Evelyn Glennie, one of the world's most famous percussionists who is also profoundly deaf, gives a lecture on listening and performing music. Do watch when you have the time...it really challenges your common perceptions on how you hear and play music.
Have a good Band Camp!
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Band Camp Packing List
Hello all. Here's the packing list in advance:
Items to bring (minimum number of each item you MUST bring, any other items you want to bring are optional):
· EZ-link card (fully functional with $$ in it)
· Plastic mug (cups not provided during meals)
· Handphone (optional for members, compulsory for mentors/ helpers)
· String/Laundry Line (dry clothes)
· Poncho/Small Umbrella
· Torchlight
· Old Rag x1
· Toiletries
· Writing materials
· Sleeping bag x1
· Trash Bags
· Home T-Shirt x2
· Section T-Shirt x1
· Polo T-Shirt x1
· PE T-Shirt x1
· Home Shorts x2
· School Shorts x1
· PE Shorts x2
· Underwear x4
· Towel x1
· Shoes x1
· Slippers x1
· Socks x4
· Money
DO NOT BRING:
· Snacks
· Entertainment devices (e.g. MP3, MP4, iPod, cards, PSP, Gameboy, X Box, portable telly, board games etc).
Happy Packing!
Items to bring (minimum number of each item you MUST bring, any other items you want to bring are optional):
· EZ-link card (fully functional with $$ in it)
· Plastic mug (cups not provided during meals)
· Handphone (optional for members, compulsory for mentors/ helpers)
· String/Laundry Line (dry clothes)
· Poncho/Small Umbrella
· Torchlight
· Old Rag x1
· Toiletries
· Writing materials
· Sleeping bag x1
· Trash Bags
· Home T-Shirt x2
· Section T-Shirt x1
· Polo T-Shirt x1
· PE T-Shirt x1
· Home Shorts x2
· School Shorts x1
· PE Shorts x2
· Underwear x4
· Towel x1
· Shoes x1
· Slippers x1
· Socks x4
· Money
DO NOT BRING:
· Snacks
· Entertainment devices (e.g. MP3, MP4, iPod, cards, PSP, Gameboy, X Box, portable telly, board games etc).
Happy Packing!
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Recorded and Live Performances.
Often, many people do not make much of a distinction between listening/watching a recorded performance and experiencing a live performance. Many a time I have encountered people who have declined going for a performance because they ‘have heard the recordings of the pieces to be performed’. Allow me to explain some of the more apparent differences between recorded and live performances.
In a live performance, often what you see is what you get. The performance may seem less than perfect, but this is what it means to be human; making mistakes is part and parcel of everyday life. Also, the experience of a live performance means receiving the aura and energy of the performers first hand; you get to feel whether the performers were distant or warmed up towards the pieces performed, whether the players were confident or ill-prepared for the performance, whether they brought out the spirit of the pieces, and so on. These first-hand experiences can only be felt through a live performance, and is something that cannot be stored in a CD, DVD or a Youtube video. To further emphasise the statement ‘what you see is what you get’, it also means that if the hall’s acoustics are less than satisfactory, or if that particular horn gets out of tune in that section of the music, there is nothing that can be done about it at the moment of the performance and all that forms part of the experience.
On the other hand, recorded performances may be far from the adage of ‘what you see is what you get’. Acoustics may be beefed up or altered, out-of-tune notes may be tuned up to perfection and the performance might even be multi-tracked. The last point refers to recording different instruments or groups of instruments separately and then patching them up together after that. Yes, modern audio technology is that advanced and many movie sound tracks are done that way, even with full orchestras. Even I have done that for my composition exams (it’s perfectly normal to do this.); for my Tiny Island Nation for Baritone singer and string quintet, I recorded the string quintet one day and the voice another day. It so happened that the singer was off form that day and sang everything flat; but no problem, I could just tune everything up after the recording and voila! Everything sounded perfect anyway. Even the audience that you see screaming in certain video recordings of rock performances and even classical performances may be staged for dramatic effect. This may sound rather impossible but it has been done and is still regularly done. The ‘audience’ is paid a small sum as calefare and they act as a ‘real’ enthusiastic audience in the performances. Furthermore when multi-tracking is done the recording loses even more of the performance spirit as the musicians are not united in performance at all.
This is not to say that live performances or recorded performances are more superior than the other. Each has their merits; live performances are good to watch once in a while though they may be rather expensive, and recorded performances are good for learning scores, getting familiar with the pieces and perhaps just for the sake of musical enjoyment at home. One important point to note is that recordings are a recent invention and that our past masters like Beethoven, Bach and Brahms did not have the luxury of simply taking out a recording and playing it for relaxation and enjoyment. To create music one had to play it himself on the piano, his instruments or go to the concert hall to watch a performance, which was often rather expensive and far away from most towns.
However, the convenience of recordings in the modern day also means that many of us tend to take them as a substitute for a real and live performance, and thus we should also be wary of the recordings presented to us; we must not take them at face value all the time. Thus I would say…go for a concert once in a while! Listen to good or bad music live and you will realise that a recording can never compare to a live performance.
:D
In a live performance, often what you see is what you get. The performance may seem less than perfect, but this is what it means to be human; making mistakes is part and parcel of everyday life. Also, the experience of a live performance means receiving the aura and energy of the performers first hand; you get to feel whether the performers were distant or warmed up towards the pieces performed, whether the players were confident or ill-prepared for the performance, whether they brought out the spirit of the pieces, and so on. These first-hand experiences can only be felt through a live performance, and is something that cannot be stored in a CD, DVD or a Youtube video. To further emphasise the statement ‘what you see is what you get’, it also means that if the hall’s acoustics are less than satisfactory, or if that particular horn gets out of tune in that section of the music, there is nothing that can be done about it at the moment of the performance and all that forms part of the experience.
On the other hand, recorded performances may be far from the adage of ‘what you see is what you get’. Acoustics may be beefed up or altered, out-of-tune notes may be tuned up to perfection and the performance might even be multi-tracked. The last point refers to recording different instruments or groups of instruments separately and then patching them up together after that. Yes, modern audio technology is that advanced and many movie sound tracks are done that way, even with full orchestras. Even I have done that for my composition exams (it’s perfectly normal to do this.); for my Tiny Island Nation for Baritone singer and string quintet, I recorded the string quintet one day and the voice another day. It so happened that the singer was off form that day and sang everything flat; but no problem, I could just tune everything up after the recording and voila! Everything sounded perfect anyway. Even the audience that you see screaming in certain video recordings of rock performances and even classical performances may be staged for dramatic effect. This may sound rather impossible but it has been done and is still regularly done. The ‘audience’ is paid a small sum as calefare and they act as a ‘real’ enthusiastic audience in the performances. Furthermore when multi-tracking is done the recording loses even more of the performance spirit as the musicians are not united in performance at all.
This is not to say that live performances or recorded performances are more superior than the other. Each has their merits; live performances are good to watch once in a while though they may be rather expensive, and recorded performances are good for learning scores, getting familiar with the pieces and perhaps just for the sake of musical enjoyment at home. One important point to note is that recordings are a recent invention and that our past masters like Beethoven, Bach and Brahms did not have the luxury of simply taking out a recording and playing it for relaxation and enjoyment. To create music one had to play it himself on the piano, his instruments or go to the concert hall to watch a performance, which was often rather expensive and far away from most towns.
However, the convenience of recordings in the modern day also means that many of us tend to take them as a substitute for a real and live performance, and thus we should also be wary of the recordings presented to us; we must not take them at face value all the time. Thus I would say…go for a concert once in a while! Listen to good or bad music live and you will realise that a recording can never compare to a live performance.
:D
Friday, 17 October 2008
SYF Important Details
Hi all. I know you may be wondering how I managed to get this info, but that’s not important. Some VERY important stuff you have to know for SYF 2009.
Set Piece: Two Overtures for Wind Band
Composer: Kelly Tang
Earliest date we can get the score: November 12 (if we order asap)
The set piece is two overtures (duh….) but we need to play only one out of the 2 overtures.
SYF dates: 30 March to 4 April and 6 April to 9 April
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall (we are back)
Before SYF 2009, we have to video our drills (yes …like last year). This time, the drills are as follows. All drills include instruments carried.
1. Sedia
2. Senang Diri
3. Kerkanan Pusing(turn right)
4. Kerkeri Pusing(turn left)
5. Hentak Kaki with Berhati(march on the spot)
6. March Past
The March Past is the whole band (FALLED IN, INCLUDING BAND MAJORS, EXCEPT DRUM MAJOR) play some music in the squad. We must take recommended 64-72 steps. Means we march in a squad for 64-72 steps then we play music while marching. Got it? This video has to be done before 6 FEBRUARY 2009.
For our choice piece, I don’t really know…but the recording I have is 7+ minutes. We are sort of in a dangerous state. The rule is that choice piece for Sec school band has to be LESS THAN 8 MINUTES. If we exceed 8 minutes, our marks will decrease by 10%. Means if we exceed the 8 minutes, the chance of getting Gold with Honors is very, VERY slim.
Finally, the awarding scheme are as follows:
Gold with Honors: 85%
Gold: 80%
Silver:70%-79%
(The rest… you don’t want to know)
Judging criteria: 50% Technique
50% Musicianship
Band Strength: At least 24 members, at most 80 MEMBERS.
Refer to the band room whiteboard for more details…and get started practicing man….WE CAN DO IT!
Set Piece: Two Overtures for Wind Band
Composer: Kelly Tang
Earliest date we can get the score: November 12 (if we order asap)
The set piece is two overtures (duh….) but we need to play only one out of the 2 overtures.
SYF dates: 30 March to 4 April and 6 April to 9 April
Venue: Singapore Conference Hall (we are back)
Before SYF 2009, we have to video our drills (yes …like last year). This time, the drills are as follows. All drills include instruments carried.
1. Sedia
2. Senang Diri
3. Kerkanan Pusing(turn right)
4. Kerkeri Pusing(turn left)
5. Hentak Kaki with Berhati(march on the spot)
6. March Past
The March Past is the whole band (FALLED IN, INCLUDING BAND MAJORS, EXCEPT DRUM MAJOR) play some music in the squad. We must take recommended 64-72 steps. Means we march in a squad for 64-72 steps then we play music while marching. Got it? This video has to be done before 6 FEBRUARY 2009.
For our choice piece, I don’t really know…but the recording I have is 7+ minutes. We are sort of in a dangerous state. The rule is that choice piece for Sec school band has to be LESS THAN 8 MINUTES. If we exceed 8 minutes, our marks will decrease by 10%. Means if we exceed the 8 minutes, the chance of getting Gold with Honors is very, VERY slim.
Finally, the awarding scheme are as follows:
Gold with Honors: 85%
Gold: 80%
Silver:70%-79%
(The rest… you don’t want to know)
Judging criteria: 50% Technique
50% Musicianship
Band Strength: At least 24 members, at most 80 MEMBERS.
Refer to the band room whiteboard for more details…and get started practicing man….WE CAN DO IT!
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Practice begins again
Hey all. Hope you are hitting the sense out of your head on the wall cause exams are over.
Exams aside, please be informed that practice will resume on friday, 2.30 pm. If your SL told you 3 pm, well, he's wrong! It's 2.30. Now that exams are over, it's time to commit yourself to the SYF. Keep this goal in mind: a Gold sound by December. If you can get it by the end of November that'll be better, cause you'll be in time for the combined concert.
Please be punctual, keep a positive attitude, and don't give a bad impression on the very first practice after exams. Some alumni might be coming, so we won't want to let them (or Mr. Tan) down. Show them how well you can play even though you haven't touched your instrument for ages!
See you on friday.
Exams aside, please be informed that practice will resume on friday, 2.30 pm. If your SL told you 3 pm, well, he's wrong! It's 2.30. Now that exams are over, it's time to commit yourself to the SYF. Keep this goal in mind: a Gold sound by December. If you can get it by the end of November that'll be better, cause you'll be in time for the combined concert.
Please be punctual, keep a positive attitude, and don't give a bad impression on the very first practice after exams. Some alumni might be coming, so we won't want to let them (or Mr. Tan) down. Show them how well you can play even though you haven't touched your instrument for ages!
See you on friday.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Premiere!
Just a little advert..
FUSED String orchestra gives its debut concert!
Who: FUSED string orchestra, a newly formed string orchestra expanded from the string quartet CALYPSO
When: 9th October, Thursday, 7.30pm
Where: NAFA Campus Three, Lee Foundation Theatre, 131 Bencoolen Street
What: Performing works ranging from the Baroque era to Modern works! Includes Bach's Double Violin Concerto, Mozart's Divertimento, Tango by Albeniz, Air on G String by Bach, and Jamaican Rumba by Arthur Benjamin. Also premiering three local works!
Terrence Wong - Concertino for Trumpet and String Orchestra
Liew Kong Meng - Sandcastles and Dreams
Grace Chen - Temujin
How (much): $15, email wereldmuziekconcours@gmail.com for tix or contact me @ 90110995
Why: cos ur senior is premiering his work!! And the other local composer Liew Kong Meng is also a Cat High alumni. One of the best music students from CHS...The string orchestra is pretty good too. Its worth the cost!
:D
FUSED String orchestra gives its debut concert!
Who: FUSED string orchestra, a newly formed string orchestra expanded from the string quartet CALYPSO
When: 9th October, Thursday, 7.30pm
Where: NAFA Campus Three, Lee Foundation Theatre, 131 Bencoolen Street
What: Performing works ranging from the Baroque era to Modern works! Includes Bach's Double Violin Concerto, Mozart's Divertimento, Tango by Albeniz, Air on G String by Bach, and Jamaican Rumba by Arthur Benjamin. Also premiering three local works!
Terrence Wong - Concertino for Trumpet and String Orchestra
Liew Kong Meng - Sandcastles and Dreams
Grace Chen - Temujin
How (much): $15, email wereldmuziekconcours@gmail.com for tix or contact me @ 90110995
Why: cos ur senior is premiering his work!! And the other local composer Liew Kong Meng is also a Cat High alumni. One of the best music students from CHS...The string orchestra is pretty good too. Its worth the cost!
:D
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