Monday, January 30, 2006
On a more serious note
Hey Voices In The Garden,You saw the fruits of your labours - all these weeks of hardwork, dedication, sweat, love, interest and passion has not gone to waste. And you have made me very proud at the Chinese New Year performance. This is an important milestone of your musical journey as a chorister and of the choir's developmental track. Apart from gaining from the every performance you put up, you and your fellow choristers will gain a shared experience in every thing you do as a group. And that is important because it is in shared experiences and shared rituals that groups find their solidarity and stay together.
what are rituals and experiences? Rituals are like customs, they are things people do always and they do not change over time. Your everyday warm-ups and your daily morning assembly song-leading are examples of shared rituals. Even hanging out at the coffee shop after every practice or telling "cold" jokes can be rituals, as long as it is something you do on a very regular basis and its not something people outside of your group will practice or understand.
Experiences are events that happen to you and every performance, every outing u attend is a shared experience. When a group has shared experience and rituals, the members will all have something they share in common and that is something that binds them and connects them because only people in this group will have these things to talk about and outside people won't be able to identify or share in the same way.
That brings me to the point about attendance, whether in practice or in performance or in any activity at all, be it bbq, field trip, excursions or even just going out for a movie. Every time some one misses one practice or performance, he/she robs himself/herself of a shared experience/ritual with the group and draws himself/herself away from being identified as part of the group.
This is not to nag at you about attending practices or what, I think you're all young adults who have the clarity of mind to sort out your priorities and to know what you need to do. If you don't want to come, I cannot put a chain around your neck or point a gun at you, it's really your choice. I can only say that you should know that you are important to us and every single one counts. You are more important in the choir than you realise, especially when our numbers are few, one absentee means a great percentage loss in strength. And where development is concerned, the choir grows musically from every practice and performance. And in order for the group to improve, all its members have to be part of that experience and learning. Remember a group is only as strong as its weakest member. So having just one person who don't know what's going on or what cannot match up to the pace can bring the whole group down.
At this point I feel it's time to share with you the Vision and Mission which the committee has decided upon rigorous deliberation. So members have a clear sense of direction this group is taking and would then know what we're working for.
OUR VISION
We can touch and inspire the audience, winning their respect and love for the choir.
OUR MISSION
We will put in every effort to make good music and display professionalism.
The commmittee will next be charting out an action plan for the choir to achieve her vision and mission. But this is so you know that we've got something going and the committee is working extra hard for the choir. But the committee alone does not make up the choir, it's you. Yes you. Every single one of you. Whether this choir thrives or fails depends on the hardwork of every member. And do not underestimate yourself or the little things you may be able to offer, like coming punctually, being a little more conscientious in practice, doing homework, learning your part, organising sectionals at your own time, asking questions if you do not understand, taking care of your body, rest well, have enough sleep and water, protect your voice and not abuse it by shouting or screaming unnecessarily etc. and the list goes on.
So let us march towards our vision and carry out our mission and make Voices In The Garden not just any CCA but a place for sharing good music and for people with love, interest, passion in choral music to grow and develop themselves and make friends along the way. Thank you for reading this far. Please rest well over the CNY holidays and take good care of your body and your voice. Remember you have got to respect your body if you want your body to do what you want.
Take care and God bless,
your conductor
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Yoz..... Guys happy new year. Gong Xi Fa Cai, Wan Shi Ru Yi, Nian Nian You Yu, Bu Bu Kao Sheng, Long Ma Jing Shen, Shi Shi Shun Li. This are my wishes to all my dearest, darlings and friends. Muacks. Happy New Year Pull Your Ear!!!! I love u all guys, ahmm except some people hahaha!!!!
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Here's a HAPPY CNY to all those who celebrate it! :) Have fun visiting, collecting ang pows and spending time with your relatives by invading their houses and eating all their food. I will be out of town from tomorrow morning and will return the night before we all go back to school. So BEHAVE! There's choir practice on Wednesday, and please remember that we need to sing for the morning assembly so its 6.50am reporting time again. Remind each other please!
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Friday, January 27, 2006
Happy CNY!
Warm-ups before morning assembly at 6.50am - the only practice where Mr Goh didn't have to remind the choir to YAWN! :)
We were moved to the Commerce Room on L1 as all the performing arts groups originally located in the music room had to give way to each other.
More warm-ups...
As we were about to go on standby in the hall
Performing with our BRAND NEW choir microphones
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Small Victory
Congratulations Voices in the Garden, u have done well today. I believe the audience enjoyed the show and as much u enjoyed putting it up. I've got good reviews from Mdm Tan (hod chinese). She thinks the choir is professional. :) We managed to redeem ourselves today from the Sec One Orientation disaster. So YAY! Your hardwork has paid off and I'm so proud of you. Voices in the garden ROX!Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Our mikes are HERE!
Jedi Council Meeting - chaired by Darth Vader himself
To accomplish your Mission, the Force must be with you
Our new microphones...
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Friday, January 20, 2006
Thank you!
... for a week of early mornings to show the school how they should sing the anthem and school song with pride. Our principal's pleased, and impressed with the debut of our student conduct, Jaime.
Aaaaargh! So many people! So scary!
A fifteen minute crash course in French
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Voices in your Head
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
From this morning
I thought we did a good job today, and with 2 days of singing in front of the school under our belt, we'll be EXPERTS AT CONQUERING STAGE FRIGHT by the time we get to the CNY performance in a couple of week's time.
At least for the next 3 days, it'll be super early mornings of getting warmed up and ready to sing the anthem and the school song.
And I appreciate the help of the angelic choir boys in the teaching of the school song to the new Sec.1 students. They'll remember you for the rest of their time in school as the person who taught them how to sing the song they sing (listen to) every morning.
I'd like to carry on the singing at assembly on a weekly basis as I think its good for our morale, makes us visible, and gets us used to performing in public. Feedback from the teachers (and some students) has been great! :D
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Monday, January 16, 2006
GOOD MOOOORNING SGS!
Hey folks! This morning was good! We are so good that we are being moved onto the podium so that we can hear the music (and not sing faster than everyone else)... Warm-ups are IMPORTANT too, I really need you guys to get together and to get things going! Jaimme is in charge, until I get there (normally have stuff to settle first thing in the morning).
Do be on time... I really really REALLY think everyone should realize that EVERY SINGLE PERSON MATTERS in this choir!
One more thing: I need the handsome men in our choir to support me for the teaching of the school song to the new Sec 1s. Please meet me outside the staffroom at 1.10pm so that we can get cracking. Its quite simple - all I need you to do is to sit amongst the kids and sing with them when they're supposed to sing.
Do be on time... I really really REALLY think everyone should realize that EVERY SINGLE PERSON MATTERS in this choir!
One more thing: I need the handsome men in our choir to support me for the teaching of the school song to the new Sec 1s. Please meet me outside the staffroom at 1.10pm so that we can get cracking. Its quite simple - all I need you to do is to sit amongst the kids and sing with them when they're supposed to sing.
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Zeal & Might
Remember that we are supposed to meet at 7.00am in E02-01 to prep for singing the anthem and school song at assembly. Must sing loud loud one therefore, must warm up properly or there will be no sound. Will check with Mr Tee for sound support, and we'll be singing with the music recording that plays every morning. This is our chance to prove our lung-power to the school and to serve a good purpose to our community.
Forge on with all our zeal and might
Serangoon Garden flame burn bright!
Forge on with all our zeal and might
Serangoon Garden flame burn bright!
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Sec 1 Orientation Pix
I wish to direct you to the post I've written about today on Dramatic Effects. I actually thought of putting that here since its choir-related, but decided on hindsight that I wanted to post it on the blog with greater readership. All of you are welcome to leave your comments to give your point of view on things as well.
Warm-ups/Sectionals
The posters that the choir committee made - looking GOOD! :D
Thank you, Jaimme!
Enthusiastic Sec 1 students crowding around our booth
A group shot courtesy of the IT Photography Club photographer (notice that its the blurrest picture of the bunch!) - and I really thought that Alphonso should have been allowed into the picture even though he was in his table-tennis outfit.
Getting our act together...
Angelic choir boys
What it looked like from our point of view...
Captivated by our angelic music
EVERYONE wanted to sign up! :D
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Friday, January 13, 2006
JOB WELL DONE
Hey Voices in the Garden,I just wanna say thank to y'all for your hardwork and commitment all these while in preparation for the Sec One Orientation. I can see the look of displeasure and frustration on some of your faces at the way it turned out, I feel sorry that you have to go through this. Ms Koh and myself both agreed that you deserve better. And it's such a pity our hardwork cannot be fully appreciated by people due to no fault of our own. No matter what, we still pulled it off, and you've done what you could, so don't be upset and let's move on. We've got greater things to accomplish. Just wanna let u know that I am still proud of you and you can make me even prouder, prouder than I already am! CHOIR ROX!! =)
ps> I've created a photo album for all choir pix (including the ones taken at orientation today) Check in to http://voicesinthegarden.shutterfly.com/action/ every now and then for updates.
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Angels & Mortals Unite
Good morning angels! Today, we started our angel and mortals game, which ends with THE REVELATION on the 10th Feb when we go for our outing. Everyone is someone's angel, and someone's mortal - so this ought to be tremendous fun! Its a good way to build team spirit in the choir, and to make life a little bit more interesting.You may use the tagboard to leave messages for your mortals, but remember to be nice at all times. You may also wish to pass messages through me (I will leave an envelope marked "Voices In The Garden" near the entrance of the staffroom for this), but I will only play postman on choir practice days. You can get your friends to help you, and its great fun confusing your mortal so that he/she keeps guessing who you are. Mr Goh and myself are joining in the fun as we are also part of The Voices In The Garden.
I just want to remind everyone also, we are singing the anthem and school song at morning assembly for the whole of next week (Monday to Friday). Everyone needs to report to school by 7.00am to warm-up. We will gather in E02-01 as it is the classroom nearest the parade square.
And please wear your choir t-shirts for choir practice in future.
Choir costume (yes, the pink one) for Sec.1 Orientation, and t-shirts for CNY. Ben needs to see me about a T-shirt (Benjamin, not Mr Goh).
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Benedictus
In the Vatican Museums before entering into the Sistine Chapel. This is a 'blessing' for all who are working hard on the Sec.1 Orientation... thank you for your commitment!
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Week One!
Hello hello! How is everyone settling in with their new classes for the new year? Am glad to see that our choir banner is up and flying, and I hope we manage to get a lot of new members so we can afford to be picky and choose the best.I just wanted to remind everyone that its very important that the committee rallys Team Voices in the Garden, to get our act together... everyone else is preparing "like siao" and we want to be able to give the Sec 1s a good impression. Am relying on you guys to get things on because I'm very busy with things since its the 1st few weeks and there are a lot of meetings etc going on.
Also, for those of you who have friends who want to join the Voices in the Garden... please run them by me before bringing them to choir practice. There are issues about changing CCAs so its best to check if its OK first, especially with the CCA that they want to leave.
