Monday, July 31, 2006
Tuxedos!!!
Looking good... I'll bring hair cream on Wednesday :)
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Gao Shan Qing
Hi again, for those of you who might be wondering what the hell you're singing about here's the translation:高山青
(gao shan qing)
Original text/
hanyu pinyin/
Translation
高山青
gao shan qing
Mountains of green
涧水蓝
jian shui lan
Waters of blue
阿里山的姑娘美如水呀
alishan di guniang mei ru shui ya
The maidens of Alishan are as beautiful as its waters
阿里山的少年壮如山
alishan di shaonian zhuang ru shan
The men of Alishan are as strong as their mountains
阿…阿
ah ah
Ah ah
阿里山的姑娘美如水呀
alishan di guniang mei ru shui ya
The maidens of Alishan are as beautiful as its waters
阿里山的少年壮如山
alishan di shaonian zhuang ru shan
The men of Alishan are as strong as their mountains
高山青
gao shan qing
Mountains of green
涧水蓝
jian shui lan
Waters of blue
姑娘和那少年永不分呀
guniang he na shaonian yong bu fen ya
Together they will be forever
碧水常围着青山转
bishui chang weizhe qingshan zhuan
As the precious waters embrace the mountains in an eternal dance
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Pre-Exam Jitters (No?)
Hi Voices in the Garden,I bet you're both excited as well as nervous as it is just 2 days away from the choral singing exam. I just want to tell u that it's alright to be nervous, because it's normal. From now till Wednesday, I'd like you to go over your music on your own and think about these things:
CHING-A-RING CHAW
1. Take care of pitching
- The 'mi' notes has to be on, 'octave' jumps must be precise, no gliding please (e.g. I hear them harps a STRUM-min)
- Last page, the high notes must be on, practice singing
soh-doh-soh-mi soh-doh-soh-mi" (the high "doh" not the low one)
2. Clear words
- Please spit out the initial and end consonants of every word, also flip or roll your 'r's and bite the 'ng's of all the "ching-a-ring-a-ring ching ching"s
- Please drop your jaws at ALL times, especially for the "AH" vowels. (e.g. "there you RAHHide in STAHHH-yle")
- Please also take care of all the 'th' beginnings and make sure you don't sing 'dere' you ride in style or one to 'TREE' four courses.
3. Articulation
- "Nights we all will dance, to the harp and fiddle, waltz and jig and prance, cast off down the middle" is to be sung staccato, lighten the notes, float and not sit on them.
- "When the morning come" is very strong, open mouth big big, drop your jaw and go "WEHHH"!!! in the beginning of that phrase.
BENEDICTUS
1. Different sound from Ching-a-ring, make the switch immediately
2. Corners of your mouth to be as narrow as possible, focus and sing through your eyes.
3. Baritone at Bars 17, 23 and 24 please listen to piano for your note and not go flat. The same goes for bar 35.
4. Soft singing is not the same as airy, think of screaming quietly, it's uses a lot more energy than you think. Remember to support your soft notes and keep mouth in a narrow / vertical position.
5. Stagger breathing when there are long-held notes, keep the pitch constant, make sure it doesn't change. especially bars 81-end.
GAO SHAN QING
1. Strong opening, please switch mode. Deep breath, Open Mouth, FAT sound.
2. Spitch out all the beginning consonants, i.e. the 'g' for 'gao', 'sh' for 'Shan' and 'shui', 'q' for 'qing', 'j' for 'jian' and 'l' for 'lan'
3. Remember to hum on all nasals 'n', 'ng'
4. Please observe the natural accents of the language. (e.g. Letter B - GU niang he na shao nian, Letter C - GAO shan qing, Letter I - BI shui chang)
5. Sopranos have to sound as FAT if not fatter than the altos as you're carrying the melody most of the time, and especially when singing in a canon with the other sections.
6.In the Dreamy Section, please remember to drop your jaws for the "AH" vowels, baritones, check pitching, please yawn and get on top of those notes and not flat.
7. Bar 78, watch the conductor for your cues, do not rush. For a dramatic end, I may slow down slightly and make the notes even more emphatic. Keep your eyes on me please :)
In general, please be calm before and during the exam, if you do your homework you'll have nothing to worry about. Remember to put on your biggest SMILE and not to fidget on stage, the slightest movement can be seen from the audience, keeps your hands by your side at all times, have them hanging and not stiff, unlock your knees and hips, stand tall and be proud. From now till Wednesday, have lots of sleep and water. Don't abuse your voice for these two days, that means no shouting, screaming, squealing, or coughing to clear throat, if your throat is irritated, try to swallow instead. Also eat carefully, stay away from deep fried, greasy and spicy stuffs. Please also abstain from chocolates, cookies, potato chips etc. junk food and heaty fruits like durian. Please sleep well, no late nights please, esp the night before the exam. Take good care of yourselves and see you on Wednesday!
ALL THE BEST!
-Corcovado20
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Saturday, July 29, 2006
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
A Polish Choir on the Taipei MRT singing "Lion Sleeps Tonight"
... I dare you all to do that (and film it and upload it to Youtube.com) on our very own MRT train in Singapore - if going to do must do well arh! :)
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
The Week of Reckoning!
The ACS Choir at the ABRSM Choral Exam (2006)
Just to reiterate what I said at the practice...
Monday: 3-5pm E01-05 or IT Resource Room C02-01 (Listen for annoucements)
Tuesday: Costume fitting for boys & remaining girls (Listen for announcements)
Wednesday: 11.10am release from class - for lunch until 12.00pm. Costume and make-up and be ready to start practice by 1pm. Mr Goh and Nah arriving at 2pm. We leave for YMS at 3.30pm and will reach by 4.30pm latest, exam at 4.50pm, return trip departing at 5.30pm.
Thursday: Yay! No Choir! FINALLY!!!! Woohoo!!!
Friday: Mini-party & Film Screening in E01-05 + Committee Meeting
----------
The following week...
Wed: 9/8 - public holiday - no choir.
Friday: THE VOICES IN THE GARDEN AMAZING RACE 12.40-5pm.
=======
Reminders:
1. Get your shoes and get used to them! If you don't know what to buy, please ask me!
2. Drink lots of water! Hydrate!!! Stay healthy!!!
3. Conserve your voices - no shouting/screaming/hollering... you won't take a flute and slam it on the floor, so don't mistreat your voice!
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Exam-Related Announcements
Dear Choir,Few things:
1. Shoes: Please ensure that you have the shoes you are wearing for the exam by this weekend. Proper black formal shoes (like those your male teachers wear) for boys, and court shoes (at least smart casual looking shoes). Some of you may have realized in the costume fitting that the skirts are a little longer than you're used to - and that shoes with a little bit of heel will do the trick. These however, require getting used to, and it will not be a good idea to wear new shoes to the exam since new shoes can potentially be a source of immense pain and discomfort.
2. Costume fitting for boys: Tuesday... 1st Aug. The girls who have not had their costume fitting should come along as well. As we have found out from today's fitting, its quite important because there are alterations to be made for quite a few people.
3. Illness and practices: Please ensure that you get sufficient sleep (by 10.30pm for school nights) and enough fluids and vitamin C doses! People who are ill should obviously not be horsing around during practice breaks and should be concentrating on what's going on even if they're not singing. Those who are ill to the point of being feverish, need to stay away from the practice room as it brings germs to those who are well. We need a choir in good shape to make a good attempt at the choral exam... can't have everyone coughing, sneezing and clearing their throats... Those who are not well, pls. run by me if you're not sure if you should or should not be there and I'll let you know.
4. Post-exam mini party: 4th Aug my classroom E0105! Its gonna be a film-screening and we can do a mini potluck - nothing elaborate please! We'll plan a proper party for subsequent weeks in a more organized way.
5. National Day Celebrations in School: The choir's gonna be involved in singing the school song and anthem on national day in the parade square - i may or may not need your help to sing along for the singalong session led by the idols - all we'll need to do is learn the 4 songs and sing along. It depends on how tired we are after the choral exam. We'll get to wear our new costumes for the school to see, so that's at least something to look forward to. After which the teachers can feel free to choose their favourite choir boy to be their butler for the day :)
Any problems or issues - pls. come look for me, better early than late, and better late than never! Remember that Friday and Saturday practices are ABSOLUTELY COMPULSORY!
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Sunday, July 23, 2006
"Operation High Tide"
With so many of us ill, falling ill and in the presence of people who are ill, and with the very important choral exam coming up, I strongly recommend all choir members to do this:
HYDRATION
Frequency: Do this once a day if you are well, and twice or three times a day if you are falling ill or are already ill. Trust me... it works!
1. Drink 1 full litre of water at one go. If you are able to drink more, drink 1.5 litres. It should be plain water, so everything else doesn't count. Preferably room temperature too.
2. Wait a while, and then when you have to, go to the toilet and "pee it out".
3. Drink 1 more litre of water also at one go, or at least half a litre if you can't manage another full litre. Yes, you'll feel a bit full, that feeling clears in a short while.
4. Go to the toilet when you have to.
2. Wait a while, and then when you have to, go to the toilet and "pee it out".
3. Drink 1 more litre of water also at one go, or at least half a litre if you can't manage another full litre. Yes, you'll feel a bit full, that feeling clears in a short while.
4. Go to the toilet when you have to.
Rationale
This is a good, fast natural way to flush out toxins from your body, and that can alleviate illnesses and speed up the recovery of those who are already ill. Research has proven that this also clears up your complexion and helps those who are weight conscious because water is a natural detoxifier and drinking more water clears water retention.
Other things you can do:
1. Avoid spicy food, and keep chilli consumption to a minimum
2. If you must suck cough drops, do not take strepsils (any flavour) or anything with eucalyptus oil in it. This is because these sweets actually increase the problem rather than help it. A good cough sweet to get is called "Difflam" and can be found in pharmacies. If you want something to feel better, drink honey water (Manuka honey or the 'blur' honey that is opague is excellent for this) or drink fresh starfruit juice. Most sweets do more harm than good.
3. It is better to cough rather than to clear your throat. When you cough, your vocal chords open and close, but when you clear your throat (AHEM!!!) your vocal chords slam against each other. In the long run, it damages your voice.
4. Ensure that you get at least 7 hours of non-stop sleep. That means official bedtime for all choir members is now 11.00pm... which is difficult (for myself and Mr Goh as well), but part of the discipline of being in a choir.
5. And please do not stress your voice by shouting and screaming. You are singers and your voices are your prized possession. Treat your voice like you would a very expensive piano or violin that you paid thousands of dollars to be able to use.
2. If you must suck cough drops, do not take strepsils (any flavour) or anything with eucalyptus oil in it. This is because these sweets actually increase the problem rather than help it. A good cough sweet to get is called "Difflam" and can be found in pharmacies. If you want something to feel better, drink honey water (Manuka honey or the 'blur' honey that is opague is excellent for this) or drink fresh starfruit juice. Most sweets do more harm than good.
3. It is better to cough rather than to clear your throat. When you cough, your vocal chords open and close, but when you clear your throat (AHEM!!!) your vocal chords slam against each other. In the long run, it damages your voice.
4. Ensure that you get at least 7 hours of non-stop sleep. That means official bedtime for all choir members is now 11.00pm... which is difficult (for myself and Mr Goh as well), but part of the discipline of being in a choir.
5. And please do not stress your voice by shouting and screaming. You are singers and your voices are your prized possession. Treat your voice like you would a very expensive piano or violin that you paid thousands of dollars to be able to use.
Announcement regarding Practices:
Monday's (24/7) practice is cancelled, as Mr Chen and I are unable to hold the practice. I suggest you take a rest from all things choir on Monday and Tuesday as we are going full steam for the rest of the week... This is the schedule as follows:
Wednesday: 3.00pm-4.30pm (Me)
4.30pm - 6.00pm (Mr Goh)
Thursday: 3.00pm - 5/6pm (Mr Goh) *-pls. confirm end time with him on Wed.
Friday: 1.30pm - 4.30pm (Mr Goh)
Saturday: 8.30am-9.30am (Ms Koh)
9.30-11.30am (Mr Lai)
And the following week...
Monday: REST DAY
Tuesday: 3-5pm (Ms Koh)
Wed: 12.10-1.10pm (LUNCH BREAK)
1.10-3pm (Final warm-up + practice) with Mr Goh
3- 3.30pm (Costuming & Prep)
3.30pm Departing School
4.00pm Arrival at YMS
4.50pm EXAM
5.30pm Depart YMS for school
6.00pm Arrival at school.
Post-Exam Joy
And for a post-exam treat... I will do a film-screening of RENT-THE MOVIE during the choir practice time on the Friday immediately after the exam - we can use my classroom and you can potluck food for a simple celebration. Is still official CCA time so this is not an optional thing. We will not have a party that soon after the exam as we'll be EXHAUSTED... parties can always come later and we want to have a day when Mr Goh, Mr Chen, Mr Nah and hopefully Mr Lai and all 3 of the choir teachers will be able to be there.
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Beatles with "she loves you" and "hey jude" and mcfly with "she loves you" resung
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Friday, July 21, 2006
Back on Wednesday
Dear Choir,I've just been discharged from hospital due to a bacterial infection that started out as a sorethroat on Wednesday afternoon. I'm on MC until Tuesday, and so should be back in school by Wednesday morning if everything goes well. Am still raging 39.4 deg celcius fever, and its not a good thing because fevers are worrisome.
Anyway, I'll try to be around for the 2 practices (if only, just to pop in) on Saturday morning and Monday afternoon. Both practices are with Mr Chen, and the teacher-in-charge for tomorrow is officially Ms Leow. Pls. look for her if you need anything.
Anyway, I'll try to be around for the 2 practices (if only, just to pop in) on Saturday morning and Monday afternoon. Both practices are with Mr Chen, and the teacher-in-charge for tomorrow is officially Ms Leow. Pls. look for her if you need anything.
For the unacquainted, he looks like this:
I'm counting on all of you to be there on time, in the right frame of mind to get to work, and to treat Mr Chen with warm SGS hospitality. :) Will try to pop in, but no promises for now...
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Saturday, July 15, 2006
wat happen in the sectionals...
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on 14th jul 06...the whole baritone members agree on going to alphonso/benjamin hse to have sectionals on 15th july 06 which is today...we been practising the songs dat will be sung during the choral exam..but of counse...we're boys after all...we had fun too...look at the videos so you noe wat "really" happen today...
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
choir sectionals...baritone 2
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
choir sectionals...baritone
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
PRACTICES & PREPARATION
Rehearsal Schedule19/7 Wed 3-6pm Ms Koh (3-4.30) & Mr Goh (4.30-6pm)
21/7 Fri Practice cancelled – sectionals (optional)
22/7 Sat 9-12pm Mr Lai
Workshop cum Rehearsal Session
24/7 Mon 3-5pm Mr Chen
26/7 Wed 3-6pm Ms Koh (3-4.30) & Mr Goh (4.30-6pm)
28/7 Fri 1.30-4.30pm Mr Goh
1/8 Tues 3-5pm Ms Koh
2/8 Wed 12.10pm Choir members released from class
1-3pm FINAL REHEARSAL with Mr Goh & Mr Nah
3pm Leave for YMS
4.50pm EXAM
Strange New People
Mr Chen is the person who wrote the words of the school song that you sing every morning - my guess is that some of you already know who he is especially since we did a choral exchange with Orchid Park Sec Sch. He's a very nice person, so do get to know him...
Mr Lai is an opera singer by training, graduated with a degree in music from London and will be returning to the UK on scholarship to do his masters in Opera studies. He's a great conductor to work with, and you'll be able to learn a lot from him, and perhaps pick up some new tips that can enhance what Mr Goh has already taught you.
Ms Koh - me lah! By now if dunno ought to get bearhugged by Yong Wei.
Regarding Attendance
Please ensure that all practices here, unless for life-or-death matters, is to be your priority for the next 2 weeks. Illnesses must be accompanied by an MC, and preferably an sms, and teachers have all been informed and are aware that the choir needs you to be there, so please come, because it really really REALLY REALLY REALLY MATTERS! YOU HAVE TO BE AT CHOIR PRACTICE... PLEEEEEASE!!!! :)
Choir Costume Fitting
I'm doing your fitting on the 28th July, so all choir members must be present. Please get your black shoes within these 2 weeks since the Great Singapore Sale is still on til the end of this weekend - HURRY! You'll want to get used to the shoes before wearing them for the performance. The rule basically, is that if your teachers can wear it to school, you can wear it for the performance.
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Friday, July 14, 2006
Lesson in OPENING the Mouth II
"Own My Own" sung by Eponine, played by Lea Salonga (the original Ms Saigon), in the musical Les Miserables
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Lesson in OPENING the Mouth I
"I Dreamed a Dream", sung by Fantine, played by Ruthie Henshall, from the musical Les Miserables
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
What do you think?
Alright people... These are our new performance outfits - to be used in the upcoming choral exam and performances in and out of school. They are meant to look formal, and will give the choir some added "Oomph!" when we go on stage. The dresses are of lilac satin, and there will be jewels around the collar to make us sparkle (but not too much). The bow will also be slightly longer to make tying it easier. Boys' shirts will be in the same color and material of the dresses, and there will be a thick waistband in a darker shade of purple.
What do you think? :)
And just for comparison, this is the 2005 choir performance costume:
Our Voices Raise As One
One Heart One Choir
Monday, July 10, 2006
Hiccup + Announcements
Dear Gardeners,I've had a little problem with blogger admin, and this is a temporary template until I have time to rewrite the proper script for the template. If you'd like to be on the choir blog team and post to this blog as a contributor, let me know your email address by leaving me a note in the tagboard so I can send you an invite.
Announcements:
1. TAILOR!
The tailor is coming this Wednesday (12/7) from 3-5pm to measure the rest of you and to show everyone how the dress and suit will look. Our models are Franceline and Shawn who will show off the Voices in the Garden 2006 summer wardrobe. Please be present and make arrangements to drop by if you have other things on in school so that we can measure you. If not, it holds up everyone's costumes and we won't receive them on time.
2. SECTIONALS!
Sectionals for most groups are Tuesday and Wednesday - please enforce them and make good use of the time that you meet up. Sections also need to make sure that the people who were not at the Wed and Fri practice are AWARE there are sectionals. Its everyone's job to make sure the sectionals are productive and well-attended.
3. NEW CHOIR MASTHEAD
Would anyone like to design a new masthead for our new choir blog template? Dimensions are 760x200 pixels... in jpg format. If you are keen to do so, email them to me, not later than by Friday, the 14th July. Will display all submissions as well, and will pick a winner and there will be a prize! It can be serious, or humorous, and must be something that has our choir's name and that shows our unique identity as a group.
3. NEW CHOIR MASTHEAD
Would anyone like to design a new masthead for our new choir blog template? Dimensions are 760x200 pixels... in jpg format. If you are keen to do so, email them to me, not later than by Friday, the 14th July. Will display all submissions as well, and will pick a winner and there will be a prize! It can be serious, or humorous, and must be something that has our choir's name and that shows our unique identity as a group.
