Only you can make me feel this way

Listening to the recordings of AHband on their day of glory sends me chill after chill down my spine. listening to the recording, I can almost feel the excitement, apprehension and resolve in the band.

Being detached from band music and the one organisation that I have felt most for has been an interesting yet empty feeling. Though glad I have experienced new things and opened up my eyes, I always can't help but be hit by a bout of AHband fever now and then.

From the slightly muffled recording of 'Singapore Flyer', i could make out the band sound that i know my juniors have been practicing and pushing so hard towards. When the lower brass soli hit, i was bowled over with emotions. I can almost see Yan see and See onn (thats 3 see's in a sentence) playing their heart out while trying to calm their nerves. You have played very well my dear juniors! And I cannot begin to describe how proud i feel of you two. Euphonium is secretly the best section in AHband always rmb? haha..

The clear articulation i heard in 'Danse Diabolique' has been a fruit of the hardwork the band has put in to practicing this piece. Just from the recording, I can feel that the band has really put in their effort to make play the piece. And the regret in me of not going down to listen to the band just swells.

My dear juniors, another 2 years have passed. I remember 2 years ago when Jlo, Cheng huat and me ventured down to AHband (too free after ORD) to teach the band, have fun and even make liang cha. You have grown much in this time. You should be proud of yourself. Especially the sec4s, for you have experienced the lows and the fight to get back up there. I hope your AHband experience stays with you for a long time.

Now, i hope that the remaining juniors will remember that the journey for SYF 2013 starts now. Everything you do will have an impact on the same day, 2 years later. The baton has been passed on to you. Create your own memories and experiences. NEVER be conceited. Always remember your journey.

AHband, the best is yet to be.

天使的脚步

How amazing is it that sometimes the things you are least interested in initially can end up being the one that you put in most effort and enjoy the most?

As i sit backstage watching the last few scenes of the production, i had to face the unforgiving truth that this will never happen again. There will be another production, but it is a different show, a different cast, different crew, a different feel.

But i am glad this once was so memorable and fun. The saying to have no regrets in what you do and to treasure every moment is most apt here. Sitting at home alone in front of the laptop, typing this, i actually do suddenly miss being in Mrs Lee Choon Guan Theatre, with the props team and all the production team ready to show what we have to the audience.

I was disappointed however at the lack of chance to see the people in the audience after the performance. I guess it is the occupational hazard of being in the backstage/props crew! We rushed to make the 2 trips for the props back to NTU and i must admit it was empty returning to a nearly empty school save for the remaining props crew and Daphne. (Thanks 紫欣！) , Hell, we did not even get to be in the production photo taking session. Supper was much less people than i thought too.

On a side note, Erina you came!? haha.. thought u could not.

Anyway, awesome time i had. Awesome performance by everyone in the team. I guess this sudden rush of emotions to even inspire me to update this dead blog is what draws me back to performing arts, as i try to find that familiar yet distant feeling.

Almost like Twitter

I've come to realise that i study almost daily and even if i did nt do ath, will at least read some paragraphs from a textbook before i sleep.

Screw the CTs in JC that claim that once you pass JC, you've passed the worst part of your study life.

On a side note, i joined rugby and am hoping i do not come out concussed or bloody.

Stomp continues to terrorise SG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isVMTN7FeFA

Stomp on Stompers!

Change

I'm suddenly reminded of Henry's quote on his sub nick once.

"Caucasians are not superior to the Asians, but Asians lose out because of the refusal to change and move on with the times."

Or at least he said sth to that effect. I must be the Asian among Asians.

Sch starts...

Finally after a 2 year plus lull for the rust to form on my brain, sch starts. Should i be feeling so unexcited? A part of me actually yearned for the brainless routine of army.

I can finally feel what I've been hearing about friends in uni complaining, looking at the assignments and lectures in my web mail.

You're looking at the future Dean's Lister!

Mus'art Wind Orchestra

85.58 for WMC! The stress and very long practices were worth it.

What was most special to me was watching the European bands and how they were levels above us in terms of playing. (eg, Banda de Lalin, freaking power Spanish 110 strong band, and they were not even the top band!). The brass complimented the woodwinds perfectly and their tone was deep and round. Even their fff was well balanced and could make the ground below us vibrate. A commendable feat given that the hall was 1000+ strong and looked more like a Expo convention centre. All in all, a once in lifetime experience i wish more people could see and be inspired.

Being in the continent where the instruments are made (A "ADAMS" warehouse was a 30 min car ride away from Rodahal in Kerkrade) and the songs composed sure does make the whole experience a lot more surreal and inspiring. Not to mention the fantastic weather! Too bad Kerkrade was lacking in the festivities, maybe because the day we played was the final day of the contest.

The quaint houses in the countryside was a welcome relief from the hectic city life we see here and in Amsterdam. Making it more memorable were the family who owned the small 10 room hotel cum restaurant. They made sure we were taken care of and made fantastic meals. The missus even told me they were supporting us instead of their own local band taking part in WMC! When we got the good results, they opened 3 bottles of champagne for us to celebrate and that night was one of the most homely and cosy ones. I miss the Hotel Beukenhorst the most of all this trip. A comfortable and memorable week was spent there with many sunset pictures and barn animal encounters. The little boy there even teared as we left for Amsterdam. Hopefully 4 years on we'll see a handsome 16 year old boy welcoming us to the hotel!

Amsterdam was very messy but hidden in corners were gems in Architecture and Arts that were to die for for hardcore Art critics. The city is also made up of many canals, something the naive me had no clue about and it was somewhat like Venice(or at least what i see of Venice in photos). The ironic thing about the city was that although cycling tracks were constructed to encourage bicycle use and discourage vehicles, this was offset by the thick smell of smoke and weed in the air. After all, weed is readily available and legalised and can be found in "coffee shops".

Photos available on my Facebook! Just waiting for people to tag me. I'm jet lagging badly, or maybe I'm intentionally letting myself jet lag and not face the hectic life ahead. Many bonds made this trip, skipping orientation is totally more worth it. Thanks for advising Mona!

Cheers, To WMC, Hotel Beukenhorst and Mus'art Wind Orchestra.