Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Of education, school, exam, knowledge and everything else possible

Walk trough any typical town of Malaysia, you can bet any household with children goes to school... Basically almost every country in the world is the same. But Malaysian education is one of the best example of "MALAYSIA BOLEH"

I not trying to prove anything here, I'm just pointing out a few of the MANY flaws in the Malaysian Education system, from the view of a typical student.

I begin the day studying in school... Getting trough the day trying my best to stay awake during classes, coming back with a big pile of homework... bla bla... This should NOT be happening if it were to be a good education life... Education should be interesting, making the student WANT to learn instead of forcing. But too bad... this isn't happening.

The classes are boring to extend that even some teachers become pessimist... I for one DON'T enjoy education... Because it is not enjoyable... Not that I didn't try to.

I mean, I get the impression that I'm just memorising all things just for sake of getting an A.... It's all about Exam... What's so great about this "EXAM"??? Malaysian exam standard isn't even good for International standards.. All the things we learn, or rather, Memorise, doesn't seem practical for the future..

Another point to say, the syllabus are strictly followed to a point where the only concern is the syllabus, not the subject, so many of the slower students can't cope.

We can't learn something without any interest in it, it's like asking a cow to try and hunt. If possible, we should be given a more flexible choice of subject, not merely just by a set of classes, but rather, a list of subject that can be selected 1 by 1. It can be argued that it's not time for such freedom. But if not now, then when? We need to move forward.

The biggest disadvantage of the education system is the class streaming system. By this means that students are arranged to specific classes based on their exam results. So generally, the weaker students will be separated from the better students. By this, a lot of the weaker students will start feel left out, have a low self esteem, and stray into juvenile delinquency in some cases. The teachers attitude also contribute to this point. The teachers in charge of the weaker students should be an experienced teacher in her field, able to guide most of the students trough this times, but now, only a hand full of such teachers exist, and are slowly one by one, retiring. As the stronger students, they will keep on running the never ending rat race of the school world. Exam here plays as an important tool, it can be your friend, it can be your enemy, and by this it is causing a lot of havoc now in Malaysia, the exam factor. Just because of a piece of paper, could cost you a good education, not because you don't deserve it, but just because you are slower than your peers. Not fair right?

The things that need to be clear are the targets of our life, we must always question ourself regularly, why am I studying this? Is this useful for my future? People who study blindly will only lose more, not knowing what they really want, not knowing what potential they have, they only know they have full of papers showing they got As...

What is Education? Education is a system whereby we can learn, and be better people, but are we really creating a better society, or are we causing a major imbalance in our society, only time will tell.

As for me, I admit I have many flaws too, I am slow at picking up new things, having some problem with add. maths, big problems with physics, despises Sejarah, not fluent in Malay, have difficulty coping with Chinese, and worse of all, way too carefree...

Friday, February 20, 2009

Marching Season 2009 begins....

Marching Band Season finally starts after a string of events for Nan Hwa Band, finally switching from Nan Hwa Symphonic Wind Band to Nan Hwa MARCHING Band......

Actually it's been a while already, since the start of this week....... But just now? woooooooh.... Real tiring just now..... the first time we march formation ALONG with the song.... AhBoon pro man... within two days make us march nearly half the book already... TWO days man, that's short....

So we started with the first move... 3 bars of teeth grinding..... then the next.... 3 bars of head banging... following... 2 bars of horrors.... and then 2 bars of more horrors... etc... you can imagine....

No lah... not that bad la.... but not good either.... So that is what that happens just now. As for the percussion, not clean at all.... Bass Drum.... Ah Muz... sorry T_T..... I did horribly.....

And that concludes the situation on how we started... End of report...

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

4SA, Class of 2009

Since the the 2nd week of schooling, 4 Science A of 2009 has been my class. And the class is what the students makes it.

Every day seems routine enough... What happens here? the usual morning starts with me reaching class at about 7:10am... still pretty empty... then after that I'll ask around "got what homework??? Then I wait for Jia Xun to come... every morning he come I sure greet him "@#$%^&"... We get used to it.... He will then reply "&^%$#@!"...

In front of me is Lianne.... beside Lianne is Shin Yun.... Always gossip with them one..... But... Jia Xun, you never talk to the person in front of me.... SO quiet ah you?....

Then across to the diagonal upper right is Teck Hooi and Hong Leong.. Hong Leong always fight with Kai Ming... they two like small kid.. hai... still no grow up.... Teck Hooi, sleeps a lot.. thats all I can say....

So thats about it... Next week we exam loh... so fast... Now Physics makes general Science so easy... not to mention that there's still Chemistry and Biology... wish me luck...

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Post-Pageantry in Wind 2009 report...

14th Feb 2009, Pageantry in Wind 2009, Valentines Day 2009...

Memories of 2009, made so quickly, just at the start of the year, what more to expect?

Strictly speaking, last night was, what can I say? A very Grand experience. All the energies, flowing through the hall... It was just so magnificent.

Although there was a little "problem" backstage before we started, as long as everybody keeps quiet, no one will know what happen....

Now back to the concert: The opening, Concert March, was very light feeling in the air. Although I wasn't playing, I could feel the pressure mounting, was it because I'm having a flu? Too excited? Because I haven't finish my homework? I think it's because of what I was wearing.....

Now, the highlight of the concert: Variations on "Lobe Den Herrn", now in this piece, I really did all I can... And it was Good! haha, I was really satisfied with my playing for the first time playing this song. And whole band did wonderfully as well, The Horn solo was simply beautiful. The best part? Presto! frustration, Maestoso! Climax. Pesante!! Finale, it just all so powerful, I would've cried right on the spot If I weren't playing.

Next: Sea Songs, this particular piece is a playful tune in my opinion. When you hear the song it makes you feel like you want sing along "yadi da yadi da yadidadida yeda dada....". Like the sailors did back in 18th Century. Backstage was humming this tune to myself, it's a very nice song.

Right up: Choral Music, this piece, is full of emotion. At the start, is full of energy. Then it comes to a sudden slow down. We can hear this part as a beautiful harmonic display. Suddenly the tempo changes and becomes full of energy again. But after that, the music again becomes slow. From there on, the Chorale theme of the music builds, the slow flowing melodies. All merging together the melody, reaches to it's point, Bringing in the full emotion of the song, ends with a final beautiful chord. And again, suddenly, the tempo switches to fast whirlwind. Then the Aggressive theme of the Chorale starts playing, coming to a final frustration, building the speed, Ending in a whirlwind climax. We did good XD...

And then: Asuka, starting with a flute solo, deep into the night. Crickets, woodpeckers all the sound of life in then night. The Wind Blowing... And the sudden strike of lightning! thunders - the timpani solo. And builds to an eventual climax. Andante: the rain slows, small drizzles, the sound of the night, in the old ruins of the Asuka empire... Suddenly relived in a dream, Allegro! the start of the nation, the building of an empire, all the citizens booming with activity, the Ruler planning to expand his empire, the plot unfolds!Climax! the empire goes to war! But, the music comes to a slowdown, the fall of the empire. back into the ruins. The Horn solo, the agony of the fall! timpani solo, the last glimpse of the ruins.... The song was good.

Next: Csardas for band and Marimba solo, soloist: Ms Tan Su Yin. In this piece, is a traditional Hungarian dance. Su Yin managed to play this, with full of expression and emotion. The band accompanying the playing. Trough out? Is Good, well received by the audience.

Intermission....

Following: Macarena, this piece? I screwed up... but luckily, the band didn't... We manage depict a real bull fight scene. In fact, while we played, I could feel the Aura of the bull of Spain. And our trumpet soloist? Mr Tan Qin Wei, what to expect from Spanish trumpets? Bright and high notes, that's all I can say.

Then: Meditation from "Thais" flute solo, in this piece, we are very lucky to have Mr Ho to be our soloist that night. Meditation from "Thais" as Mr Ho mentioned before, is a song full of hope, of optimism, of all the possibilities. This song is, by the respond of the crowd, very well received.

Right up: Terhepsody, followed by Goodbye my Love, in this medley of Teresa Teng songs, we done a great job. Starting with a very interesting bass solo, many of the spectators would be surprised that this is actually Teresa Teng's song if no one told them so. After the introduction, the song starts to build, by then, most of the people would know what song is this. When reach the chorus, it was very nice to listen. Then the next song within the medley, Is the form 3 Chinese poem we learned, tee hee... Followed by the famous, "Ye Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xing".... seconds after the trombone solo starts, the crowd suddenly started cheering, I guess our soloist Ms Yong Sook Fong was too good to resist. Right after that, Goodbye my Love, also a favorite classic.

Next: The Great Wall, Songs of China, Starting with the Gong solo, that's me XD.... Well than it's the trumpet solo.. Well nothing spacial about this song, except that we done good, again, hehe...

The Finale: Young Man YMCA, now this song, the crowd went wild. And we also did great, this is also the song I manage play my best, and we manage to bring up the energy of the song... the part I like? When we raised the |Y|M|C|A| boards, haha, I tought I heard some of them singing at the climax. that was fun.

Did I hear someone shout encore?

And so we did Encore, haha.

African Symphony: We all turned to animals, I also manage play a satisfying finish with the Chimes, no tempo problem this round.

Gallop: the final, last, ending song, a playful tune depicting a galloping horse. and the spectators were on their feet.

That brings the end of Pageantry in Wind 2009, I probably won't have the chance to perform again, unless they have one where I can come back and be a guest player...

But... I was dam tired by the experience... Behind the scene, we literary moved the whole band room to the Bangunan Perak....

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Pre-Pageantry in Wind 2009 report....

Writing now, still at home... Will be going to school at 1pm..

Been anticipating this moment for over half a year, being told about this concert back then...

Will be bringing some extra food, maybe mp3 player? no, I don't think it's safe...

Check List on the Songs, and what I'll be playing:

1. Pentland Hills
2. Variations on "Lobe Den Herrn" - Chimes, Vibes.
3. Macarena - Vibes.
4. Csardas (Marimba Solo) - not playing
5. Jangan Tinggal Daku - not playing
6. Young Man YMCA - Vibes, Marimba, Chimes.
7. Good-Bye My Love - Vibes.
8. Gallop - Bells
9. African Symphony - Chimes
10. Choral Music - Cymbals, Gong
11. Asuka - Gong
12. Sea Song - not playing
13. Theresophy - Shaker, Vibes(ending)
14. Meditation from 'Thais' (Flute Solo) - not playing
15. The Great Wall - Gong

Looks like my main insruments are Vibes and Chimes...

Hope that I can perform without any hidcups of any sort.... I very scared I will lose my tempo... Especially Lobe Deb Herrn... I hope that I can do my best...

And last of all, wishing all readers: Happy Valentines Day, to the performers: Do your best! To spectators: enjoy the show.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

When the soul embraces the Music

Let the Energy of Melodic Sound Waves overwhelm you, where one opens his heartbeat to the powerful sounds of harmonic resonance, coming together to create endless sense of wonder.

From the very day of an individual existence, the rhythm will shake the very soul of that being, for the first thing he'll ever feel, is his mother's heartbeat.

We are, no matter how insensitive towards sound, deeply effected by the beat, the rhythm, the very core that powers us.

Of melodies and songs , evokes the raw emotions of all beings on earth, powering him with the might of a dragon, or stripping him off the very last of hopes, is the energy of clashing vibrations, capable of producing colourful wonders of sound.

And so deeply are we effected by the thing we know as Music, is definitely the the greatest of art form man can ever create.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Minowa-mania

Today is the band's first practice with Minowa-San since... I dunno.. 6 years ago? And he sure is a fun character.

I was real anxious at first, didn't know he's style...

But slowly got used to it. And he sure is good for a conductor....

The funniest part? YMCA! lol, still fresh in my mind, he actually danced while we play...

Well, hope tomorrow's practice will be much better than today.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

ICT

Information and Communication Technology? No, Intensive Concert Training....

Valentines Day is coming, and the 2009 Pageantry in Wind... I'm left with limited time... Less than one week to prepare, so many things I still can't handle. I gotta learn the four-mallet hand grip, play Vibes for Macarena, YMCA and Lobe Den Herrn, Bells for Gallop, Chimes for Lobe Den Herrn.... Bongos for African Symphony!!! less than one week!!! not to mention theres still all the auxilary stuf, Cymbals and Gong.....

But part of me is very excited, I have been anticipating this day since last year, to actually perform in identity of a reall Symphonic Wind Band Performance, to have such opportunity knock at my doorsteps, is a real honour to be able to be involve.

I just hope Mr. Minowa is the patient type. And so I wish to all the other Performers, Happy Valentines Day, and enjoy the concert.

Monday, February 9, 2009

African Symphony - Animal list

had nothing to do so I did this

My Interpretation of the instruments to animals (listen to the song while reading):

Percussions:
Congas, Bongos, Tom Tom: Tribal men playing in the background
Bass Drum, Timpani: The harsh Morning Sun Rising, The strong winds of the Valleys.
Snares, Tamborine, Sleigh Bells, Cowbells, Sus. Cymbal: The Crickets, bugs, insects.
Vibes, Chimes, Bells: Birds, Insects.

Brass:
Trumpets: Giraffe, Zebras, Monkey.
Muted trumpet: Monkeys, Apes
Trombone: Elephants.
Horns: The Moving of the herds over the plains
Tuba: The sound of nature, (gorilla singing, maybe.)

Woodwinds:
Clarinets: the birds.
Flutes: The small critters.
Oboe: Birds, small critters.
Saxaphone: Birds.

Thats it I guess..

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sports Day hoo haas...

So Yesterday was our School Sports day...

And as usual, the band will perform...

And I will never forget this year....

Cause I had a headache,

Trying to handle the cymbal line of 2009.....

nightmare.....

And the results...

Not a very good performance....

but still acceptable... no serious mistakes...

That's all...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Thought of day to day bla blas

Writing this blog now, makes me wonder... I write my blogs, to spill my thoughts and feelings into a page of words...

But satisfaction never came, as thoughts come faster than words. And today, I write, with a heart to say... It's a real day full of bla blas..

Think it as if a Variation of Songs, I can't write my thoughts as straight-forward passage, rather, I tend to make the readers angry over trying to figure out what am I writing...

And to describe the current thought.... It keeps on reoccurring to me. From A girl, I don't know... All of sudden, I keep thinking of her...... And then I suddenly think, my, the excitement of playing in the band... To the fact that I'm actually able to play the piano.... I don't know.. It just keeps on reoccurring.... Thinking.. Thinking...

The Sorrow, Joy, Mystery... of a song, that I hear now, can really affect what I think... I could cry for no reason, only because of beautiful melodies... and revert to think of everyday possibilities... The Apocalypse is coming!!! And I think myself somewhat crazy for being so random....

To understand? Understand the Unknown... What more? I think... Is logic even logic??? And I find out.... All this thoughts... are stupid... stupid, complex... stupid, complex, BRILLIANT!... Stupidity is Complex, The World is Complex... Stupidity=Complications,World=Complication... so that means, World=Stupid???? And I think.... think........ think.......... the brain.... think so many things, what barriers stands against the ability to think....

To pen down all this, is more so a diary to myself, knowing only a hand full of people would be willing read this far before commenting that this blog is utterly useless.... So seems the world, can think. And think in itself a place to think, for as long as sentient beings exist, the thought will go on...

Well, Blogspot!

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