Friday, August 8, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Clap@Khatib Racial Harmony Day Celebrations
Dear angklungees,
That was really a good performance we had on Saturday - the comments from parents were it actually sounded better than what we did at SYF! It goes to show that definitely, we should try to RELAX as much as possible before any performances to do well, yeah? :)
Enough of talk.. here are the exciting snapshots of the event :) Enjoy!
That was really a good performance we had on Saturday - the comments from parents were it actually sounded better than what we did at SYF! It goes to show that definitely, we should try to RELAX as much as possible before any performances to do well, yeah? :)
Enough of talk.. here are the exciting snapshots of the event :) Enjoy!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Performances upcoming!
Dear APS angklung members...
AHA! Caught you all online ah.. ask me to update da blog eh.. never prepare for your PSLE meh?
Actually, will still need the P6s to be around when we come back from holidays as we have a performance coming up on 26 July. (Cannot post too much details online eh later all our fans flock down there and mob us!! :P Hehehheheheh .. no lah. Not used to posting so much info online; not safe too.) So all you P6s please hang around till end of July when we have the performances ya? ;)
Finally time to relax a little, but still doing lots of admin work like preparing for worksheets, submitting reports etc etc... but my motto is WORK HARD, PLAY HARD! So I'll be taking a hiatus soon..
Darleen: Eh you all also can post things on this site leh... post something ya :)
AHA! Caught you all online ah.. ask me to update da blog eh.. never prepare for your PSLE meh?
Actually, will still need the P6s to be around when we come back from holidays as we have a performance coming up on 26 July. (Cannot post too much details online eh later all our fans flock down there and mob us!! :P Hehehheheheh .. no lah. Not used to posting so much info online; not safe too.) So all you P6s please hang around till end of July when we have the performances ya? ;)
Finally time to relax a little, but still doing lots of admin work like preparing for worksheets, submitting reports etc etc... but my motto is WORK HARD, PLAY HARD! So I'll be taking a hiatus soon..
Darleen: Eh you all also can post things on this site leh... post something ya :)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
No Matter What
Latest update: SILVER for SYF 2008
Hmm. Frankly, for the effort we put in, we really deserve to strike gold. I almost thought we'd get it. Alas, what the judges see are the 8 minutes on stage, not the toil and hardwork for the 8 months.
Plus, I had spoken to Mr K and he did mention that many schools have adopted his method of instruction this year unlike 2006, where his schools were the only ones having such types of presentation. As such, many will sound very intricate and have full-bodied melodies, PLUS perfect movements etc. in other words, there are more schools with higher chances of gold this year. That means while we have improved by so much, other schools have leaped ahead by even more.
Of course, we would be disappointed. Definitely, with the amount of effort we put in. But let's take away some useful lessons from this:
1. Don't compare ourselves with others; only seek to supercede ourselves. We've already done our best, and we all know that. And that is enough.
2. Take practices seriously. We were lucky to have the opportunity to watch other schools and to realise that hey, we are really not up to mark yet. And we managed to pull up our socks.
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it's not the award that counts, it's what you've learnt about teamwork and team spirit while you are in Angklung.
(How come no response one ah?? NO one reads this blog meh!?)
Hmm. Frankly, for the effort we put in, we really deserve to strike gold. I almost thought we'd get it. Alas, what the judges see are the 8 minutes on stage, not the toil and hardwork for the 8 months.
Plus, I had spoken to Mr K and he did mention that many schools have adopted his method of instruction this year unlike 2006, where his schools were the only ones having such types of presentation. As such, many will sound very intricate and have full-bodied melodies, PLUS perfect movements etc. in other words, there are more schools with higher chances of gold this year. That means while we have improved by so much, other schools have leaped ahead by even more.
Of course, we would be disappointed. Definitely, with the amount of effort we put in. But let's take away some useful lessons from this:
1. Don't compare ourselves with others; only seek to supercede ourselves. We've already done our best, and we all know that. And that is enough.
2. Take practices seriously. We were lucky to have the opportunity to watch other schools and to realise that hey, we are really not up to mark yet. And we managed to pull up our socks.
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it's not the award that counts, it's what you've learnt about teamwork and team spirit while you are in Angklung.
(How come no response one ah?? NO one reads this blog meh!?)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Performer's Jitters, Performer's Blues
I've been on stage many times; since primary school band performances in the school or outside at venues like Centrepoint, Botanic Gardens or even with NUSSB at Takashimaya and Victoria Concert Hall.
Then, performance.
Then you get your instruments and make your way out together; it's a feeling of exhilaration! (Must ask Carmen how she felt being the first to walk out for Melody)
When you start to play, suddenly the stage and audience melt away, and you find you are the only one there playing your songs, no longer just practicing, but finally performing in front of a real crowd.
Then, all too soon, you realize the moment is gone.
There seems to be a feeling of emptiness inside, making you want to linger on in the concert hall even after the last of the audience has gone. And you want to play your songs again somehow; it doesn't matter who was right or wrong anymore.
Do you feel the same way as I did?
Oh yes, the training would be tough; I remember our band leaders/ instructors scolding us, reprimanding us, telling us our attitude/ discipline/ mood/ playing was NO GOOD. But we wanted -- it was US who wanted -- to achieve the best we can. And we sweated, worked and cried through it all.
Then, performance.
The feeling before a performance is indescribable; when you wake up that day, you tingle all over as if anticipating something good to happen to you, knowing something good is going to happen to you.
When you're getting dressed for the performance, you know that all your team members are going to be dressed in the same attire and you are all going to look so good on stage together, with your instructor. The pride and confidence grows with every button you do up and every shoe you shine.
When you're getting dressed for the performance, you know that all your team members are going to be dressed in the same attire and you are all going to look so good on stage together, with your instructor. The pride and confidence grows with every button you do up and every shoe you shine.
Then you get your instruments and make your way out together; it's a feeling of exhilaration! (Must ask Carmen how she felt being the first to walk out for Melody)
When you start to play, suddenly the stage and audience melt away, and you find you are the only one there playing your songs, no longer just practicing, but finally performing in front of a real crowd.
Then, all too soon, you realize the moment is gone.
There seems to be a feeling of emptiness inside, making you want to linger on in the concert hall even after the last of the audience has gone. And you want to play your songs again somehow; it doesn't matter who was right or wrong anymore.
Do you feel the same way as I did?
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Changing Faces
Dear all,
Thought the old background was a bit dreary so I changed it to a lighter one.. Anyone who knows where to get any good Angklung ethnic skins, let me know! ;)
Still counting....
Thought the old background was a bit dreary so I changed it to a lighter one.. Anyone who knows where to get any good Angklung ethnic skins, let me know! ;)
Still counting....
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Rehearsal Post-Mortem
Hey all...
Was tossing and turning all night after the rehearsal; not that I actually planned to be thinking of the rehearsal but somehow the events of the day kept drifting in and out of my head.
While I was standing some distance away watching you all and listening, it dawned on me that: hey, you all actually looked and sounded good. Really much better than I have heard you all since many practices! *BRAVO!* I think you all have really put in alot of effort to *try* to be really disciplined and that showed. (Of cuz there's room for improvement - I hope BRYAN and PRAVEEN are reading this! AHEM..)
Counting down to the SYF CJ!!!!! 8)
Was tossing and turning all night after the rehearsal; not that I actually planned to be thinking of the rehearsal but somehow the events of the day kept drifting in and out of my head.
While I was standing some distance away watching you all and listening, it dawned on me that: hey, you all actually looked and sounded good. Really much better than I have heard you all since many practices! *BRAVO!* I think you all have really put in alot of effort to *try* to be really disciplined and that showed. (Of cuz there's room for improvement - I hope BRYAN and PRAVEEN are reading this! AHEM..)
Counting down to the SYF CJ!!!!! 8)
Playing Worst Than The Worst
To my Angklung Seniors:
Happened to read some of your blogs about our workshop at MPS -- and I am shocked that the tic there actually said those words about us. Though it's true no names were mentioned and we don't actually know which school she was talking about, but knowing our standards we all know who it refers to when she said it.
This really is no good coming from a teacher, I agree. No matter how bad someone is, we should never publicly criticise them because that doesn't help anyone at all. On the contrary, it leaves a negative impression of the person who says such things.
That said, let's take this positively - so we're the worst of the lot. But so what? That gives us more space to grow and be BETTER! :) So looking forward, we should work hard towards the last lap of our preparation and give the rest of the schools a good run for the GOLDS at central judging! We'll put up a good show and make them fall off their seats at the next workshop yeah!
Happened to read some of your blogs about our workshop at MPS -- and I am shocked that the tic there actually said those words about us. Though it's true no names were mentioned and we don't actually know which school she was talking about, but knowing our standards we all know who it refers to when she said it.
This really is no good coming from a teacher, I agree. No matter how bad someone is, we should never publicly criticise them because that doesn't help anyone at all. On the contrary, it leaves a negative impression of the person who says such things.
That said, let's take this positively - so we're the worst of the lot. But so what? That gives us more space to grow and be BETTER! :) So looking forward, we should work hard towards the last lap of our preparation and give the rest of the schools a good run for the GOLDS at central judging! We'll put up a good show and make them fall off their seats at the next workshop yeah!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Under the boardwalk Song
Hi everyone! I found one of the songs we are performing for SYF... Under The Boardwalk!!! the URL to go there is :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV6WgRAN9FU
Friday, March 7, 2008
Pre SYF Madness...
Dear APS angklungees,
The SYF is looming up in the horizon..how does it feel? For me the TIC, it has been so very stressful coordinating practices, making sure members turn up, getting rooms, instructors, practice notices etc et ready.. sometimes I feel like giving up. But then again, this reminds me of when I was in military band when I was in pri sch.
We were a newly formed band and were up against so many experienced band that if it wasn't for our determination and drive to get a gold, I think we'd never have made it. I think the most important thing is to BELIEVE you can do it.
So Angklung members, what's your stand? ;)
The SYF is looming up in the horizon..how does it feel? For me the TIC, it has been so very stressful coordinating practices, making sure members turn up, getting rooms, instructors, practice notices etc et ready.. sometimes I feel like giving up. But then again, this reminds me of when I was in military band when I was in pri sch.
We were a newly formed band and were up against so many experienced band that if it wasn't for our determination and drive to get a gold, I think we'd never have made it. I think the most important thing is to BELIEVE you can do it.
So Angklung members, what's your stand? ;)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
More about kulintang:
The kulintang a kayo (literally, “wooden kulintang”) is a Philippine xylophone of the Maguindanaon people with eight tuned slabs arranged horizontally atop a wooden antangan (rack). Made of soft wood such as bayug, the kulintang a kayo is a common found among Maguindanaon households with a musical background. Traditionally, it was used for self-entertainment purpose inside the house, so beginners could practice kulintang pieces before performing them on the real kulintang and only recently have they been performed as part of a “wooden kulintang ensemble.” This ancient instrument is considered to have come to the Philippines before the importation of metallic gongs from China and therefore is considered a precursor to the present-day kulintang.[1]
The kulintang a kayo (literally, “wooden kulintang”) is a Philippine xylophone of the Maguindanaon people with eight tuned slabs arranged horizontally atop a wooden antangan (rack). Made of soft wood such as bayug, the kulintang a kayo is a common found among Maguindanaon households with a musical background. Traditionally, it was used for self-entertainment purpose inside the house, so beginners could practice kulintang pieces before performing them on the real kulintang and only recently have they been performed as part of a “wooden kulintang ensemble.” This ancient instrument is considered to have come to the Philippines before the importation of metallic gongs from China and therefore is considered a precursor to the present-day kulintang.[1]
Welcome to
ANDERSON PRI ANGKLUNG BLOG!!!
Wan to know more about ANGKLUNG???
read on :Angklung is a musical instrument made out of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved so that they have a resonant pitch when struck. The two tubes are tuned to octaves. The base of the frame is held with one hand while the other hand shakes the instrument rapidly from side to side. This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Thus each of three or more angklung performers in an ensemble will play just one note and together complete melodies are produced. Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia.
History
The Angklung got more international attention when Daeng Soetigna, from Bandung, West Java, expanded the angklung notations not only to play traditional pélog or sléndro scales, but also diatonic scale in 1938. Since then, angklung is often played together with other western music instruments in an orchestra. One of the first well-known performances of angklung in an orchestra was during the Bandung Conference in 1955. A few years later, Udjo Ngalagena, a student of Daeng Soetigna, opened his "Saung Angklung" (House of Angklung) in 1966 as centre of its development.
In Bali, an ensemble of angklung is called gamelan angklung (anklung). The instruments are tuned to a 5-tone slendro scale, though actually most ensembles use a four-tone mode of the five-tone scale (an exception would be five-tone angklung from the north of Bali, as researched by Ruby Ornstein in the 1960s.) While the ensemble gets its name from the bamboo shakers, these days most compositions for Gamelan Angklung do not use them. An ensemble of mostly bronze metallophones is used instead.
In Hindu period and Padjajaran kingdom era, Sundanese people used the angklung to sign the time for prayer. Later, Padjajaran kingdom use this instrument as corps music in Bubat War (Perang Bubat).
Angklung functioned as building the peoples community spirit. It was still used by the Sundanese until the colonial era (Dutch East Indies, V.O.C). Because of the colonial times, the Dutch East Indies government tried to forbid people playing the angklung instrument.
Because it was forbidden to play angkung during this time, the popularity of the instrument decreased and it came to be played only by children in this era. [1]
[edit] Outside Indonesia
In the early 20th century, the angklung was adopted in Thailand, where it is called angkalung (อังกะลุง). The Thai angklung are typically tuned in the Thai tuning system of seven equidistant steps per octave, and each angklung has three bamboo tubes tuned in three separate octaves rather than two, as is typical in Indonesia.
Angklung had also been adopted by its Austronesian neighbours, inparticularly Malaysia and the Philippines, where they are rather played as part of bamboo xylophone orchestras. Formally introduced into Malaysia sometime after the end of confrontation, it found immediate popularity[2]. They are generally played using a pentatonic scale similar to the Indonesian slendro, although in the Philippines, sets also come in the diatric and minor scales used to perform various Spanish-influenced folk music.
[edit] Further reading
Balinese Music (1991) by Michael Tenzer, Periplus / University of Washington Press .
Can You Shake It? The Angklung of Southeast Asia by Prof. Kuo-Huang Han, School of Music, Northern Illinois University
[edit] References
^ Kompas, 9 November 2006, page 14, column 7
^ http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_843_2005-01-11.html Lay Tin Koh, "Angklung" (1972, December 3). The Sunday Mail, p. 9
[edit] External links
Gamelan Sekar Jaya (excerpt about angklung) from Michael Tenzer's book Balinese Music
Musical sample composed by I Nyoman Windha
Saung Angklung Udjo
Angklung Orchester Hamburg, Germany (2003/2004)
AWI (Angklung Web Institute) in Bandung
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angklung"
:
ANDERSON PRI ANGKLUNG BLOG!!!
Wan to know more about ANGKLUNG???
read on :Angklung is a musical instrument made out of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved so that they have a resonant pitch when struck. The two tubes are tuned to octaves. The base of the frame is held with one hand while the other hand shakes the instrument rapidly from side to side. This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Thus each of three or more angklung performers in an ensemble will play just one note and together complete melodies are produced. Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia.
History
The Angklung got more international attention when Daeng Soetigna, from Bandung, West Java, expanded the angklung notations not only to play traditional pélog or sléndro scales, but also diatonic scale in 1938. Since then, angklung is often played together with other western music instruments in an orchestra. One of the first well-known performances of angklung in an orchestra was during the Bandung Conference in 1955. A few years later, Udjo Ngalagena, a student of Daeng Soetigna, opened his "Saung Angklung" (House of Angklung) in 1966 as centre of its development.
In Bali, an ensemble of angklung is called gamelan angklung (anklung). The instruments are tuned to a 5-tone slendro scale, though actually most ensembles use a four-tone mode of the five-tone scale (an exception would be five-tone angklung from the north of Bali, as researched by Ruby Ornstein in the 1960s.) While the ensemble gets its name from the bamboo shakers, these days most compositions for Gamelan Angklung do not use them. An ensemble of mostly bronze metallophones is used instead.
In Hindu period and Padjajaran kingdom era, Sundanese people used the angklung to sign the time for prayer. Later, Padjajaran kingdom use this instrument as corps music in Bubat War (Perang Bubat).
Angklung functioned as building the peoples community spirit. It was still used by the Sundanese until the colonial era (Dutch East Indies, V.O.C). Because of the colonial times, the Dutch East Indies government tried to forbid people playing the angklung instrument.
Because it was forbidden to play angkung during this time, the popularity of the instrument decreased and it came to be played only by children in this era. [1]
[edit] Outside Indonesia
In the early 20th century, the angklung was adopted in Thailand, where it is called angkalung (อังกะลุง). The Thai angklung are typically tuned in the Thai tuning system of seven equidistant steps per octave, and each angklung has three bamboo tubes tuned in three separate octaves rather than two, as is typical in Indonesia.
Angklung had also been adopted by its Austronesian neighbours, inparticularly Malaysia and the Philippines, where they are rather played as part of bamboo xylophone orchestras. Formally introduced into Malaysia sometime after the end of confrontation, it found immediate popularity[2]. They are generally played using a pentatonic scale similar to the Indonesian slendro, although in the Philippines, sets also come in the diatric and minor scales used to perform various Spanish-influenced folk music.
[edit] Further reading
Balinese Music (1991) by Michael Tenzer, Periplus / University of Washington Press .
Can You Shake It? The Angklung of Southeast Asia by Prof. Kuo-Huang Han, School of Music, Northern Illinois University
[edit] References
^ Kompas, 9 November 2006, page 14, column 7
^ http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_843_2005-01-11.html Lay Tin Koh, "Angklung" (1972, December 3). The Sunday Mail, p. 9
[edit] External links
Gamelan Sekar Jaya (excerpt about angklung) from Michael Tenzer's book Balinese Music
Musical sample composed by I Nyoman Windha
Saung Angklung Udjo
Angklung Orchester Hamburg, Germany (2003/2004)
AWI (Angklung Web Institute) in Bandung
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angklung"
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