29th September 2008
Monday
Technically, it is Monday. But at 3am in the morning, you'd say it is indeed hard to tell the difference between a late Sunday night and a early Monday morning.
You know, people usually talk about having Monday blues. But now is more of baroque Monday, rather than blues. With my 'to do' list crammed full of presentation and history related items, no wonder why my head is ringing with baroque trumpet concertos.
Presentation on baroque recordings coming up on Tuesday. That effectively leaves me about 30 hours to get things done. From preparation of handouts, to editing of sound and video clips. Seriously, working with a deadline really increases your efficiency rates.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Formula One racing
27th September 2008
Saturday
What's on the headlines these few days? You don't even have to look. Of course it's Formula 1 racing. Being a first in so many ways, the coverage of this historical event far surpasses the other upcoming events, such as the Singapore Sun Festival, the ongoing Festival Mexicano, and many others.
As an international event that will ultimately draw more than a hundred million viewers, there is no questions about the hype that the whole of Singapore is going through. Wait a second. Is that really how it is?
Apart from special highlights in the newspapers and on broadcast mediums, the only hype seems to be coming from the downtown area where roads are sealed and seats are erected.
More grumbles than cheers are being heard from everywhere. Quoting an acquaintance, '... deprived of saunters at Esplanade/City because of a bourgeois' activity called racing'. The enthusiasm for this international event is evidently not present in many of the locals, myself included.
What is so special about watching a couple of cars zooming around in loops while burning holes in your pocket? In view of today's unstable financial market and rising cost of living, my opinion is that the race, which generally targets businessmen with briefcases laden with cash, should also contribute to the poor and needy around the world.
Arguably, the race will increase tourism rates locally, thus increasing the GDP of Singapore. But how will that increase in income be dissipated through the population? To surmise my thoughts, the rich will get richer, and the poor, poorer.
With Wall Street in turmoil, I believe that the funding that goes into these "bourgeois" entertainments could be better utilised in stabilising the financial sector.
Saturday
What's on the headlines these few days? You don't even have to look. Of course it's Formula 1 racing. Being a first in so many ways, the coverage of this historical event far surpasses the other upcoming events, such as the Singapore Sun Festival, the ongoing Festival Mexicano, and many others.
As an international event that will ultimately draw more than a hundred million viewers, there is no questions about the hype that the whole of Singapore is going through. Wait a second. Is that really how it is?
Apart from special highlights in the newspapers and on broadcast mediums, the only hype seems to be coming from the downtown area where roads are sealed and seats are erected.
More grumbles than cheers are being heard from everywhere. Quoting an acquaintance, '... deprived of saunters at Esplanade/City because of a bourgeois' activity called racing'. The enthusiasm for this international event is evidently not present in many of the locals, myself included.
What is so special about watching a couple of cars zooming around in loops while burning holes in your pocket? In view of today's unstable financial market and rising cost of living, my opinion is that the race, which generally targets businessmen with briefcases laden with cash, should also contribute to the poor and needy around the world.
Arguably, the race will increase tourism rates locally, thus increasing the GDP of Singapore. But how will that increase in income be dissipated through the population? To surmise my thoughts, the rich will get richer, and the poor, poorer.
With Wall Street in turmoil, I believe that the funding that goes into these "bourgeois" entertainments could be better utilised in stabilising the financial sector.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
NAPFA IS SPELT WITH A P.
14th September 2008
Sunday
Sunny Sunday never fails to bring a back of sweat of the people toiling about their everyday chores. Even the short bus trip to Pasir Ris and back brought about a steady stream of complains.
After enrolling in NAFA, I get increasingly irritated by people who misspell NAPFA (National Physical Fitness Award) as NAFA. Why can people get club names like MOS, DXO correct, and yet screw up something so simple as NAPFA?
In Singapore, NAFA means Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. If you are indignant at that, go look it up in the research-is-so-damn-easy website - Wikipedia.
The correct spellling is NAPFA okay? N-A-P-F-A with a P in it.
Oh. And I forgot who told me LASALLE-SIA meant Lasalle - Singapore Institution of the Arts. It is actually named that way because Singapore Airlines (SIA) donated S$15 million to construct new buildings to house all Lasalle's activities on one campus. So much for that intellectual who got me fooled for so long.
But since 2007, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts has been re-branded as LASALLE College of the Arts.
The lesson behind this post? Never take third party information at face value. (Think wikipedia)
Sunday
Sunny Sunday never fails to bring a back of sweat of the people toiling about their everyday chores. Even the short bus trip to Pasir Ris and back brought about a steady stream of complains.
After enrolling in NAFA, I get increasingly irritated by people who misspell NAPFA (National Physical Fitness Award) as NAFA. Why can people get club names like MOS, DXO correct, and yet screw up something so simple as NAPFA?
In Singapore, NAFA means Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. If you are indignant at that, go look it up in the research-is-so-damn-easy website - Wikipedia.
The correct spellling is NAPFA okay? N-A-P-F-A with a P in it.
Oh. And I forgot who told me LASALLE-SIA meant Lasalle - Singapore Institution of the Arts. It is actually named that way because Singapore Airlines (SIA) donated S$15 million to construct new buildings to house all Lasalle's activities on one campus. So much for that intellectual who got me fooled for so long.
But since 2007, LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts has been re-branded as LASALLE College of the Arts.
The lesson behind this post? Never take third party information at face value. (Think wikipedia)
Friday, September 12, 2008
End of term break
12th September 2008
Friday
End of term break
Whilst many other institutions are busy having examinations and regular lessons, we are blessed with a one week holiday. Though it sounds nice, the one week break is actually an excuse for lecturers to flood us with make-up lessons and mock exams.
I had a lesson with Mr Richard Adams today. He fixed my embouchure, shifting the anchor point to right below my lower lip. The sound was immediately in focus, though near the mid-high range, some distortions in the sound came through. This is my third embouchure tweek in the past one year. About time I stabilised and start making some progress.
Then there was sight singing lesson, which was a total bore. It tore up the rest of my motivation and energy for the day and the end of it saw me in a grumpy mood. A short nap put some life back into me but it was not until much later when I returned to my normal energy level.
CNL concert is tomorrow. Nothing much to be said about that, save a few word of thanks to Dax for asking us down to play. All the best to the performers tomorrow.
Friday
End of term break
Whilst many other institutions are busy having examinations and regular lessons, we are blessed with a one week holiday. Though it sounds nice, the one week break is actually an excuse for lecturers to flood us with make-up lessons and mock exams.
I had a lesson with Mr Richard Adams today. He fixed my embouchure, shifting the anchor point to right below my lower lip. The sound was immediately in focus, though near the mid-high range, some distortions in the sound came through. This is my third embouchure tweek in the past one year. About time I stabilised and start making some progress.
Then there was sight singing lesson, which was a total bore. It tore up the rest of my motivation and energy for the day and the end of it saw me in a grumpy mood. A short nap put some life back into me but it was not until much later when I returned to my normal energy level.
CNL concert is tomorrow. Nothing much to be said about that, save a few word of thanks to Dax for asking us down to play. All the best to the performers tomorrow.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
11th September 2008
Thursday
It has been a long time since I last wrote something in here. Or more specifically, typed something.
As always, school has been occupying bulk of my time. But with the portfolios all subdued and placed behind me, the stress coming from assignments has been decreased dramatically. Of course, the remaining portfolios will have to be done sooner or later, and if left to my choice, I'd pick the latter.
This day marks the 7th anniversary of the September 11 attacks which fell the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, affectionally known as the WTC. Seven years after this history changing event, the world still has not moved on.
World issues aside, today I had lessons with Laurie Gargan, Principal Trumpet of Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Initially expecting a group lesson, it turned out to be a major traumatising session in the form of a mock exam. Scales and pieces (I played Concone #5 and a few lines from Clarke technical studies) were quite badly done. I had more confidence for Concone though.
Oh, not forgetting choir practices. Sang Nila (Composition by Dr Goh) is pretty cool. Though memorising the piece proves to be slightly difficult. But it is an interesting piece.
The Wind band and the choir will be performing it on 14th of October 2008. Please try to catch the concert if you can. Details will be up shortly.
Thursday
It has been a long time since I last wrote something in here. Or more specifically, typed something.
As always, school has been occupying bulk of my time. But with the portfolios all subdued and placed behind me, the stress coming from assignments has been decreased dramatically. Of course, the remaining portfolios will have to be done sooner or later, and if left to my choice, I'd pick the latter.
This day marks the 7th anniversary of the September 11 attacks which fell the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, affectionally known as the WTC. Seven years after this history changing event, the world still has not moved on.
World issues aside, today I had lessons with Laurie Gargan, Principal Trumpet of Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Initially expecting a group lesson, it turned out to be a major traumatising session in the form of a mock exam. Scales and pieces (I played Concone #5 and a few lines from Clarke technical studies) were quite badly done. I had more confidence for Concone though.
Oh, not forgetting choir practices. Sang Nila (Composition by Dr Goh) is pretty cool. Though memorising the piece proves to be slightly difficult. But it is an interesting piece.
The Wind band and the choir will be performing it on 14th of October 2008. Please try to catch the concert if you can. Details will be up shortly.
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