I am back with an update. Sorry for the short entries lately because one, I have not been myself, and two, partly for which I was busy with the design of Philharmonic Youth Winds' concert booklet. A concert that will happen this coming Tuesday (23rd). Honestly, I am proud of my work. Darn, it looks professional! Haha! No kidding. I will try to squeeze an entry on it one of these days.
So, before that day arrives and having two concert updates in hand, I better get one over and done with.
Besides, Rafidah is complaining already. Hahaha!
11th of December 2008
It was OBOG Wind Symphony's inaugural concert at Yong Siew Toh (YST) Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, National University of Singapore (NUS). The day that I was looking forward to finally came.
Reached YST ahead of the others with Yong Lin. Went on stage to check the stage layout,; ensuring it is correct, pasted signages backstage and allocated rooms for the guest players, guest soloists, musicians and of course a room for none other than our music director, Mr Lim.
That took me quite a while. Since it was my first time performing at YST, went on stage and checked out the acoustics of the hall.Lets talk about the rest of the day with pictures as we go along shall we?
I got rather excited when Fidah took out her newly-bought toy. A Canon DSLR! Man, I would love to own one of those. She was my "unofficial" photographer for the day. Hence, without her snaps (as in photo taking), this entry would not be possible.
On stage, while warming my instrument up.Waiting for Mr Lim to begin the soundcheck.
The ONLY retard picture of me out of the many she took.Mr Lim arrived, afterwhich played Treasury of Scales as a band to test the sound in the hall. I must say, I kinda like the acoustics of the hall. So anyway, worked on some of the pieces. Ran through some with the guest soloists.
He is one of them. Mr Fabian Lim on the Saxophone. Damn, his improvisation skill was wicked! Oh, not to forget that he is my neighbour too! Technically, no. Cos' I think the house next to mine is his In-Laws. I have heard him played next door, so yeah. Haha!Mr Lim then ran through Les Arrivee des cammineaous (of which I found out on the concert day itself that it means "The Arrival of the Caravan" in English)
One part of the song, the Saxophone section was featured. So, here are a few of the pictures Fidah took during rehearsal.
After running through the pieces, it was time for briefing. Fidah, my "unofficial" photographer took some pictures of me while I was doing the briefing. And I must say, I was quite impressed!
Jamakyah and myself doing the briefing.I love the way I "posed". Candid shots are SOMETIMES nice.
I emphasize - SOMETIMES! Haha!
This one looks like I am conducting the band on the podium.
Potential to be a band director in future?Hmmmm.. One day :D
(with a few missing ones)
During the actual performance, not much of pictures were taken. Therefore, I will skip to the end of the performance. It was time for a group photo. Jama did not want to speak on the microphone, therefore I did. The way she rejected the microphone was kinda funny. Hehe.
Remember when I mentioned that candid shots are SOMETIMES nice? Well, the picture above is not one of them. I look like a 'sotong' for crying out loud! (a pejorative term, which in Malay means squid, used to describe a weak male in terms of physical characteristics) Haha! Syaherah even commented Sutun (a movie about this sissy) in the making! Grrr.. Haha!
A N Y W A A A A Y . . . . .
Remember when I mentioned that candid shots are SOMETIMES nice? Well, the picture above is not one of them. I look like a 'sotong' for crying out loud! (a pejorative term, which in Malay means squid, used to describe a weak male in terms of physical characteristics) Haha! Syaherah even commented Sutun (a movie about this sissy) in the making! Grrr.. Haha!A N Y W A A A A Y . . . . .
Me giving the after-concert instructions.
But before we are actually allowed to pack-up and mingle with the audience, OBOG took the opportunity thank the guest players/soloist for playing together with us.
And as usual, the percussionists were being their own percussive self.Nevertheless, the mood were embraced and livened thanks to them.
I then got interviewed by Temasek Polytechnic (TP) media students. They are our official photographers and 'videographers'. Not the first time I got interviewed but considering that I got the questions impromptu, I did quite well I must say.
Took a couple of group photos before we start packing up. And finally, a photo of the Kesian Boyz. But darn, we left Yong Lin out. It could have been the full force.
Took a couple of group photos before we start packing up. And finally, a photo of the Kesian Boyz. But darn, we left Yong Lin out. It could have been the full force.
I have this good feeling that we will be buddies till we are married AND with children!
So ladies, any one caught your eye? Heh.After the pictures and stuff, we had to clear the hall. Helped out with the percussion instruments and brought it down to the loading bay. Thank heavens for the people who helped. I got rather pissed while carrying some of the instruments out. Some were laughing with their friends who came. Some were taking pictures. And most importantly, many were blocking the way.
One, there were many instruments to be carried within a short time and the lack of manpower was not helping either. Two, they noticed what the "movers" (referring to those who helped in clearing the hall) were doing and the least they could do was to stare at us while we sweat our way carrying those heavy instruments.
That is not it. We have to return them to Jurong Junior College (JJC) which is located at Boon Lay (Corporation Road- WEST side of Singapore!). And the only people who went back to JJC to help out with the instruments were the Kesian Boyz, Jamakyah, Zhen Jun and Edwin. Mind you, it was a huge truck full of instruments. I just don't understand the people who used JJC's instrument who don't even bother to head back and help out with at least the rest of the instruments.
We stay on the other side of Singapore (East) and you're telling me that you are afraid that you are unable to catch the last bus/train home? Gee...
You have friends to be with and could still head out for supper instead of helping? Double gee!
Anyway, I am glad that I had fun; despite our long sleeved shirts soaked in sweat. Although there were much work to do, the company of the people who helped was nevertheless fun to be with. The in-between jokes and laughters while pushing the Timpani back into the band room. Teasing Jamakyah by speaking with her in Bahasa Melayu (Malay). The thoughts of flirting with the cab driver to pay off our cab fares! I laughed so hard that night that I did not want it to end.
So, left JJC at 11:30 PM. Had no choice but to cab home (it costed a bomb!). Cabbed down to Fauzi's place and he drove us home.
Anyway, ciao!
One, there were many instruments to be carried within a short time and the lack of manpower was not helping either. Two, they noticed what the "movers" (referring to those who helped in clearing the hall) were doing and the least they could do was to stare at us while we sweat our way carrying those heavy instruments.
That is not it. We have to return them to Jurong Junior College (JJC) which is located at Boon Lay (Corporation Road- WEST side of Singapore!). And the only people who went back to JJC to help out with the instruments were the Kesian Boyz, Jamakyah, Zhen Jun and Edwin. Mind you, it was a huge truck full of instruments. I just don't understand the people who used JJC's instrument who don't even bother to head back and help out with at least the rest of the instruments.
We stay on the other side of Singapore (East) and you're telling me that you are afraid that you are unable to catch the last bus/train home? Gee...
You have friends to be with and could still head out for supper instead of helping? Double gee!
Anyway, I am glad that I had fun; despite our long sleeved shirts soaked in sweat. Although there were much work to do, the company of the people who helped was nevertheless fun to be with. The in-between jokes and laughters while pushing the Timpani back into the band room. Teasing Jamakyah by speaking with her in Bahasa Melayu (Malay). The thoughts of flirting with the cab driver to pay off our cab fares! I laughed so hard that night that I did not want it to end.
So, left JJC at 11:30 PM. Had no choice but to cab home (it costed a bomb!). Cabbed down to Fauzi's place and he drove us home.
End of day
Special thanks to those who attended OBOG: LIVE! and it is with my deepest gratitude for showing us your support. Cheers!Woh, I realised the last part of my entry is kinda lengthy. I am so sorry for it.
Anyway, ciao!
And also special thanks to Siti Rafidah bte Daud for the pictures! :)