Gold!
The seniors congratulate you guys and appreciate what you've put in to achieve it!
Cheers!
22/4
Guitar 5 Rocks!
Strike that chord
Treat this as a challenge
Conquer your fear
Acquire new experiences
Share the Joy
Treasure the moment
Make yourself proud
Exceed your limit
Hit your peak
Guitar 5 Guitar 5 Guitar 5
Jia you! Jia you! Jia you!
1, 2, 3, 4, High 5!
We simply rocks!
23/4
SYF Period
The training for SYF proved to have changed everything. I saw the bonds that I never thought I could see. [Much credits go to Mr Ng for organising so much activities for us.] Furthermore, I gained confidence from this training. I never thought I could gain confidence after stepping out of NCC. I never expected the bonds we share to be so strong. One thing I admire. Nobody complained of the extra practices! Absolutely no one complained when there is a Tuesday session. Neither did anyone complained when there's guitar on Saturday! I'm proud of the members. The commitment I see now is definitely even better than NCC! Serious! Almost everyone makes it a point to turn up no matter what! Even in times of sickness, everyone chose to come! It's amazing. It boost morale of the people as well. Furthermore, I'm proud of my own achievement. From a lowly someone whom do not have any musical background, to being part of the SYF team. To being the section leader, to having the front row seats. This are privileges I never expected obtaining. However, I did put in effort for it k! It's amazing how things turned out. It delightful to know that I have learnt a lot from SYF. The experiences I get is overwhelming! Wow! It is through this common goal (Gold with Honours) that brought the ensemble together. I will not be surprised if people chose to sit with guitar people instead of with their classes for prom night. I will not be surprised if 42 members joined the guitar alumni after we left. Together we shared the laughter, shared the joy, Endured the harshness of reality and we got this far. This is no mean feat! Today (23/4/05) Mr Liauw complemented guitar 2. “First time we played in timing for the whole piece!” We have done it. Each and everyone of us worked hard for this day to come. In my previous blog, I mentioned that I want to see a miracle. A miracle that guitar 2 will not pull down the ensemble. I can proudly say that I have seen it in today's practice. The credits go to each and every member of guitar 2. I'm so proud of you people. Continue to work hard for a better tomorrow! We have done it, and we will keep reproducing the standards! Guitar 2! All the way!
3 Cheers!
Huan yu: "Hey thanks for the motivation and all the sweets of cos.. Haha.. Really appreciate it.. Yeah man.. Honours.. We can do it!"
Kenneth:"Dear friends.. practice practice practice! come on. we can do it! Gold HONOURS is ours! kambatte!"
See our dearest JC1s putting in all their effort!
26/4
2 more days!
Just wanna say, that SYF is edging closer with every passing minute. It's so nice to see all the guitar peoples' blog with entries all related to guitar, and guitar, and guitar again for many days running! The spirit continue to flow within the blogs! Isn't it cool! Way to cool man! I wanna get my FIRST honours! Doesn't that sound cool? Getting your first honours at the age of 18! Haha! 17+ even!
But the main point of this temporary entry is that, guitar is all we have inside of our min now that everyone's blogging about it! Woooo!
I can't help it. I have to blog. You people know something? TPJC is just sending their top 16 guitarist for the competition. I just heard their pieces once. Their Irish folk music is definitely not a match for our concerto. However, their tango, I must admit that it has more feel than our bridge. Scary! They will be wearing full black on the day. Quote from Dody/Chee Kiat. "Their tempo sounded the same" True! There's not much contrast in the tempo, however, the way they play it is rather different I feel. Quote from David: "Aiyah, don't worry la, they only got 16 people, they won't get gold one la! Where is the effort?" Haha! However, I have this feeling that Bridge will make or break us. It won't be considered a victory if we did not manage a gold with honours. Deep down inside of me, I know we can do it! I have this strong feeling that we will succeed! However, if schools like TPJC can play to that standard, just imagine TJ, VJ, RJ. Scary! MJC, I suppose we should be ranked as the underdog, but we WILL create an upset won't we? We WILL! Jia You!
Was hoping for sectionals today. Cause there's some stuff I wanna tell my section. Firstly, please remember to file your nails! Last day to file it. Prepare your attire by today. You may panic if you are only preparing tomorrow.
SYF is a mental game. Be prepared mentally. Imagine you enter an extravagant auditorium. All eyes cast upon your every move. How would you react if you played a wrong note? How would you act when you have a mental blockage? I hope this don;'t happen, however, it is hard to say. Try to calm yourself down at all times. Do not feel nervous. Do not be paranoid. Do not be afraid. Do not be stress. Just give it your best shot. Nobody will blame you.
It's been about a year since we started embarking onto this SYF journey. (Apply to Charlene, Hiu Yan and Jun Yi.) It's about 4 months for Huan Yu and Jean. Each and everyone of you put in effort. It can be seen. It's fantastic looking at the section peaking at the right time. It's a great feeling knowing that each and everyone of you have shown great improvements. We have done a great job and gone this far. Let's give it all our best and share the joy together on Thursday!
Hasn't it been a norm now that whenever you say bye to guitar members, you will tend to add that phrase gold with honours! This form of encouragement is so strong! Everyone's practicing it! Cool! Guitar Ensemble of Meridian is WAY too COOL! Just love it the way it is.
Okie, some edits here. Upon hearing their pieces compared to ours on a one by one basis, concerto is a clear winner, Bridge is not that bad! Way to go man! on the MRT way back, Chee Kiat was saying guitar 3 played too fast, Yvonne said guitar 1 played too fast, and i said that guitar 2 tend to rush at times also. So means what? But one thing we agreed in unison is that guitar 2 and guitar 3 are not coordinated esp at the end, such that guitar 1 do not know who to follow. And we also agreed that guitar 2 can;t hear guitar 3 whereas guitar 3 could not hear guitar 2. Sigh. I realise that guitar 2 is soft, cause we can't hear it on the recordings. Nevermind, just put up with that! ;) Haha! Cause play loud not nice. yah.
Yup, ending off here! Gold with Honours!
27/4
Tomorrow's the big day!
Firstly, tomorrow is SYF! I am not nervous, not scared, but I am excited! So exciting! Today's guitar practice so fun! Haha! Firstly, we can have small group practice and it escalated into an ensemble practice! Wow! Haha! Just look at how influential a small group can be! Haha! Cool! So nice, Mr Liauw kept saying we are at 100 %. So therefore, it means that we cannot be nervous and forget stuff! Can de! Hmm, wonder what he say to NYJC and TJC ya? Haha! But I really think he favours us! Haha! If all 3 schools have dinner, which school will he follow? Haha! But the fact that he came down to MJC after TJC instead of NYJC showed that MJC he treat MJC better than NYJC ya? And the fact that he choose to come to MJC in the morning at 8.30, shows that we are of first priority! Isn't that right ? Cool! Just love that guy man!
Mr Ng is looking so restless today! He must be tired. But it's the last day! Mr Liauw is so cute! (SShh, don't tell him my blog addy k!) Haha! During training he fumbled over his conductor stick! Haha! And his facial expression is so cute! Haha! Can't stop laughing. Laughing is contagious! Haha! I laughed, Cheryl laughed, Yan Ting and Elaine laughed too! Haha! Funny xia! Haha! And I kept having repercussion of his facial expression and actions! Haha! Can't help it! Laugh so much such that I played totally wrong! Haha! And I said "Har". Haha! Oh man! This cannot happen tomorrow!
Haha! So exciting!
29/4
Reflections
Well, During the morning, I was so calm, so well, normal? Cause I "thought" I Had done enough mental preparations for the big day. So I just took things in my stride and just try to play while imagining it to be the actual place. Argh. Skip all this! Fast forward...
Arrived at SCH. Upon entering, saw so many guitar ensembles there. Went toilet, the CJC people were so terrific! They wished us all the best and good luck! Wow! But how did they even know we're from MJC? That is still puzzling me! Anyway, fast forward..
Inside the tuning room..
Wah! Mr Liauw made me so so so panicky and nervous! He was so kan jiong lor! "Whose guitar not tune? I Need to tune the first row first, they are more important!" No noise, no playing of guitars, no talking." "When it is 4 mins alert me;" "when it is 3.5 mins alert me." Wah! I was so numbed then! Mr Liauw, such an experienced conductor actually became so serious and rushy. Played the dry run of the 2 songs, there, my fingers are already not functioning properly le. They are not as flexible, instead they were so tense that almost the running notes failed me. Bridge, I have no idea how it sounded like.
Into the hall
Oh my god. I told myself not to look at the audience, but my eyes just glanced there! Poof! Confidence level dropped by half. Totally freaked out. I guess there was a lack of public performance, furthermore, they are so close! Anyway, brushed that aside. While trying to do that, I actually forgot to put my hands in rest position! As in must wait for Mr Liauw hand to raise then go to the fret board ma. Sorry! But I totally forgot that part! First mistake, brush that aside. While playing he pieces, I was trying to hear my own guitar part. 2nd mistake. Cause the place is built in such a way that u hear the whole ensemble instead of those people close to u. Ok, fine, brush that aside. running notes i think only a couple was executed well. As for bar 26, I didn't even notice anything wrong lor! I was just looking at Mr Liauw, trying real hard to concentrate on myself only. Ok well, halfway through, confidence sorta came back, played more naturally and slightly louder. haha! Oh yah, I was so scared that i was playing perhaps half my normal volume? Haha! My hands was so stiff and my mind was trying to focus and recalling where it is now and the dynamics. Ok, concerto ended well, as in the last note.
Bridge.
Okie, the first chord and the next base note was rather well, however, the first running note was a mess! Omg! Like got 3 different timings, scared le. Haha! Started playing softer. Haha! Man that's bad man! But just scared that I'm the one with the wrong timings. Then ok, the rest of the chords were easier so not much prob. then came the guitar 2 melody, I think that was pretty nice! Haha! And the next set, the following set was bad for me. Cause I forgot the chords and i ended up not playing! Hmm for 1 bar i think. Sad. However, again, the ending as excellent! We stopped very nice xia !
haha ! yah .. just some impromptu thoughts la ... will edit when the final things are done.
Results.
I Must say that moment was one of the most exciting moments in my life. It's my first time participating in SYF. I didn't know what to expect. Furthermore, only a couple of schools before us got the GOLD. What could we expect? VJC only got GOLD. Until the moment of truth. MJC, GOLD! Woooooo!! First words to escape my mouth before i stand up. I was overwhelmed with joy! It's a GOLD! The pioneer batch of Meridian guitarists clinched a GOLD! We were definitely one of the ensembles which took the longest time to settle down after hearing the results. Nice deh! We have done it.
Thanks
Firstly, to our ever inspiring and motivating conductor, Mr Thomas Liauw. You brought us to a higher level, and always kept your faith in us. You gave us confidence and guided us through the whole journey. Without you, there won't be the GOLD!
Next, our dearest teachers In Charge, Mr Ng and Mrs Choong. Mr Ng, Thanks for your endearing support and not giving up on anyone of us. The frequent treats have undoubtedly bonded the ensemble together in one way or another. Your constant humour is much appreciated.
To everyone whom wished us all the best, thanks! We managed to clinched the Gold Award!
Lastly, to each and everyone of the ensemble members, You are the ones whom put in much effort for the ensemble, sweated it out in the AVA room where the air con switches off ever so punctually, the moving of chairs, arranging footstool and the chairs, we literally sweated it out for the ensemble! The amount of commitment we put into guitar practices can be seen from the attendance list. It's really remarkable that none of us complained whatsoever when news of additional practices are implemented! You people are the reason why guitar ensemble rocks! You people are the reason why MJC is so much more fun!
Sigh, all good things come to an end. Please join guitar alumni and we can let the spirit flow on and on and on..
The main purpose of this guitar camp is to give us intensive training for SYF, which will take place one month later. A total of 16 hours of guitar practice was proposed for the couple of days. Of these, 6 hours were allocated to Mr Liauw as instructor's session, whereas the remaining were for our own Sectionals and Ensemble practice.
However, it was not all guitar and no play throughout the camp. On the evening of the first day, the whole lot of us went to shop for our guitar attire, with the guys going to Expo, whereas the ladies went to Tampines. The search was fruitful as the guys found their ties whereas the ladies managed to find their white long sleeve shirt.
Furthermore, some members played a game of basketball during free time.
In addition to that, majority of the members had their strings changed before we rest for the day. (It was a memorable experience for me during the changing of stings. ;)
During the second day, it started off with some light stretching and proceeded on to guitar practices.
During lunch, we had a delicious buffet treat from Mr Ng. Even though the food tasted good, it had little effect in waking us up completely.
Members were tired, but we pressed on. A certain individual was so tired that she took any little bit of resting time and lie down on the mat.
Mr Ng, upon seeing how tired members were, decided to release us earlier than planned. A couple of photos shoots act as the finale of the one and only guitar camp GEM had.
Firstly, bonds between sections grew stronger as each section get to spend quality time with their members.
Next, the camp provided members a chance to interact with each other and thus, got to know more about one another.
Lastly, even though the guitar intensive camp wasn't exactly as xiong as I imagined it to be, it definitely gave us a better understanding of Vivaldi as well as Bridge Over Troubled Waters, as well as improved our playing for both songs.
We missed the start of the concert as we were a little late. This is because during the journey there, there was a bit of wrong directions. The food was rather slowly served. Mr Ng had to treat us. Furthermore, some JC1s turned u as well! Nice and enthu JC1s! Sat with them to MAK SURE they interacted and had fun on their first and perhaps last concert together as quite a number of them aren't staying.
Anyway, back to the concert, there was this song that is jazz-y wah! The base solo was so cool lor! Out of all the solos, only the base solo, after his stint received applause! haha how many people actually noticed? Added to it, I like the percussion for 1 particular song too! He need to blow and hit so many thing, before ending off with bursting a balloon!
It's an excellent performance of high standards. Will I ever reach that standard? Will I be recruited into their guitar ensemble performing sector if I joined NUS?
Guitar Orientation [Jan]
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Well, firstly, before the orientation, I was paranoid! I have the image that only 10 people will turn up and i was afraid that they will not enjoy the games! I was also afraid that their enthusiasm will not be able to come out ! i was afraid of this and that lor, almost everything. Anyway, here's the orientation !
2.30 was the suppossed time to gather, was relieved to find that quit a number of people turned up! After the final count abt half an hour later, there was 43 people whom came, decked in their t-shirt and school skirts / pants / shorts. Mrs choong gave a speech while we went to grab a bite. (we meaning the helpers ba) We were suppossed to meet at abt 3 back at f 4-1, but i went back there early, mainly cause i need to sort out the Cows (yay ! we won the chair game WITHOUT CHEATING remember !), Pigs, Cats and the dogs! Upon settling the arrangement, roughly knowing where the venues of the games, we went into the room for some brief introduction of the helpers (Mrs Choong speech also just finished) I sorta talk a bit of stuff to the jc1s, mainly is to get them started. Haha ~ i like this phrase !
"My senior once told me, Cca is the main thing that keep u going in this boring jc cirriculum, so u people might as well make more friends, get to widen ur social circle with guitar, and this can start now! "
After that, due to time constraint, they have to get into their own groups by making some sound. Can tell that they were definitely not very enthu at that moment. Piggy !! why got 2 groups! scare me! thought i included too many cats. Haha, heng eventually they found their lost pigs, so everything was still quite okie at this point of time. Followed the time and everything was going on smoothly!
Next, they were to get into their groups, to start introducing each other, and also to play their group game. well, the intro part was done in 10 mins. No choice, otherwise will overrun. Therefore, I suppose it was quite rush. Fortunately, 1 grp only got 10 or 11 peeps, so it is still quite alright, as in lesser groups, so it's better and easier to know the names then orientation where groups can be as big as how many 41? haha, or 21 ? Yup! that was the introduction...
One regret was that i didn't go and play with my cowwies! I was thinking when do I need to go get the chairs to prepare for the main event! Thus, was like walk walk around, see every room, take a peek at how enthu the people are. Went to play big wind blow, should be blow wind blow ma, how can direct translate from chinese one ? haha, hmm quite quiet, but at least everyone is involved!
Headed to untung's room to play concentration! I personally love the game a lot a lot ! Even though when play long I will luan4 one, however, it is a fun fun game! For that little while, can see that the people know the name! Not bad wor! Heehee, okie, I played concentration first, before playing blow wind blow. In the middle of blow wind blow, I pullee Jun Yi to carry chairs and arrange them in rows of 4, with 7 chairs for each row. haha ~ thanks man! That was the preparation for the ensemble games. Haha till now still got the scared scared feeling that "what if they don`t find it nice?" Haha, anyway ...
They came down for the enseble games, about time too. Were late for about 10 mins. I am really really short! I need to stand on a chair to brief them! Haha! See i so ke lian. Anyway, told them the rules of the games. At first still thought it cannot be done, but wow! They did it! Haha! So shuang! Basically, the first game is the "name-game." People were to stand on the chairs, and arrange themselves according to their names, followed by height, followed by their birthdates. Eeee! cats cheat! At least for the height confirm they cheat! Then got the b'dae. Haha, i think they cheat too! Confirm la ~ not think ~ hahaha ~ eee ~ haha but think at this point of time, interaction is high high high ! haha ! yup ~
After that is the "chair game" as in, they have to move the chairs from 1 place to another place, the strategy of this is actually, hold your people close, move 2 chairs at once, situate them a far as possible. 2 person cross at a time, support each other. Ok la, they not as close YET, but well, they shocked me la! Their teamwork is better than i thought! Cows emerged as the winners fair and square! Without the help of Johanna, Dody and me lor, so unlike who ar? jk, cy, ut, and more ! Haha, anyway, Cows rox la! Motivated by the helpers whom is always cheering them on, haha, think they find the game fun! And played with spirit, with communication and all! Haha happy! Oh yah, after cows won, I still did something i wanted to do for a long time! You know when a soccer player scores, they can celebrate de ma, then last time, when security is not that high, they can walk to every front row spectators and like give them each a high 5! Haha, yup! That's what i did to the cowieees! Haha ~ heehee ~ woohoo ~~ was so high ~ hahaha ~ proud of them! Developed good mo qi so fast! Haha ~
Actually, by right, the next game should be human entanglement. But well, I sorta forgot, and we ended up playing dog and bone! However, thinking back, maybe this was a good thing too! Haha ~ cause the effect might not have been the same if the game was entanglement! Well all the games that we played, I personally like all of those games! hahahaha ~ :p yup~ so fun ma! and yah, dog and bone, cow and pig together, and cats and dogs together, well, 9 - 6 won by cats and dogs! Haha, anyway, all of them are champions! Champions! Champions! Haha, oh well, that's the end of the games. They were so high lor! So fun, enjoying themselves I suppose.
Said some words to them again. jk mentioned abt alhena. Haha, then i only said alhena rox wor! Then so many vega cheers liao -_-" diaox! Haha ~ but heng cut them off with the 3 cheers and 3 cheers and 3 cheers for guitar ensemble! Hip hip HOORAY ! Hip hip HOORAY ! Hip hip HOORAY! Hahaha! Yup, after that, went up to the room to settle things, then Mrs Choong was like asking the jc 1s to giv us a cheer. Haha all so quiet ~ lol ~ dotx ~ then heng got a guy lead the 3 cheers again ~ heehee ~ so yah lor ~ haha ~ i like the event that followed. I always wanted to lead this, well not that i didn't get to lead this before, in fact haha i think there's quite a lot of times that i done this in ncc and grp 6, haha ~ that is ..
give guitar ensemble 1 clap * give guitar ensemble 2 claps ** give guitar ensemble 11 claps ** *** **** ** Guitar ensemble! Well only 1 jc 1 shouted this with me! hahaha, so funny, that must be someone from ncc! I'm bias! Haha well, that sort of round up the stuff. Then the jc 1s came to hear us play once concerto! Haha, was like playing until very shuang! Haha! Jun Yi's og mate told him that she enjoyed it cause it was very fun! Haha hope all the jc 1s think this way, and this can be considered a great success!
Hopefully, ALL the jc 1s enjoyed themselves like i did! Hmm, I sincerely think they did! Thanks so so so much for the helpers whom spent their time devoting to this orientation, cause they have to sacrifice their time for practice u know.
Guitar Ensembl rox! I say we rox.. I say we rox . I say we rox rox rox rox rox ~ hahaha ~ :P woohoo ~ yippiee ~
* p r O m i S e * + m a D e a w i s H + @ 6:35 PM |
post orientation review..
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Well, I really think this orientation is a success from my point of view. The "aims" have fun, make more friends, and simply enjoy themselves," I have to say that they are all achieved! so well, it's definitely a success and a roaring start to their guitar career i hope.
Other than that, i really have to credit the helpers, mainly Iun Yi, Cheryl, Cheng Yao, Untung, David, Chee Kiat, Bibi, Dody, Johanna,, Eric and well Jun Kit. (but Jun Kit went there to play only la :p) Haha! Bleahx! Without them, this would definitely not succeed ~ So really, thanks guys! You were great!
Some evaluations about myself. Firstly, Mrs Choong say i speak too fast.
My reasons
1. there is a strich time limit of 1 hour to complete all the games.
2. haha i think i usually speak this fast.
3. i am a bit nervous u know!
Other than that, I am sometimes blur, very blur, and i also like sometimes, I don't know what I am talking about! Well, mainly cause i don't know very well the plans too! Okie la, main things i know, but i didn't prepare a script to say ma! Only prepare some good quotes i want to use! Haha! Bleahx! yup!
Hmmm, otherwise, haha well, I think other stuff is quite alright la!
It's been quite a long while since I never see the leader inside of me. However, it's good that I know it is still there! Haha I knew it! I can only lead juniors! Haha! Yah! Must be it! Heehee ~ I like juniors la. Cannot blame me! Haha, they make me feel younger and more sporty! Haha ~ really! :p heehee! Well, other than that, I think Ireally need to work on my communicaions. how could i use chinese? This is not cchs leh! Haha! Hmmm well, xi guan le hard to change le la yah. Finally can sleep tonight! Haha ~ rather pleased with myself today!
Heehee, think eventually will be able to know some juniors in the weekly wednesday sessions de ba! Haha, so should be fine. Haha. Hmm, hopefully they still know me lor! A hi or 2 while walking in the canteen would be great! Definitely will make my day! Heehee =>
post post orientation ..
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Well just wanna add another phrase.
"I won`t ask u people, if u enjoyed yourselves, neither will I ask whether u had fun, I won't ask if you found the games interesting, neither will i ask u if u got to know more people. This is due to that i know that you people had fun, you people found the games interesting, you people enjoyed yourself and you people definitely made more friends!"
Joy to the world… the Lord has come’…’
A short performance, comprising of Christmas Carols and some all-time favourites like Over the Rainbow and Guan Huai Fang Shi was put up. Our worries that the residents would not enjoy the performance was put off by their enthusiasm as they started singing along and clapping the beats together with us. Seeing them smile gave us a great sense of satisfaction and assurance.
Cui Yan Ting 04S209