This post applies only to Benjamin Huang (percussion), Joshua Koh (percussion), Yang Yu Chen (flute), Toh Yue Feng (oboe), Zhang Jun Yao (clarinet), Andre Neo (bassoon), Luke Nicholas Lim (tuba), Lin Shoki (F.horn), Quintus Lim (F.horn) and Calwin Lim (trumpet).
5 March Auditorium 7.15 - 8.15am
7 March " "
7 April " 3 - 6pm
14 April " "
16 April " "
5 May " "
6 May Victoria Theatre 9 - 1pm
7 May Auditorium 3 - 6pm
8 May Auditorium 3 - 6pm
9 May Victoria theatre 2 - 10pm
10 May Victoria Theatre 2 - 10pm
Performers, you must master the pieces by 5 March
Monday, 25 February 2008
Sunday, 10 February 2008
ABOUT TOMORROW'S BUFFET
Hi people!
I just put this here just in case your parents would need help locating the restaurant.
The address is 153 BOON KENG ROAD SINGAPORE 339778
The restaurant is named CHONG PANG BBQ SEAFOOD
If there are any problems locating this place, your parents can always call one of the leaders to ask about the whereabouts.
The restaurant is quite close to Boon Keng MRT station
HAPPY CNY!
Daniel
I just put this here just in case your parents would need help locating the restaurant.
The address is 153 BOON KENG ROAD SINGAPORE 339778
The restaurant is named CHONG PANG BBQ SEAFOOD
If there are any problems locating this place, your parents can always call one of the leaders to ask about the whereabouts.
The restaurant is quite close to Boon Keng MRT station
HAPPY CNY!
Daniel
Saturday, 9 February 2008
Something to think about.
though this has not too much to do with music...i think that this is something good for all of us to think about. especially when life is so hectic these days...
How Do You Live Your Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth…
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show more appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a while.
So when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
-Author unknown
Friday, 8 February 2008
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Life as A Catholic High Gentleman ; One of a CHSSB member.
Hi people. It has been so long since i posted something on this blog. So today i am going to post something. (=.=)
I am going to talk about my life in CHS. Well, i believe that many of you lead similar lifestyles. I mean, this IS Singapore, what kind of a unique life do you expect? Being a what, power ranger? Spiderman? Superman?
Right..
We as students lead quite "automatic" and "monotonous" lives. We study, eat, sleep, eat, study more, and freak out when the teacher says there is going to be a test tomorrow. Not only that, our only highlight in our life is "Oh, Mid-Year Exams is starting next week. Die..." But, that is what makes us score so high in "O" levels: studying and the teacher's drilling
I am not here to complain, just here to speak the truth. Admit it, who doesn't feel the same way I do? HOWEVER, there are a few things in my life, and I am sure in yours too, that makes me want to come to school. For one thing, my friends and my juniors and my seniors and some of the teachers. Another thing, band. Lastly, my friends and my juniors and my seniors and some of the teachers.
Yes, those are what make me have a sense of belonging to Catholic High. And I am sure it applies to all of you too. You know what is so special of a boy school band? It's the brotherhood, . Not all about the discipline, or the music, but the brotherhood. It is not just only in Band, but the whole school. Like what En Hao (o.O) said, we know what each other is thinking, therefore we are brothers, because only brothers know what is in the mind of each other. And brothers support each other, we stand together. Like what En Hao said again (o.O), when one man falls, all of the others will stop, pull him up, then continue. This is brotherhood. And once again, like what En Hao said (o.O), if you have watched the korean movie "Brothers", you will have a clearer view of what I (technically En Hao (o.O)) is trying to say.
Now we have one man down. So, we have to pull him up. Its that simple. And when we do, we will have to move together once again, as a Band bonded together with strong brotherhood, don't we?
Hang Siang =) (And yes there is the "g" there; and its "S" not "X")
PS: Its ok if you don't understand, there are some parts in which i don't understand too..I am just saying what i feel.
I am going to talk about my life in CHS. Well, i believe that many of you lead similar lifestyles. I mean, this IS Singapore, what kind of a unique life do you expect? Being a what, power ranger? Spiderman? Superman?
Right..
We as students lead quite "automatic" and "monotonous" lives. We study, eat, sleep, eat, study more, and freak out when the teacher says there is going to be a test tomorrow. Not only that, our only highlight in our life is "Oh, Mid-Year Exams is starting next week. Die..." But, that is what makes us score so high in "O" levels: studying and the teacher's drilling
I am not here to complain, just here to speak the truth. Admit it, who doesn't feel the same way I do? HOWEVER, there are a few things in my life, and I am sure in yours too, that makes me want to come to school. For one thing, my friends and my juniors and my seniors and some of the teachers. Another thing, band. Lastly, my friends and my juniors and my seniors and some of the teachers.
Yes, those are what make me have a sense of belonging to Catholic High. And I am sure it applies to all of you too. You know what is so special of a boy school band? It's the brotherhood, . Not all about the discipline, or the music, but the brotherhood. It is not just only in Band, but the whole school. Like what En Hao (o.O) said, we know what each other is thinking, therefore we are brothers, because only brothers know what is in the mind of each other. And brothers support each other, we stand together. Like what En Hao said again (o.O), when one man falls, all of the others will stop, pull him up, then continue. This is brotherhood. And once again, like what En Hao said (o.O), if you have watched the korean movie "Brothers", you will have a clearer view of what I (technically En Hao (o.O)) is trying to say.
Now we have one man down. So, we have to pull him up. Its that simple. And when we do, we will have to move together once again, as a Band bonded together with strong brotherhood, don't we?
Hang Siang =) (And yes there is the "g" there; and its "S" not "X")
PS: Its ok if you don't understand, there are some parts in which i don't understand too..I am just saying what i feel.
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
HI!!
HI! first time here
firstly i want to thank the band for the great celebration for my birthday
on monday ya. really touched!!
Just want to share my birthday resolutions with all band bros!
1) I AIM TO PRACTICE MY CLERINET TO A GREAT STANDARD!
erm most problably grade 7-8(playing skills)
2) I ASPIRE TO BE A LEADER IN BAND!
hope to be like past leaders. serve the band! ya
3) I WANT TO IMPROVE ON MY ACADEMICS!
especially maths n english. ya really weak in these two.
4) I HOPE THAT SPRINGSFIELD WOULD COME BACK SOON!
really quite sad when he broke the news to us. now getting questioned
by other CCAS. talks here n there..ya really hope he could join back the family!
hope the all bros of band go support him.
5) LASTLY GOLD WIF HONOURS IN NEXT YEARS SYF!!!!!!
ya really important! this sentence has been haunting me since this years downfall.
that is the only chnace we as individuals n as a band can redeem ourselves. really show
what we are made of. i feel that if everyone does their part in band WITH THEIR HEART,
i dont see any reason why we cant accomplish that... ya thats all
well relax!!! n hav fun in this new year.
firstly i want to thank the band for the great celebration for my birthday
on monday ya. really touched!!
Just want to share my birthday resolutions with all band bros!
1) I AIM TO PRACTICE MY CLERINET TO A GREAT STANDARD!
erm most problably grade 7-8(playing skills)
2) I ASPIRE TO BE A LEADER IN BAND!
hope to be like past leaders. serve the band! ya
3) I WANT TO IMPROVE ON MY ACADEMICS!
especially maths n english. ya really weak in these two.
4) I HOPE THAT SPRINGSFIELD WOULD COME BACK SOON!
really quite sad when he broke the news to us. now getting questioned
by other CCAS. talks here n there..ya really hope he could join back the family!
hope the all bros of band go support him.
5) LASTLY GOLD WIF HONOURS IN NEXT YEARS SYF!!!!!!
ya really important! this sentence has been haunting me since this years downfall.
that is the only chnace we as individuals n as a band can redeem ourselves. really show
what we are made of. i feel that if everyone does their part in band WITH THEIR HEART,
i dont see any reason why we cant accomplish that... ya thats all
well relax!!! n hav fun in this new year.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
Happy New Year!!!
This is my first post here but please don't laugh if it is bad.
Well,once again,HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Really,i hope that more people will come for band.The attendance during the holidays really are bad.So i hope that they will come down when school reopens.Cause we must have fun together.Imagine a party with only 40 people when 70 are invited and expected to come.Will the presents 1 have fun? Well,don't say i force you all come down but really,i have more fun with more ppl around.This is my first new year's resolution.
My second resolution is to improve on my playing,I can't keep on relying on il shan as he is leaving the band this year.So i must learn from him as much as i can in this year.For the rest,Good luck to you too!=)
The rest of my resolutions are for studies so well,good luck in your studies.To be frank,this is the 1st time i had resolutions for the past 13 years.Lol.
This is the end of my post,hope you will read it!!!Happy new year and see u again!^^
Well,once again,HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Really,i hope that more people will come for band.The attendance during the holidays really are bad.So i hope that they will come down when school reopens.Cause we must have fun together.Imagine a party with only 40 people when 70 are invited and expected to come.Will the presents 1 have fun? Well,don't say i force you all come down but really,i have more fun with more ppl around.This is my first new year's resolution.
My second resolution is to improve on my playing,I can't keep on relying on il shan as he is leaving the band this year.So i must learn from him as much as i can in this year.For the rest,Good luck to you too!=)
The rest of my resolutions are for studies so well,good luck in your studies.To be frank,this is the 1st time i had resolutions for the past 13 years.Lol.
This is the end of my post,hope you will read it!!!Happy new year and see u again!^^
Friday, 28 December 2007
Resolutions
Hello.
I am here to talk about my new year resolutions. Like, most of the people around me, I don't usually have resolutions. However, this year, I do have a few.
My first new year resolution is to learn, perfect and master the art of typing in perfect English, and not in Singlish or net language. Like tis, or like tat. Yes, it may sound lame, but its my resolution, so it may sound a bit stupid to you.
My second new year resolution is to make all our band members come for band. I know its difficult, but I don't care. I just want them to come, so that they can indulge in the music-making merriment during our band practices, like what we are enjoying now. And also so that they won't screw our concert up. And also so that we won't get pumped.
My third resolution is the simplest yet. It is to make the people around me happy. Yes, a simple smile will do.
That's all that I have. I can't think of anymore right now.
So, please post in this blog. Please. And if you have any candid photos or pictures that you will like to post it on this blog, please feel free to do so. [Strictly no explicit content-at least not on this blog..]
That's all I have to say. Merry belated Christmas and a happy early new year.
PS: If there is any spelling errors, please feel free to correct me. I said "correct" not "insult", or "suan" me. Thanks.
Hang Siang. =)
I am here to talk about my new year resolutions. Like, most of the people around me, I don't usually have resolutions. However, this year, I do have a few.
My first new year resolution is to learn, perfect and master the art of typing in perfect English, and not in Singlish or net language. Like tis, or like tat. Yes, it may sound lame, but its my resolution, so it may sound a bit stupid to you.
My second new year resolution is to make all our band members come for band. I know its difficult, but I don't care. I just want them to come, so that they can indulge in the music-making merriment during our band practices, like what we are enjoying now. And also so that they won't screw our concert up. And also so that we won't get pumped.
My third resolution is the simplest yet. It is to make the people around me happy. Yes, a simple smile will do.
That's all that I have. I can't think of anymore right now.
So, please post in this blog. Please. And if you have any candid photos or pictures that you will like to post it on this blog, please feel free to do so. [Strictly no explicit content-at least not on this blog..]
That's all I have to say. Merry belated Christmas and a happy early new year.
PS: If there is any spelling errors, please feel free to correct me. I said "correct" not "insult", or "suan" me. Thanks.
Hang Siang. =)
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Ten years on
Ten years ago, I was tricked into joining what was then Catholic High Military Band.
Ten years later, I can't imagine my life without the valuable skills, experiences and people I've met during my music journey.
To some of you, the word 'band' sounds like a curse, 'sectionals' feels like torture, and 'music' is the result of lots of screaming, push-ups, mind numbing theory and endless rehearsals to make sense of those squiggly things called notes.
In the quest for the holy grail, do not forget that at the end of the day, we're all out to have fun and to learn something. Perhaps ten years later, you'd look back and remember the good old days.
-Shuyuan-
Ten years later, I can't imagine my life without the valuable skills, experiences and people I've met during my music journey.
To some of you, the word 'band' sounds like a curse, 'sectionals' feels like torture, and 'music' is the result of lots of screaming, push-ups, mind numbing theory and endless rehearsals to make sense of those squiggly things called notes.
In the quest for the holy grail, do not forget that at the end of the day, we're all out to have fun and to learn something. Perhaps ten years later, you'd look back and remember the good old days.
-Shuyuan-
Friday, 14 December 2007
Time for everything, no time for band.
I just organized a sectionals on 13th of December. And guess what, 2 out of 7 people came. So in the end what is the purpose of organizing so many sectionals? Then i ask u, how to improve my section when no one takes the initiative to practice and come for sectionals. Furthermore, those who do not turn up, always give the similar crap reasons.
- Tuition(like have tuition on each single day and each hour)
- Extremely busy(Dunno busy with wat, still got time to chat on MSN, play games etc.)
- Must study(ok, but in the last week of holiday:"Shit lah, now must chiong holiday homework liao)
- Dun feel like(den wat you feel like)
- Dunno there is sectionals(den wat do you know)
Conclusion: Everything got time, just no time for band.
Now I am really sick and tired of my section, but I cannot let the state of my section deteriorate. But who can tell me what can I do with my section.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
-ADVERTISEMENT-
R[affles]winds
CODA 3
Date & time: 26th December 7.30 pm
Venue: Victoria Concert Hall
Tix: $10 for stall $12 for circle
Repertoire: 1. March and Procession of Bacchas 2. Foster in my mind 3. Peterloo overture 4. Morricone's melody: Gabriel's oboe ..................... and many more.
Contact me if interested, i'll forward your message :)
R[affles]winds
CODA 3
Date & time: 26th December 7.30 pm
Venue: Victoria Concert Hall
Tix: $10 for stall $12 for circle
Repertoire: 1. March and Procession of Bacchas 2. Foster in my mind 3. Peterloo overture 4. Morricone's melody: Gabriel's oboe ..................... and many more.
Contact me if interested, i'll forward your message :)
Saturday, 8 December 2007
A little light-hearted concert this Christmas
Heys all!
Our 2 Alumni would be putting up a concert called "All that Jazz" this Christmas.
This concert would be featuring Andrew Au on the Saxophone, and Kwang Han on the Piano.
They would be showcasing some jazz standards and christmas tunes, so please go ahead and support them if you are free on that night!
Date: 19th Dec 07, (day before hari raya haji)
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: YMS (Young Musician Society) close to Bugis Mrt.
Tickets are priced $10 and $20, probably the lower and upper level seats respectively.
I do wish that most of you would be there that night, and let us enjoy and listen to the standards and works of art of our seniors after graduating from the Catholic High School Symphony Band.
Let us show some support for their very own recital they have put much effort in,
contact me (90010373), for more details and information you would want to enquire.
Also, their poster is up in the band room notice board, the board to the right of the white board.
P.S. compulsory for Saxophone Section.
Cheers =),
Happy holidays!
Springsfield.
Our 2 Alumni would be putting up a concert called "All that Jazz" this Christmas.
This concert would be featuring Andrew Au on the Saxophone, and Kwang Han on the Piano.
They would be showcasing some jazz standards and christmas tunes, so please go ahead and support them if you are free on that night!
Date: 19th Dec 07, (day before hari raya haji)
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: YMS (Young Musician Society) close to Bugis Mrt.
Tickets are priced $10 and $20, probably the lower and upper level seats respectively.
I do wish that most of you would be there that night, and let us enjoy and listen to the standards and works of art of our seniors after graduating from the Catholic High School Symphony Band.
Let us show some support for their very own recital they have put much effort in,
contact me (90010373), for more details and information you would want to enquire.
Also, their poster is up in the band room notice board, the board to the right of the white board.
P.S. compulsory for Saxophone Section.
Cheers =),
Happy holidays!
Springsfield.
Friday, 7 December 2007
An upcoming concert!
HEY BAND!
It's Daniel here. I'm advertising for the upcoming concert, "Not So Silent Night" by Victoria Junior College Symphony Band. Details below.
Not So Silent Night 07'
Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band
14th December 2007, 7.00pm, Victoria Junior College Performance Theatre
$10
Mr Leonard Tan
March 'Wind for Winds'
West Side Story
Elisabeth
Happy Ending (Inn of Sixth Happiness)
An English Christmas
Main Street Electrical Parade
Contact vjcsb.exco@gmail.com for tix or you could contact alumni Jia Wei at tang_jiawei@hotmail.com
Happy Holidays!
It's Daniel here. I'm advertising for the upcoming concert, "Not So Silent Night" by Victoria Junior College Symphony Band. Details below.
Not So Silent Night 07'
Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band
14th December 2007, 7.00pm, Victoria Junior College Performance Theatre
$10
Mr Leonard Tan
March 'Wind for Winds'
West Side Story
Elisabeth
Happy Ending (Inn of Sixth Happiness)
An English Christmas
Main Street Electrical Parade
Contact vjcsb.exco@gmail.com for tix or you could contact alumni Jia Wei at tang_jiawei@hotmail.com
Happy Holidays!
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Thursday, 22 November 2007
Band Camp ' 07
Today is the last day of the band camp, and everyone is very excited. Throughout this camp, i personally learnt a lot of new things and i got to bond and know my juniors better. This camp also allowed me to know who have the potential to lead and get to observe how the sec1s and 2s can work together to solve a problem. For my group is quite good, it consists of jie xiang, hanley, tzung ern, norman, andrew and jun yao. They are all very energetic for all the activities and they are able to encourage and motivate each other well, which i was very happy about it. The leader of my group is jie xiang and i felt that he did quite a good job in coordinating the group and engaging the group in conversations. I also learnt that in order to let my juniors do what i wanted them to do, i need to 以身作则 , 做个好榜样 and by taking the responsibility to let them know what is right and what is wrong. I felt that overall my group had dong quite well in this camp and i hope that everyone who had gone to the camp had gone back learning something important of it.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Hello PPL! (Random Post)
Hi Guys! It has been such a long time since i posted something on our beloved band blog.
And well, i will just say what i feel.
For the last few weeks, you guys have shown improvement. I can hear it, trust me. I noe wad i hear. Everything of our music making is improving.
Of course, not to perfection! But, that is all in due course if we continue to move forward in the right direction, which is wad we r doin now!
And, our sec 1s are bucking up. Not particularly in their music-making, but in their attitude. Some of you may not see it, but i do. They are more hard-working, more disciplined during Band , and of course their tone and everything is improving. Again, not to perfection, but there is a stepping stone for everything, right?
And well, our attendance is improving (i dun mean anyone), because more ppl are enjoying band. Though certain sections may be weak in attendance, but we shouldn't jus blame the whole band of a bad attendance just because of that/those section/s. See it in general.
I agree that it partly our fault because of these sections.
SO, what i am saying is: we are improving in all the aspects of a professional band, not to perfection, but i can definitely see that we are moving somewhere in the correct direction.
SO, keep it up guys. We can do much better than this. =)
And well, i will just say what i feel.
For the last few weeks, you guys have shown improvement. I can hear it, trust me. I noe wad i hear. Everything of our music making is improving.
Of course, not to perfection! But, that is all in due course if we continue to move forward in the right direction, which is wad we r doin now!
And, our sec 1s are bucking up. Not particularly in their music-making, but in their attitude. Some of you may not see it, but i do. They are more hard-working, more disciplined during Band , and of course their tone and everything is improving. Again, not to perfection, but there is a stepping stone for everything, right?
And well, our attendance is improving (i dun mean anyone), because more ppl are enjoying band. Though certain sections may be weak in attendance, but we shouldn't jus blame the whole band of a bad attendance just because of that/those section/s. See it in general.
I agree that it partly our fault because of these sections.
SO, what i am saying is: we are improving in all the aspects of a professional band, not to perfection, but i can definitely see that we are moving somewhere in the correct direction.
SO, keep it up guys. We can do much better than this. =)
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Band Web
Hey people, it's me, again.
The band website is up, again. Hope everyone will go drop by there. And I've also put up the department lists for everyone, and the leave form. In case of any emergency, you can always download the leave form from the band web. Cool...
The band website: http://chssb.atspace.com.
Feel free to voice out your comments at the blog's tagboard.
Cheers =)
Daren.
The band website is up, again. Hope everyone will go drop by there. And I've also put up the department lists for everyone, and the leave form. In case of any emergency, you can always download the leave form from the band web. Cool...
The band website: http://chssb.atspace.com.
Feel free to voice out your comments at the blog's tagboard.
Cheers =)
Daren.
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Random post
Went down to band room on Friday and saw some of the flute section, Zhen Sheng, Hanley, Ernest, Dong Lum, E Yang, Terence, Il Shan, Benjamin, Yue Feng and Daniel.
Good job to these people for coming down on a non-band day for self-practice/sectionals. So... Hope everyone will take the initative and effort and have the discipline to come down for self-practice!
Saturday, 27 October 2007
An essay
Frankly, the blog seems rather dead, i am very postive that u guys have more to express. Anyway this is a essay that has relevance to music so i am going to post it up.
Children
I walked into the examination studio. Thoughts were running astray in my mind. I rubbed off the sweat on my palms against my pants. It was my music practical examination. I was taking the Grade 6 test. I took confident strides towards the piano. my heart was thumping at an incredibly fast rate. Although I was trying to portray the image of a candidate who was fearless of any challenges that lay ahead, deep down i was trembling with fear.
I started my piece entitled "Four Calling Birds". In terms of technical difficulties it was not fascinating. It did not require a virtuostic pianist but it required an instrumentalist who could feel and express what he had in mind. I had already told myself before i walked into the studio that I must not be frantic or flustered. I had to let the music flow.
I discarded all the pressure that was mounting in me. I imagined a beautiful picture in my mind. It was a portrait of a group of children. 'Magnificent' would be a word suitable to describe the artwork yet the only pity was that it was not coloured. My task was to use the enchanting piece I was playing to paint the adorable and innocent toddlers.
On the canvas, the radiant smiles on the faces of the children emitted happiness. They were dancing joyfully in the dense forest. They embraced nature, enjoying their lives to the fullest. The mere sight of these children would be alluring to anyone.
At the beginning of time, when God created Adam and Eve, he made sure they were perfect, creating them in the likeness on himself. He wanted us to be pure, ignorant and clueless about sins. That was how my portrait of music should be painted. I played every chord delicately to ensure that it was consonant. The sound that i produced was as graceful and elegant the way the children danced in the portrait. Their poise and every action teemed with sweetness and serenity. The children were flawless exactly the way God had wanted it to be.
I was like a master painter perhaps the famous renaissance artist, Michelangelo. I wanted to create a masterpiece comparable to the Sistine Chapel. Perfection was what I hoped to achieve. I played the melody which resembled the call of birds. It was like painting all the little canaries flitting above the heads of the children. Their chirping were lyrical and mesmerising. They were flying in tandem with the children's movement. Though the children were only toddler, they danced like excellent ballerinas. The children followed the gentle, meandering, lyrical lines of the chirping. My heart started to calm down, their sheer beauty had made me forget that i was at an examination.
I controlled my touch perfectly. The outcome up till then was to my desire expectation. Every tonal shade of colour i used to paint the children was fabulous. The hues matched consummately. Crimson sunset as backdrop. Trees with mahogany trunks. Children dressed in bright turquoise, orange and yellow radiating blissfulness. It was absolutely the way i wanted the sound to be. Music that exude beauty beyond the description of words.
The air-conditioner let out a soft groan. The sound reverberated against the four walls of the room. My pride swelled at that moment, due to the excellent performance that I was doing. I lifted my head and for that split second I lost focus.
I did not notice it but my finger was placed on the wrong key. After I pressed it, the sound was jarring. The dissonance of the destroyed the tranquility and balance. The vivacious picture had turned into a dull one. My picture was ruined. It was like landing a stroke of awlful dark navy blue onto the scarlet skies. It was like turning a sweet dream into a horrifying nightmare.
As the phrase ended, i took a deep breath. I needed a solution terribly quickly. The painting that had originally been described as fantastic only had one suitable word for it then. Devastating. As I search frantically for an answer, a few words came to my mind.
Music is spontaneous, react to the situation
These words made me continue the music. I followed my heart and expressed my feelings. I wanted the remaining of the music to be performed to perfection. I was like an elite painter adding tonal shades of red to let the dark gloomy skies regain the authentic crimson glow. The original peacefulness and azure feel was once again achieved.
I ended the piece by playing the last note subtly. After the echoes of the last note died down I looked towards the examiner.
He smiled.
Children
I walked into the examination studio. Thoughts were running astray in my mind. I rubbed off the sweat on my palms against my pants. It was my music practical examination. I was taking the Grade 6 test. I took confident strides towards the piano. my heart was thumping at an incredibly fast rate. Although I was trying to portray the image of a candidate who was fearless of any challenges that lay ahead, deep down i was trembling with fear.
I started my piece entitled "Four Calling Birds". In terms of technical difficulties it was not fascinating. It did not require a virtuostic pianist but it required an instrumentalist who could feel and express what he had in mind. I had already told myself before i walked into the studio that I must not be frantic or flustered. I had to let the music flow.
I discarded all the pressure that was mounting in me. I imagined a beautiful picture in my mind. It was a portrait of a group of children. 'Magnificent' would be a word suitable to describe the artwork yet the only pity was that it was not coloured. My task was to use the enchanting piece I was playing to paint the adorable and innocent toddlers.
On the canvas, the radiant smiles on the faces of the children emitted happiness. They were dancing joyfully in the dense forest. They embraced nature, enjoying their lives to the fullest. The mere sight of these children would be alluring to anyone.
At the beginning of time, when God created Adam and Eve, he made sure they were perfect, creating them in the likeness on himself. He wanted us to be pure, ignorant and clueless about sins. That was how my portrait of music should be painted. I played every chord delicately to ensure that it was consonant. The sound that i produced was as graceful and elegant the way the children danced in the portrait. Their poise and every action teemed with sweetness and serenity. The children were flawless exactly the way God had wanted it to be.
I was like a master painter perhaps the famous renaissance artist, Michelangelo. I wanted to create a masterpiece comparable to the Sistine Chapel. Perfection was what I hoped to achieve. I played the melody which resembled the call of birds. It was like painting all the little canaries flitting above the heads of the children. Their chirping were lyrical and mesmerising. They were flying in tandem with the children's movement. Though the children were only toddler, they danced like excellent ballerinas. The children followed the gentle, meandering, lyrical lines of the chirping. My heart started to calm down, their sheer beauty had made me forget that i was at an examination.
I controlled my touch perfectly. The outcome up till then was to my desire expectation. Every tonal shade of colour i used to paint the children was fabulous. The hues matched consummately. Crimson sunset as backdrop. Trees with mahogany trunks. Children dressed in bright turquoise, orange and yellow radiating blissfulness. It was absolutely the way i wanted the sound to be. Music that exude beauty beyond the description of words.
The air-conditioner let out a soft groan. The sound reverberated against the four walls of the room. My pride swelled at that moment, due to the excellent performance that I was doing. I lifted my head and for that split second I lost focus.
I did not notice it but my finger was placed on the wrong key. After I pressed it, the sound was jarring. The dissonance of the destroyed the tranquility and balance. The vivacious picture had turned into a dull one. My picture was ruined. It was like landing a stroke of awlful dark navy blue onto the scarlet skies. It was like turning a sweet dream into a horrifying nightmare.
As the phrase ended, i took a deep breath. I needed a solution terribly quickly. The painting that had originally been described as fantastic only had one suitable word for it then. Devastating. As I search frantically for an answer, a few words came to my mind.
Music is spontaneous, react to the situation
These words made me continue the music. I followed my heart and expressed my feelings. I wanted the remaining of the music to be performed to perfection. I was like an elite painter adding tonal shades of red to let the dark gloomy skies regain the authentic crimson glow. The original peacefulness and azure feel was once again achieved.
I ended the piece by playing the last note subtly. After the echoes of the last note died down I looked towards the examiner.
He smiled.
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