to general public, especially if someone's coming to a guitar concert thinking "La cumparsita", "Besame Mucho", "Sevilla" and the sorts. Well, I guess it's really up to the music groups to bring more awareness to the crowd then. Heh heh...

Matters are made less encouraging with an additional dosage of Capriol Suite from Peter Warlock. That's more than 10 min as well. Hmmm, perhaps Guitaresque should play Vivaldi RV 93 then? Hello Telemann?

Baroque fiesta!

Pavane for a dead guitar

Yesterday, during rehearsal, Yang2, Mich and I went to Engine Mac for a tea break. We arrived back later than 4pm, only to realise that Mich's alto has been taken and used by Domy!

Imaginations run wild; perhaps he hasn't been bathing, he's just smoked cigarettes during break and all. Wai had to drop in the fact that he also put(gripped?) the guitar between his legs. Michelle was just hissing venomously about it, with a few helpless giggles about what possibly could become of the instrument after Domy has used it.

Detox is inevitable. I must say the instrument was rather oily when I offered to help him keep it at the end of the session. Looks like the not bathing part may be accurate.

Curiously, Domy's alto tone was better on Michelle's alto guitar. Hmmm... will he use that guitar for concert???

Fellow Alto players, start padlocking yours! Yikes!

教不严,师之惰

A student scolded a teacher "你去死!" during a lesson. He was brought to the Discipline master the subsequent day. The DM actually told the student that if the teacher involved is willing to forgive him, he'll let the matter rest.

I really don't agree with this.

Huh!!??!

Zhiqiang actually suggested to me over email to send out mails to co-ordinate the weekly extra sectionals which I'm helping with. Fortunately for him, I was in a good mood, so I gave him a rather civilised reply. He should count his lucky stars in the year of the Dog.

Ask and you shall recieve

Tuning was good today! Somehow after I've made some noise at it, the guitar strings decided to co-operate a little.

Tuning chaos

I really hate it when the guitars go out of tune, everyday! It's no joke when you have to tune 40 guitars in a lesson. It's already been 3 weeks and the tuning hasn't settled in yet. The first 3 strings keep going out. I really wondering when it's going to happen. And there'll be those mischievous ones who'll de-tune the guitars; hell they get it from me!

Comparatively, prime sectionals are totally angelic!

Cell Division

How to carry that out when you are still using instruments from the group?
Wouldn't that mean that you're still bound to the group? *wide-eyed gasp*

Might be a sticky issue to tackle.

Extra Sectionals

I had a session with a few of the Prime juniors just last evening. When I arrived at 1730 hours, there was only one who came. Tian Gang, I think. I knew there was two who couldn't come on time as they had lessons till six. I thought since it's really voluntary service on my part and voluntary participation on their part, I shan't be mean.

Bransles was a struggle for them. Think I went 4 times as slow and they just made it. I asked them if they had done some work on any of the Capriol movements. Some mentioned that they recieved the score quite recently and they only practised it during ensemble sessions! *What!* We plodded along slowly till House M, I decided it was too unbearable to continue, we moved on to Basse Danse and Pavane, which turned out slightly better.

The prime score is badly handwritten, seemingly done in a flurry. Some notes were difficult to read/decipher. Think juniors at the very least, deserves a well-notated score. One that is too messy may not aid in their quest to conquer reading all the notes.

Think it's really tough on them, especially when they have to prepare long pieces like Handel's Concerto and Capriol Suite for the annual concert.

Rehearsals came at 7pm. I wasn't too keen to play so I sat behind and chatted with Shuhann instead. We were commenting that number year 3s was a lot less than it was before, many have left or were too busy to attend rehearsals. Over the years it seems like the number of old/middle-aged/young are balancing out in equal numbers, unlike the usual horde of 15 to 20 juniors or the likes of it in the past.

Organ Concert

Bach and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition!

Anyone interested?
http://www.sistic.com.sg/SOPApp/SOPPortal/portal_proxy?uri==U409!E=A@fsy1LqHMgtx=RP2IjmDk45OAwsJFM

Contemplation

I was actually getting ready to arrange Capriol Suite for EXPOSE actually; after hearing a nice orchestral version with guitar solo from Wai's mp3 player on our trip to Krakatau. Now it seems like many of the members wouldn't be too pleased to play Capriol Suite again in small ensemble practices. Perhaps I should put that on hold, though I'd like to do one arrangement of it myself since I don't think Dominic has done the piece right by just simply giving the violin scores to the altos and transposing the lower voices. Think there's much potential to be explored in the piece.

Anyway, Queen of Sheba is nearly done and I sure hope Sibelius wouldn't crash unto me once again while I attempt to click the save button.

So what's next on the menu?

It works!

I got the title field working! Haha!

Studio Recording

Finished a studio recording with Victoria this evening(Sunday). Vic is 10-year old yamaha student who has composed a flute and piano piece to send to Japan for competition, and I've been asked to help her with a recording of the piece.

Went to this place called Lions Studio, Commonwealth Drive, quite close to Holland V. They have quite a professional setup there, looks like a good place if Guitaresque or Masak decides to do a recording of some sort. *heh heh*

I was quite nervous about recording on flute, not exactly easy to keep everything in good intonation. Well, heck, I decided to just enjoy myself and play. Everything went quite smoothly, since both of us had rehearsed together on 3 separate occasions. Gelling up wasn't much of a problem, Vic had good listening sense and she read my cues/movements really well. I was pleasantly surprised actually on our rehearsals; there are some young pianists who are so used to listening to themselves play, they hardly do any co-ordinating when they're in a ensemble!

We didn't get to listen to the recorded work, I do hope they send me a copy.

Points for virtues?

It's really quite unbelievable how people come up with educational measures to quantify student's abilities and attitudes. Using points to assess ability is still rather acceptable for certain subjects, but attitude?!?!?!

So now we award points for students' greeting their elders? So should we also awards points to those who give teachers gifts on Teacher's day? Perhaps that would spark off a gift expenditure competition among students. I wouldn't mind recieving an air ticket to the Maldives.

I'm more impressed by those who take initiative, and those do the necessary without asking/reminding. It is display of bonding with the community, sense of belonging and proper social etiquette which of course is much much more valuable than 10 A1s or whatsoever. Unfortunately, schools are quite unable to give recognition to these students, since much of the hype is still with the academic paper chase. And as teachers, I must agree that academics does offer the students more choices in life especially when it comes to professional jobs to do with literacy and exclusive skills. Schools also offer a psuedo-community environment for students to operate in, a safety net for mistakes to be made and corrected, without which, could surface more social issues in adulthood.

Most of the teachers will agree with me that most students are a pleasant bunch to have around. Inevitably, problems come when there's a clash of ideas/priorities.

Scene 1
=========
Teacher = deliver lesson and make sure students learn and do well
Student = waiting for school to end and go out to play, disinterested in learning

Scene 2
=========
Teacher = finished teaching the harmful effects of smoking
Student = hiding in the toilet after recess, smoking

Kids will always be kids.

Ya know some people always say the non-academically inclined kids tend to be better at Art, PE, Music or Technical, the sorts which require them to do more hands on work than memorising facts or applying concepts. But really, I find many of these kids whom I teach, neither gifted or talented or exceptional in any area. I think to some of them, Art is just as difficult as Math and Music is as greek to them as Science; they don't enjoy PE because they get all sweaty after it, and Technical is difficult since it's usually project-based and they can't last through the entire ordeal. They are really simple people with average or less than average abilities, but exhibiting humanistic virtues.

For instance, they can react to failure very positively. It's easy for them to pick up the pieces from where they have left off and start anew. Letting go is never quite difficult for them, and they are receptive towards a wide range of different characters. Many of them are late developers, a childish entity inhibiting the body of an average Sec. 3 lad but with the mindset of perhaps a Sec. 1 or less.

What I find sadly annoying is by the time they "wake up", they are already some distance behind most of their peers, in Singapore's context of course. To get to a university in Singapore, it'll take them to ace ITE and Poly academics, which of course is an uphill task since they are competing with a very large cohort and only equipped with N level foundations.

Some of them gladly stay away from academics, resigned or reconciled with the fact that they are not the "study type". Yes, I have students who clean my classroom fans with such enthusiasm but couldn't be bothered to pass his Math.

Can you imagine a Sec. school life not studying for tests/exams? No homework as well? It must be real fun!!!

Possible future engagements for GENUS tutors

1. Arrange/source/recommend/provide ensemble materials for junior small groups
2. Meet up Weekly/fortnightly/monthly for guidance/review with concert small groups
3. Weekday sessions to help beginning members to cope with new ensemble scores
4. Weekday sessions to help improve on technique through playing simple solo pieces/etudes

I think it's a darn waste of resources to have them conduct sectionals.

愿者上钩

Shuhann mentioned yesterday that the low retention of juniors is due to many alumni members staying back in the ensemble. Hence, by not actively interacting with the juniors, they leave the ensemble within a short time.

I was quite puzzled by that remark. I found it rather a sweeping comment actually. What has low retention of juniors got to do with alumni seniors? There's only less than 10 of us seperated in 4 sections and we could cause such a drastic effect? weird. I find it rather lame to be pushing this blame all over the place. GENUS used to blame committee members, SLs and year 3s for not making the group homely to 1st year juniors hence leading to them quitting. I remember the poor committee members rushing down to stop juniors and lugged them to saturday dinners. Good attempt I must say. And now, this blame has shifted to alumni seniors? What a joke. Then why don't we say that the tutors and conductor are lousy? Their commitment has degressed over the years hence leading to juniors quitting? Or that the PO/SO system piloted by the tutors to answer CFA's cry for better standards had a hand in it as well? Similarly one-sided and biased opinions.

Juniors come and go. That's how it is. We have seen batches with high quality juniors playing for one or two years and leaving the group soon after, similarly, beginners who last many years and are still passionately engaged in guitar music making. No doubt the environment provides conditions, push and pull factors but eventually, we want juniors who stay in the group because of their love for music and the interaction with music-lovers. GENUS has many existing route plans which enhance bonding between members already, such as the music camp, mid-autumn celebrations, rehearsal teas, Xmas party, concerts, Welcome teas and such. These activities are sufficient. I'm in a wind band with no such enhancement features and many of the players there stay on to play for many years. We've never blamed the committee or the alumni bassoonist for not interacting and leading to people quitting.

Ultimately, we need to focus on the long run and make GENUS as nourishing and enjoyable as possible.

Separation Act

We chanced upon the idea of forming a separate entity(Kent Ridge Ensemble) a few months back. Of course, it would mean that the group would be segregated, somewhat like the PO/SO situation we had a year ago.

I have my reservations about doing this, not entirely the best plan, since we still do not know what opportunities are offered to any of the KR ensembles, not to mention the various repercussions on the original makeup of GENUS. From the way it looks, doesn't seem like the other KR ensembles are getting lots of opportunities to perform, and currently GENUS itself is not getting much either. Perhaps we should look into the expectations and prospects of a KR ensemble, before venturing into become one.

Slipped my mind

I've always wanted to write about the previous EXPOSE practice. Alto 1 was down to Junhao alone, Wai was on the Soprano. It's really a pleasant to hear how Junhao attempts the melody of the first piece in "Spirited Away medley". Such musical rendition. Perhaps the chance of playing the voice individually gave him the oppurtunity to bring forth his ideas more vividly, but I really applaud the way he phrased it. Very tasteful indeed.

Title Field?

What title field? Anyway, Yet another Master of Arts has enlightened me(B. of Comp. Eng) that the inclusion of titles is vastly possible on blogspot. Dearest thanks missy. Yes Oct and Nov were lost in limbo as I hadn't really decided how I was going to go about it, nor was my dial-up modem which connects at about 14.4 kbps very condusive for lengthy uploads.

Anyway, do shed more light on the issue of the title field. As you can see, I am still not sure what you're talking about.

Schools back and I've just moved on to the G7 chord with my class. A chore it was, managing 40 over pairs of fingers, but they moving along slightly better. Seems like playing apoyando is more managable for them as well. Oh well, we'll see.

天~~~啊!!!

6:30p.m. : I decided to save my finishing touches on my FF7 medley and clicked the save button.
6:30p.m.: Sibelius pops up a message, some sort of error somewhere.
6:31p.m.: I closed the software. Sibelius always has auto-backup.
6:32p.m.: tried to opened up the file, corrupted.
6:33p.m.: searched auto-save files, tried opening them, corrupted as well.

That's 400 bars of music down into the cyber sewerage. My sweat and blood!

6:50p.m.: finished grieving. resigned to blogging this as the only last memoir of the work.

Adios FF7!

Teaching guitar to 40 students

Yes. It is on hell of a task. I took a good 45 min just teaching them how to pluck on the open strings. Actually, it's not that they are dumb or what, but I realised that for one teacher to deliver guitar technique to 40 students is simply an uphill task, coupled with the fact that the participants are beginning adolescents.

The other 45 min was dedicated to the C chord, which triggered to students to complain and grumble that it's painful to stretch and press on the strings; co-ordination problems between plucking and pressing; and of course, the usual question, "Why no sound one?"

Apart from that, the transportation of the instruments is another hassle. Instruments are not stored in the music room but instead, at the AVA room which is 100m away and 2 floors down. The instrument soft cases are problematic, it's tight fitting on the guitar. Can't believe it. Hence, I've done away with keeping them in softcases and decided that they'll just leave them on the ground for the time being.

I think after this half a year, GENUS sectionals would become an absolute delight to me.

"Career will be smooth for those born in the year of snake." - Eeping

Yesterday, I just had an argument with my VP. It happened that I decided to allow the class to do their revision/own work during my music lesson. She happened to pass and demanded that music must be the learning subject during a music period. (Perhaps I did not make it clear in my entry, she was also trying to convince me that the learning of music/guitar can be done without prior knowledge/skill to any instrument.)

What a nerve! Well, unable to convince me, this weakling then went to see the principal about it. So I'm due for "principal tea".

Time to say goodbye...

Farewall, my beloved Toyota Spacio.

"It didn't turn out as bad as I thought" - Domy

The first words spoken after the LPG 2006 concert. Perhaps in an attempt to say something intelligent, that was what he could come up with. What a wet blanket.

The concert turned out alright to me. With so many juniors participating inside, it was a pleasant surprise to have various groups presenting different genres of music. Pan Yu's group sounded well rehearsed with a balanced sound and relatively good tone. Priscilla and Marie's duet was impressed me. They managed to condense the Little Fugue into a duo version; Priscilla played confidently and Marie was following well too, with some occurrences of wrong notes here and there. JingTing's group played Capriccio Catalan, sounded a little bit chopped up, didn't flow very well, but nontheless plodded along and went through. The last group is a myth to me, none of them exists in the database of members' names I know. Carcassi piece, "Petite Romanze" or the other way round, played rather nicely except for some tuning problems.

Well, of course things wouldn't just end so smoothly with Domy around. He immediately transformed the session into a masterclass(He has a thing for masterclasses, perhaps he really yearns to feel like a master of some sort). One of the comments he made was that the groups could have their tone improved! If you've heard him on the Alto Solo for the Handel Concerto, you probably wouldn't think he had any right to comment about anyone's tone! It was unprecedentedly harsh and raw! I decided at that point that going to my granny's place early for the family gathering would be a better idea than to hear his nonsense, so I left.

团团转

FFVII medley is probably the piece which I have used up the longest time to arrange and yet unable to complete it till now... Sheesh, beats Capriccio Espagnol and Pictures at an Exhibition hands down. Day after day, I would change this and that, re-arrange the parts; nastily time zapping. And behold, I've actually added 2 percussion parts. Kind of feel that it's rather endless... and to top this off, I've not written the ending yet!!! The only consolation is that it's roughly a 12 min piece, so it sorta justifies the time spent on it. The worst thing would be it doesn't sound right on a guitar ensemble.

I'm really looking forward to finishing it soon, so that I can move on to arrange another work.

"Cirriculum time is meant for teaching and learning, nothing else."

That's what my VP said when she strutted into my Sec. 1 Music class today to confiscate a handphone from a student. The 1.5 hour lesson is not really rigorously planned, as the guitars have not arrived in school and I don't enjoy boring the students with all that music theory jargon. So I decided I'll get them some materials to read about the history of guitars and gave handouts of some guitar-like instruments. Mainly for enrichment, optional to the students.

Being students, they looked through the handouts, filed them and then went on to do their own "work". Some studied, some read books, some decorated the classroom for the upcoming CNY, others were engaged in the usual adolescence ranting, ever so energised to talk and laugh loudly at almost anything.

My VP is rather a conservative person. Not much fashion sense I guess, considering she has her pants pulled very high up, not waist level but perhaps "stomach level"? Anyway, she gave the class a good shelling about the purpose of education and the usual do's and don'ts. I was actually quite pleased to have someone scold the class on my behalf for all that ear damaging noise.

But I really thought what she said about cirriculum being all learning is absurd. Students are not machines and you can't expect them to behave like some DVD writer, spinning and storing data all day long. There's got to be times when you got to let them mingle, yell, yack, chat, else it's just not complete for their character development.

I believe my students have just found a new public enemy in school.

REMINDER: Time to call parents!

Seriously, I'm going to work super close with my students' parents this year. For starters, I'm going to call up the parents of those who fail their next Math test. Kinda feel like a "Bao Toh" King.

Guitarstrophe

My goodness! What a pleasant surprise! There's actually a group claiming to be the 老大 of all large guitar ensembles. Their recordings are not bad actually, and they play difficult music so it really cuts them apart from the usual "Chang" and "Wang" of amatuer guitar groups. Not all the pieces they choose were suitable for large ensembles, some became really odd due to the inevitable chordabile, coined by Junhao and myself to describe the minute spatial/rhythm discrepancy audible yet unforgetable in untrained guitar ensembles.

Make no mistake, they are better than GENUS! It's time for EXPO to buck up and look forward and ahead!

Regression, Rebirth or Evolution?

Shuhann, I'm not missing the point. In fact, I concur with you that the player has the choice to stay/quit if he is discontented with the repertoire. And I have also mentioned that it is the conductor's responsibility and right to select the repertoire to be performed.

Thing is, if I may put frankly, we have 2 talented tutors who have been in GENUS longer than 5 Domys added together and they are going to sit by and watch Domy run his uninspiring routine on the group. Of course, we could wait till we have zero ticket sales or mass exodus of members to really start wondering what's happened. As it is, if I had the money to buy over the niibori instruments, I would have left the group already and hopefully brought EXPO along as well.

I think most of us would agree the tutors are definitely in a better position to talk to Domy, and of course they have a personal choice to make as to whether they wish to do so. We could also wait for the ultimate regression of the group before we could proudly justify that it's the conductor's fault for landing the group in a pathetic state. Either way, it mostly hinges on the paths which the leaders take, which is my point.

Perhaps it's really time to look for a community centre to set up something.

选择

If everything was up to the players, what's the role of the tutors and conductor?

I must make it clear that I do agree that the conductor should be the one planning the repertoire. If it so happens that the repertoire is not favourable to the player's taste, then it's just too bad I guess. So if Domy chooses to do Handel/Vivaldi/Warlock pieces, then so be it. I guess the player can then choose whether to be a part of the performance or not, or even quit for that matter.

Just like the issue on concert attire. Shuhann commented that the male attire should evolve together with the female attire. Currently, the females have gone all black, blouse and pants, or skirt and all, which perhaps is the attire we should adopt for the annual concert as well. Some females are flauting concert attire rules, e.g. Huifen, wearing short skirt to perform on stage and causing a clash in level of formality between the male and female outfit. Ya, perhaps the males could just put on a light colour long-sleeve shirt and black pants, and that'll do. When asked to bring this issue up to the committee, Shuhann again commented it's the player's choice.

Genus will have a hard time going far if the leaders do not take on a pro-active stride towards matters.

不太想弹

Can I go for the Japan trip and not perform? Looking at the pieces and the amount of time to rehearse with Domy, I'm really quite put off. Wouldn't mind going there to help with the logistics actually, video taping, moving instruments and the sort.

Temptations

Went to Yudi's shop on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised by one his guitars there. Good sound and really well-balanced across the range. Priced at 11K, I consider it quite value for money, being first hand and all.

Initially there was an urge to squander 11K and once and for all, stop my fellow Guitaresque mates(spouses included) from bugging me to buy a guitar whenever they have the chance to. Now I'm just waiting for the impulse/urge to subside.

I should commit 20 min of my weekly life on 4D and TOTO from this week onwards....

麻将记

拜汉祥,汉伸所赐,三次荣登.



十三幺!!!
汉伸:九筒
汉祥:红中,一索

大三元!!!
汉祥:白板

感觉真棒!
神采飞扬!

Solar Sprint Competition

I've just volunteered for my school's solar sprint competition. Anyone has good ideas/references, please let me know. Basically it's a solar powered car race.

Parang's Point of View

Taking the tie issue up with a teacher is not going to help in any productive way. An opinion voiced and that's really about it. If the student is so irked by the attire, she should have headed straight to the principal's office, or worked out a student petition of some sort.

I'm not convinced that Physics is my most adored subject in my life. Neither is math. If possible, I would rather do less of both. But in teaching, the essence is really about imparting a skill/knowledge, a spark. And we need people to do that. You don't necessary have to possess 100% devotion towards the topic.

The students may not like the choices they have but they still have choices. Yes, they can choose to heck care and do what they want, they can choose to leave the school, choose not to come to the school, choose to run away from the teacher etc. Make the best of the one's available options yah? Part and parcel of life, and through it the youth will learn to cope with other challanges in life.

"no absolute, no good, no bad, no God, no sin", rather gospel-like, perfect for a RPG cult motto or creed of some sort. Nirvana?

JC Student blog

As directed by one of Hansen's comments, I went to read this blog by a typical JC student complaining about school woes. An interesting read I must say, full of self-rightness and above all human desires that sort. Kids will always be kids.

As I reviewed the movie "Dangerous Minds" recently, I remember Michelle Pfiffer(care to correct ma spelling?) telling the classroom kids that "you do have a choice whether you want to come to school or not. You may not like any of the choices you have, but you do have a choice." Bottomline is, if you want ask why schools make students wear ties and why do we take O levels and A levels and stuff, might as well lament that your father is not the richest man on Earth. Whether or not, the school is trying to mass produce constructivist products of the Singapore Education, that's really not important. Just be yourself and make the best of life!

I'd really like to speak to such students, too bad mine are too naughty to engage in such wider perspection. But, they are cute in a simple way, defiant and stubborn. Bright side, it's some what tenacious and resilient, though most of their teachers think they are reculcitrant most of the time.

You do have a choice.

A Present Issue

I think Michelle passed a rather sweeping remark, something like "If I don't say/buy anything, you all won't get any present for *whoever*." I must agree that if I don't have a good idea of what to get for a person, it's very likely I would not get anything for that person's birthday. To me, perhaps a treat at Haagen Daaz or anywhere with nice food will do.

I think everyone has a different way/idea of celebrating birthdays or occasions, some prefer simpler ways, some prefer wine and dine, some chiong pubs and bars, picnics and others extravagant ones at good restaurants. Personally, I don't really mind not recieving presents, simply because I don't really want to inconvenience my friends to get me something. Of course if I do recieve any, they are very much appreciated.

Well, the idea I got from Michelle's tone seems to imply that if you DON'T give a present, hence forth you are undoubtly considered as thoroughly insincere. Irked me a bit, like my way of looking birthdays has been put down/disapproved. Felt that it was rather a narrow point of view. Presents should be given whenever the time/occasion is appropriate, the absence of them should also not mean any other if there's that basic trust and understanding between friends/individuals.

And for the record, I DO give presents to my friends! Like I said, it's when I feel like it!

FF4 Soundtrack!

Anyone would be so kind to burn me a copy of the FF4 soundtrack? Heh heh... Yes I'm sort of referring to the parang.

Unknown Siren

I currently experiencing a long and loud BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP in the staff room, position of the beeping device has yet to be located. Seems to be telling me to go home! *ringing ear*

Suteki worked out pretty well during the SG practice, though initially the balance was terrible. Probably due to everyone reading through the scores and not listening much. Shuhann hissed about his part being on Bass and all, so he'll get his part transposed onto a Prime then. Michelle and Hansen were quite contented with their parts, no hideously unplayable portions written I suppose. Alex plays really well on the Alto but when it comes to the guitaron, he sorta suddenly transforms into a junior, playing funny notes and counting bars faster and slower than us... Then again, on the contrabass, he's fine. *puzzled*

I find that the quintet seems to be a lot more balanced in pieces with 2 Alto parts, e.g. Au Bond, Triste, clayderman pieces and the likes... perhaps an arrangment issue. Suteki sort of falls into the same category as Reasons, with a single Alto part against 3 lower voices and a continuous voice. Well, it's quite a different ball game altogether.

Jamming Farandole was fun! We sounded quite good actually!

Meet less, Play more

Planned to have a small ensemble practice this Saturday, only to receive news from Zhiqiang that the ad hoc comm is having a meeting so I guess we’ll just make do with less players.

What do they meet for anyway? The trip is not confirmed, pieces for the trip are not chosen yet and to top it off, there’s no committee port folio at all. Who’s in charge of what?!?!?

Cut the stupid meetings and come for practice. Duh!

My Secret Lover

"I m real disappointed i tot dis will be the best time we ever have together but like always u have to make it end dis way" - 92378983

Fact is, I actually recieved a call from this number last monday! 3rd Jan, first day of school, at 4:37p.m.! AND I can't remember who called!

hmmm....

Suteki de Ne

2 hours to my SG practice and I'll still changing stuff on the arrangment... wondering if Hansen is at home to print the scores even... can't seem to straighten out some stuff in the arrangement. Well, I guess I could change it after today's read thru.

It's been a while since MASAK stopped practising due to Hansen's most unfortunate encounter on the flyover to Marymount Road. And yes, We're BACK! Fans out there, look out for our latest single!

Hari Raya Haji !!! Yay!!!

Music in the classroom

Just finished teaching 2 classes of music today. Seems like at Sec. 1, students can already grasp quite a bit comfortably, so essentially means I can combine the theory at Grade 1 to 3...

Have yet to call Yudi to enquire about his guitar prices... Anyone got good lobangs?

I've always thought 俊豪 has a good perspective of guitar sound, not pertinently important ideas but ideas which convey more musical nuances. He actually commented that Alto 1 sound was rather tidy in the concert, which was quite hearthening to hear.

"象你这样的弹法,你的贡献等于零."

"Alto 1 的声音很齐" - 俊豪

It’s 2 hours before performance, running short of time; I can’t understand why the conductor needs to go through the bloody pieces although he’s not conducting them later on. Told him to stand aside and do the listening while Alex conducts, yet he stubbornly refused. And the best part is that his rationale for doing that is to cue the ensemble in. HUH!!?!? What the hell are you talking about??!!

The other antics of Domy:
- ladder climbing on stage
- late for sound test
- changing the MC script on stage during the dry run
- pulled his ninja stunt on Jai just before La Partida
- urging the ensemble to look at him during performance (hahaha! Obviously no one bothered to look, except for Edwin who couldn’t make out what he wanted)
- Flaring up at Yong Kiat! That was the best one yet, he did it in the most high-pitched Auntie-ish tone, almost burst out laughing. I’m definitely nominating and seconding Yong Kiat to assume presidency next.

The concert went pretty well, though I’d say there’s a lack of differentiation in the playing. Haru was steady and perhaps too steady. America was unresolved rhythmically, Get Back and La Partida was the usual bull-dozing, ELO unsettled here and there.

I really want to thank the hardworking juniors for helping with the instruments. With UCC so close to CFA, I doubt they’d have much problems, which of course is my perfect excuse for being lazy. Long Live the PMs!

Snare Drum?

Wondering if I should add a snare drum part into the FF VII Medley... Hmmm....
Couple of songs that could use some good percussion. I'm not so sure if guitar percussion works this time round. The feel is somewhat wierd...

If I use the snare, might as well write another percussion part... totalling to two... but then the piece would seem more appropriate if played by a large ensemble...

喜出望外

Yesterday, Dad suddenly called me in the evening and asked me to choose the colour of my new car! HUH!?!?! What new car!?!?! I was very surprised, considering I was working on the FF VII medley, in school around 5 plus, packing up soon to go home. Nonetheless, decided to let him choose the colour instead, since I could sense over the phone he was all gleeful about the one in black, which in the catalogue was crowned nicely as Ebony.

依依不舍

Then felt a little moody about giving up my current Toyota Spacio, which I’ve been riding around since August 1998… even to the extent of wondering why Dad went to that decision without even consulting me.

二十四孝

Of course, senses came back, and I started to appreciate what a wonderful thing Dad has done. He’s been always so nice to me, even though on the surface he may seem really indifferent to what I do, where I go. I wondered if I could be as generous, caring and accomodating as him to my own children.

爸,真心感谢.

Anak Krakatau

Scenic and a nice spot to really look around, though the boat ride was rather deadly if waters are bad. Managed to perform 2 merlion shows for my friends on board, to and fro, entertainment while commuting.

Carita("Cha-ree-ta") is quite a nice town despite the fact that the natives do like to 砍菜头, simply by difference in skin colour and tourist looks. The good thing is that S$ is pretty strong, so it withstood the fluctuations in pricing. The people there are not good at math either, do check your bills before paying. And, they have a thing about giving you OLD menu and then charging your food to the price on the NEW menu, which is obviously higher. Lodging was interesting, room with TV which has only ONE malay channel subjected to the fancies of the main cable TV at the lobby, dusty room as Wai complains about but I thought it was quite alright, faulty flushing device, attached bathroom that runs out of water once in a while, sticky bedsheets and so.

Wa cha lookin' at?

neat looking resort eh?

Goats outside our resort

lush forest around the town

Gantry set up to collect admission to waterfalls!!!

Some river crossing work...

Day after we visited the waterfall at Carita, we took a boat out to Anak Krakatau. Not much boat ride photos taken though, I was busily engaged in seasickness.

Black beach due to volcanic ash perhaps?

Pot Pourri of coniferous and deciduous plants

Wai plodding along...

Fantastic scenary

Greetings with Krakatau

Presenting Anak Krakatau

Farewell, we're off to snorkel!

Ferris wheel in a Indo night market

1. Inspiration from Karen's blog, 2. new slippers at S$3, 3. badly sun-burnt thigh

永别了!

开心的疯子们

->

Teh Susu, something which is uncommon in Indonesia

Vincent Valentine

Blabber

Just finished reading Hansen's work of poetry on his blog, must say it's rather good!
Looking back at my 2005 sure gives new inspirations for the future!

A student who's been absent from school for a year has finally came today to inquire about procedures on leaving school. Too bad he had to insult the school in front of me, chased him away. The thing I can't endure most is crude rudeness, which jolted my memories on that email exchange with Songyi. It was never resolved though, hmmm... perhaps I should try resolving it in the new year!?!?

Maybe it's just my karma for laughing at "Singapore Youth Harmonica Festival".
Oops forgot to check for competition results today...

Masterclasses

One of the silliest things I've observed.

Do you go for consultation when you feel the need to? or when you're obliged/forced to?

Shouldn't masterclasses be carried out when the players request for them?

Scheduling a masterclass in the music camp because the conductor wants to have one is not going to be very helpful, when players try to coax each other to present something. It's not that the players are too proficient for the masterclass, nor is about the conductor's standard of musicianship. It's about both parties being ready to teach and learn. In our ensemble's case, we've went to sight-reading pieces in a masterclass.

Might as well call it a Sight-Reading Symposium.