Welcome to NJC Angklung Ensemble's blog! :)

We are a group of carefree students who have gathered together,
regardless of bawahs, normals, atas, kulintang and percussions
to create music like none other with our conductor, Mr Dzul. :D
Teacher i/cs: Mr Tan Chor Yean, Ms Sun

i do believe that some schs performed better than what they have been awarded in the SYF this yr. to name: IJ (STC) had a wonderful performance, as mesmerising as RGS in their salmon pink kebeyas and black sarongs, Bedok View was very gd as well with their very original jazz theme. MI had a very light touch to their piece and the impressive blending of the angklung and kolintang was really superb.

perhaps the most heart-breaking is tt of watching my own juniors wearing faces of disbelief, disappointment and resignation with the announcement of the results. as a mentor, it was really heart-wrenching. i daren't show the slightest trace of my own emotions as it was obvious tt the juniors needed us to be strong for them.

it was one of the most effervescent performances i've ever seen from them! when they walked in, there was a spring in their step and the dazzling smiles was enough to make me feel tt fierce tug on my heart-strings. reverie, i felt was very nicely done initially but the build-up halfway through the songs made me a little worried. cld they manage to put off the superb ending; the one tt actually demands an even faster tempo than what they were playing then? to my enormous relief, they did. the ending was really amazing, i was shocked by the ending staccato and i can attest tt i wasn't the only one in the audience tt felt rather awed. wished there was a video recording of you all for the energy vibrating in the air was so tangible!

as for zapin, well, the familiar beginning strains of it made my heart thump rather audibly. i alr knew tt the juniors wld have to pull off another impressive set of staccatos during the bridge and i was waiting with abated breath. i wasn't disappointed, the execution of the staccatos were surreal. i must admit tt i was flabbergasted. consistency in playing tt part wasn't always there so i was immensely proud tt everything went well for the performance.

as a side note, i must say the 1st impression the juniors gave to the audience was really gd, the one where you all raised your angklungs without any extraneous sound? oh my... the other contestants were also impressed, some shock sounds came from their direction, if i recall rightly. but, i can hear the whoops of joy when you were exiting, so it wasn't all tt dignified afterall! =P

at the end of the day, i know everyone would like to be decorated with what they deserve but we will never know what made the judges decide on those awards. but i do so very hope tt the juniors will stay disappointed by the outcome for too long. perhaps it's best to rem tt what you've gained from the syf is some very poignant memories tt will stay with you for life. just recalling my own experience playing hayat and wave of hope makes me wish i was playing the angklung again. unlike the present juniors, i only have recordings of our practice sessions and not the syf's final arrangements so i have to rely on my memory to relive those songs and the emotions connected with them.

i wld like to say tt i'm immensely proud of the juniors for prevailing against the odds. many of you, especially seniors, will have neglected studying, compromised your personal life, invested much energy and money for the event. thank you all for the sacrifice.

much gratitude to mr dzul has done a wonderful arrangement for the music tt greatly showcased your talents and many accolades (unawarded) are due to him. reverie and zapin have been great works from him tt challenged and stretched both the conductor and ensemble to new heights.

and not forgetting mr fuad and mr tan, who have also been great pillars of support for you all. i'm very touched to see the commitment both of them have towards the ensemble despite their other duties as tutors.

and while this may seem impossible to some of you at this pt in time, there will be other forms of consolation for your future performances. SYF validation is not everything, seniors will tell you tt the satisfaction in performing something magical will be the memorable times you take away from angklung. mine were during my times playing the kolintang (some immersion programme in sch) and doing conducting for public performances (performing for the declaration of malay language month at TPJC).

for now, let's look forward to the up-coming performances and i'll see the juniors again come thurs (hopefully in time for your full-dress) and on college day itself!

posted by cons at 11:44 PM

Click GO once and Click CHAT once again :)

Mr Dzul

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