15 years of music making

Wheee..! its over finally. the horns have pulled through Mahler. parts which is written for 7 horns and done with 4 horns.. wonder how we do it. anyway, i think i sound pretty alright jus for minor hiccups during encore. mmm.. the concert is 3 hours long. one of the longest concert i have done. phew! candid moment- shake Kenneth's hand while standing up in full view of the audience just before Mahler. haha! Overall the concert was quite good!

Guys that made it happen
(Left to right) Tze Jun, Kenneth, Me, Alvin
Singapore River la..Another perspective

that's all la.. till then!

Auf Wiedersehen!

a little update

Guten Tag! Wie hist du? World cup is here! oh whatever.. haha..! nothing to much to write also...

okies, my violin is finally fixed. so happy! can start screaching away at home and irritate everyone. hahaha!! kidding, i will properly learn and master the instrument and upgrade the size till i hit the string bass. haha!!

yah, currently mahler fever.. Symphony No.1 every weekend. concert is this coming Saturday. biggest work i ever undertaken. my lips are practically red every weekend. and i love the horn parts.. Woooo...! well, still no match to the German orchestras like Berlin, Wiener or the Austrians like the Vienna phil .. for what i know, LSO (London Symphony Orchestra) horns are... *speechless*

oh yah, was on my way home from work crossing the junction at my house mrt there. Guess what.. all traffic came to a standstill to allow the motorcade of the Japanese Emperor n Empress drive by.. Awesome sight!!!! haha! don't get to see such things everyday.

anyway, that's all la, will update post SWO concert. till then..

Auf Wiedersehen!

don't slam the phone

i realise i have no tolerance for people who slam the phone on me. still a little pissed.

what happened? okay i received a phone call which i assume its from a MLM company la, claiming i won some fantastic prize from a lucky draw which i participated in. Which is totally not true la, coz i never participated it. Funny thing is, they claim the lucky draw that i have participated is within the past one year. But i response, saying i never participate it within the past one year, and quickly they change their claim that it (the draw) happen more than a year ago. Again i told them is not possible, coz i am a student. and immediately they hang/slam the phone on me.

okay, i am totally fine with answering such nonsense calls, and i handle such calls by rejecting them nicely lo. but i think it went too much as to suddenly hang up my phone. i think its basic courtesy that they end the call nicely even though they don't get a lead for their sales or whatever stuff they are involve it.

do note that the person answering the phone is also paying for airtime, and they don't wish to receive such treatment from an unwanted phone call.

so what am i trying to say, slamming the phone on people will jus add fuel to fire or start a fire.

my 2 cent's worth.

Auf Wiedersehen!

ticket updates

seriously, other than tracking the sales status of a concert. i don't really understand the need for frequent (every 2-3 days) of ticket updates. seriously, if a ticket is sold, it is sold and it will added into the sales figure right?

i think ticket updates has become a platform to irritate people for no particular reasons. seriously (for the 3rd time) ticket holders itself are very concerned about the sales status of their tickets too.. and trying very hard to push the sales. stressing day in day out so what's the point of reminding them to sell, asking them to improve the sales.

for me, i am neither a good salesman nor good in selling. and i truly believe in selling when people are willing to buy. what's the point of spitting out liters of saliva, persuading them to attend the concert and end of the day they getting nothing out of it?

my point is, why do update every 2-3 days? isn't weekly updates going to get the same figure? i don't think its ______ (what's the word?) to answer phone calls at a high frequency, and the caller to make the phone call out of his/her own expense.

i know i will get into serious trouble if this post has been read by certain group of people, but its my blog, and i am just giving my 2 cents worth. if you have read this and disagree and getting furious over what i have written, my thousand apologies. and don't worry, still pushing to improve the sales.

once again,
Ladies and Gentlemen presenting SWO concert:

17 June 2006

Victoria Concert Hall

6.00 pm

Performing:

G. Mahler - Symphony No. 1 "Titans"

Concerto fo Bass Clarinet and Band

Concerto for Trumpet

Pantomine - featuring Euphonium

Highlights from Chess

Les Miserables

Tickets @ $12.00

*Pls Kindly contact me for tickets!

Thank you for you support!

this post is written without the intention to harm anyone, anything, anywhere, anytime.

Auf Wiedersehen!

*i can be contacted by email, msn, hp or tag board

Enlistment

Title speaks for itself!

8 Sep 2006
BMTC School 2
8.00 a.m

5 more months to bump around. Next 6 yrs already planned out. Woosh!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Espirit De Corp

Okay, i am still feeling a little, haiz, in fact very sore from SYF even though its over for a few days.

So yah, even though pianist is not penalised for anything and i can actually ignore what has happen. But its WRONG to ignore it! Remember when I first came across this word/phrase whatever u call it "Espirit De Corp" which defines as team spirit. I am part of the team. So as a team, we are up and we are down together.

Team player - Someone who carries out his/her duties and responsibilities as part of the team
Team member - A person who is part of the team
Team Spirit - The energy that bonds a group together

I thinking i am just blabbering out. Thoughts still in a mess... still feeling sore.

feel free to ignore this post. Thanks!

Auf Wiedersehen!

SMU, SYF and others...

so today was SYF day huh.. just got back from VCH. Nervous as usual, hey i mean don't you guys get nervous before competition? the must buy, must have and must drink RED BULL!! energy boosting! the kids did pretty well for rehearsal this morning. and i think they did a good job on stage. results were...... very very disappointing. haiz. moody moody now and will last for next few days..

Well, peeps, be contented with whatever results achieve during a competition k.. don't get to swell headed or over confident with yourself! don't start blaming judges for the unexpected results. Good Sportsmanship! and yes, all pianist, please try out the piano before playing, u nv want the touch of the piano to become a shock to you. (if pianos were portable! the dream of all pianist!)

Learn from it, improve from it! Move on..

Received letter of offer for Bachelor of Science (Information System Management) from SMU few days back. hehee.. so happy, smiling as i open the envelope! haha! coz its printed Congratulations on the envelope mah! so you will know whats the content before its open. now i can't wait to start Uni life, but will have to wait 2 yrs later coz of you know what la! Bye bye to SNU n Yonsei la! hope i can still do the summer programme with them (that's another thing). and of course, i am accepting the offer!

something not related with what have been posted.

been extremely irritated with certain issues. peeps, please please please, learn to make comment that factual and not anyhow shoot things off your mouth. listen up! i will not tolerate untrue comments made against me! don't talk about defamation and slender to me when you yourself don't know the meaning of it!

Don't you agree? As friends, you have no rights to control your friends! expecting them to do things, appear at places as and when you wish! As teachers, there is no rights and privillages to controlling students. the duty of a teacher is to teach what you suppose to teach, and at most guide them through their life.

Don't speak of responsiblity, leadership and anything of similar context when u don't know the TRUE meaning of it or putting the words into actions.

i am so irritated!

oh yeah! i have written an essay on the art of conducting. interested to read? haha...

anyway, long post but that's all folks!

The desires of the righteous shall be granted (Proverbs 10:24)

Auf Wiedersehen!

That's life rite?

The past week has made me realize how life is so unpredictable. Running between 2 hospitals in a night. A perfectly healthy person can be brought down by virus or own body cells turning malignant. And now have to undergo treatment, chemo therapy, imagine pumping chemicals into your body that are out to destroy every cell in the body cause they are unable differentiate between healthy and malignant cells. As close family members, all we can do now is to pray hard for speedy recovery.

The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing (Psalm 41:3)

So yah, I did mention life is unpredictable rite? Just received a last i mean really last minute request to be participate in SYF with a primary school choir as their pianist. Stress! Competition is in 2 Weeks. Wish me luck!

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolution of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Proverbs 3:25-26)

Auf Wiedersehen!

Moving on...

so yah.. results finally out after a long long long wait. Passed and completed Diploma course. What a big relieve after all the nights of mugging away for exam. Phew..! Going to miss school life. The classroom, air con, tables, chairs,Programming, Presentations, Stress, Stress and more stress and last of all.. crappy stuffs! haha! But got to move on liao..! Jungle here i come! (orh yee orh yee orh!!!)

Primary Education? Checked!

Secondary Education? Checked!

Tertiary Education 1? Checked! and to be continued!

National Education? Un-Checked!

oh yah! anyone have this book --> SAT: The offical Guide ? can lend me or give me. haha.. need to study for it la.

Leave you with this quote from the bible --> He giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)

Auf Wiedersehen!

Concert Annoucement!!!

SWO Concert 17 June 2006

Venue: As usual VCH

Time: 6.00 pm!! <--- Hey! Take note hor!

Repertoire:

Symphony 1 - G. Mahler

Trumpet Concerto, Bass Clarinet Concerto

Les Miserables

Highlights from "Chess"

Will post this up again at a later date. Tickets are available now. Please call me at 9xxxxxxx for ticket bookings. haha! and yes, i am also reachable by MSN, Multiple Email or the tag board just in case you don't know how to find me.

Hello 2006!

i know its way into the new but not that new year already. haha.. hope all had a enjoyable festive season! =)

so yah.. finish exams, waiting for results and expecting the dreaded letter. Kinda reminds me of the good old post O's days. waiting for results, rotting away at home minus the waiting of the dreaded letter. hahaha!

school life was pretty okay. lots of breaks around. always out of school for lunch. hardly eat canteen food this semester. haha! all thanks to the wonderful invention - Car. Well.. i am not the driver yet. haha.. soon..

been shooting photos alot the past two months, i will upload the photos to my photo albums over the next few days, weeks and months. Erm.. progressively la. haha! anyway, here are some shots. first 2 are from Istana. Our shifu with Unity secondary school on Istana grounds. I think i pretty neat to have it in black & white.

Metal birds guarding our skies at AA2006. The F-16 Fighting Falcon with the sniper pod. Head on shot of this bird. look lean and mean. FYI, F-16 are not design to fly. And the Singapore's own Apache Longbow back from detachment from US (see the bird from a different view). Trip made possible by my mum giving up her ticket. haiz... Oh ya.. check the Gulfstream jet. cool? its mine! muahahaha!

Orchids from Istana
Black & White of Shuqun's Shifu

F -16 Fighting Falcon

Apache Longbow

Gulfstream G450 own by yours truly!

so that all for now.. watch out for the next 2 post on Responsiblity and Leadership. Why i want to talk about? Because YOU make me talk about it.

I leave with this quote from the bible - The Lord shall guide thee continually. (Isaiah 58:11)

Auf Wiedersehen!

Bangkok, Christmas, SWO

Bangkok - 20th - 24th Dec
Very enjoyable and relaxing trip that comes half way thru the semester. hahaha! very last minute decision to "disappear"! Depart on the 20th afternoon SQ flight feeling very very shag out because had 3 continuous day of band rehearsal before. Hoped to catch some sleep on the plane but inflight entertainment was such a blast! Whee..!

Seriously, communication was the greatest challenge in Thailand, was almost lost when on the cab heading down to the Service Apartment. Luckily, the reception people was able to guide the taxi driver on the phone. Met up with the kids (a.k.a my cousins) from Korea, yes, my uncle was in Bangkok for conference hence the trip for us to meet up with them.

Went to the old capital of Thailand, Ayuthaya about 2 hours North of Bangkok. Visited the ruins, i didn't get the actual name of the place, and also visited Summer Palace. This is the coolest year in thailand, temperature was at an unusual +- 20 degC. I believe Ayuthaya's temperature was about 18degC. Shivering out in the open! And yes, shopping is a must especially for my Aunts. Besides that, just baby sitting around.

Depart Bangkok on the 24th. Sat alone which really made the return flight a more relaxing one! Because i am sitting away from my another cousin, a rascal (not pictured)I should say, Singapore Airlines does really live up to its name. Great service!

Christmas! Was totally drained out already, but still made an effort to attend church service. And SWO concert on the 26th, One of the best concert so far. Marking the 6th Concert in 2005! 4 of which in VCH! Well.... preparing for Common test now! =)

Auf Wiedersehen!

Human Behavior

Human behave(u)r is the collection of activities performed by human beings and influenced by culture, attitudes, emotions, values, ethics, authority, rapport, hypnosis, persuasion, and/or coercion.

Factors affecting Human Behavior

• Attitude - Its a degree to which a person has a favorable or unfavorable evaluation of behavior in question
• Social Norms - This is the influence of social pressure that is perceived by the individual (normative beliefs) to perform or not perform a certain behavior.
• Perceived Behavioral Control - This construct is defined as the individual's belief concerning how easy or difficult performing the behavior will be.

Source: http://www.psychcentral.com/psypsych/Human_behavior

Random posting of thoughts going on today after "gathering" of Shuqun alumni band members. Somewhat curious to find out the scientific basis of how each individual behaves. And also to justify some actions and remarks made over lunch whether is it being biased, sterotyping (sounds so WISP!) or ________ (can't think of that word).

Something i read and have to agree with - Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear! add on, And Hello will be a difficult word to say! Again, its something random. Bored at home.. =)

Auf Wiedersehen!

Rondeau 20th

okay, i am a little slow in posting. too tired these few days.

so the curtains came down for the last time huh..? 2 years in NPCB breeze by just like poly life. A big thank you to manda, pee (hey, i have counted 6 concerts at least!), leen, law fatt, brian, shu qin and Ms Koh! Very honoured and blessed to be able to play with you guys. The section will not be what it is without these people. One of the best section i have ever played in! Will always look forward for a chance to play again! (p.s Switzerland 2006 anyone?) Gonna miss all the craps we have done!

Guys, don't hang up your horns k..!

For those who didn't come, u have missed a enjoyable concert.

Auf Wiedersehen!

Have u ever...

Been force to do things against your wish?

Do things because its a Social Responsibility?

Do things because its the end of it if you don't do it?

Or

Do things because you enjoy the process and do it out of your own freewill?

Auf Wiedersehen!

tuning systems

ever wondered how complex can tuning an instrument be? finally took the time and effort to seriously search the web about it after a conversation (obviously with someone!) about tuning a band and instrument. i think everyone will have a concept of tuning whereby we either follow a tuning fork, tuner, someone or something that can give a perfect pitch for us to follow.

from what i found out, tuning has become a very mathematical thing where we can actually calculate the frequencies in relation to any note, the different frequencies has a value to it.. blah blah blah...

so there is Equal Temperament, Well Temperament, Mean-tone Temperament and lots of other stuffs. i think it would be pretty cool if you can take some time to browse through this site >Click Me!< to find out about more. Get the gist of it! its too heavy for me to post it. i also having difficulties understanding certain parts of it. if not interested.... hahaa...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Repetition

is history gonna repeat itself again for the one... two... three... foruth time? haiz...

school have been generally okay... lots of interesting topics and yupz... we watching cartoon for lecture.. share some nice quotes from class

"Do not do to others what you do not wish yourself" - Confucius
"The wise are free from doubts; the virtuous from anxiety; the brave from fear" - Confucius

any relation to this post... NOPE!!!

anyway.........

Auf Wiedersehen!

Head Hunting

so.... i am returning back to school tml. Prepared for it? Well... i jus happen to found out that my class has been split up, so can't crap around anymore. =( And feeling abit weird, as normally i have been heading to office for the past 2 months. And i have not had regular classes for the past 8 months!!! geez! Attachment la..

okay. Anyway.... I AM LOOKING FOR HORN PLAYERS!! to join SWO for the December Concert and Switzerland trip next year. currently there is only one horn player and is yours truly. so please please please..............

Rondeau Concert
Date: 26 NOVEMBER 05
Venue: VCH
Repertoire: Mostly Alfred Reed's pieces e.g Second Suite in Band

SWO Concert
Date: 26 DECEMBER 05
Venue: VCH (again....)
Repertoire: Egmont (By Bert Appermont) and other nice pieces la...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Understanding Baroque

Hallo! Guten Morgen! Had discussions on styles of music recently and have realised that many still fail to understand the beauty of Baroque music. Baroque music have always served as the foundation to all music composed for the past 500 years. Even though this period of music is 500 years old and ageing, its still alive in many music we play today.

I have extract some key points from my previous post. To read the full post, scroll down! Its somewhere down this page.

Tempo
- Usually stays the same throughout

Dynamic
- Range in dynamic is narrow
- Terrace dynamic

Style
- Formal, imitative

A few important things to do when you tackle a piece of music, is to firstly determine the period of music that its in.

One thing to note is the tempo of music. As written above, a Baroque music have a relatively fixed tempo throughout, mostly it ends with a BIG retard. So why is this so, you would need to know that Baroque music are written for the Kings and Queens of that time. So music have to sound Grand and Formal, maybe if you were in Europe, you can see the intricate designs of the Cathedral. So music must have fixed tempo to fit the mood. Just imagine yourself walking down the aisle of a church on your wedding day, and the musicians playing pachebel canon with irregular tempo, I bet you will not be able to walk down the aisle with a regular pace. So without realising it, we have covered two points, Tempo and Style!

Tempo always set the mood!

Dynamic are Terrace whereby when a phrase is Forte, it is in Forte and when it is in Piano, it will be in Piano. There will NEVER be a Cresendo or Decresendo in between two phrases to transit the dynamics. Just imagine as music walking up and down a staircase. So the other point about dynamic is narrow is because of the limitation in the dynamic range of instrument of that time, where a Harpsicord or Clavicord only have a small dynamic range thus give this characteristic.

Well there is another point that i want to cover, which is the texture of Baroque. But its kinda hard to explain in words. So till i figure out how it should be written down, enjoy learning and understanding Baroque.

Auf Wiedersehen!

H I! B Y E!

so what's been going on recently?

currently working. temp assignment at IBP a.k.a International Business Park. working with a fun bunch of people.

My SLR is up for sale. Considering getting a Nikon D50, so my current lenses won't work on a Nikon system. Let me know if anyone is interested.

catching up with old pals, crapping, eating, slacking. great fun!

guess there isn't much to post. till then...

Auf Wiedersehen!