Faculty of Music, Social Sciences and Design
- School of Music -
presents
UCSI University Choir Concert
After weeks of practices, ( choir practices and respective sectional practices ), music students in UCSI University would now be able take a break from choir :)
Just like the tradition in UCSI's School of Music, the end of semesters would usually be marked with the choir concert. And in this choir concert, all music students ( namely from junior concert, senior concert, and concert choir. ) up to certain semesters are required to perform in the choir, as it is part of their final assessment in the particular subject - CHOIR!
As for me, just graduated from high school last year, I'm taking Foundation in Music ( currently 2nd semester ) and being a freshie around the University, this is only my second choir concert that I had participated.
So frankly, this is really something new for me. Grades awarded and assessed through choir performances, whereby we are to performed in front of a hall-ful of audiences.. ( as all the students are supposed to bring a friend or two of theirs to the concert. ) It's just spectacular.
Nevertheless, this choir concert is very much like a big gathering for many music students in the university. We get to meet some friends that we don't really get to meet everyday.
This time around, I've joined the Concert Choir ( from the previous Junior Choir ) , conducted by Mr Ian Lim, a well-known vocal and choir teacher, as well as the Artistic and Music Director of our Malaysia's very own Dithrambic Singers. While on the other hand, both the junior and senior choir are conducted by Ms. Rachel Tan.
What about the song choices? Yes yes, rest assure, the songs were definitely interesting enough to keep the audiences listening. Ranging from Japanese children song "Hotaru Koi" - ( by Junior choir ) , to some traditional Spanish carol " Fum, Fum, Fum " ( by Senior choir ) , and even some early Christmas songs " Christmas Glory Medley " ( by Senior & Junior choir ) .
As for our Concert choir, two songs were chosen: "Requiem Aeternam" from "Requiem" by John Rutter, and "Three Australian Bush Songs - Dawn, Birds, & Sunset" by Iain Grandage. *kah koo kah koo kah koo koo kah koo kah koo kah*
Performing 10 songs in total, the three choirs definitely did a great job.
Just like the popular Chinese saying: Ten minutes on stage, ten hours off stage. ( or did I get the translation correctly? ) After weeks and weeks of practices: repeating phrases, catching the melodies, hitting the notes, controlling the dynamics, and memorizing the lyrics as well as the performance directions, the concert was the peak at the end of the day.
It was satisfying, I would say. I did my best, we ALL did our best. And the best part of all, we had the time of our life. We enjoyed the music and hope the audiences enjoyed as well.
At the end of the concert, Mr. Ian even told us that he heard someone from the audiences actually thank us for the performance, after we sang the "Three Australian Bush Songs" . Again, as I said, it was satisfying. The appreciation from the audiences towards our performances are priceless.
And the thing with being a music student is that, it's not only about playing instruments, it's not only about making good music.
It's all about how you discipline yourself, how you learn new things ( and keep them with you for a long time .. ), how you would want to interact with the others.
Or how you would want to interpret music, how you manage your time and work (perform) under pressure.
For the record, being a music student is NO piece of cake. *shakes head vigorously*
Many would have the misconception that music students only play music all day long, and no exams and it's such an easy job.
And many would even think, music students aren't academically-capable.
Tell this to any music student.
And get ready for the dramatic disbelief expression ( okay or maybe a faint head-shake of disagree, and a small laugh of sarcasm.. ) and a looooong sigh and looooooong speech of what are we, music students supposed to do.
You know what, not any ordinary people can manage to excel in this field.
You need extra-s.
Extra hardwork.
Extra talent.
Extra determination.
Extra confidence.
Extra discipline.
And For yours truly here, I'm doing my best.
I've chosen this field, regardless of numerous opposing objections towards my "mistake" made.
It's not a mistake. It's a choice.
And I'll need to prove myself in this fiels.
To be an aspiring musician.To be an aspiring singer.
Music is part of everyone's life, it's just that music plays a BIGGER part in my life.
Quoting the recent MPO's advertisement tagline:
"If music be the food of love, we'd be seriously over-weight!"
And I couldn't agree more.
So that wraps out the night. The concert.
And let the pictures do the talking! ( well in fact I've talked alot! )
* Picture Courtesy by Kendrick Ng.
The Senior & Junior choir performing "Let The Whole Earth Stand in Awe" by George Frederick Handel, and "Christmas Glory Medley" arr. Lari Goss.
Both songs were conducted by Ms Rachel Tan.
*Picture Courtesy by Kendrick Ng.
Concert choir performing "Three Australian Bush Songs" -(Acapella. )
Conducted by Mr Ian Lim. ( fondly known as Lao Shi - teacher. )
Me, together with best friend Ng Hong Liang and Mr. Ian Lim ( middle ).
With the members of Junior choir. From left: Emily Low, yours truly, Soh Rou Yen, Amelia Ng ( behind ) , and See Tsuey Yun.
Best buddies: Vincent Choo, Amelia Ng and Ng Hong Liang.
Together with Phaik Sim! *wondering what'll happen later during choir?*
For more pictures and videos, pls check out the album at my Facebook page. ( err, though "the use of unauthorized recording deivces is stritly prohibited. " oops! )
