Hey juniors, Jana here again...
Would like to ask you to pray for one of your seniors, Vanessa Ong Rong Xuan (Red Badge 2007). She is currently studying in the same school as me in Melbourne. On Thursday, her hostelmates found her unconscious in the bathroom. She was immediately transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital and has been there since (it's Sunday now). She is very seriously ill and is in the Intensive Care Unit.
It is reported that she has internal bleeding in her brain. Nobody is allowed to visit her yet but I will certainly update you all on her condition ASAP. Please pray for her, I'm really worried.
Jana
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Hello all (:
Yes I am back here, again. I hope all of you will go download the recordings of the pieces okay, not cos some naggy senior is asking you to do so, and so you go download it and then chuck it aside somewhere in your computer files and never touch it again.
That's not the point. The point is so that you have a good idea of how the music should sound like, and that kind of sound is what everybody should be working towards. I don't mean that you should blindly attempt to sound exactly like the recording. It should work as a good reference point for everybody.
Some checkpoints for everybody during rehearsal:
1) How is my tone? (ie steady, wavering, scratchy, inconstant etc)
2) Am I following the composer's directions? (ie dynamics, articulation etc. It's amazing how many people overlook this)
3) Do I blend in together with the rest of my section?
4) Am I satisfied with my level of playing? What can I do to improve? (ie phrasing, intonation, mood, tone etc)
5) Do I pay attention to the conductor during rehearsal? Do I respond to him?
These 5 points are the basics that everybody must pay careful attention to. So instead of talking during rehearsal, you can think about these 5 points!
All the way, only 26 days more to Jubilate! (rhymes)
<3 Mary-Anne
Yes I am back here, again. I hope all of you will go download the recordings of the pieces okay, not cos some naggy senior is asking you to do so, and so you go download it and then chuck it aside somewhere in your computer files and never touch it again.
That's not the point. The point is so that you have a good idea of how the music should sound like, and that kind of sound is what everybody should be working towards. I don't mean that you should blindly attempt to sound exactly like the recording. It should work as a good reference point for everybody.
Some checkpoints for everybody during rehearsal:
1) How is my tone? (ie steady, wavering, scratchy, inconstant etc)
2) Am I following the composer's directions? (ie dynamics, articulation etc. It's amazing how many people overlook this)
3) Do I blend in together with the rest of my section?
4) Am I satisfied with my level of playing? What can I do to improve? (ie phrasing, intonation, mood, tone etc)
5) Do I pay attention to the conductor during rehearsal? Do I respond to him?
These 5 points are the basics that everybody must pay careful attention to. So instead of talking during rehearsal, you can think about these 5 points!
All the way, only 26 days more to Jubilate! (rhymes)
<3 Mary-Anne
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I've put up the recordings for String Serenade, and the Bach double concerto. The first movement [the one we're playing] is 04, but I've put up the second and third movements as well [05 and 06] for anybody who's interested in them.
Please go download and listen to them! The standard of the string serenade is what everybody should be aiming for, [Like for eg, the cello solo -ahem- :D ] apart from the place where violin2s take over the semiquavers from violin1s. Go listen. You'll get what I mean.
And the Bach. There is energy; it is vivacious, yes? And yes the soloist is damn imba cos she's HILARY HAHN. If you don't know who Hilary Hahn is you deserve a knock on the head.
Gogogo! We have about 5 more weeks only! Jiayou! SNSO is capable of a much higher standard than what it is now, if only everybody plays their part (:
Oh and you might want to go listen to The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba too. It's something that I think should be tried one day, post-Jubilate :D [there's a score for just string orchestra - without harpsichord and oboes]
http://mediafire.com/
Please ask me for the email and password. Thanks(:
-- Mary-Anne
Please go download and listen to them! The standard of the string serenade is what everybody should be aiming for, [Like for eg, the cello solo -ahem- :D ] apart from the place where violin2s take over the semiquavers from violin1s. Go listen. You'll get what I mean.
And the Bach. There is energy; it is vivacious, yes? And yes the soloist is damn imba cos she's HILARY HAHN. If you don't know who Hilary Hahn is you deserve a knock on the head.
Gogogo! We have about 5 more weeks only! Jiayou! SNSO is capable of a much higher standard than what it is now, if only everybody plays their part (:
Oh and you might want to go listen to The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba too. It's something that I think should be tried one day, post-Jubilate :D [there's a score for just string orchestra - without harpsichord and oboes]
http://mediafire.com/
Please ask me for the email and password. Thanks(:
-- Mary-Anne
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Hey Juniors... Jana here.
Heard you all today and well.. Bach sounded okay. But okay isn't enough. Okay is not an SNSO standard. It is something that many other orchestras can reach as well. So, I would like to address some things (this is in the best interests of the entire orchestra k! :) so listennnn)
1. POSTURE.
Yes. It was only the BEGINNING of the practice and I could see MANY people slouching off. Sectional leaders and front desk-ers (I don't want to name who), you have a responsibility to show your juniors and section what GOOD POSTURE IS. And that means, NOT SLOUCHING and HUNCHING, no flopping into your seat like its a squishy, comfortable pillow and I KNOW IT GETS VERY TIRING. But AT LEAST, keep your back STRAIGHT (lean it AGAINST the chair if you need to). If your seniors can do it, SO CAN YOU! -make it work!- :)
2. INTONATION
Sectional Leaders: PLEASE GET YOUR SECTIONS TOGETHER TO CLEAR UP INTONATION. Bach is ALL about intonation and clarity. Having such a small orchestra play Bach, literally every single player can be heard. Some were sharper than the rest, others were flat, and some were okay. So it ends up being this cacophony of sounds - it has to sound like a LOVELY MELODIC TUNEEEE.
3. TOGETHERNESS.
Basically, it sounds pretty OKAY as a section (yes, OKAY again) but it does not sound TOGETHER! Yes, reverberating about the 'Intonation' part, once your section is done with the intonation, it is time to GET the section together. Remember how we practiced so much as a section for SYF? Assimilating, blending in and bonding with your section is very important for you all to play as ONE sound, ONE section, ONE orchestra.
4. SOFT TONES
I have said this many times before (hope I don't sound to bossy! :S but I reeeaally gotta say this), when the dynamic says 'p' or 'pp', it does NOT give you the excuse to play in wispy, airy fairy, light tones (unless stated otherwise - like a HARMONIC or something). There still can be character and punch in a 'p' or 'pp' phrase. DIG IN! But still stay soft at the same time (remember SHOSTA?? Our SUPER SOFT phrase??).
5. SECTION LEADERS
SNSO needs to see more passion, more hunger for good quality, good playing and producing a good section. Be overly concerned, approach your section members and ask if they need help. Be patient. It is only with competent section leaders that an orchestra and truly progress and improve. I have faith in you SLs!
___________________________
I'm only commenting about Bach because I only heard that piece. I have faith in you guys. I have absolute faith and I KNOW you all will be able to pull it off and play EXCELLENTLY in Jubilate. Though I can't be there in person to watch you all play 3 wonderful pieces (you all better do!), I will be cheering you all on from Australia ok!
I KNOW ALL OF YOU CAN DO IT. DON'T GIVE UP COS I'VE NEVER GIVEN UP ON YOU ALL :)
<3
Heard you all today and well.. Bach sounded okay. But okay isn't enough. Okay is not an SNSO standard. It is something that many other orchestras can reach as well. So, I would like to address some things (this is in the best interests of the entire orchestra k! :) so listennnn)
1. POSTURE.
Yes. It was only the BEGINNING of the practice and I could see MANY people slouching off. Sectional leaders and front desk-ers (I don't want to name who), you have a responsibility to show your juniors and section what GOOD POSTURE IS. And that means, NOT SLOUCHING and HUNCHING, no flopping into your seat like its a squishy, comfortable pillow and I KNOW IT GETS VERY TIRING. But AT LEAST, keep your back STRAIGHT (lean it AGAINST the chair if you need to). If your seniors can do it, SO CAN YOU! -make it work!- :)
2. INTONATION
Sectional Leaders: PLEASE GET YOUR SECTIONS TOGETHER TO CLEAR UP INTONATION. Bach is ALL about intonation and clarity. Having such a small orchestra play Bach, literally every single player can be heard. Some were sharper than the rest, others were flat, and some were okay. So it ends up being this cacophony of sounds - it has to sound like a LOVELY MELODIC TUNEEEE.
3. TOGETHERNESS.
Basically, it sounds pretty OKAY as a section (yes, OKAY again) but it does not sound TOGETHER! Yes, reverberating about the 'Intonation' part, once your section is done with the intonation, it is time to GET the section together. Remember how we practiced so much as a section for SYF? Assimilating, blending in and bonding with your section is very important for you all to play as ONE sound, ONE section, ONE orchestra.
4. SOFT TONES
I have said this many times before (hope I don't sound to bossy! :S but I reeeaally gotta say this), when the dynamic says 'p' or 'pp', it does NOT give you the excuse to play in wispy, airy fairy, light tones (unless stated otherwise - like a HARMONIC or something). There still can be character and punch in a 'p' or 'pp' phrase. DIG IN! But still stay soft at the same time (remember SHOSTA?? Our SUPER SOFT phrase??).
5. SECTION LEADERS
SNSO needs to see more passion, more hunger for good quality, good playing and producing a good section. Be overly concerned, approach your section members and ask if they need help. Be patient. It is only with competent section leaders that an orchestra and truly progress and improve. I have faith in you SLs!
___________________________
I'm only commenting about Bach because I only heard that piece. I have faith in you guys. I have absolute faith and I KNOW you all will be able to pull it off and play EXCELLENTLY in Jubilate. Though I can't be there in person to watch you all play 3 wonderful pieces (you all better do!), I will be cheering you all on from Australia ok!
I KNOW ALL OF YOU CAN DO IT. DON'T GIVE UP COS I'VE NEVER GIVEN UP ON YOU ALL :)
<3
Sunday, April 06, 2008
GO STRINGERS YOU ALL CAN DEFINITELY DO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT YOU'RE DOING NOW ALRIGHT! WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, AND WE'LL ALL BE HAPPY STRINGERS ON BOTH NIGHTS OF JUBILATE, AND EVERYBODY WILL KNOW WHAT SNSTRING CAN TRULY DO! JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU JIAYOU!
RED BADGES LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY TICKETS FOR JUBILATE SO WE CAN TRY TO GIVE Y'ALL GOOD SEATS!
<3 from Dumbledore (but You-Know-Who is my very good friend, not arch enemy...)
RED BADGES LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY TICKETS FOR JUBILATE SO WE CAN TRY TO GIVE Y'ALL GOOD SEATS!
<3 from Dumbledore (but You-Know-Who is my very good friend, not arch enemy...)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Hello all, please continue practising hard for all those who are doing so! For those who are not, you better do so or you will find me behind you one day with a saucepan raised over your head. Hahaha kidding BUT PLEASE PRACTISE! DO NOT BECOME COMPLACENT.
So that:
1) Rehearsals will not be spent correcting intonation (ahem)
2) Rehearsals will not be spent getting the rhythm right
3) Rehearsals will not be spent with your SLs telling you to REMEMBER THE DYNAMICS
4) Rehearsals can be spent coordinating all sections together so that we sound like a single unit, instead of several sections made of several people. So that we can actually focus on the music.
If any of you are not sure about anything about the pieces, you can go bug your SLs who will be most happy to answer your questions.
Jiayou!
<3 from You-Know-Who
So that:
1) Rehearsals will not be spent correcting intonation (ahem)
2) Rehearsals will not be spent getting the rhythm right
3) Rehearsals will not be spent with your SLs telling you to REMEMBER THE DYNAMICS
4) Rehearsals can be spent coordinating all sections together so that we sound like a single unit, instead of several sections made of several people. So that we can actually focus on the music.
If any of you are not sure about anything about the pieces, you can go bug your SLs who will be most happy to answer your questions.
Jiayou!
<3 from You-Know-Who
Monday, January 21, 2008
Hello all :)
Your lovely senior Jana is back to update this stale pretty blog! And since I haven't loaded my share of SOME Japan trip photos, I shall take this chance to do so too (as I am, obviously, very bored as well) :D
Disneyland! Beside Alice's Teaparty a.k.a the spinning teacups.
The BEST SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM YOU CAN EVER GET - in flavours of Vanilla, Peach, Lavender and one more which I forgot.
The place where we had some really good hotplate beefy thing AND had those paddly kind of goose/duck boats kind of thing which we were so, so tempted to sit.
Another beautiful, picturesque view of Disneyland.
The hamsum bus driver that everybody loves! Kawaii neh! (The one on the left, of course)
And check out the gorrrrgeouuuuus view of the sunset from the hotel room. Land of both the rising and the setting suns!
Tada, the Tokyo Tower. Where they sold many, many SUPER ADORABLE stationery and we, as usual, were too distracted by all those kawaii stuff that we didn't even stop to marvel at the wonder of this pretty tower. But I did! Hahahahaha.
And to all jealous fans out there: This, is an arcade. Yes. Rows and rows and rows and rows of enchanting games. How pretty indeed!
And to top this amazing trip, a photo of an electronic toilet map. Yup, a TOILET MAP that actually tells you what KIND of toilet it is (squat, sit, with baby facilities, yada yada) and where the cubicle is OCCUPIED or not. Talk about amazing, eh.
Anyways, guess I'm done here! The other photos are either very, very irrelevant, or too *eh hem* private for this public blog right here. Ciao juniors!
P.S Practice hard! (yes, I know I do nag - a lot)
<3>
Your lovely senior Jana is back to update this stale pretty blog! And since I haven't loaded my share of SOME Japan trip photos, I shall take this chance to do so too (as I am, obviously, very bored as well) :D
So, this is Mt. Fuji! I tried my best to photoshop it so the mountain looks, at least, visible in lieu of the bright, very eye glaring sunlight.
The Yellows at the toilet stop JUST before the ascent to Mt. Fuji (where handsome Japanese soldiers were aplenty)
Disneyland! Beside Alice's Teaparty a.k.a the spinning teacups.
The BEST SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM YOU CAN EVER GET - in flavours of Vanilla, Peach, Lavender and one more which I forgot.
Tada. A hint of the ancient Japanese civilization in a SHOPPING MALL! Yes, a shopping mall.
The place where we had some really good hotplate beefy thing AND had those paddly kind of goose/duck boats kind of thing which we were so, so tempted to sit.
And this, my dears, is a Bullet Train station. Not a Subway Station, a Bullet Train station (SNSO girls are a classy bunch indeed) hahahaha.
And there you go, the funniest thing in a century. Hot, warm Corn Soup straight from a vending machine at once again, the Bullet Train station! For only 120Yen, it is indeed good stuff.
AHHHAAAAA NYEH NYEH we had Japanese BBQ! Drool.
Another beautiful, picturesque view of Disneyland.
The hamsum bus driver that everybody loves! Kawaii neh! (The one on the left, of course)
And check out the gorrrrgeouuuuus view of the sunset from the hotel room. Land of both the rising and the setting suns!
Tada, the Tokyo Tower. Where they sold many, many SUPER ADORABLE stationery and we, as usual, were too distracted by all those kawaii stuff that we didn't even stop to marvel at the wonder of this pretty tower. But I did! Hahahahaha.
And to all jealous fans out there: This, is an arcade. Yes. Rows and rows and rows and rows of enchanting games. How pretty indeed!
And to top this amazing trip, a photo of an electronic toilet map. Yup, a TOILET MAP that actually tells you what KIND of toilet it is (squat, sit, with baby facilities, yada yada) and where the cubicle is OCCUPIED or not. Talk about amazing, eh.
Anyways, guess I'm done here! The other photos are either very, very irrelevant, or too *eh hem* private for this public blog right here. Ciao juniors!
P.S Practice hard! (yes, I know I do nag - a lot)
<3>
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)