This is the first time we am writing a letter to you. As we are not immortals (someone invincible), there are some things that we want to say but very hard to express verbally. We hope that through these (this) letter the message can be sent across.
First of all, we want to praise you for helping us to be able to survive to the day before SYF. All hail shen!!!!!! The journey for the past 4 months had been a tough but yet a fun one, too. We can see that you have improved in terms of your ownage and holy aura in music and whatever sense. In January, we had doubts that you could even strike someone with lightning. But the number of lightning strikes grew, i can see this special power (No Sarcasm, seriously). You should give yourself a pat in the back.
When we are having sectionals, we tend to get distracted (NICHOLAS! stupid gish). Also, most of us are not that musical in our playing. Thus, we implore you to bestow on us your power to let us be as ownage as rostropovich, yoyo-ma and others. :)
Looking back at the 4 months, we can see that you are ownage when being passionate about playing. However, you might have gone overboard, causing some problems in the death count in Singapore. This is also one of the powers that we did not address. Let's make this clear: When playing, please try to restrain yourself from striking others with lightning. Others people might get injured. Can?
Every week we only have 6 hours or less of rehearsal. You really need our cooperation. You have seen improvement since last year where when Mr Chan is talking and you are meditating. We are sure you can process two info at the same time. Or, for that matter, infinite infos. Time is precious-- Learn to treasure it. Let's hope that in future, we do not need to address this issue of meditating too much again. OK?
We must say that you had worked extremely hard for this SYF. We bow to you for the effort put in. However, as life is never fair, more effort does not always mean more rewards. Even if we get disqualified, we are not interested. We as Cellos section had improved together as one. The unity is what we treasure the most from ensemble. Do you know that we enjoy watching you own everyone at shostakovich's cello concerto no.1? For shen and shen only, your holy aura is part of the presentation. It is not very nice if you suddenly stop playing. Great halos are needed such as an angel's one so that you can become more holy. When you own, the sound would be much better (trust us).
It is fun to work with you, even though there are times that we felt that the section is not being respectful enough. We can never forget the 2 SYF that you had played in: One as last desk, one as first desk. We hope we can keep this spirit up even after SYF. SYF is just a small thing in life of an ensemble. Do not be too upset even if we never achieve what we aimed. Of course, with you, we will always achieve what we aimed so who cares about the last point?
A few last reminders. Wait. Sorry, no last reminders, shen is just too pro.
Once again, thank you for participating in this SYF. I really really thank you for being a yoyo-ma/rostropovich/julian lloyd webber/jacqueline du pre/... in our cello section.
Achievements can never be used to determine one's ability for one's potential is unlimited. This you must constantly remind us.
Yours truly, The Cello Section
Titus Ong :: 4/30/2009 09:47:00 PM
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Hi everyone,
Zhi Chao here. I know many of you are very disappointed with the results of todays SYF central judging... and in fact, many of your seniors still remain bewildered by it. But to all who take time off to read this blog, and do it frequently enough, i hope this post will boost your confidence in hciso today's SYF result has shattered, if any at all.
I have always believed, and i still believe, that in any activity, be it a national competition of great significance or simply a trivial piece of ungraded assignment, to do your best is all that matters. Reason being, regardless of the results obtained, no regret or remorse should accompany an individual who has given his all. What has to be done has been done. There is nothing more you could have done, and therefore you should all feel proud of what you have attained.
Remember, 4 years every member spends in hciso is not in preparation for a mere 2009 SYF central judging. The significance of hciso lies not in the result of a competition, but in its process... the way you guys toil continuously for months on end with a single objective in mind... and the lasting bonds and friendships forged during sectionals or rehearsals... Regardless of the outcome, i believe many of you out there have been brought closer through this experience... and thats all that matters.
When i stepped out of the hall at approximately 5 pm today, it occured to me that we ought to focus not simply on the absolute result obtained, but should also take into account the standard of the competition. Every two years the participating members change... the judges change... and the standard as well. Lets say i've always been getting an A1 for bio, at 80 marks, and all of a sudden the school decides to raise an A1 to 90 marks. Does that mean that my 80 marks, now standing at a B3, is worthless? Pride yourself on the burning passion and determination you have for the ensemble, instead of wallowing in self-pity and sorrow simply because of the flactuating standards of an SYF gold.
I dont know how you guys actually played. Cuz i wasnt there to listen. But i know that you guys started real early, worked real hard, and ought to play real well. SYF is not an end. Its a beginning. May the lessons you have drawn from todays experience accompany for the rest of your life !
Zhi Chao HCISO [Do You Have The Passion]
pohzhichao :: 4/29/2009 10:28:00 PM
I don't want to make this too lengthy here...
I'm sure that all of us are in shock that we got a silver for this year's SYF, which is a great disappointment to our, Mr Chan and our teachers-in-charge's expectations of Gold with Honours. I believe that all of us have worked hard and put our in best effort, as Mr Chan has said that "we played the best ever". I feel that this year's silver medal was caused due to unforseen circumstances. I don't want to blame anyone here, as you people are already hurt enough.
Here's a couple of "inspirations": "Never give up, never, never give up." - Winston Churchill "They can conquer who believe they can." -Virgil
A song: Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns
A video (think some of you have seen this before):
My well wishes to those involved in SYF in 2011, like Titus, Kai Wen, Ryan, the sec 1s, and more junoirs to come. I won't be able to join you, sadly (hope not anyway).
Anonymous :: 4/29/2009 08:46:00 PM
The results today were, I trust, shocking for all of you.
I won't say who was right or wrong, but I'll list some responses.
Extracts from a conversation with Jana Loh, ex-SNSO:
"(Jana) I have a secret says: heyyhe who were the judges?!
sine says: some idiots from overseas
(Jana) I have a secret says: argh you all ok?
sine says: got aussie, brit and canadian
(Jana) I have a secret says: sigh its difficult i know but cheer up ok
sine says: even sn didnt get gwh
(Jana) I have a secret says: I KNOW did you hear snso?
sine says: yea
(Jana) I have a secret says: how were they..?
sine says: im my opinion they definitely deserved gwh even more so than us AND THEY GOT GOLD LIKE WTF
(Jana) I have a secret says: i called my juniors when they were announcing the results and after that they kept on sayign sorry to me. and all of them were crying and i felt so bad
............ (i.e. irrelevant to this post)
(Jana) I have a secret says: dunman high only got gwh cos they move like lalang
sine says: only 1 from each cat got gwh as in 1 from highschool and 1 from jc which is total bullshit
(Jana) I have a secret says: yes omg but how was dhs like contrary to everybody else?
sine says: i wasnt listening i was playing psp cos i was convinced a lot of schools would get gwh
(Jana) I have a secret says: sigh
sine says: i feel unjust for sn lor srsly
(Jana) I have a secret says: i just told my junior what you said shes the concert mistress and she says thank you so much and that you're the best <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ^.^
sine says: haha hlp me say thanks srsly btw hlp me tell them its ok to cry since we also got ppl cry
(Jana) I have a secret says: hahah! thats good to hear... i was really shocked when they said HCI SILVER i was stunned
sine says: yea i thought that in the end the guy will say sth like "haha this is just a stupid joke"
(Jana) I have a secret says: then they were like. RI GOLD
sine says: like WTF
(Jana) I have a secret says: and i was like. what. and then SNSO GOLD. i was like stone.
sine says: yea then dhs GWH .........
(Jana) I have a secret says: they suck la as in they are good but
sine says: not as good as us
............. (i.e. irrelevant to this post)
(Jana) I have a secret says: when i watched them in 07 i wanted to clamp them"
Extract from a conversation with Titus:
"LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL L8L LOL LOL LOL LOL. Can't find the twist? Pepsi twist. says: stupid judges did u go to hear the results?
LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL L8L LOL LOL LOL LOL. Can't find the twist? Pepsi twist. says: what on earth........"
Rest assured, your injustice is not unknown to others.
Anonymous :: 4/29/2009 07:45:00 PM
Hello everyone, Titus here. I know you'all are quite disappointed by the syf results, especially that only 1 sch got GwH. However, through the journey to syf,and since its the last yr shen will be wif us, shldn't we thank him for helping us mug through the 4 months as what he says. i dunno whether its really 4 months or not, but nvm. I'm so waiting for edward to type out, but im impatient so...
Dear Cellist,
This is the first time i am writing a letter to you. As I am an introvert (someone not sociable), there are some things that I want to say but very hard to express verbally. I hope that through these (this) letter the message can be sent across.
First of all, I want to congratulate you for being able to survive to the day before SYF. Well Done! The journey for the past 4 months had been a tough but yet a fun one, too. I can see that all of you had improved in terms of your skills and emotional expression in music. In January, i had doubts that we can even get a silver in this year's SYF. But as time passes, i can see this confidence (No Sarcasm, seriously). You should give yourself a pat in the back.
Alwyn and Mr.Chan have been constantly telling us about passion. Some of you may think that they are talking crap. Ok, but I just hope that even if you do not have the passion, at least you enjoy playing the pieces of our SYF. If your aim is only to get GWH in SYF, I think it is going to be very hard for us to get GWH. Like it or not, in SYF there is a section known as presentation. The judges can see that we are faking our expression. Ask yourself, do you enjoy playing music? Whenever we were playing the pieces, I feel like dancing. If i am not playing the cello, I would have stood up and danced. I hope that you can answer this question "What is the music to you?" As long as you have an idea, portray it in your playing. Can?
Looking back at the 4 months, I can see that all of you are passionate about playing. However, some of you might have gone overboard, causing some problems in discipline. This is also one of the failure that I did not address. Let's make this clear: No talking during rehearsals (absolutely), including sectionals. Only interact at break time. Can?
Every week we only have 6 hours or less of rehearsal. We really need your cooperation. I had seen improvement since last year where when Mr Chan is talking and so are you. I am sure you cannot process two info at the same time. Time is precious-- Learn to treasure it. Let's hope that in future, we do not need to address this issue again. OK?
I must say that we had worked extremely hard for this SYF. I thank all of you for the effort put in. However, as life is never fair, more effort does not always mean more rewards. Even if we get Bronze, I am not interested. We as Cellos section had improved together as one. The unity is what I treasure the most from ensemble. Do you know that I enjoy watching orchestra where the bows are well coordinated? For string family, bowing is part of the presentation. It is not very nice if we have one bow sticking out. Great discipline is needed such as looking up at the first desk. When the ensemble is neat, the sound would be much better (trust me).
It is fun to work with all of you, even though there are times that I felt that the section is not well disciplined. I can never forget the 2 SYF that I had played in: One as last desk, one as first desk. I hope we can keep this spirit up even after SYF. SYF is just a small thing in life of an ensemble. Do not be too upset even if we never achieve what we aimed.
A few last reminders. Please listen to the violas at figure 10 of Williams. This is of utmost importance. Also, the hall is going to be super wet. The wetter the hall, the more you have to listen to each other. Do not get tricked by the echo. Always watch the bows of first violins and violas. Lastly, enjoy the music. I will give you a head start of the emotion.
Once again, thank you for participating in this SYF.We have less than 16 hours to go. Wish everyone of us good luck. I really really thank you for being such wonderful cellists.
Achievements can never be used to determine one's ability for one's potential is unlimited.
Yours truly, Run Xian (a.k.a. 神）
I hope that all of you will reflect on his letter to the cello section.
Titus
Titus Ong :: 4/29/2009 07:25:00 PM
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I won't be like 神 to give a long lecture, so I'll keep it short and sweet. (no offense intended)
No matter what, just do your best for tomorrow. Play like you've never did, and never will. Make sure tomorrow is not a day of regrets.
凡事都以平常心面对，自然就容易多了
By the way, if you're reading this post on 28 April 2009, it means that you should go to sleep already. Unlike me, you people can't sleep on stage tomorrow. (not that I can sleep on stage, but I can do so as part of the audience)
In any case, I'll be bringing my camera along tomorrow.
Let's make tomorrow history.
GO FOR IT PEOPLE.
IT'S DO OR DIE.
--Aaron
Anonymous :: 4/28/2009 10:21:00 PM
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Hi,
i would juz like to make a comment. u notice that shen rly moves a lot now. i hope everyone (esp 2nd desk)would exercise ur worshiping skills, and follows exactly as he does, in fact even more than him would be great. eg, if he leans towards the viola, do so as well. it will look like we are a vry togetehr section if we all do the same thing. Some parts to take note would be the tango, PLS DO MOVE JUZ FOR THAT HALF A PAGE. and vibrate if possible. and for 13 of britten, lean towards the section that is making their entry. PLS all of u cna see shen better than me, and if i can follow him, i dun see y u all cant.
4 days, let's chiong towards GwH together. Do not let the day be a regret of our lifetime.
Eddy
Eddy :: 4/25/2009 04:53:00 PM
Gold with Honors.
Tell yourself you can, and you will.
Anonymous :: 4/25/2009 12:24:00 PM
Thursday, April 23, 2009
IN CASE you didn't know, SYF is on Wednesday, 29 April 2009.
Which is next Wednesday.
Jiayou people, it's kinda stress but you all can do it.
=)
Anonymous :: 4/23/2009 05:45:00 PM
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Solitaire de violoncelliste :: 4/22/2009 10:38:00 PM
Saturday, April 18, 2009
I will post the flyers up here and on the orch notice board soon.
Just to let you people know:
17 May 2009 (Sun), 1930:
Take 5 Piano Quintet series concert
(Mr Chan Yoong Han playing viola, Mr Chan Wei Shing playing cello!)
Location: Esplande Recital Studio
Tickets are at $20 each.
Available from Gramercy, Synwin and Ambercraft
31 May 2009 (Sun), 2000:
Braddell Heights Symphony Orchestra: CONTRASTS
My Chan Yoong Han is playing Violin...
Location: Victoria Concert Hall
Tickets: $12, $17, $24 (includes SISTIC fee)
Visit them at http://www.bhso.org
Lets hope we can all go for the Take 5 concert at least :D
- Sean
Anonymous :: 4/18/2009 01:54:00 PM
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
As requested, a picture of shen.
Apparently doing his imba kung-fu thingy.
--aaron
Anonymous :: 4/14/2009 10:26:00 PM
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Hello people, hehe following everyone in posting stuff. XD
Anyway, in case you do not know, we had sectionals on sat.
So for the benefit of those who werent there, these are what we did (so that u can mug on ur own) :
A. Williams: Intonation for bar 1-12 and figure 6. Being reminded not to rush at 4 before 3. 6 before figure 6 intonation. figure 7 the place after pizzicato part intonation.
B. Britten: pizzicato. (the offbeats) Figure 9 (obviously, the tremolos). Stringendo or however u spell it at figure 12. harmonics at last 5 bars, harmonic A. (dont use kaiwen's method, its suppose to ring and not be muted).
Then we practice the bowing (as in bow down (to shen) not bow hair) and all the "icing" as Mrs. Tay put it.
That's all. And pls remember to mug!!! like shen of cos. wait, he doesn't need to mug.
Well, at least aaron says we r gwh standard. so keep it up. at least for those who went for the sectionals.
Titus (btw sry for long post)
Titus Ong :: 4/12/2009 11:26:00 AM
Saturday, April 11, 2009
NOW we sound like we're ready for SYF, Gold with honors.
FINALLY.
Please keep up your performance until then. Seriously.
--aaron
Anonymous :: 4/11/2009 03:30:00 PM
Friday, April 10, 2009
The recent "outburst" of posts have motivated me to post again~~!!! xD
Okay in case you people don't know what's really wrong with your playing, allow me to attempt to summarize everything:
1.SLURSSSS. Technically it's supposed to be 3 notes 1-2-3... 4~~~~~ (something like that, I don't really know how to explain it online :\) but what I hear is 1-3... 4~~~~ So the 2nd note is missing. Unless I'm mistaken, the 3 notes should be rather equally spaced apart. 2. VIBRATO. Everyone should really do it. Or rather, I should say everyone is obliged to do it. (FYI, obliged is just a very nice way of saying you're forced/have to) 3. SWAY. No pun intended with the dialect meaning "unlucky", but you people should sway with the music. For example, like Steven and Eddy. Just playing the notes is not enough, you must have the "feel" of the music. Often, when it comes to the crunch (I'm referring to schools having close scores at SYF), people who have a better "feel" of the music and thus naturally sway a bit do better. Incidentally, if swaying can give you catastrophic results for your playing, I suppose bobbing your head could suffice. IN TIME, obviously.
And of course I'd hope that everyone would come for the sectionals. (I'm supposing it's not compulsory, in the first place)
And go out for lunch together.
=)
--Aaron
Anonymous :: 4/10/2009 10:12:00 AM
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Hey.. You guys might want to bring some $$ cash $$ along with you, then maybe we can go out for lunch as a section somewhere nearby...(hope not KAP)
See you this sat!
- Sean
Anonymous :: 4/09/2009 10:39:00 PM
Hi cellists..
I can see that we have improved a lot in terms of playing together, even without shen.. (cos got me mah! xD haha jkjk, is cos have fo (: )this is gd, but of course after playing together, comes stuffs like intonation, and "Step 5 of shen's holy rule": Phrasing.
Shen cannot help u with these stuffs, u need to put in some time by urself, understand the music, and phrase and move according to the music. (but dun move excessively like WTH!) Intonation is also smth in which only practise and more practise can help. 20 more days guys, 20 more days to GwH..
As cliche as this may sound, i put forward to u this: "Do YOU have the passion?". I can safely say, i do. Passion can bring u even further than u imagine.
Ending on a lighter note, i hope we can all make it for the sat sectionals, and i also hope that during the sectionals u all would be more serious, and the usual jokers, pls understand the severity of the current situation. Also, i hope non-syf players can also be present during the sunday reh. Ur support will be greatly appreciated. (:
-Eddy
Eddy :: 4/09/2009 09:27:00 PM
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
To all HCISO Cellist,
Ur ASL here...(just in case anyone don't know, I'm Steven)
As Aaron mentioned before, we do need some refinement before SYF rehearsal at Republic Polytechnic on Sunday. Small details such as Williams Solo and Brittan Figure 9 needs to be craved out really nice and neat. Therefore, since we have no orchestra practice on this Saturday, can I appeal to ALL cellist to come for sectionals from the usual practice time of 9am to 11am? This includes sec 1 cellist and the new members as well as Aaron will be coaching all of you some basic stuff or you can just spend the time practicing your lessons. (Dun try to slack, i noe some of you don't practice at home)
Is there any strong or violent objections to my proposal? Please call or message me at 94669560. Maybe after the sectionals we can have section lunch as well. So please respond to this as soon as possible.
I know sone of our new members are working hard, believe me, you will be able to join our orchestra soon and that's when you start learning fast. For the SYF players, good effort put in but we still have much to do. Let's get ourself geared up and ready for the big show on 29th April 2009! Jia you !
And finally, all hail shen!!! (our SL)
Best Regards,
Steven.
Solitaire de violoncelliste :: 4/08/2009 10:27:00 PM
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
SYF coming soon.
Buck up, practice, and stay in tune. Get some new strings if you need to.
Anyways, you people NEED to get your slurs right for Williams. At your solo part.
I CAN'T HEAR ANY SLUR AT ALL WTF MAN
Seriously.
--Aaron
Anonymous :: 4/07/2009 09:29:00 PM
Thursday, April 02, 2009
if case you havent noticed, I CHANGED THE SKIN.
thank you very much.
the old skin was nice, but rez-wise it sucked. (hope no offence taken, whoever did the old skin)
i also took the liberty of resizing the photos eddy posted, or else they woulda been damm huge.
whoever did the music, if you want to do it, please by all means do it since i have no ****ing idea how to.
im also removing the rules. cos im assuming u ppl are mature enough to know what is right and what is wrong.
supposedly.
(will try to upload blog links at the names itself, gimme some time thou. or u can hlp me i dont mind)
--aaron
*EDIT: WHO ELSE GOT BLOG PLS TAG ON TAGBOARD OR STH IF U WANT TO BE LINKED. DISCLAIMER: CELLISTS ONLY THANKS
