So the first question I asked was why me?Apparently that issue was featuring the arts scene in NUS and if my memory served me well enough she asked me to review the different performance locations in NUS. Part of me felt rather flattered by the fact she approached me in the first place but then another part told me that there was someone more able to do the job. I felt more inclined to believe the latter and so I declined her offer.
I did, however, agree to an interview. That interview was published in April and I haven't read it till now. The amazing thing is that it is almost reproduced in its entirety.
I do realise that I sound rather incoherent. I loved the part about Besana though. =)
1. Some basic questions about yourself:
I joined the group back when I was in year 1. Basically I got pulled in by a friend of mine and I thought "why not?". The experience in band since then has been nothing short of fantastic. Just last year I got to travel with them to Besana, Italy. It was wonderful experience I would give anything to experience all over again.
My journey in music started way back in secondary school when I first stepped into the band in secondary 1. At that time, I wanted to play the drumset(who didn't?) and upon finding out about the practice days, promptly put my name down. Unfortunately though, the position was already taken and during the auditions, the guy beside me , who in future became my best friend, was selected for the trombone. I got the tuba. Apparently his arms were longer than mine. The rest, they say, is history.
2. Life as a NUS student artiste
Personally,the less time one has to study the more one tends to make his studying time more efficient. So let's say if tonight I have rehearsal, I will make sure the night before I would have finished what I would wanted to complete today. In a way, it makes you a more disciplined individual. Of course good time management figures heavily in the equation too.
We normally practice 2 times a week but nearer the concert, our practices tend to be increased to 3 times a week. We have 2 concerts per academic year, one per semester. Da capo features our freshmen while our other concert, Intempo tend to be heavier in terms of repertoire and normally showcases a solo performance.
Besides NUS music festival and performances, we also play for dignities visiting NUS. I remember there was a performance for a VIP from a country and we were to play outside University Cultural Centre in a white tent. That was one of the first times I saw our President up so close !We normally practice 2 times a week but nearer the concert, our practices tend to be increased to 3 times a week. We have 2 concerts per academic year, one per semester. Da capo features our freshmen while our other concert, Intempo tend to be heavier in terms of repertoire and normally showcases a solo performance.
One of the most memorable performance was the concert we had in Besana , Italy. We were taking part in a band festival and were the only Asian band there. We came on stage right after a band before us. One of the interesting things about Italian people is that their Emcees have a great many things to say! After a long prose of Italian, we were introduced as La(the) Noose(NUS) Wind Symphony and we started the ball rolling with "76 trombones", standard repertoire material in Singapore. We then tried to bring in our local favour with a distinctive "Postcards from Singapore" by Phillip Spark.
Pretty soon the audience warmed up to us and by the time we finished "The Merry Widow", they were up on their feet to give us a loud and raucous standing ovation. Many of my friends and I probably experienced our first standing ovation in Italy. This is almost unheard of in Singapore. The thing that came to mind was "What a marvelous response! ". What made it even more real for us was the fact that many of our hosts for our home-stay there came out in full force to support us.
Pretty soon the audience warmed up to us and by the time we finished "The Merry Widow", they were up on their feet to give us a loud and raucous standing ovation. Many of my friends and I probably experienced our first standing ovation in Italy. This is almost unheard of in Singapore. The thing that came to mind was "What a marvelous response! ". What made it even more real for us was the fact that many of our hosts for our home-stay there came out in full force to support us.
On a whole , the arts scene is NUS is among the most vibrant I have seen. From (free) lunch time recitals in Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, to band performances in the forum what more could students ask for? The annual NUS Arts Festival, happening now is also a great affair that features all of the arts groups in NUS.
I definitely believe in more cross-group interaction. Take for example our coming concert, we will have electronic surround sound speakers and an entire cello section, instrumentation that is not typical of a Wind Symphony. However, due to our close concert days in the NUS Arts Festival(NAF) we were unable to get much help from other Centre for the Arts groups.
We therefore turned to the orchestra in ACS(I) for our Cello section.
One of the great things about being in a NUS arts group is that it increases your appreciation of the arts. Apart from studying 8 hours everyday ,it feels great to know that at the end of the day, there is a group waiting for you to make music with, to play with and most of all, make great friends with.
3. Ending thoughts
In a nutshell, I see myself joining an outside band after I graduate but whether or they wish to take me is another matter altogether! Haha.
Since by the time this goes to print, it will too late to attend our 40th anniversary concert on 15th March, please do look out for our freshmen concert next semester in Da Capo 2008!
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