cantonese pop is really enjoyable.. there's something special about that language that bringforth a kind of feeling i cant quite describe it words. Well, was quite moved by a piece titled "Snow.Wolf.Lake" or otherwise known as "love is forever" sang by Dick today at rehearsal.. the music and harmonies are basically quite repetitive.. but it does feel good with the words.. it's a pity i can't understand cantonese.

This brought back fond memories of jc life where my bio tutor have a habit of singing canto pop music in our tuts., when we were doing our work.. haha once he even wrote down the lyrics on the board and told us how meaningful it was, although i cant quite remember now what he said, it seemed to be something about values..

The actors were fabulous..! and I absolutely love Forbidden City - the grandeur, expressive melodies and especially the part with wushu performance.. it's just beyond description

Some music are just so wonderful, coupled with an orchestra that has many good musicians, it makes u feel great to be part of the music making process, the emotions that emanate from ppl around u.. it sounds in the music, it's rousing. U could almost feel a warmth spreading from ur heart to the rest of ur body.. it's simply lovely

weary

Hectic schedule at a glance.!
2 weeks of 'hell'

Today: lessons 1230-6.30pm, then rehearsals 7-10pm
Thurs: rehearsals 7-10pm
Sat: 12-8pm
Sun: 12-6pm
Next Mon: Algebra II quiz
Tue: AED 201 presentation
Wed: rehearsals 2-11pm
Thur: rehearsals 4-11pm
Fri & Sat: Concert

Absolutely no time to do and revise sch work.. I seriously hope i can survive this 2 most taxing wk.. haizz :(

singapore pop orchestra

Today we just had our first orchestral rehearsal, in prep for singaPOPera performance in 2 wks time. It was indeed an experience to be making music with the indian, malay, western and the usual pop instruments like electric guitars, electric double bass, synthesizers etc.... We have pieces encompassing various ethnic as well as pop and jazz musical elements, for instance we have pieces with the kind of old Shanghai feel, pieces showcasing our indian culture so we play indian rhythms and rag.. but of course these are not the traditional kind of music, they are furnished with pop elements. There're also many other kinds of songs that are very upbeat and funky.. I think these music will appeal to the masses, as compared to you know.. our classical music, because it's easy listening. Audiences would be able to find the feel and groove with the music on first hearing, unlike some classical pieces you need many hearings to understand and finally enjoy what's portrayed.

Hopefully I could get hold of some of the orchestral scores and study the orchestration and music writings behind it

It's a wonderful experience to be working with our music director/conductor, Dr Sydney Tan. I like the way he conducts, it's nothing conventional like the way we are used to. Perhaps it's because he's into this kind of music. He dances, sings and expresses all the grooves in his body movement.. i think it really rubs the feel onto us as musicians.

I play a rather minor role in the orchestra, mainly adding to the harmonic fabric and at times little snippets of exciting rhythms.. There're some rather complicating parts and at times it isnt playing friendly, not the kind of thing that yq is suitable for, and it's not like a cadenza but rather small accompanimental role that i think would be overpowered by insts. with more resonance .. that's the weird part about e arrangement

but generally there's still things to learn playing pop culture music - the grooves, feelings that has to be gotten use to...

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."
or as a chinese saying goes "言语终止的地方是音乐".

Some things are just so difficult to be put across verbally to another, due to numerous factors that can be complex or accompanied by conflicting emotions/ uncertainties... well personally i do experience this kind of internal struggle and a subtle way to reveal them is through music playing or writting i think. There was once when i felt i had so many things to say, the stress, frustration, poignance .. that's just diff to be expressed verbally.. and i was having inst. lesson.. so when i played the piece i thought of nothing, except in connecting my feelings with the music. At one part i felt tears welling up in my eyes, ya was trying hard not to show it extrinsically. That was one of my best rendition of the piece and i could tell my teacher was moved from her compliments.. no criticisms :) So i think music playing is where i find solace.. although i am not usually emo rich.. such build up are quite rare
recently, i seemed to have liked things i usually hated doing (i dont know why) and sometimes sense things at a deeper level. Light-hearted pieces are now a past... used to also like playing technical pieces (notice i avoided virtuosic), but right now what i enjoy most are slow and expressive pieces though my playing's still not very cantabile at times, i'm slowly getting better!

i've finally.. after months managed to gain 1kg! yeah that's something to feel great about. who says it's tough to slim down?
gaining weight can be relatively even tougher.. for ppl like me