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!?)

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.

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.

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?

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....

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)

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!