Saturday, May 31, 2008

Regarding Leave Forms

hi all!

just thought of emphasizing on this point again because many of you haven't been following it.

1) PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR LEAVE FORMS TO ME BEFORE YOUR ACTUAL APPLIED LEAVE ITSELF.
2) Get your forms properly endorsed by your respective SLs, and Mr Matthew Quek or Mr Chris Ho before submitting them to me.


(edited:)

Point 1) is very important. Otherwise your leave forms will not be deemed valid and your attendance will be marked as absent without valid reason, WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY ONWARDS. ie. for subsequent leave that you want to apply for, you've to submit the leave forms beforehand, properly endorsed, to me.

FOR THOSE WHO STILL OWE ME LEAVE FORMS FOR YOUR ABSENCE FOR SOME TRAININGS, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO ME BY END OF THIS WEEK. ie BY FRIDAY. unless you'll still be overseas or smth, or cos of some valid reason.

OTHERWISE YOU"LL BE MARKED AS ABSENT WITHOUT VALID REASON ON THOSE DAYS.

This is to avoid confusion on my part. It is very confusing to receive and process so many leave forms at once, some before some after, some due long ago. Thanks.


Tricia

Friday, May 30, 2008

Audition Groupings

HAHA...auditions are here. *yay*

As previously mentioned, auditions would not decide whether you would pass or fail, rather its for the SLs to give you comments on which area of your playing to improve on (technical, rhythm, dynamics or sight-reading).

This round of auditions are for both "Mu Chang" and "Star Wars". If you get through this round, you would NOT need to audition again in early July and you'll be playing Mu Chang and Star Wars in the Suntec performance. For those who are overseas and are unable to make it for trainings, you would still be required to pass auditions before joining the rest for the Suntec performance.

Group 1
- Wee Jia Yi  [1]
- Charlotte Lee  [1]
- Lim Yi San  [2]
- Desiree Cheng  [3]
- Elissa Choo  [3]

Group 2
- Gloria Wong  [1]
- Chua Zhi Ying  [2]
- Quah Su Xiang  [2]
- Tan Wei Han  [3]
- Chen Libo  [3]

Group 3
- Tricia Leong  [1]
- Huan Ting  [1]
- Chen Yanjun  [2]
- Jeremy Mak  [2]
- Winnie Foo  [3]
- Nicolette Wong  [3]

Group 4
- Tan Yu Lei  [1]
- Fang Yulin  [2]
- Melissa Yong  [2]
- Phoon Tzin Wai  [3]
- Lowell Lim  [3]

Group 5
- Chong Zheng Shan  [1]
- Cheyenne Lee  [2]
- Sun Meng Yuan  [2]
- Huan Ting [3]
- Charlotte Lee [3]

There are 2 guitar 3s in each group so that both players can hear each other's rhythm when doing triplets for the tambour. There is also at least 1 strong player in each group, they would be able to ensure the rhythm is accurate. IF you do not have a 'rhythm' player for Mu Chang, the SLs would substitute in during the audition.

During the auditions, there would be around 3 SLs present instead of all 6 SLs. After your auditions, would would be given the next piece Malaguena for you to learn. Time would be given for audition groups to practice amongst themselves, auditions would start after lunch. (those who are unable to come on Monday, your auditions would be on Wednesday or Friday)

The following people who have been missing from the past few trainings would be auditioned in July and that audition would decide whether you would be playing Star Wars and Mu Chang for the Suntec performance, there would be no further auditions after that due to time constraints vis a vis Suntec performance.

- Du Jing  [Guitar 1, Group 6]
- Zhao Rui  [Guitar 1, Group 6]
- Ong Yu Han  [Guitar 1, Group 6]
- Yu Kewei  [Guitar 1, Group 7]
- Lisa Chew  [Guitar 1, Group 7]
- Jess Song  [Guitar 2, Group 7]
- Wei Ziran  [Guitar 2, Group 6]
- Chan Yi  [Guitar 3, Group 7]
- Tuan Anh  [Guitar 3, Group 6]

For the above people, you would be grouped together (as shown above), but assessment is more individual.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Hi everyone! THIS IS A REMINDER!

FRIDAY TRAINING ON 30 MAY 2008 IS STARTING AT 8AM!
any latecomers will have to compensate the lost time by staying back even later!


We didn't do too badly on Wednesday training, but there is loads of room for improvement! So everyone 加油!
We have only 2 more training sessions before auditions and to learn another new song!

By the end of this week:
Aim- Finish the whole song and combine!
( The playing must have already stabilised, with less of the buzzing sound and less hesitation about the timing)

Homework by Friday:
Guitar 1s: Start from Section D! Be more confident of yourselves and try to play louder! Timing is not as bad as it may seem to be. Just try your best!
Guitar 2s: Start from Section E! Timing have to be more precise! As long as you get pass Section E, things will get simpler, so fret not!
Guitar 3s: Start from Section E onwards as well ( especially bar 46, have to be loud at that part ><). We need to have your chord changes and the playing transitions a little smoother!

Everyone 加油! We can make this happen!


For those who didn't come:

1. ( This is especially for those overseas) If you don't have the music score for Starwars, please contact me ( sheena) via email or msn to get the soft copy! We don't have enough time to start learning the 2 songs when school reopens and make it in time for the performance.

2. PLEASE give a sign as to whether you will come for training or not. Even if you didn't hand in the leave forms, at least inform someone so that there won't be so much confusion. AND if you are going to be late, please inform us as well.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Guitar training schedule

HEY GUYS!!
I have done up the timetable for the June Holiday training, it has been sent to your emails. Please tell me directly if you do not have a copy or get it from your friends. Page 3 is the audition rubrics which we would be using, so you can use that as a guideline while practicing for both songs.

Cheers, 
Jonathan

Btw, i found a website on sight-reading, yay. Do use some free time to read the website, it'll help alot (http://www.mangore.com/music_notation.html)
Guitar 1:  This is exactly the same as what i covered on friday's training, so you can just read through.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

New Song!! ...and training matters

HELLO EVERYONE!! JONATHAN HERE :)

Training during the holidays

There would be no lessons (refering to lessons by external vendors) on Mondays (since it is troublesome to come back for 1 hour of lessons) ^^. As decided by today's voting, holiday training is now fixed on 2 days.

Wednesday: 9am to 5pm
Friday: 8am to 12nn

However, there is a possibility for training to increase/decrease based on the standard of the ensem as a whole. Should more sectionals/combined sessions be needed, Monday would have priority over Saturday.  Lunch on Wednesdays would be at 12.30pm so you probably won't be hungry before that (:


NEW SONG (A Theme from Star Wars)

The theme from Star Wars isnt the cliched Indiana Jones imperial march theme, and its not from the song "chariots of fire", its a different theme that you should recognise (haha). Anyways, we have allocated the guitar parts to your names based on the variety of techniques in each guitar part (this is so that you guys would become adept at a set of techniques). *Drumroll*...

Guitar 1, led by Huan Ting and Charlotte
- Du Jing
- Wee Jia Yi
- Gloria Wong
- Kyna  Ng
- Tricia Leong
- Tan Yu Lei
- Zhao Rui
- Ong Yu Han
- Yu Kewei
- Lisa Chew
Total: 10

Guitar 2, led by Kan Zi Yang
- Chen Yanjun
- Cheyenne Lee
- Chong Zheng Shan
- Chua Zhi Ying
- Fang Yulin
- Feng Lin
- Jeremy Mak
- Jess Song
- Lim Yi San
- Melissa Yong
- Quah Su Xiang
- Sun Meng Yuan
- Wei Ziran
Total: 13

Guitar 3, led by Sheena
- Huan Ting
- Chan Yi
- Charlotte Lee
- Chen Libo
- Desiree Cheng
- Elissa Choo
- Nicolette Wong
- Tan Wei Han
- Duong Tuan Anh
- Winnie Foo
- Phoon Tzin Wai
- Lowell Lim
Total: 12

Guitar 4, led by Jonathan and Jia Jun
- Kan Zi Yang
- Melody Ho

Sheena would be conducting for the 2 combined pieces (means she won't be playing). Each section has its own easy parts and difficulty, the people were allocated based on what technique is most appropriate from them to learn of now. Guitar 4s would not have any sectionals as 1 to 1 training is necessary to ease into the basic flamenco techniques as demanded by the guitar 4 score. Hence, Jia Jun and i would move around during sectionals to provide assistance if required.

For the next piece, Malaguenas, the a few have been selected to take up guitar 3 parts which are technically more demanding albeit SLIGHTLY. Guidance would be provided for these players. The lucky/privileged few are: 

Guitar 3, led by Jia Jun and Jonathan
- Chan Yi
- Chen Libo
- Lowell Lim
- Nicolette Wong
- Winnie Foo
- Phoon Tzin Wai

This year, the exco has come upon a decision to get each member to be able to sightread basic scores *smile*. SO THERE WOULD BE NO MORE INCREDIBLE NUMBERS, AND SIGHT-READING WOULD BE PRACTICED. It may seem difficult initially, but after you get a hang of it, its rather easy. So......there would be sight reading incorporated into your auditions (which should be in week 2 of hols), a very very very basic test. More would be elaborated on Friday (23rd May)'s training.

Lastly, we would need groups 1-2 to put up performances for the Suntec performance (roughly 5 mins), if you are up to the task, please volunteer!! (yay)

Wow, what a long post! Cya guys on Friday ((:

Jon :D

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Change in timings

There's an error. Tech run tmr is from 3 to 6 pm. Much apologies!

(I don't think many very see this post lol.)

Hi all! Sorry for this super late post. But here is the seating arrangements for Arts' Fest!

Basically, i would also like to apologise for the screwed-up conducting today. I will improve! so ya! let's all jia you in making our performance successful (:

Monday, May 19, 2008

Message relay system



there have been some changes made to the relay system cos of unequal distribution. will find a way to pass the latest copy to you guys very soon.



tricia

Saturday, May 17, 2008

relay system




hey all!

Some important announcements.

1) Message Relay System

We have come up with a message relay system to facilitate better communication in times of emergency. Please take a look at the table/diagram below.



(edited cos i missed out nicolette :XX)

Just in case you guys are still unclear about the diagram, it goes like this. Example: Jia Jun passes the message to Wei Han; Wei Han to Huanting, Charlotte, Gloria, Yisan; Huanting to Chanyi and Libo; Chanyi to Du Jing. Hope it's clear enough.




We (Exco members) will be calling you people up to update you about the attire so as to get the message across asap. So for this time the relay system won't be used yet. Ie. Wei Han calls up Huanting, Charlotte, Gloria, Yisan; Huanting calls Chanyi, Libo, Du Jing and Tuan Anh.

If you have any doubts about how this system works, please feel free to clarify with me.


*If you can't see it, check the guitar gmail.

2) Schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday
Tuesday's full dress rehearsal is supposed to start at 3 and end at 6 or later. Should your lessons end later than 3, please come asap after your lessons. You will not be allowed to leave early from your lessons.

Wednesday's the actual Arts Fest. Tech run will be from 4-6pm (or so), actual performance will be 7-9pm.

3) Attire for Arts Fest
Girls: Black pants/jeans + White long-sleeved clean cut (ie. no frills) shirt + Black court shoes.
Guys: Black pants + Black shirt + Black shoes (same attire as Gavotte for Esperanza)

Sorry for the last-minute information, I think we only knew about the instructions quite late as well. Hope you guys understand! :)

If you don't know where to get what you're supposed to get (esp for girls), please ask around k. And borrow from your friends or something. We'll need to bring the attire for Tuesday's full dress rehearsal.

Tricia

Exco 2008/2009

Guitar Exco 2008/2009

President: Toh Jia Jun
Vice-President: Tan Wei Han
Secretary: Tricia Leong
Treasurer: Nicolette Wong
Quarter-Mistress: Lim Yisan
Welfare Representative: Gloria Wong
Student Conductor: Sheena Ang
Section Leaders:
Kan Zi Yang
Ang Huan Ting
Jonathan Heng
Charlotte Lee
Sheena Ang
Toh Jia Jun

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Friday

Hi J1s,

CCA will start at 4.15pm tmr (earlier!). So please try to hurry to the venue asap after CT =)

Thanks!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Exco 2008/2009 elections

Hi,

The results of exco elections will be released on Friday.

Training on Friday will go on as usual and results will be released after that.

Thanks

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Voting

Voting will START AT 4.30PM @ LT4 tmr.

Please do NOT be late.

Esp. those running, please be in LT4 by 4.30pm! or earlier XD

Thank you.

(and please note of chensin's post below) :D

Exco Form

Attention all Apollo J1s,

Due to the clash of Wednesday's training with Apollo's faculty outing, the deadline for submission of Exco Application Form for Apollo J1s will be extended to this Friday 8am.

If you still have not submitted your form, the last chance for you to do so will be to meet me under the bridge on FRIDAY 9th May, AFTER ASSEMBLY. Or you can pass to any exco members anytime before the deadline.

Thank you.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Voting for new exco

Hi J2s,

Voting for new J1 Exco is on:
This friday (9th May)
4.30pm
LT4

Attendance is mandatory and will be taken.

Thanks!

Also, reminder to all J1s who are running, deadline for submission of application form is Wednesday (7th May). Each is only allowed 2 mins for the presentation on Friday.

For people running for SC/SLs, you may want to start preparing your guitar piece as it is required for the interview round on 10th May (if you get through voting round).

Handover: 14th May (Wednesday).

Exco 08/09 - Job scopes

Exco 08/09 - Job scopes (Click for file)

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Exco Application Form

Hello, you can download the exco application form here if you didn't manage to get it on Friday. The deadline for handing in the form is 7th May, jiayou! :)

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Guitar Lesson Groupings (new)

Hi all, lessons will resume on monday, 5th May. Those under yc, you'll have a new teacher, her name is Ms Karen Sin. This means you'll all be split into different groups >< However, she only teaches 4-6pm, so those who have lessons 3-4pm, you'll be shifted to another time slot!

Group 1 ( 3 - 4 pm) - Ms Ester Neo
Tzinwai 08S78
Feng Lin 08S75
Yisan 08S78
Yulin 08S63
Yan Jun 08S70
Melody 08A10

Group 2 (4 - 5 pm) - Ms Ester Neo

Jeremy 08S6F
Meng Yuan 08S7B
Su Xiang 08S77
Yu Lei 08S65
Nicolette 08A10
Gloria 08S67

Group 3 (4 - 5 pm) Ms Karen Sin
Dujing 08S6G
Tuan Anh 08S6T
Zhao Rui 08S6H
Libo 08A12
Cheyenne 08S6D
Melissa 08S78

Group 4 ( 4 – 5 pm) Mr Shi
Jess 08A14
Si Hao 08S6F
Zi Ran 08A12
Winnie 08S76
Desiree 08S6J
Elissa 08S77

Group 5 ( 5.10 – 6.10 pm) Ms Karen Sin
Huan Ting 08A14
Yuhan 08S63
Zi Yang 08S6N
Lisa 08S7B
Zhi Ying 08A15
Jia Yi 08S6D

Group 6 ( 5.10 – 6.10 pm) Mr Shi
David 08S72
Lowell 08S74
Kewei 08S77
Tricia 08S71
Zhengshan 08S76

random ramblings

HI EVERYONE (: LOL. okay sorry. zi highing. anyway. this post is meant to be coming from a friend not a senior (aka. its purely personal)


first. sorry for mia-ing. haven't really been feeling well. so ya will take some time to recover but will try not to disappear too long from you guy's training. hui xiang nian ni men de! (omg this sounds so wrong)


second. thanks for posting on the blog! you dno how excited chensin and i were cos j1s were finally posting! haha. now we know wht u guys were doing backstage while we were on top -.-




OOO! i haven't really like said thank you to you all so ya. thanks. really. the concert will always be a wonderful memory, even more so with each and everyone of you in it. it all makes a difference. Thanks (:



ok anyway anyway, some of you have been asking me whether you all should run for exco and all. I don't have a definite one-size-fit-all answer. The very fact that you're in doubt shows that this decision really matters a lot for you, and thats good. Perhaps just recall times spent preparing for the concert. Savour the times spent with your fellow J1s, all the crazy training sessions and late night practices. If all these are important and close to you, then yes, do run for exco. Of course it isn't that simple. With the exco comes commitment and responsibility. To the ensemble, to yourself, to your peers, seniors and juniors etc. And the road ahead will certainly not be simple. Certain tough decisions have to be made sometimes, and at other times the pressure just seems so unbearable that you wanna give up. And the only that that will continue to drive you then will be the very same thing that i'm asking of you now - passion for the ensemble, passion for the instrument. With that, you should be able to make it through in 1 piece (:



I hope that'll like help to clear up some of your doubts. If you're hesitant to run due to politics, all i can say is that it will always happen. Politics are part and parcel of life. Just because they happen doesn't mean that we shy off from opportunities in life. This is one. Grab it.



Of course so far i haven't seen any ugly politics and thats really awesome. I hope that things can remain this way and everyone will remain friends no matter wht happens (: after all, in hwachong, we're the one and only guitar ensemble. how true! (:



duh -.-



LOL. okay i shall stop being spas. k i've got some serious headache so shall not crap anymore. hmm. last of all, i know some of you are afraid of running for the SL/SC post due the the musicality part imposed. All i can say is that do your part well, practise hard and you should be fine. In fact its not only the SL/SCs that needs the musicality part. While it isn't really stated in black and white that the other exco members need to at least meet the bare minimum for their guitar skills, imagine how fang xin i would to leave the ensemble in someone who doesn't even take time to practise well. Part of your responsibility in the exco means that you have to diligently practise (not that you don't if you're not) and lead by example. So if you're alr doing that have no worries and just run laaa (:



Advice for those running for SC/SL, start brushing up your guitar skills. the test WON'T BE hard. it will just test your fundamentals. minor things like rhythm, key signature, accidentals, fretboard etc all becomes uber major when you're in a position to teach and help others. yupp. hmm. read etudes and all. Carcassi, Sor, tarrega and giuliani are all good composers to go to. I prefer Sor and Tarrega personally. so yupp. jiayou ba and it shdn't be a prob (:




Shall end this super long post here. and go sleeeeeep. NIGHTS! ^^

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Hi ppl!

Anyone interested in going for guitar outing? Most likely held on the last week of school, before june holidays. Can be taken as a celebratory outing for the coming june hols, or simply having fun together (:

It is to be the first guitar outing for us as a CCA! So exciting right? But we have no idea where to go or how many people would be interested (though I believe many would like the idea of going out together and having fun (: ) So people, let's hear your response tomorrow!

Tentative places so far:
-Sentosa
-Pulau Ubin
-School ( stargazing at night? hmm...)
-East Coast Park
-Movie? ( though it would be superbly uninteractive)
-Pool
-BBQ

Singapore is sadly quite a small place...so we ran out of ideas. But anyway, just give out your comments (:

-Sheena, Jonathan