Saturday, September 24, 2005
Formal rehearsals begin for next year's concert...
The current 6-week vacation is precious - at least for the few who treasure time. Instead of spending time slacking at home or aimlessly sitting at the computer/TV screen, I have embarked on scheduling rehearsals for the 3 groups (at least) that I am involved in for next year's concert (tentative March 2006). Unlike other groups which have yet to start, I strongly want my groups to start early, especially if there's arrangements of songs (we're doing originals & covers) to be done. It would do well to include a short write-up here on my groups' progress so far.
My main group, the Fajar group (aptly named after our first rehearsal venue at Lydia's place), will be doing three pieces - "Ru Guo De Shi" (cover) and two originals (titles yet to be confirmed). Our first vacation rehearsal was a successful start, with the vocals complementing the piano, guitar and drums in the song "Ru Guo De Shi". We still have the bass guitar and dizi parts to fit in to the song. Meanwhile, we'll be arranging and "chording" the two originals.
I'm proud to be part of the Silver Chocobos - the ONLY group in class that consists almost totally of acoustic instruments (except the keyboards). The upcoming piece we're performing is the Inuyasha Medley, an original arrangement of 7 pieces from the Inuyasha OST (Original Soundtrack) 2. The arrangement for the 1st piece is not quite done yet (percussion, piano and keyboard(s) parts yet to be completed). I hope that by the end of this vacation, at least 2 pieces can be arranged and rehearsed.
My smallest group is performing "Uranus", from Gustav Holst's "The Planets". Actually - there's only two of us performing this piano duo - Wei Jie and me. We are beginning formal rehearsals this coming October. Unfortunately, we have to make do with practising on a piano and a keyboard - whose house has two pianos (well not at least those in my class)! That makes things a tad more complicated; I have yet to get used to the hard touch of the piano.
Meanwhile, I have finished revising my theory until Grade 3 and have started reviewing Grade 4. When I'm done with that, Grade 5 awaits. A few of us in class are planning to take the ABRSM Grade 5 theory exam in March 2006 - well, we have to work hard towards it, alongside schoolwork!
10:29 am *
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Formal rehearsals begin for next year's concert...
The current 6-week vacation is precious - at least for the few who treasure time. Instead of spending time slacking at home or aimlessly sitting at the computer/TV screen, I have embarked on scheduling rehearsals for the 3 groups (at least) that I am involved in for next year's concert (tentative March 2006). Unlike other groups which have yet to start, I strongly want my groups to start early, especially if there's arrangements of songs (we're doing originals & covers) to be done. It would do well to include a short write-up here on my groups' progress so far.
My main group, the Fajar group (aptly named after our first rehearsal venue at Lydia's place), will be doing three pieces - "Ru Guo De Shi" (cover) and two originals (titles yet to be confirmed). Our first vacation rehearsal was a successful start, with the vocals complementing the piano, guitar and drums in the song "Ru Guo De Shi". We still have the bass guitar and dizi parts to fit in to the song. Meanwhile, we'll be arranging and "chording" the two originals.
I'm proud to be part of the Silver Chocobos - the ONLY group in class that consists almost totally of acoustic instruments (except the keyboards). The upcoming piece we're performing is the Inuyasha Medley, an original arrangement of 7 pieces from the Inuyasha OST (Original Soundtrack) 2. The arrangement for the 1st piece is not quite done yet (percussion, piano and keyboard(s) parts yet to be completed). I hope that by the end of this vacation, at least 2 pieces can be arranged and rehearsed.
My smallest group is performing "Uranus", from Gustav Holst's "The Planets". Actually - there's only two of us performing this piano duo - Wei Jie and me. We are beginning formal rehearsals this coming October. Unfortunately, we have to make do with practising on a piano and a keyboard - whose house has two pianos (well not at least those in my class)! That makes things a tad more complicated; I have yet to get used to the hard touch of the piano.
Meanwhile, I have finished revising my theory until Grade 3 and have started reviewing Grade 4. When I'm done with that, Grade 5 awaits. A few of us in class are planning to take the ABRSM Grade 5 theory exam in March 2006 - well, we have to work hard towards it, alongside schoolwork!
10:29 am *
