13th February 2007
Tuesday
Music that sounds so perfect, but so emotionless

0459. That was the time illuminated on my handphone when I woke up this morning. Although I needed to wake up early to meet Weisheng and Ray to go down to Singapore Conference Hall (SCH) for Xinmin's rehearsal, waking at 5am was a bit too much. Sluggishly, I pushed my phone away and slept for another hour.

Somehow, I dragged myself to Hougang Ave 8 and arrived much earlier than Ray and Weisheng. We took the school bus to SCH with the band and watched them practice Ivanhoe and Sunrise. Due to lack of sleep, my eyes were almost shut. From what I heard today, the band did not sound together as one. The balance within the section and among the sections were off. Intonation of certain sections at certain parts were terrible. Articulation of the entire band was generally poor and unclear. Pulse was unstable. Basically, the pieces played did not contain the intensity and "feel" that it should have.

After the rehearsal, we went for breakfast with Benjamin Yeo (Benji), Kenneth Desouza, Brando Tan and David Glosz outside SCH. The four instructors started talking about the rehearsal, about each other's bands and also about the institutions that they were in and we were in. Basically, David Glosz said that "the band wasn't playing well because they weren't Christians and they weren't from St Patricks". Also, Xinmin was referred to as "got brains but no culture". Furthermore, when Glosz found out that Weisheng was from Anderson Junior College, he said this. "My condolences".

It was infuriating to hear such things coming from an instructor as prominent in the band scene as him. It might be said in jest, but such remarks are offensive not only to the student, but also damaging to the institution's reputation. I cannot imagine this level of insensitivity coming from a person who produces such nice music. Maybe that explains why the music his bands play sounds so "perfect", but yet lack emotions.

If being a christian is what it takes to be a good musician, why don't I see all professional musicians converting to Christianity? This is a remark that condemns all other religions. I don't see how religion has got to do with making good music. Moreover, being from St Patricks band doesn't make you an exceptionally good player that is superior to musicians from other schools.

If being cultured means that one will have to criticise others' beliefs and affiliations, I rather Xinmin be a barbaric school.

Thinking of this just makes me lose the mood for blogging about other things.