Monday, December 22, 2008
Hi all, hope all of you are having a good rest during the December holidays. As you can see, one of us is having a week-long birthday celebration!!! I can imagine her celebrating her 21st birthday for a month!
Ok, back to serious stuff.
I have been getting queries about 2009 SYF and training matters. Perhaps I should step out of my holiday exile to answer some of these queries.
Query 1) Why are there no practices in December? Other CCAs have started practising for SYF, why not Angklung?Answer) There are a few reasons why Angklung traditionally does not have practices after PW finishes in November, except for last year when there was a performance for Toastmasters. Firstly, I (and the previous teachers in charge) believe in giving our members a good break. This is to acknowledge the efforts that our members have put in throughout the year. Our foreign members can go home while the rest can spend time with their families and catching up on their hobbies. Secondly, December is the month where Mr Dzul composes his pieces for SYF, so let's give him a break too. Thirdly, unlike some other CCAs, we send our new members into "battle". Some of the new JC1 (now called Senior High 1 or SH1) members will be part of the SYF contingent on stage, so it is easier to synchronise practices with them if we start in January. Lastly, it is not how early we start practices or how often we practise that make the difference. The difference is how efficiently is time used during practices. And this depends on the level of commitment and concentration.
Query 2) When and where will SYF be held next year?
Answer) Officially, SYF for instrumental ensembles (Angklung, Guitar, Harmonica, Strings, Guzheng) will be from 20-23 April and 27-30 April. In the 2005, the angklung ensembles were judged first while in 2007, the order was reversed. In 2009, we may be the first instrumental ensemble to go for central judging.
The venue for SYF is the Republic Polytechnic, a newer venue than Singapore Cultural Hall.
Query 3) What do we have to perform during SYF?Answer) Two pieces of different genres, not the same pieces from 2007, total duration cannot exceed 8 minutes. Maximum of 50 performers on stage (not including conductor). Maximum 10% of performers can be playing accompanying instruments (other instruments except angklung and kulintang).
Query 4) How intensive will the preparations be?Answer) There will be an official rehearsal on 27 March (will be confirmed in January) at the Republic Polytechnic. There will also be practices in college. You can expect intensive practices everyday until 8 or 9pm a week before the official SYF judging day. If practices go well, there will be a one-day break before the official SYF judging day.
Please note that since there is an expected rehearsal on 27 March, you are expected to be confident in performing the SYF pieces by then.
Query 5) Will there be any other engagements in 2009?Answer) Yes but not confirmed yet. Angklung is invited to perform at an ISSF concert at the Victoria Concert Hall on 20 May. This is a joint concert with some other CCA groups. More details will be available soon, hopefully.
We may be hosting an Indonesian angklung group, who may be coming over for the ISSF concert. They may also have a joint performance with us, depending on when they can come.
There will also likely be a performance at the Esplanade Concourse and hosting of foreign visitors.
Hope I have cleared most of your queries!