NJC Guitar Ensemble

2010-03-16T00:31:00.008+08:00

hello guitarists hahah i know its weird im here but anw i think all of you should watch this!! : DD really REALLY nice.

jennings!

Starstruck 2010!

2010-02-20T23:13:00.008+08:00

Hey guys! Great job for the concert on Friday, thanks to all for being there and making it possible! Ms Ng uploaded all the pictures she took on KM, so if you want them you can go there to get them but i've uploaded some here as well :)

Artistic shot ;)

Collaboration piece!

Live in action for Amelie!

What is wenyu doing.. haha

Jonathan looks like a ballerina. heehee

Group shot without flash (aka the one we froze for a while)

Before up

Look at the differences in height :D

Collab

Mini band

See you guys on Monday;)
Serene

2010-02-04T22:22:00.006+08:00

Hey guys!

So thanks for the performance at the lt5 on cca fair, it was last minute but most people didn't realize it! The main thing now is the collaboration concert and all so please tell all your friends about it, including those not in it! we would be having our annual guitar induction soon on thursday so keep that in mind and come hyped up for our juniors!

I know recently its been tough having practice for so many times a week but please bear with us and stay strong! It hasn't been the smoothest of rides and such but just to let you guys know, we really appreciate everything and we will have all the fun in the world once this all ends. Right after collab we'll decrease practices to twice a week alright? Thank you so much for staying with us!

sneak peek! (painstakingly done by piano)

Serene

Tada

2009-11-18T23:24:00.005+08:00

Videos for the two songs we are playing for...

Volare from the Gypsy Kings

Sous Le Ciel De Paris sung by Mireille Mathieu

Serene

Songs for the Collaboration Concert

2009-11-05T00:45:00.003+08:00

I know not all of you guys are learning to play these songs but they are great songs and you guys can still listen to them and maybe learn them in your free time? :D

Cerf-volant (the kiteflying song) from the french movie Les Choristes

la valse d'amelie from the french movie Amelie

Married life from the pixar movie Up

I don't know why we have two french songs but as long as they are nice...

Enjoy.

Serene

Practice timings!

2009-11-05T00:32:00.004+08:00

Okay, i know there has been some confusion about the guitar practice timings and such, hence i made this table to inform you of all the new practices we are going to have. it may seem a little bit intensive but we are letting you guys off completely in the December holidays!

Date	Time	Venue	Description
5^th Nov (Thursday)	4.30-6.30pm	Ta11- Ta13	Collab concert practice
11^th Nov (Wednesday)	4.30-6.30pm	Ta11-Ta13	Sectionals/ensemble
12^th Nov (Thursday)	4.30-6.30pm	Ta11-Ta13	Sectionals/ensemble
16^th Nov (Monday)	9.00-12.00pm	Tc01-Tc03	Sectionals/ensemble
17^th Nov (Tuesday)	2.00-5.30pm	Tc01-Tc03	Exam piece (Mr Lim)
18^th Nov (Wednesday)	9.00-12.00pm	Tc01-Tc03	Collab concert practice
19^th Nov (Thursday)	2.00-5.30pm	Tc01-Tc03	Exam piece (Mr Lim)
23^rd Nov (Monday)	9.00-12.00pm	Tc01-Tc03	Esplanade concert (Mr Toh)
24^th Nov (Tuesday)	2.00-5.00pm	Tc01-Tc03	Exam piece (Mr Lim)
26^th Nov (Thursday)	2.00-5.00pm	Tc01-Tc03	Exam piece (Mr Lim)

It is quite a lot but do realize that we have a lot to do next year and seeing our standard, i think we NEED this. i know some of the timings are a bit weird but we have no choice as our instructors are busy and have their own lives too, so please try and cooperate and turn up okay?

Oh do note that only the ones playing for the collaboration concert peeps will have to come for the practices entitled 'collab concert practice', sorry that this has to be so troublesome but im sure it will be really fun experience come next year

Please Please Please practice at home during the December holidays as well, it will be greatly appreciated if you do get a guitar clear folder as well. (you will need it next year)

Thank you!
Serene

Hello everyone!

2009-10-20T22:28:00.004+08:00

Hey guys, Belle here.

I edited the layout (because Serene Chew says the old one is hard to look at), and I myself hate clicking those buttons that bring you to various pages, so hopefully you understand why this one's so simple and clean and shows everything you need to know all in one page!

By the way, I'm not some Exco member and I'm doing this purely because I think this blog needs redefining. (HAHA, SORRY SERENE, HAD TO TYPE THAT! Rub it in, yo.)

Anyhow, there's still much to be improved. I did this skin based on those Blogger-provided ones, because I am lazy to search Blogskins, and I really don't know where to start (as my taste is so different from everyone else's). I was thinking about putting a "links" section, but I don't know whose links to put down, and so I was thinking if anyone's interested in having your link here, leave a comment on the tagboard? And hopefully I will see it soon enough to put your link on this blog. HAHA. Should we also have those kinda "leadership rosters" to show who the Exco is? Or like a section stating "upcoming events", I really don't know. How about "contact information"?And if you guys do want these sections, the Exco needs to mail me the revelant documents (heh) so that I can incorporate them into the blog OR you guys can just go do it yourself.

So, constructive comments are welcomed regarding the layout. I think we should totally post stuff here, the blog is rotting and in bad condition. Anyhow, I've kinda ran out of stuff to crap.

My last words before I end this post: please be nice and come for practice. Don't take Guitar for granted, because if you're all gonna treat this as a slack CCA, it'll FOREVER be a slack CCA, you've gotta change that horrible mindset of yours.

Thanks!
Belle.

Sound Track for 13 Days in France

2009-06-07T01:23:00.006+08:00

Hellos SH1s((:
Jonathan has uploaded the sound track for the song (13 days in France) that Mr Lim taught your last monday at this website.

http://www.box.net/shared/9zs86rg4vj

Please go and listen to the sound track. It will make the learning of the song much easier((:

Just a reminder:
There will be Guitar Practice this coming Monday and Tuesday (08&09June).
It will be at TC01.

Here is the Guitar 1 and 2 score for those who did not come last monday.

See you there(:
-Charleen

EAST COAST PARK OUTING!

2009-06-02T13:45:00.003+08:00

HELLO!

This thursday is the ECP outing! So I'm here to post some instructions/reminders

1.Bring a change of clothes (HEHEHEHE. We will be doing some activities which will require you to get dirty)
2. Meet punctually at 10! DON'T BE LATE
3. Meeting venue: Outside Mcdonalds at ECP (for those who prefer to meet at the MRT station, make arrangements with your friends)
4. Bring money $$
5. Bring food/ entertainment if you want

I hope a lot a lot of ppl will turn up. This is an informal replacement of the yearly june camp that we can't organise this year due to H1N1.

It'll be a great chance to get to know one another esp for the sh1s and jh ppl since you guys will be working together after this. We are also keeping a lookout for fun and enthu ppl who will form the next guitar exco.

Oh ya,
EXCITING GAMES AND PRIZES TO BE WON!

So MUST GOOOOOOO!

See you there

How to get to Marine cove mcdonalds Area C
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_29661/travel_site_67751/4/

Alternative map

genus workshop!

2009-05-30T14:28:00.002+08:00

Hello!
Here to update some instructions on how to get to the CFA studios (which is the venue for GENUS workshop)
While you're here, pls tag! Make the chatbox more lively. ahaha

See you there!

2009-04-28T18:41:00.014+08:00

HEY!

Here are some pics of guit 2 practicing which I didn’t have time to upload before.Very hardworking! We had extra prac.

Mingyang treating us to drinks!

The video of guit 1 and 4 singing is so funny. HAHAHAHA. Note how Ben was totally enjoying himself, swaying the piece of rolled paper like a happy old man. Of course the singing of scherzino mexicano with the whole ensemble was better, but I think no one caught that

Here’s the exco shopping for cloth! There are some unglam pics of many of them but I shall not post it here in fear of retaliation. Haha

Anyone who has any other random pics pls post! Once again, well done for the performance today. It’s enough to know that we didn’t disappoint ourselves cos we gave our best and there are no regrets. Enjoy the little break from CCA and we’ll meet again soon to practice fun little pieces for the pure pleasure of playing as an ensemble.

Love, pinfang

GUIT 2 ROCKS

2009-04-10T22:56:00.005+08:00

Watch the heads! Hahaha (but kok wah thinks it isnt nice!!)

And for the benefit of those who are not on facebook... Guit 2!!

All the best everyone! Practice hard, we can do it!! : ))

<3
Yunjie

HUNGARIAN DANCE! :D

2009-03-15T14:22:00.002+08:00

hello guitarists! :) thanks to karen for finding this vid hahahaha. now we know what to think of when playing hungarian dance. :D

<3,jennings

Zi Zhao : ))

2009-01-24T19:05:00.003+08:00

While some of us practice during guit... Zi Zhao does weird things! (Not the first time, haha)

2009-01-24T01:20:00.002+08:00

Posting this pic due to overwhelming response;
they say its yuping & yuping-junior.
HAHA.
:D lol.

foldable guitars (!!!)

2008-12-04T16:28:00.002+08:00

Hello guitarists! :)

Went around visiting blogs and I found this on weijun's (senior!) blog! super coool. hahahha credits to her pro youtubing skills. :D enjoy!

jennings!

RANDOM HELLOS! :D

2008-11-28T21:18:00.004+08:00

hello guitarists! :)

how's hol prac? im sorry that im like missing for like half the pracs \: i thought i could come back this weeeek but because of my stupid leg i cant.. i dont think its very nice to announce what happened here so if u want to know u can ask me though its not v impt anw. (:

anw i got discharged on monday and am hopping around the house now. :D at least i can hop.. unlike on sat where even sitting down hurts. okay thats not the point hahahha.

sorry guit 2 (esp) for not being there T_T thank you every single one of you who put in alot of effort in practicing and conquering guit 2 part for scherzino mexicano! :D thank you my fellow sl steph who was there (except the time we were are cebu & i got my leg bitten there ._.) and thank you estelle & ameline who helped out when both of us were not around.

i hope guit 1 & 3 are coping well tooo :) i hope everyones finee! :) & i will/must get well soon toooo. jiayouu everyone! prac guit at homeee. have fun during yr hols toooo! sadly, its only one more month.. but stillllll. :D

okay sorry random post, thought it was boring cos no one is posting :O hahahahhaha JIAYOUU GUITARISTS! :D

<3, jennings

Guitar November Holidays Schedule

2008-09-17T23:38:00.003+08:00

Hi guitarists, the NEW schedule for holiday guitar practices has been confirmed.

Date		Time
November
10^th	Monday	8.30-12
12^th	Wednesday	8.30-12
14^th	Friday	9.00-12
17^th	Monday	8.30-12
19^th	Wednesday	8.30-12
21^st	Friday	9.00-12
24^th	Monday	8.30-12
26^th	Wednesday	8.30-12
28^th	Friday	9.00-12

Tues and Thurs pracs have been changed to Mon and Wed.

IMPORTANT: PRINT OUT A COPY OF THE PARENTS' LETTER AND SUBMIT TO 08S08 CLASS LETTER TRAY BY 8 OCT(WED)

jiayous!

2008-08-30T16:07:00.002+08:00

HEYS!:D

know you all are sian, so here are some funny pics:)
JIAYOUS FOR PRELIMS AND PROMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

dont get squashed by pressure like ming yang below:P

courtesy of ameline's hands:D

GAMBATTE!!!!!!!!:D

2008-08-10T17:12:00.002+08:00

thank you juniors for the farewell on friday. we know it's not easy to get everything done in just five days. so sorry that guit one's performance is not complete because my memory card was full heh. jiayou for both guitar and studies :) and we'll miss you all !

love, jiening.

Farewell:)

2008-08-09T17:46:00.007+08:00

playing double wacko!

looks like we all have deprived childhood. everyone likes to play with pink and purple balloons.

sorry, don't have all the seniors' photos.

the lyrics of guit 1's song:

Verse 1:
And so we spent all night to practise one song
For the encore piece we helped them shout
We keep thinking concert will never end
Keep on thinking things will always be the same

Verse 2:
But when you leave this year you won’t be coming back
No more late prac cause we’re on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don’t have another day

Verse 3:
Cause we’re moving on and you can’t slow down
A-Level is coming and you can’t do wrong
But don’t forget guitar and our ensemble
Music is life, and guitar is love

>>this is how it feels

Chorus 1:
As we go on, we remember
All the times we, had together
As our lives change, come whatever
We will still be, friends forever

Verse 4:
So if you get good grades, you hit good uni
When we look back now will our jokes still be funny
Will we still remember everything we gossiped?
Will Y and A continue without our help?

Verse 5:
Will Miss Tu go back to marry someone soon?
Can Andre and Tuan find a girl friend too?
We all know that it’s not goodbye
It’s just a time for you to fly

Chorus 2:
As we go on, we remember
All the times we, had together
If you miss us, come back anytime
We can always, play together

Verse 6:
Will Qiqi Serene Lisa still love Jay Chou?
Will Jia Hao figure out the cube someday?
Will Cai Yun find her right someone?
Will Shanshan and Jiening become even hotter?

>>guit 1 loves you!!!

Chorus 3:
As we go on, please remember
All the times we, had together
If you miss us, come back anytime
Guitar is your life, we are your love
As we go on, please remember
All the times we, had together
If you miss us, come back anytime
Guitar ensemble, love you forever

[The End]

(edit) haha intruder hereeee. guit 2 lyrics!!

verse 1
you, yr prelims coming soon.
cracking yr head to complete yr tutorials
still online at 2

verse 2
we know, you're happy u now can rest.
all the scandals we wish u all the best
dont hide behind our backs

chorus
and we try try try try to let you go
but its just so hard to do
everytime u do that thingggg you do!

verse 3:
its you, its you that we will miss
missing the times u hit yr hand conducting
and hear our SLs screaming

verse 4:
its you, its you that we will miss
missing you all caiyun jiening and shanshan
always there for us

(repeat chorus twice, 2nd time more emo) :D

(/edit)

#karen. (with the help of shuling for some of the photos) ( & intruder from guit 2 hahahah :D :D)

2008-08-08T00:43:00.006+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE!! :D
eh its damn coool lorh 080808!!

1) zizhao

2) yeun see

our dearest qm! (tgt w longhao) :D aaaand. *coughscoughs* heh heh.

<3,jennings!(on behalf of njguit)

Guitar Farewell!!

2008-08-06T21:30:00.005+08:00

Hi everyone!
Pls rmb to check your emails for impt announcements regarding the farewell :)
(cannot post here cos cannot let the seniors know. must be secretive. hehehe)

Farewell for the guitar seniors will be held this Friday (08/08/08)

Time: 5pm onwards (estimated to end around 8 plus or 9)

Venue: Costa Del Sol, 68-74 Bayshore Road.

pls visithttp://www.streetdirectory.com/travel/ if you don't know how to get there.

(edited by karen: i think this website is more useful: http://gothere.sg/directions#:Costa%20Del%20Sol )
See you guys there!

2008-08-04T22:10:00.003+08:00

for reeeeally one last time haha :) people there damn happy lorh. :D tsktsktsk.

LT5 concert photo

2008-08-03T01:21:00.004+08:00

i know it's late but is better than not uploading right? =)
anyway, here are the photos,

this one is sooo funny. i think the title can be "where are my hands?" haha =D

okey,
gd night :)

2008-08-01T01:56:00.003+08:00

for one last time :)

(grins at ppl who are smiling, if u get what i mean =P mwahaha)

2008-07-28T22:04:00.000+08:00

haha im being random now=)

ok haha, so these are the forfeit videos of ben who got sabo-ed during the indian poker game on the bus journey

hahahahaha..

a bit diao though =.=

2008-07-27T20:13:00.004+08:00

Some photos taken in the dressing room :) There's only 5 but just uploading them anyway.

<3 Caiyun

random photos

2008-07-27T02:38:00.013+08:00

broadway night! :)
haha thanks mingyang yp xincheng yunjie ameline pinfang estelle (+karen & shuling) for coming down to support. and the very sweeet toblerone!! i rmb juniors passing us toblerones aft our performance heeheee :) very sweeet gesture :D and belle's toblerone is *coughcough* HAHA. i rmb yuping's "SURPRISE!" when before our performance he said he's going home already hahahahaa.

& more guit exam photos! (thanks ms angg for e photos! its not thaaat blur afterall ;p)

(before entering the place & before entering the roooom)

& i rmb bern telling ms ang "do u need a real cam? i have one" when she was taking pics of us.
ms ang - er yes this IS a real cam. HAHAHAHAHHA oh (wo)man. lol.

esplanade concert (!!)

haha & heres a pic shuling sent me. there are other pics but i've yet to upload them/save them to my comp so yeah hahaha.

im missing guitarists alrdy! life seems so empty w/o an "aim" haha. im missing walking home in the dark; im missing late night pracs + dinners + talking abt scandals(!!); im missing guit prac!

oh man. anyhowwws, cyall around in schh :D

<3, jennings

2008-07-26T15:32:00.017+08:00

yaye i can finally upload photos (after trying for very very long). and this is to prove that my camera is not so bad afterall :)

love, jiening

Good job people!!

2008-07-26T01:45:00.005+08:00

Woohoo!! I managed to sneak in (: Hehe.

Anyway, super good job juniors (as in both the current seniors and juniors) for the recital studio concert!! I'm really proud of all of you. Thank you for all the hard work you've put in to come up with such an enjoyable concert. And as Schezn said, "You all have managed to live up the name of NJC Guitar Ensemble!"

Anyway, here are some of the photos I took during (and after) the concert (:

Once again, good job everyone, and those who need to study *coughJ2sandIP4scough* please go and study hard, and to the juniors (as in current juniors), jiayou for SYF next year!! Woohoo (:

Love,
Xin Yi

Guit concert 2008

2008-07-18T23:14:00.007+08:00

JUNIOR + SENIOR ENSEMBLE! :)

pictures finally :) not that i've finished my homework but umm yarh. its called peer pressure! lol. anw guit concert was a blast! :D & im looking fwd to e esplanade one! :D but on the other hand, think abt it, its e last performance for some of us.. :'( ahhh.

seeing that e juniors play so niceely, so enthu w e pics (haha), & seeing them sing "i'll be there for you" (guit induction song) makes me tear :') i dont knw if their success has to do w me/chenxi/amy/yuping/all those who helped me w e juniors :), but stillll its rlly rlly very touchingg :D their enthusiasm, much improvement, esp those w/o musical bg and knw nothing abt guit now can play songs and sightread and stufff :') :')

welll im sure all our efforts have not gone to waste! esp to the senior ensemble since we started on our concert pieces since last nov, 9 mths ehh! :) & to the junior ensem: all the wayyyy! :D i think il miss e late night practices; i rmb comnplaining alot when i couldnt go home in bright day light for quite a few months, and now amazingly im missing those days where i go home in the dark. :( & oh, i miss those insanely early morning pracs in sch at 650am for exco piece, and our 630am meetings for postman! hahaha. awww.

thankk youuu teachers for being there and giving comments :) like to move our bodies - sway - feeel for the music - smiling sessions - 9pm pracs - lt5 - and many other commennts! :) without yr comments and presence during our pracs we probably wouldnt have known how and where to further improve our skillls.

& thank you all who came down to support! & the backstage creww who helped to arrange chairs/stands :D & pa for yr mikes heehee. :)

& thank you instructors for yr never-ending patience w us :) :)

& oh THANKS YUPING (parents) for foooooood. i like e muffins/cake/bread/drink alot hahaha and im sure everyone does. esp after a longggggg day and we're all tired + hungry :)

yupyup, to those performing at esplanade, LETS ALL GIVE OURSELVES ONE LAST PUSHH! :D make it memorable :) jiayouuuu!

and oh, HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY GUIT EXCO! (18th july) :D i hope everyone's term as whatever position was a fruitful one :) at least mine did :D :) :D

its like 130am now my eyes are popping out. lol. i need to research on alkanes T_T cyall peopleeee on monday!! :D

(ps hellohh ms ang il upload e photos u sent me next time tgt w e broadway night one cus my eyes are reeeeally popping out from uploading all these hahaha! :D)

<3,jennings (on behalf of njguit)

2008-07-18T22:40:00.004+08:00

ALBERT:
THIS IS YOUR NIGHTMARE : D : D

WITH LOVE,

the person who last uploaded the pics (I hope he doesnt know who i am... WAHAHA)

Practice schedule for next 2 weeks

2008-07-15T15:38:00.004+08:00

Hello everyone!

the practice schedule for the next two weeks is as follows:

For senior ensemble and Juniors involved in the esplanade concert

16th July (Wednesday) 430 to 630 pm (we kind of always end at 7 + though… )
TC01 to 03
Practice plan:
Warm up + sectional => anytime before 430 to 5 (SL decide)
Ensemble with Mr. Toh from 5 to 630pm

Targets / objectives:
Perfect certain portions of our pieces
Solve the “rushing” problem
Expression (note that the esplanade concert will be rather formal with no power point, no colourful light effects, no dancing (probably)… but just pure music. so we got to make sure that with just music we can catch the audience’s attention.)

Other things to note:
Those who have CIP please inform your SL and try to come after that.
we will have to re-file our scores according to the new sequence
There is Chem SPA for JC1 and IP3. Those who cant attend the practice due to this please let your SL know.

17th July (Thursday) 4 to 630 pm
TC01 to 03
Practice plan:
Sectional – SL to work with sections on parts which members are still weak at.
6pm onwards - briefing about exco election. (IMPORTANT!!)

Targets / objectives:
Everyone should be able to play through all the songs with little or no rhythmic, dynamic or other technical problems.

Other things to note:
There is Parent teacher meeting for IP1 and 2
There is Chem Spa for JC1 and IP3

21st July (Monday) 430 to about 7pm
TC01 to 03
Practice plan:
Sectional – anytime before 430 to 5
Ensemble with Mr Lim 5 to 630 (exam group)
630 to 7 + briefing on concert sequence and other matters (guitar tags, files, happenings on the concert day itself)

Targets / objectives:
Perfect our exam pieces.
Non – exam group people please do self practice.

Other things to note:
Everyone please do an attire check. make sure that your costume is still present and in good shape. it will be the same as the one we used for in house concert.

23rd July (Wednesday) 340 to 7 pm (or later if need be. Hopefully won’t have to)
TC 01 to 03 (possible to have LT5??)
Practice plan:
340 to 430 – setup and warm up
430 to 630 – rehearsal
630 to 7 – detailed briefing and reminders of what that is going to happen on the concert day.

Targets / objectives:
To be clear of at least the walking in and out of stage
To be clear of what is going to happen on the concert day
All equipment prepared and ready

Other things to note:
JC2 parent teacher meeting
Members please confirm whether CAAL CIP or other commitments will clash with practice. try to excuse yourself if possible. Please inform Ms Ng so that arrangements can be made to excuse you from your CIP or other commitments.

Juniors not involved in the concert

17th July (Thursday) 430 to 630 (NOT 16th july wednesday)
TC02 or 03
Practice plan:
IDOs or yuping to teach juniors
6pm onwards - briefing for exco election (IMPORTANT!!)

Targets / objectives:
Learn new songs of slightly higher level than the concert pieces so as to slowly prepare for SYF next year.

21st July (Monday) 430 to 630
TC02 or 03
Practice plan:
Practice with Mr Toh from 5 to 630

Targets / objectives:
Continuation from the last lesson

Other Announcements
All the guys that bought the maroon shirt and have yet to pay the money ($29.90. will you all mind paying $30? the extra 10 cent will be donated to guitar fund.)

YP

2008-07-14T23:19:00.009+08:00

YAY! all done! Apologies to guit 1/4, i dont have any of ur pics!

I also have the video of albert's forfeit... anyone wants to see or shall we be nice and not post it? : D

-Yunjie

Important announcement for practices on concert week

2008-07-05T19:05:00.005+08:00

Hey guitarists! THE CONCERT IS ON FRIDAY! I hope you’ve sold all your tickets! Can’t wait for the big day!

Before that, here is the coming week’s VERY VERY IMPORTANT practice schedule (Haha I hope it lives up to its label of “very intensive”):

MONDAY (Youth day holiday in lieu): 9am – 3pm (Mr Toh will be coming from 9:30 to 11:45) TUESDAY (working on Monday time table): 4 – 9.30pm (please inform your parents of the late dismissal and apologise on our behalf)
WEDNESDAY: 4 – 9.30pm
THURSDAY: 4 – 6pm
FRIDAY: 1pm – the concert starts!! (We’re dismissed from lessons at 1)

*EXCOS please note: We’re meeting earlier at 7.30am on Monday to get everyone updated on things and prepare the tokens of appreciation for the concert.

Note that if you end lessons earlier, you can always drop by TC classrooms (if it’s not in use) to do your own practice.
Please proceed to LT5 on Monday. If you are early and LT5 is not yet open, you can come to canteen round table. The EXCOs will be there. Any last minute change of venue will be posted at the cage.

WE EXPECT EVERYONE TO BE THERE ON TIME. (Early birds can revise their scores first. For those who ends lesson later than the starting time, please inform your SL.) Treat this as a sort of training for your SYF next year. Punctuality and commitment is very important.

ALSO, FINAL REMINDERS BEFORE MONDAY’S FULL REHEARSAL:

GUYS
1. Bring $5 to pay for silver tie
2. Bring about $30 for maroon shirt (all the guys will be going together to buy the shirt from Orchard OG after practice)

EVERYONE
1. Bring $7.40 to pay for Monday lunch, Tuesday dinner and Wednesday dinner which we have ordered for you. (Don’t worry, there’s no beef or pork, and there’s vegetarian and halal)

2. VERY IMPT: bring the money you’ve collected from ticket sales. If you’ve sold the ticket but haven’t collected money from the person, please pay for them first, then collect from them on Tuesday. Also please NOTE: everyone has to sell AT LEAST 2 Esplanade tickets ($32), if not then you will have to pay the $32 yourself.

3. To clarify (please inform your friends!): the LT5 and esplanade concerts are DIFFERENT! LT5 will feature 2 solo pieces by Mr Lim + small group pieces + exco piece; Esplanade concert will feature the alumni playing. So please encourage your friends who have bought Esplanade tickets to attend both concerts!

4. VERY IMPT: bring your full costume! Shoes included. (guys shirt will buy on Monday) If you’re not sure whether any part of your costume is ok (e.g. ¾ sleeves), just bring it on Monday and we’ll check for you (of course, it is preferable to SMS your SLs/IDOs to check before hand, for a quicker response)

5. Please pay guitar fund if you didn’t pay the last time. If you’re not sure whether you haven’t paid, please check the list of names in the entry below on Sunday (it hasn’t been updated with the latest payments yet).

6. Exam group members please remember to bring the performance file (or even stand) that you have brought home on Monday.

7. AT LONG LAST, THE GUITAR SHIRTS ARE HERE!!! We’ll be distributing them on Monday!
8. LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: REMEMBER TO PRACTISE HARD YOURSELF! Only when you get your part right, then we can play together as a section, and as an ensemble. And that’s basically what it means to play as an ensemble. Every single member counts. So please put in your hardest effort into this week’s practices. I know the practice schedule is quite overwhelming and almost everyone will find it hard to keep up with homework, but it’s the final stretch before our concert, and I hope you all feel the urge to reach your full potential on Friday night when you’re on that stage, so don’t let your SLs down, don’t let your friends and family down, don’t let the ensemble down, and most importantly, DON’T LET YOURSELF DOWN! You all can do it and we believe in you!

with love,
EXCO

The "Boarding School Photo"

2008-06-29T20:43:00.004+08:00

Hi all, finally got the photo that was suppose to put up at the Boarding school; for the Gold w Honours Team last year. Cant remember who suggested using the Guitars. I thought it looks cool!

2008-06-28T23:21:00.006+08:00

editedd//

hello guitarists! :)

congrats for surviving CTs! i think there's some last paper(s) on mon but i dunno what, so jiayouu for all those taking it :D besides playinggg to give yrself a good treeeeat for mugging so hard, dont forget about guit! rmb to buy costumes (to be brought on 7 july), sell yr tickets (hurry hurry!), and prac guit! :D

anws, for the junior ensemble, here are the list of ppl who hasnt paid up for guit fund ( a long time ago ) + guitar camp: [btw u still have to pay even though u didnt go for guit camp, sorry abt that \:] if u've paid but yrname is down there, pls inform me tooo. $5 for guit fund, $10 for guit camp.

albert: $10
~~ming yang: $15~~
~~chen yu: $5~~
cherry tan: $5
fang tian: $10
~~christine: $5~~
daniel: $10
xiao peng: $15
He Mei: $10
Xiao Yun: $10
~~wai min: $5~~
jasper: $5
yeun see: $5
~~kheng hwee: $15~~
puo nen: $15
wan ying: $15
xin cheng: $15
li ya: $5
~~pin fang: $5~~
~~qiao wei: $10~~
ting shien: $5
kin cheng: $15
wang jie: $15
chu ting: $5
yun jie: $10
shu mei: $15
yu yao: $10
wen yu: $10
liu fan: $10
saradha: $15
wengkin: $15
~~zi jia: $15~~
~~yvonne: $5~~
~~deirdre: $15~~
~~ee peng: $5~~
~~cindy: $5~~
~~valerie: $5~~

jiayi: $15

ben: $5

pls pay up asap okay! u can pass it to any exco members (esp caiyun since she's fac) during guit prac this coming monday 430pm at tb31.

yup, andd caiyun said that some of the seniors have not paid up yet tooo, so pls pay her! :) cyalll soon at guit prac! :D

chenxi- $15

luna-$5

chunmeng- $10

jennings- $10

yuyue- $10

xinyu- $10

jingwen- $10

molina-$5

clara-$10

wanghan- $10

andre- $10

yuping- $10

tri- $10

tuan- $5

jonathon- $15

geradine- $15

ernest- $15

jiasheng- $5

minh- $5

<3,>

Concert matters

2008-06-21T19:41:00.005+08:00

Hi guitarists! This is regarding the concert costume.

The excos have been discussing the matter with Miss Ng, and going to source for costumes after practices this week. Following is the FINALISED costume for all performers – seniors and juniors – for both the LT5 concert and the esplanade recital:

GUYS:
- maroon long-sleeved collared shirt*
- black pants
- black leather shoes
- silver tie*

GIRLS:
- black long-sleeved collared shirt
- black knee-length skirt (plus minus 3 fingers from the middle of the kneecap) (must not be too tight or flared; preferably pencil or A-line skirt)
- black heels (no stilettos please) or court shoes
- red sash (to tie at waist) (provided by excos)
- silver ribbon(to tie long hair)/hairband (to wear in short hair) (provided by excos)

* maroon shirts must be bought together, because we need to standardize the shade of maroon. Yu Ping will organize a date for the guys to go get the shirts together from Orchard OG, and let you know at a later date. (estimated cost: $26)
* silver ties will also be bought in bulk from Orchard OG. (estimated cost: $13)

IMPORTANT: All performers are to prepare the pieces of clothing, including shoes, as listed above by the rehearsal on 7TH JULY, MONDAY, and bring them for rehearsal for checking to see if everyone’s clothes are okay. If you do not own any of the required clothes, it is recommended that you find someone to borrow from instead of buying it yourself if you are only intending to wear it once for concert.

About changes in girls’ costume:

I would like to apologise on behalf of the exco for the sudden change in costume from colour to black. This is because we sought approval from Miss Ng for the maroon blouse which the majority of the girls preferred, but Miss Ng stated very clearly that we have to wear a long-sleeved top for the esplanade recital, because it is a more formal setting. Also, she has expressed that the girls’ top should not be almost identical in colour to the guys’ shirt, and we need to show some contrast by wearing something else like black, which is easy to match with the guys’ costumes, the brown LT5/recital studio floor, the red LT5 curtains and our guitars. However, we will still be matching our costumes with the guys’ costumes, by wearing the red sash at the waist and tying silver ribbon in our hair, so I hope that’s cool with everyone.

On a sidenote, I would also like to add that Miss Ng wants us to have the skirt because it shows contrast between the guys’ and girls’ costumes. I am sorry if there are any objections to the new costume, but we have tried to accommodate the ensemble’s requests as far as possible by including some colour in the form of the sash and ribbon, but please understand that we have to meet the teachers’ requirements too.

We hope you will understand the necessary changes, and if any of you still have any overwhelmingly violent objections, you can talk to Yu Ping or me. Thank you.

P.S. Juniors, good luck for your CTs! But please remember that concert practice starts immediately after CTs end, on 30TH JULY, 4.30 – 6.30pm. You guys only have about 2 weeks left after your CTs to prepare for the concert, so please make sure you come for the practice on Monday as well as on Thursday (Wednesday practice is cancelled as the IP2s will be away at OBS). We will not hesitate to boot people who are not committed to their practice from the performance.

- Shanshan

Really impressive guitarist

2008-06-12T10:37:00.002+08:00

hey everyone!

Kenneth actually found this youtube video of this guitarist called Sungha Jung. really impressive as he is only about... 11 years old i think. for more, just go youtube and search for "sungha jung".

Mission impossible theme

Canon in D

More than words

Raindrops keep falling on my head

Yesterday once more

Enjoy!

guit camp'08

2008-06-05T02:20:00.007+08:00

hello guitarists! :) so this marks the end of guit camp 2008, which i believe many of us will miss like alot. i dont have all the pics w me now, cus there're other pics lurking elsewhere haha, but like that for now. :D a pity i cldnt stay overnight to do crazy things w other guitarists, but its okay cus i believe everyone enjoyed every single moment of the camp :) through this camp, i learnt more about the junior batch, & their scandals heh heh. i cant rmb exactly what all of them said, but i rmb some - eg pin fang who insisted that wuzun is married with one child HAHA, min yang who said he was camera shy when he starts popping out in every single pic at the backgrd or smtg HAHA. & when he was taking chips fm ameline, he said - hey stop holding my hand! or smtg along that like HAHAH, scandalousss. (& thanks kok wah for helping me roast my marshmellows heh heh. & ms ng for cabbing w e games comm to prep beforehand + killing cockroaches + teaching us how to tie water bombs + helping out w e bbq :D) but thats goood cus it shows that this batch of guitarists are damn cute + enthu :D heeehee.

im sure to miss the senior batch esp the j2s/ip4s alot :( but at least there's still concert, its not exactly the end yet. :) il miss the fun times all of us had tgt.. eg shanshan's super disgusting forfeits. i wonder if there is someone in the junior ensem who cld be as gross as u heh heh. & yuping for his enthu conducting and the very mr-tohhish kinda style when helping me teach juniors :D, & amy who always help me with the juniors when chenxi isnt around, & caiyun who always complains about her huggggeee mosquito bites, & jiening for alot of random things i cant name out all at once, & tu for her scoldingggs, & many many other seniors! alrightt i shall leave all these to farewell but ummm, yeah. hahaha.

anw im very looking forward to this batch of ppl heehee cus they appear v v v enthu & funny :D heh. i cld see everyone working very closely together (either helping out at the bbq pits OR eating very closely tgt HAHA but at least i cld see them bonding w the seniors and stufff & that, i guess, is very heartening for idos to see esp :D

anw to those who were there regarding my urm heart HAHA, thanks alot :D (& to those who doesnt knw a thing about it NVM lol) see i rlly get v v high when it comes to guit so it always beat v fast hahaha. & this time it lasted for an hour.... but im sure to get well sooon :D thanks for those being there for meeeee :)

alright its like 232am now hahahaa im super tired so i cant rlly talk much sense. but yeap im sure to enjoy myself alot & u alll tooo! :) i look forward to us at our concerts, and to j1s/ip3s: all the best for yr common tests! :D

<3,jennings

quien sera!

2008-06-03T01:14:00.008+08:00

Hey guitarists, pleasee look at the previous post for camp details. & to the juniors: il type out the lyrics for the song "quien sera" u alll wld be playing during concert :) u can singg along whilst practicing; very effective i wld say, to feeeeeeeeel with the music, which is v v impt! :D

QUIEN SERA

When the marimba rhythms start to play

dance with me

make me sway

like the lazy ocean hugs the shore

hold me close

sway me more

like a flower bending in the breeze

bend with me

sway with ease

when we dance you have a way with me

stay with me

sway with me

other dancers may be on the floor

dear but my eyes will see only you

only you have that magic technique

when we sway i go weak

i can hear the sound of violins

long before

it begins

make me thrill as only you know how

sway me smooth

sway me now

alrightt thats abt it. have funn singing with yr guit :) + have fun at guit camp!! :D

<3, jennings

Guitar Camp 2008!

2008-06-02T18:35:00.009+08:00

3-5 June (tue-thu)
Tue: 9am- 5pm (NJC)
Wed: 9am-1pm (NJC), wed 1pm- thu 10am (aloha changi's halton bungalow)

Important things to note:

1) Please remind your parents/guardians if you are staying overnight for the camp. Do note that staying overnight in the chalet is NOT part of guitar camp and the camp committee/ teachers/ school will not hold any responsibilities for any accidents, mishaps or personal injuries during the course of the stay in chalet. The chalet we are staying at is Aloha Changi at 30 Netheravon Road.

2) The guitar camp comprises of 3 components- training, games and chalet.
It is a must that you come for both Tues and Wed (including the BBQ) unless you have very valid reasons. The camp will officially end after the BBQ and do note that staying overnight at the chalet is completely voluntary and at your own risk.

3) Members staying overnight at the chalet are responsible for informing their parents that they will be checking out at 10am on Thurs.

4) Members will be divided into groups on Tuesday morning, and members will participate in Wednesday’s games and activities in these groups. A team leader will be appointed for each group. The team leader is responsible for initiating activities within the group and looking out for the safety of the group.

5) Please be reminded not be late for both Tue and Wed (the side gate will be closed at 9am sharp). Your punctuality is greatly appreciated.

5) For juniors not in grouping list but are interested in coming for the camp, please contact Shanshan (92749033) directly ASAP or you will be groupless. For other queries about the camp, please contact Shanshan also.

6) Reporting time on Tue: 8.45am
Venue: TC classroom
Attire: NJ PE tee + covered shoe
Bring: $10 for guitar fund (extra $5 for those who haven't paid for last term's fund), cleaning cloth, hand-held vacuum (if you have), your guitar, all scores, stationary, and yourself!

7) Reporting time on Wed: 8.45am

Venue: TC classroom

Attire: Any school based shirt + skirt/pants + covered shoes

Bring: Dark coloured clothes for wet games! :D, permanent marker (to label your cups and plates for BBQ), sufficient money for lunch on wed, guitar + scores, EZ link (with at least $5)

Extra to-bring List for those staying overnight)

1) 2D1N clothes and undergarments

2) Toiletries (eg. Towel, shampoo, shower/facial foam, toothbrush, toothpaste…)
3) Plastic bags for soiled clothing
4) Slippers
7) Personal medication (if any)
10) Handphone charger (so that you can be contactable by your parents)
11) Sufficient money for breakfast on thu

Optional items
1) Sunblock
2) Insect repellent
3) Snacks
4) Sleeping bag
5) Jacket/windbreaker

NOT to bring
1) Homework
2) Expensive electronic devices

Looking forward to seeing you for the camp!

Get excited! :D

guitar exam 2008

2008-05-30T13:43:00.007+08:00

the night before..

all these would not have been possible without..

hence we gave mr lim a treat :)

& watched a movie! narnia :D and HAHA belle noticed that they looked alike =P

hello allll :) guit exam was quite goood i suppose, since there wasnt major screwups and i wld probably say its one of our best performance :) esp sa bor a mi, simply mesmerising - at least thats what i felt. and jalousie, a nice blast for an ending performance :D ok i meant exam hahaha. yeeah :D i felt that all our efforts didnt go to waste, all the pracs everyday, all the huge blisters on their thumbs esp guit 3/4/5, and painful fingers for guit1/2 when we kept replaying the part to perfect it. im sure its all worth it :D

anw aft guit exam went out w mr lim for lunchhh and gave him a treat :D hahha it was a student meal =P but umm apparently jennings has split personality, so.. =P and watched narnia! :) heh.

anw mr lim is damn cute :D hahaha. putting aside the fact that he looks like winnie the pooh/bern/panda HAHA, all of us were saying he's very ON - in a sense that he aint like people who run away from cameras and uses bread to cover his face (*coughcough* rongxian *coughcough* - and i rmb yuping said - WHO WANTS TO CELEBREAD HAHAHA)but instead he actually looks at the cam and make funny faces HAHAHA. and when i was trying to secretly take a pic of him with the panda when belle said they looked alike, and he said - EH GO THERE TAKE LAR. ISNT IT CLEARER OVER THERE. HAHAHA. like omg! and he's very easygoinggg, like when we asked what he wants to do, he says - anything HAHA. what u want to eat - anything. what movie u want to watch - anything. heh.

it was a reeeally fun experience (guit exam) & im sure everyone taking the exam would have the same feeling as me. its difficult to put what we feel in words, but we're all grateful. we are thankful for mr lim's + yuping's patience with us, esp when certain portions we just couldnt get the effect required out, or cant feel with the music, or cant sync with the other sections, but they patiently taught and guided us, never scolded us; i suppose it was this patience that made us want to improve so as not to dissapoint anyone. & im rlly rlly grateful that we have such patient and encouraging instructors and pres :D thanks alot :D & of course, the teachers, who came down to hear us and give comments on our playing. telling us the truth, and not hiding facts abt our playing. without these truthful comments, im sure the ensem would not be able to improve as much as we cld have now. (:

im sure this is a very enriching experience for the ensem, & im sure this would further improve our techniques, discipline, and many other aspects as a whole ensemble, leading njguit to greeeater heights! :D

<3, jennings, on behalf of exam grp'08

Guitar Shirt!

2008-05-25T00:50:00.004+08:00

hey guys
just to inform you that the guitar shirt supplier is changed so the size changed also
and here is the new size chart

XS S M L
Chest 18 19 20 21
Body Length 25 26 27 28

unit: inch

hopefully i can bring the sample shirts for you to try on Wed or Thursday. (when's our practice?wed. or thurs or both?)

ok. i think that's all

p.s. does anyone have nothing to do on Tuesday? so you can get the sample shirt with me....

"Why String Theory?"

2008-05-10T09:29:00.003+08:00

"Why String Theory?" poetic Kenneth (the one who collated all the phrases behind the tickets) couldnt keep his silence anymore and emailed me.

In fact some other members pop the question when we distribute the tickets..
I feel I need to explain this, least any Physics student take it to mean the physics concept of string theory. Here's what I wrote back to Kenneth:

"String Theory":

When the guitar plays, it speaks of emotions and stories from the one who sees and feels them.
"Theory" signifies the complexities of emotions, which is is subtlely conveyed through the strings of the guitar.

Hence the first concert was String Theory: Resonance of Life: potrays the vibrance and diversities in life.
The current one is String Thoery: Picaresque of Love: speaks of the journey of Love.

Esplanade concert: String Theory: Viaggio de Musica: speaks of the journey of the different "generations" of NJ Guitarist.

SO when someone asks you " Why String Theory", you may tell them this story..

Miss Ng

Introducing the new "Guitarist" to the blog

2008-05-03T22:56:00.003+08:00

Hi all, I will be giving the J1 concert ics the id n passwrd to the blog.
They will need a platform to communicate with everyone.
Miss Ng

Shirt size

2008-05-01T20:43:00.002+08:00

Hi, I've got the shirt size and tried that on some common-size people in our ensemble. Except for guys.There are a few problems

1) S size is a bit too short. Shoulder is as broad as Orientation tee but the length is around 10 cm shorter. Roughly, it's of the exact size as house tee shirt. So unless you are as short as me (TU =P) I think you should wear M instead. Actually, I've changed all size S to M. And M is highly recommended as for girls, you'll wear the shirt with uniform skirts very often. If the shirt is too short, it'll look funny.
So if you have special request to change it back to S i.e. You want to it to be tight fit. Then please contact me. I'll delay the order until next week

2) Size L for guys is gigantic. I've asked Tuan to try and he said size M is more fitting. So I'll change all size L to M too. (Actually, the shirt is kinda free-size. Unless you are exceptionally tall or short). Of course, if you are a little bit big, I'll still keep it as L. But so far, I can't recall any guy in our ensemble considered as big.

So, the bottom line is

Shirts are free-size

Unless you are really big or really small. Please, contact me.

In case you are not satisfied with your size, you can always change it to the correct size since we are ordering extra. However, I hope cases like that won't be very common as we'd have to save some shirts for our seniors when they come back as well.

In that case, we'll get the shirts by 20/5
Again, my number is 9320499. Please contact me if you have any inquiry.

TU

Good news and Uhm news

2008-04-28T16:07:00.006+08:00

Hi peeps!...I have some good news and uhm news about about Tee-shirt saga.

1) Good news

After many rounds of searching, scouting and bargaining which explains for the painful delay in our order, I finally find a good dealer. They agree to offer us at a price of 6-8 bucks per tee. Not included GST though.

But in comparision to the 13 bucks deal I encoutered before, this price is awesome.

Yet, I'm very sorry that the extra money from your 15 bucks will be donated to our already-deficient fund which had suffered from mass purchase of ensemble's equipment and some other stuff....

For those who order more than 2, of course there will be a refund! Work the maths out and you know why. Or just read the previous post!

Hope you don't mind contributing to our fund this way. If you want your money back. Please look for Caiyun once I hand over her all the money left after I place the order.

To those who have not paid...Please pay!

We might get the tee around 10/5

2) Duh news number 1

I'll be taking some sample shirt size back on Wednesday. To make sure the future tee fits you nicely. Please, come to TC01, look for me to try on the sample shirt and confirm the size. If you don't and later you receive an ill-fitted shirt then it's not my responsibility already ah.

3) Duh news number 2

Uhm. Major change in design. I have consulted the dealer and they recommended us to change the design due to 2 reasons

- The original one does not fit into the template due to its half portrait half landscape layout. In another word, the proportion does not look right on the shirt after printing

- The original text contains a lot of colour gradient and close shades of white. However, at our agreed price, technology does not allow to make such fancy thing possible. They asked me to change to flat image: no shade, no gradient.

Besides, personally I find out that our design does not contain school name...ah uhm, So I discretely slip in one tiny bit in the design. Insignificant though. But I hope it gives you some sense of school spirit. So this is the new design.

Violent objection should come in around tmr. Any later than that means you are ok with this one, thus there should not be any buzzing about the design after tmr please.

This is the new design. Back and front. Layout is just as before

The back

My email is vmtblossom@yahoo.com

If you have any inquiries, requests...Please drop me an email

2nd Clarification about Tee and Guitar Fund

2008-03-03T20:00:00.001+08:00

You might wonder why there are so many clarifications popping up in the last 2 days. To tell the truth, this is the first time I'm dealing with financial stuff so I'm inevitably ignorant of a few things.

One of those things is that

SOME SENIOR MEMBERS (JC2, IP3 and IP2) have already paid 15 bucks for both the Tee and Guitar Fund to Caiyun sometimes ago. This money is now with Caiyun and we'll sit down to settle this matter next Tuesday.

IF you have already paid Caiyun 15 bucks, then you don't have to pay any for this ongoing collection.

Of course, if you are to order more than one tee, you'd have to top up your payment.

If you have not paid this 15 bucks. You should pay 15 bucks asap to your respective SLs/IDOs as soon as possible so that our order can proceed smoothly this coming friday.

If you cannot manage to pay your SLs by this coming Thursday or Friday, please contact me at vmtblossom@yahoo.com or at this number 93202499. I'll find the way to help you.

TO GRADUATED SENIORS: Please spread out the news to those who never check our blog and send in the orders.

Order fast to get your tee soon!

Notice - Clarification of Tee price and Guitar Fund

2008-03-02T00:00:00.000+08:00

To both Graduated Seniors, Seniors and Juniors.

I've received some inquiries about our Tee price and Guitar Fund.

As stated in the previous post, each member would have to pay 15 bucks including both Tee price and Guitar Fund.
Reason for this ambiguous sum of money is because I've not been able to confirm the total quanitity to order, thus, I cannot determine how much each shirt will cost for now. Yuping has suggested me to set the standard price of $15 so that whatever left after paying for the tees will go to our termly Guitar Fund collection.

The issue here is that Those who order more than 1 T-shirts are apparently contributing more to Guitar Fund than those who order one one (YOU DO THE MATHS!).

Therefore, I'd like to clarify this

1) To everybody: Just pay $15 for each tee first, no matter how many tees you order in total. The extra money that is left after paying for the shirt and Guitar Fund (specific amount will be announced later) will be refunded to you.

2) To SLs: Please write down how much money each member have paid you. This makes it easier not only to calculate the total sum collected but also to see to whom and how much I should refund.

The same thing goes to Graduated Seniors. You'll receive the refund if the Tee shirt costs lower than stated $12 when you receive your Tee

One more thing: Place all your order through your respective SLs, not me. For Juniors, please place order through your IDO.
I only receive orders from my own section and graduated seniors for now.
In the end, I'll collate all the orders from SLs. So unless you place your order in the last minute aka upcoming friday, do not send me order k.

Do reply to your SLs' sms k. No reply, no shirt for you.

Thank you.
Tu

Fiesta Rondalla

2008-03-01T00:11:00.003+08:00

9 Mar, 8pm, UCC theater

12 bucks

Click here for more details

Led by Dr Joseph Peters, Founder and Music Director/Conductor, NUS Rondalla will present a documentary-style concert showcasing best works from its line up of composers and arrangers, including newly trained student arrangers

Come and be part of the revival of this rare form of music making in Singapore with exotic instrumens like bandurias, Lauds, octavinas, Mandolas, mandolins all in consort and combinations with guitars, double basses and assorted percussion

Believe me, Yuping, Shan and I have gone to watch NUS concert before and their standard deserves our hat down man. Don't miss it. It's during school holiday.

Check out this and please tell me if you are interested to go. My contact number is 93202499.

Don't prank call hah
Tix are selling fast. Grab yours before too late

Tee order

2008-02-29T23:35:00.006+08:00

Dear Nj guiarists, both seniors and juniors

Please contact your respective SLs asap to get your hands on our very own Tee shirt. I've scheduled to place the order next weekend so I really need you guys to finish ordering and paying by this coming Thursday or latest Friday.

Price: $15.

We might get it at cheaper price. So the rest of your $$$ will go to our guitar fund.

Here is the design

There is a little change in the design because Belle and I have decided that the heart detail might be too sissy for XY gender. So we change it to text. Hope you guys are okie that. Any violent objection is welcome.

Detail of the front

And the back would be our beloved badge that resemble our guitar hole. In case you have not known the meaning of our badge. Well, it says guitar even when you turn it upside down. Close up for little optical fun

SIZE: The same as your school orientation shirts because I'm contacting the same dealers.

To seniors who have already graduated: Please inform you ex-CCA mates who you know would like to purchase the shirts. You can get it at cheaper price of $12 bucks or so. Please place order form to me at the address asap:

vmtblossom@yahoo.com

Order form

Name:

HandPhone number:

Email:

Batch:

Tee-size:

Quantity:

Mode of payment: (choose between Bank Transfer and Cash)

Mode of handling: Meet-up or Postage

Address (applicable only for those who want to receive via postage) :

Thank you. Please send in the order by next Friday.
Peace!
TU

2008-02-23T00:33:00.000+08:00

Wallpaper (editted with REAL SIZE WALLPAPER)

2008-01-25T23:16:00.000+08:00

Hi peep! Here are some Wallpaper for you. It's also our editted official design for T shirt and other guitar merchandise. Idea and layout is credited to Belle. Welldone

I added in the thumbnail this time...hope the windows with full size wallpaper will pop up once you click in it.

Look out for more NJguit customized mechandise coming up. See ya!!!!

Wide screen 1280x800

Smaller screen 1024X768

Enjoy!

2

=)

2008-01-20T20:56:00.000+08:00

HEYA hope you dont mind me posting here, but i just found this vid a few days back and thought it'll be cool to share it here, hahahha.

It's super inspiring lah, a guy with no arms playing the guitar with his feet and he plays...better than me =(. Hahaha but as I said, really inspiring stuff.

If a guy can overcome all odds to learn and play the guitar with his feet (just imagine how many hours of practises went into that!), what more us (who have fingers summore!)...hope guitar's going well, grins. Remember if you guys need any help we're (& I'm) always here okay, hahaha.

-weijun/molly

more designs!

2007-11-20T22:03:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone! here are Belle's design! sort of a build up from the previous few designs.

yap, hope you all like it!

YP

Serene's Tshirt design and a notice

2007-11-18T14:44:00.000+08:00

1) Serene's Tshirt design.

Sorry for not being able to post this any earlier. Here are Serene's 3 designs for the shirt. Hope you will like it

Design 1: Front-back (from left to right)

Design 2: Front-back (from left to right)

Design 3: Front-Back (from left to right)

2) To all desingers who already submitted or are going to submit more designs to me

If you design on computer:

Please, keep your file at the resolution of A4 size. This will make it easier for us to print out the shirt once your design is chosen. We'll ask you to send in those files once your designs are chosen. If those files are not ready or impossible to enlarge, chances are we'd have to choose the runner up.

If you sketch out the design on paper:

Try to look for someone who could help you to convert those designs into vector format for example Photoshop, Illustration. The reason is only in these formats, the quality would be high enough for printing. Save those file in A4 resolution and send JPEG versions to me as those design on computer too!

Deadline of the design will be close on 30/11. So Hurry up.

All designs should be sent to me at vu_minhtu(at)hotmail(dot)com

3) About you not receiving invitation to be able to post in this blog

There are two reasons

Firstly, you don't have a blogger account.

In that case, please register one with Blogger with the same email address you sent to me to request for invitation. After that, when you sign in using your own account, you'd see our blog dashblog and can start posting immediately.

We don't encourage you to use admin account. So for those who are still using admin account, please get your own one by sending your email address to me. I'll send out inivitaton. You follow the steps I listed out above. And yup! You can start blogging.

To Chenxi, I check and I'm very sure you have received an invitation to blog. Please dig up your mailbox and check it again. In case you delete that invitation already, I'll resend and inform you once it's done.

The second reason is that you have not sent me your email address.

So If you want to blog, please send me your email address or your blogger account if you already have a blog at blogger. I'll send you invitation.

My email is vu_minhtu(at)hotmail(dot)com

And oh yeah, remember to post your name at the bottom of your own posts. This will be applied to every one until I find a way to show blogger's name automatically

PLEASE MR POSTMAN :D

2007-11-14T23:43:00.000+08:00

Hello peeeople! :) was youtubing please mr postman since the song title is super cute and I LIKE THE SONG ALOT HAHAHA :D so here it is! hahhahha its super funny i tell you =P

(Stop)
Oh yes, wait a minute Mister Postman
(Wait)
Wait Mister Postman

Please Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Postman)
Why's it takin' such a long time
(Oh yeah)
For me to hear from that boy of mine

There must be some word today
From my boyfriend so far away
Pleas Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me

I've been standin' here waitin' Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card, or just a letter
Sayin' he's returnin' home to me

(Mister Postman)
Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Postman)
Why's it takin' such a long time
(Oh yeah)
For me to hear from that boy of mine

So many days you passed me by
See the tears standin' in my eyes
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leavin' me a card or a letter

(Mister Postman)
Mister Postman, look and see
(Oh yeah)
If there's a letter in your bag for me
(Please, Please Mister Postman)
Why's it takin' such a long time

(Why don't you check it and see one more time for me, you gotta)
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
Wait a minute
(Mister Postman)
Mister Postman, look and see

(C'mon deliver the letter, the sooner the better)
Mister Postman

HAHAHA. enjoy watching/listening :) cyaall sooon!

<3,jennings

International Guitar Festival 2007!

2007-11-13T21:07:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone!
first time posting, hope it dont look too ugly... anyway, this news goes out to ALL guitarist! including seniors! have to thank Schezn for informing us about this.

There is a International Guitar Festival coming very soon this december. guitarists around the world will be coming over to perform. there is also an international guitar competition! The following are two of the many performances. i only put this two cause i asked Mr Toh for suggestion and he pointed this two for us. There are many others. We can even go watch the final of the competition! all the information is on SISTIC. Just thought we can go for a concert after all the As and stuff as a guitar ensemble. Tag if you can make it!

btw, there is a discount for students 18 years-old and below.... 10 % discount... haha.

7th International Guitar Festival 2007
Oscar Guzman

DATE
09 Dec 2007 Sun, 8PM

VENUE
NTUC Auditorium

TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)
Standard - S$50, S$40, S$30, S$20
Please add to above price $2 Booking Fee for tickets above $20 and $1 Booking Fee for tickets $20 and below. Charges include GST where applicable.
Click for Seat Plan

synopsis
OSCAR GUZMÁN started his guitar studies with "El Moro", Mario Cortes and Manolo Franco. His career as a guitar soloist began at an international level which brings him to five continents such as I Festival de Guitarra de Buenos Aires ( Argentina ), Festival Internacional de la Guitarra ( Lima , Peru ), Darwin Guitar Festival ( Australia ), just to name some.In August 2000 he was invited to perform a guitar concert at the "V Flamenco Festival im Sommergarten des Pfefferberg" in Berlin ( Germany ) where he had the special collaboration of Pepe de Lucia. He collaborated in Pedro Sierra's group and performed in various theaters and events such as "XII Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla" (September 2002) and the Flamenco Cycle "El Flamenco que Viene" ( Seville , November 2002).Oscar Guzman has received wide acclaim and praise from audiences and press wherever he has taken his art and his guitar.www.oscarguzman.com "Oscar Guzman masters a good flamenco technique and his guitar sounds with quality"Guia Libre del Flamenco (SGAE) - Spain "A performance between virtuousism and feeling"La Nuova, Italy

DURATION
Approx 2 Hrs

Interval
Approx 20 Mins

Language
English

7th International Guitar Festival 2007
ZE PAULO BECKER (GUITAR)BERNARDO AGUIAR (PERCUSSION)

DATE
08 Dec 2007 Sat, 8PM

VENUE
DBS Auditorium

TICKET PRICE (Exclude Booking Fee)
Standard - S$50, S$40, S$30, S$20
Please add to above price $2 Booking Fee for tickets above $20 and $1 Booking Fee for tickets $20 and below. Charges include GST where applicable.
Click for Seat Plan

synopsis
Born in Rio de Janeiro , Zé Paulo Becker graduated in Music at Uni-Rio and holds a Master´s degree in Guitar from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Zé Paulo was awarded first prize at the Concurso Nacional Villa-Lobos (1990).He is a member of Trio Madeira Brasil, a band that stood out at the 1999´s Free Jazz Festival. As a guitar soloist, Zé Paulo recorded the CD Lendas Brasileiras [Folk Tales of Brazil] based on popular themes. In March 2004, he launched two CDs in Europe on Luz Azul label, and went on a tour through ten different towns in France.Um Violão na Roda de Choro [A guitar at a Choro circle], his latest CD by Biscoito Fino label, was considered one of the best of the year (2006) by a Jornal do Brasil´s poll. This CD includes more than thirty musicians and fourteen new choros composed by him.www.triomadeirabrasil.com.br "Zé Paulo Becker guitar bring out the best in brazilian music. He blends his own compositions, samba,choro jazz and classical influences to create compositions and performance that are distinctly his own"Globo FM "Zé Paulo Becker is one of the bests guitar player and composer nowadays in Brazil"Wagner Tiso (Brazilian Pianist and Composer)

DURATION
Approx 2 Hrs

Interval
Approx 20 Mins

Language
English

yap, sorry for the long post.

YP

2007-11-10T00:01:00.000+08:00

DESIGNS for NJguit tee '07!

Hey all NJguitarists(:

There'll be more designs from others but here's mine!

(Words: NJC
Guitar Ensemble)

(Words: We've got the PASSION burning in us)
This line of words is meant to go round the collar just for the back of the tee (can't do it on the com... haha)

(Words: Music is LIFE
Guitar is LOVE
NJC Guitar Ensemble 2007)

it's either this design or the previous for the back of teeshirt design one.
(because the fire design might be too complicated/expensive to print onto the tee)

_________________________________________________________________

[Words: GUITAR ENSEMBLE
Special font used: Amadeus (there're music notes inside!) ]

(Words: We Live to Deliver)

Clara; Junior Guitarist '07 (:

2007-10-20T23:00:00.000+08:00

Hello! :D yay im blogging about c'est la vieeee! fun night. though demoralising at first. but am glad that there are many many sweeet ppl who pulled through with all of us, bringing njguit choc fountain to greeater heights. and tsk caiyun, i think u dont have to collect guitar funds to pay for the amount of money we exceeded (to buy fruits+choc), & for the next few months too! :D

so before pics, here are a few ppl i would like to thank :) i hope i didnt miss anyone out. but even if i did, we would like to thank you for helping us out in a way or other :D :D

charleen longhao luna zizhao chenxi steph bernadine molina serene wanghan jingwen xinyu clara yuping & amy, who enthusiastically stayed for the whole event despite this was considered to be run by ips only. THANK YOU for volunteering :D and helping us carry those super heavy stuff at the bookshop though u had to help ur fren look aft her laptop & when i couldnt contact anyone else ;p

and people who enthusiastically stayed at the booth and helped to sell stuff, and not run awae and do other stuff tsk tsk, thank you so much too! :D

oh & hhahaa sorry i may be biased but. esp to the newcomers :D, jingwen xinyu& clara, thanks for the enthusiasm :)) it has only been 1mth that u all have been in njguit, yet u all displayed loads of enthusiasm and appeared so willing to help out :D

thank you all for the muchhh effort, time, dedication, smiles :), enthusiasm that you all have placed in! :D though it may be demoralising when nobody comes to our booth, but it feels :D to see how u all smile when you chop three credits off their tickets.

charleen's tissue paper runner =P; zizhao paying $7 for our stuff and said thats guitar spirit! :D; chenxi the only ip2 :) :); steph who couldnt rlly eat anything cus she just tightened her braces; bern's cousin choc fountain + cabbing to & fro w me and few other ppl to buy alot of stuff; mol's cutting the coupons super accurately on the line ~~and slowly HAHA~~; serene's chocolater putter =P; jingwen & xinyu's smileee; clara's bathing HAHA; yuping's curiosity in wonder why e choc fountain fell THAT way and is apparently going against the law of physics -.- HAHA; amy's ENTHUSIASM in asking her friends to buy ( like a group of guys came and bought SIX, and alot of random pple).

HAHAHA. that's very memorable. thank you peeeople :D love you all loaaaads!

picture timeee!

you know you love us :D hahaha.

yay our nice shirts back :D :D
stef qq jens

so im ending off w a niceee guit pic :D may we cont this journey happily and all the best for our next guit-related event :D :D :D i love you all!

with love, jennings :)

GENUS Concert

2007-09-13T14:28:00.000+08:00

Hey people (:

NUS Guitar Ensemble is having a concert (Guitar Impressions) at the UCC Theatre on 26 September (Wednesday) at 8pm.

I know it happens to be on the day the J1s and IP3s' promos start, but maybe the IP1s & 2s will be interested??

Anyway, admission is FREE!!!!

Yup, and study hard!

Xin Yi

brazil midi

2007-08-12T14:56:00.000+08:00

hey guys, because i'm extremely boliao (more like i'm too lazy to do my work so i'm doing all these) & extremely nice, i've uploaded the brazil midi songs (refer to YP's tag) on imeem so you guys can just CLICK & listen.

more like speaking from experience, most'll be too lazy to go dig around in km to look for the songs, so there! hahahaha.

the whole brazil piece

brazil guitar1

brazil guitar2

brazil guitar3

brazil guitar4

hope it loads, if it doesnt, can always try refreshing. if it still doesnt work, then try banging your head on your screen, that'll make it work, i promise.

alright, urrrhhmnn im trying not to say any mushy stuff here but, i'll miss you guys, REAL BADLY, hahaha grins.

-weijun

*pictures tu grinning away madly cause there's FINALLY more people blogging, hahaha.

DEAR JUNIORS,

2007-08-10T00:50:00.000+08:00

believe it or not i don't really know where to start!

well. tu! smileee! you're not the only one blogging! just this once, at least. :D

alright. where do i start?

yknow what. il do this first, sorry i couldn't take everyone by the way, i didn't want to make it too obvious that i was taking it down, so i didn't rotateeeee my camera all the way all the time:

pre-concert -

yes. that's the only vid with any seniors in it. dear seniors i will miss you guys so very much yknow? & oh, it's really interesting, the mix of sounds, colour, movement, energy, LIFE. capturing the last moments indeed. :D HA. yu ping you really are very cute in here. you look like you're conducting while you're talking too. :p it's a good thing (la).

guit 1-

you guys really were such tear-jerkers seriously. :) the songs you'all picked ahhh. hahah, yknow you'all should have seen yourselves. it was such a sight - yes i know you can obviously see it from the vid BUT man when you'all started singing & clapping & uh bouncing (looks at tuan) / swaying. MAN. such life, & :)-ness! i didn't capture your lil message at the end ):

guit 2-

happy happy song! i think. i remember how qian kun seemed to be having the time of her life. :p well cos she's sitting closer to me i noticed. hahahah the love part was really really cute. :D i was from guit 2 (originally!) & SOMEHOW my camera lasted longest for this vid! i wonder why! again, the life & energy! & laughter. i'm sorry i really have to mention this: tuan you are dancing! hahaha. & hahaha the guys at the back showing off their armpits with the l o v e actions, :DD super funny you guys. you will add much colour to guit i'm sure.

guit 3-

seeing you'all enjoy yourselves is sweeeeet in itself, really. well for me at least. :) accidentally in love huh. that makes sense. :D we didn't quite see ourselves here one year ago did we? i mean, how some of us went from acquaintances to friends to family. how not all of us are close-close, but it's really cool anw, in a beyond-words way. i think each of us have developed some form of special attachment to guit, no matter how quiet we are during practs & stuff usually. :)

exco-

as you can hear from the background sounds (one at the start & the other in the middle haha!) the seniors were pleasantly surprised. i felt like my heart was gonna plop right out & melt on the floor. you'all are so sweet, hahah.

so sorry i haven't got the complete 'performances' captured, but i think some others who have will upload their vids & you'all can see yourselves from a different angle!

anw. thank you juniors. each & every single one of you, for making farewell so very memorable. the not-so-surprising but still kinda surprising welcome outside the lift. hahah, the spontaneous icebreaker (getting to know each other's names by walking around & shaking hands one) & the ‘earthquake hunter & fire’ game which tickled some people really hard I think. the treasure hunt thing was cool – yknow I really see alot alot of effort put into everythinggg. i think the seniors appreciate that very very much, the effort really counts. the food – hahaha i’m still amused by how we didn’t have forks the whole night (am i right about that, or did i miss something) cos i think you’all were trying to save. :D well that’s always a good thing i guess! & steamboat! how novel. (: & the cakes – not one, but two, & the pandan cake story too. & the candles were arranged in a heart-shape oh goodness, how cute. & yes, the songs & gifts.

more than all that, thanks for bringing such life & energy to guit. (i know i've prob said this way too many times but) i believe the strength of guit lies not (just) in our technique or skill, but in our people. & juniors you've got it! it's your turn to fill the pages. bud & bloom like the morning glory! i'm already looking forward to seeing you'all perform at the esplanade concourse & at next year's concert hahah!

"junior" exco, all the best for your term ahead. we believe in you, have fun, & don't forget your homework when you do get the time! actually that applies to everyone cos i know you'all have been staying back til late. :) don't give up or get discouraged whenever the going gets tough. it'll pass, the sun will shine again! even when that seems remotely possible. & the process & journey will mean so much more at the end, after having persevered & etc etc :D

& dear seniors. i'll miss you alllllll. to the excos: i think il miss our meetings & organizing things together more than the anything else teeheehee.

thank you teachers too! if you happen to be reading this. for your support, guidance, & much much more (as we mentioned during handover :) & mr toh as well, though i'm not sure if he'll ever read this. hahah.

my comp's starting to lag which means i've said too much though i think i can go on & on. & mind you juniors, just to put up the vids i got a youtube account & everything so YES! i hope you liked watching yourselves in action. HAHAH.

so it's time to go. take care you guys, teachers, seniors, juniors alike. you will be missed!

<3, schezn

Post-Seniors Farewell-Post

2007-08-09T21:43:00.000+08:00

Sorry for the terrible pun

First of all
This is to all camera-owners who happened to be there @ our very own Senior Farewell 2007. Please, upload it to our very own Shuttleflygallery. Thanks a bunch :D

Oso, if you know any of the camera-owners who don't read this blog or stop reading this blog because they graduated....Please inform them about this.

About username and password..uhm...for our own confidentiality, those who own Senior Farewelll 2007 photo, please contact Jiening or at least tag in the tagboard that you have the photo, we will attend to you shortly after that

If you are lazy to upload or don't have Internet at all..just can pass your memory card to me or Jiening anytime at school.

The point is More pics more fun....more pictures for next year to look at and be jealous :D...

Secondly
You are encouraged to post whatever you feel about seniors farewell in this blog.....We need feedback and more reflections...or else they you think I'm a moron who distastefully keeps raving to myself in this blog T_T..it's depressing you know

Lastly
This is from me to all seniors..sorry for using this post but double post is quite uhm...distracting

Chang Yuen Yi
Chen Dehui Janice
Chen Yingxuan
Chia Mei Xian
Chong Qing Yun
Chua Yi En
Chuah Kian Pang
Debby Ratnasari
Eunice Yeo Shu Ling
Florentina Maria Widodo
Goh Xin Yi
Guan Yingri
Lee Ping
Lee Yan Mei Bernadette
Lim Leng Joon [Jack]
Lim Sin Yii Schezn
Lin Ern Sheong
Malvika Katarya
Nguyen Ngoc Anh [Sally]
Nur Nadiah Bte Supa’at
Priscilla Wee Jia Ling
Daniel Widyanto
Qian Kun
Qiu Xinhui
Tan Wei Jun
Tan Xin Wei
Tay Hwee Shan
Tay Ray Chuan
Ye Wan Ting
Yip Pei Qi

Guitar will miss all of you. Although you'll graduate and out of school one day, you are here to stay in our hearts. Thanks for paving our path with your passion, inspiration, love and care. Enjoy your life to the fullest and good luck for A leve. Remember, you always have a home in NJGuitar. By the way, last night was fun huh?

TU- why am I still only one posting? Haiz....Don't be lazy lah....

Hahaha

2007-08-04T14:56:00.001+08:00

Just for fun...

I was reading Xiaxue's blog ( yeah, I'm still reading it for no specific reason )...and found out about this. I think it was funny so I posted here...Hopefully some of you will be big-gutted enough to try out your luck...or maybe we should as well have it during CCA practice soon. This kind of thing is super healthy for your stage persona

The Ultimate Air Band Competition

Where musical knowledge is secondary!!!

Air band literally means that you can be a band performing - with airfor instruments!
There is no need for any singing or musical talent, all you need issome showmanship and maybe a sense of humour! :D

Get a band of 3 or more people and dress up while playing yourfavourite song in the background lip-sync to your heart's contentwhile performing!(On the site is a demo video clip, you can go and look)

The video has to be 90 secs long and recorded on a Memorex CD.

Besides winning the grand prize of $1,500, the winner also gets toperform in Cathay Cineleisure.

If you have no singing or musicaltalent yet you want to be a rock star, here's your chance man!

Quoted from Xiaxue.blogspot.com

I'm off...

TU - still calling for other NJguitarists to blog

Let's call it a week

2007-08-03T22:43:00.000+08:00

It's a tiring week for everyone I guess, especially for the mainstream members since we have to cope of with lots of things from PW matters to revision for final exam( TAKE REVENGE ON PROMO PLS).....and as to scare off the juniors (haha! enjoy your 2 years in IP man! Those are heaven on earth...cheat my feeling )= ).

Nevertheless, practices were fun thanks to the effort of Yuping's spicing things up, Mr Toh's magic and of course everyone's enthusiasm.

Hereby I would also use this opportunity to apologize to all of my members if I had been very impatient on last Wednesday. I was too tired to behave properly.

Anyway, just keep on practicing, nj guitar fellows...It was fun wasn't it? I thought all kinds of change would deter you guys but I could totally rest in peace when I heard and read from somewhere that you guys totally enjoyed the practice.

Hope to see more of interesting practices in the future.

Oh, here is the melody for 2nd voice if you cannot rmb how it sounds like

BCD-DCBC-DCB-CCC
DDDB-DBCBC-CCC-CCB

Roughly around there, try to fit the music with the lyrics..Should be okay. Sing it outloud so you won't be intimidated by 1st voice melody when we combine

Just a reminder: Seniors Farewell is coming soon. Please work hard in your com so we can have a smooth-sailing parteh...

Oh, so how was the IP practices? I missed both of them so far. Somebody updates here please. It seems like noone else wants to update except me....argh....I get tired of reading my own posts.........

The user name and passwords have already been sent out so I assume everybody has it...for those who has not...tag in the boart liao...then I'll send you. The same to seniors who want to say something here too.

TU

Phew

2007-07-29T20:48:00.000+08:00

So finally we have a big big template...feedback me if you think it's way TOO trunky (It's already a bit trunky to my wide screen laptop)

if you want us to link you, just simple drop a few words in tagboard with your url attached...thanks a lot

Anyway, I kinda screw up the "author's name" part so if you want to post anything, indicate your name at the end, the way I do until I find out how to automatically display your names

Thanks

TU

URGENT! READ! (esp to GUITAR 3 people)

2007-07-27T17:17:00.000+08:00

Sorry everybody. Supposedly I have to distribute you guys new score for the song Volare by today but I had this irritating fever so yeah...no school for me and no score for you guys during weekend. Very sorry. Mug up for your entire weekend then. Make super good use of it since you don't have to practice much guitar k? (Don't forget to brush up for Country Roads..very important)

The new song "Volare" is basically easy for guitar 1 and 2 since there are only single notes and simple rhythm. Your SLs and you should be able to figure it out right from first sight reading. We'll aim to finish it by the end of next week.

However, I just find out that Guitar 3 part is a bit difficult since there are weird chords to play. Very weird and I'm sure all of you hate to hear this: "Barre and MORE BARRE CHORD"...so bear with me be patient read through the rest of the post. There is a file in the end of this post for you to download and practice to prepare for Monday session

I assume all of Guitar 3 people know how to read chord chart (Can or not? easy loh)..If you don't then everybody, here is brief tutorail how to read chord chart aka tab those are meticulously typed in text file or recently with higher-tech Guitar Pro software (You will know what I mean if you frequently visit online guitar tab websites)....

Tabs make the process of learning guitar much faster because it points out exactly where you have to put your fingers on the fretboard by using simple diagram instead of throwing a trunk of notes at you and expecting you to sightread yourself and reluctantly decide which fret to press which string to plug (BUT YOUR SLs LOVE TO DO THIS TO YOU.....muhaha). Analogously, If your pursuit of mastering the score is a treasure hunt and your SCORE is a very vague complicated instruction, Tab would be considered as a clearcut map that has been nicely interpreted from your SCORE.

HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE CASE where you can completely depend on tabs because of these reasons

Like instant noodle, tab might be king of convenience but it is not long-term beneficial. As a guitarist, you are asked to read the score/work out the chord yourself. Frequent reliance on tab would deprive you from developing some necessary skills and techniques for a basic/advanced guitarist such as sight-read, recognizing notations, footnotes, deriving chord progression from melody..etc..thus, tab would limit your creativity, flexibility in playing tremendously.
Reading tabs too often would gradualy induce you the with habit of being lazy and impatient. It's dangerous because we don't want you to be passive and spoonfed. Being passive and lazy is definitely harmful to guitar study as well as other stuff like mugging, reading Harry Potter...blah blah....
Besides position of the notes, Tab indicates nothing else. Ok lah, some very pain-staking tab might attempt to give you the illustration of beat and rhythm but in diagram, these things would be 1000 times harder to work out than that in a SCORE. At least, you can play the rhymth and refer to the score at the same time. But for Tab, your brain would have to work much harder...then you go berserk...then you smash your guitar against the wall with all the anger...or in a milder scenario, you are just confused, unsure about the rhymth you have worked so hard on.

That's all there is to it. Now let's start the lesson.
In tab, the guitar fretboard is illustrated as below

-----0---
-----1---
-----0---
-----2---
-----3---
-----0---

Dotted line (-------) is your guitar string. The order of strings arranged from top to bottom i.e.

The 1st dotted line is your 1st string (higher E)
The 2nd dotted line is your 2nd string (B)
The 3rd dotted line is your 3rd string (G)
The 4rd dotted line is your 4th string (D)
The 5th dotted line is your 5th string (A)
The 6th dotted line is your 6th string (lower E)

The number in each dotted line indicates the fret to be pressed on in corresponding string. By the example above, it means that

1st string: open (highest E)
2nd string: press at 1st fret (middle C)
3rd string: open string (middle G)
4th string: press at 2nd fret (middle E)
5th string: press at 3rd fret (lowest C)
6th string: open string (lowest E)

-------> It's the C chord in case you don't realize. Note that when all the the numbers are aligned in one single vertical line, they are to be played/plugged/at the same time.
If they are not, look at the following example

---------------
--1------------
---------------
-------2-------
-----------3---
---------- -----

It means these three notes are PLUGGED separately in the order of

2nd string: 1st fret (middle C)
4th string: 2nd fret (middle E)
5th string: 3rd fret (lowest C)

Number 0 means that although nothing is pressed in the fretboard but you have to plug the string that contains it. For example

-0------
--1-----
---0----
----2---
-----3--
------0-

it means all strings are to be plugged no matter if there is or there is not any fret to be plugged in it. In other words, you press chord C and do a upward brush from first string to the last string. (Notice, you can see that notes are to be played separately but you don't know the intervals between them...you might just argue that the length interval is presented proportionally by the gap between the numbers...oh well..then take out your ruler and measure...good luck that you can finish Twinkle Twinkle star tab by next week =D)

Similarly
--0-----
--1-----
--0-----
--2-----
--3-----
--0-----
means you pose a C chord, and plug all strings together. But since it's impossible to plug all 6th string together (You try and see)...it means that you must do a fast strum and make sure all strings are played and produce sound

Whereas
-0------
---1-----
---------
-----2---
-------3-
---------
only means that you press chord C but only plug the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th string
UNDERSTAND? phew...Okie...Let's look at some illustrations to familiarize yourself with tab

G chord (plugged)
----3---
--------
--------
--------
----2---
----3---

D chord + an extra D (plug the first 3 string + open 4th string together)
----2---
----1----
----2---
----0----
--------
--------

D chord strummed
----2---
----1----
----2---
----0----
----0----
----0----

And first line of Twinkle Twinkle star
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
----------0---0---2----2---0--------------------------------
---------------------------------3---3---2---2---0---0------
---3--3--------------------------------------------------3--
------------------------------------------------------------

Okie...So let's assume that you know how to read tab now...And you'd better be since this basic part took up 1 hour of my precious time.

Please be noted that the same basic can be applied to read under-score tab that is edited on such software like Guitar Pro. The only difference is dotted line is replaced by one straight line. So overall it looks like a score with all notes replaced by number (okie, this time the timing is rightly presented but still hard to fast read them) and there are 6 lines in under-score tab rather than 5 lines as seen in normal score. Look at example to see what I mean

Let's move to what Guitar 3 have to prepare

Link

This is the file, available in PDF format....Have fun and wanna see you be prepared for Monday practice...
IT WILL BE VERY TOUGH but I believe we can overcome it :D...Good luck all the fellow guitarists....remember OPEN DAY WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE (and it won't be cancelled..this is for sure).....

TU

Volare

2007-07-25T21:52:00.000+08:00

"Volare" (Italian for the infinitive form of the verb "to fly") is another popular name for Domenico Modugno's signature song "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (literally "In the blue painted blue").

Composition
Written by Domenico Modugno (music and lyrics) and Franco Migliacci (lyrics), "Nel blu dipinto di blu" was presented by Domenico Modugno and Johnny Dorelli at the 1958 Sanremo Music Festival, winning the contest and achieving instant popularity. It was then chosen to represent Italy in the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest and came third.
The song is a ballad in a dramatic chanson style, in which Modugno describes the feeling he has (which he likens to flying) when with his lover.
The English lyrics were written by Mitchell Parish.

At Eurovision
The song was performed first on the night (preceding the Netherlands' Corry Brokken with Heel De Wereld). At the close of voting, it had received 13 points, placing 3rd in a field of 10.
It was succeeded as Italian representative at the 1959 Contest by "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)", also performed by Modugno.

Popularity
The song became widely known as "Volare", from its refrain, and reached the top of the charts all over the world through translations into various languages: "Dans le bleu du ciel bleu", France (translated by Jacques Larue in 1958); "En el azul del cielo", Spain; "Jouw ogen", Belgium; "Taivaan sinessä", Finland; "Azul pintado de azul", Mexico, Argentina, Brazil.

A year after the Eurovision the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held, and Modugno received awards for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Billboard magazine also awarded Modugno a prize for best song of the year, and he received three gold records from the recording industry: best singer, best song, best-seller album.

The song's popularity endures, and it was voted as the second favourite entry in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest at the 50th anniversary concert in Copenhagen, Denmark, 2005.

The song has been covered dozens of times over the years. Versions were quickly recorded after the initial success - partly in English, partly in Italian - by The McGuire Sisters and Dean Martin. Mitchell Parish also prepared lyrics in English. Bobby Rydell had a minor hit with it. A Spanish version (partly in Italian) was recorded by the Gipsy Kings.

Sergio Franchi sang the song, with modified lyrics, as the television spokesman for the Plymouth Volaré in the 1970s.

It has even been used in a 2004 Arby's TV commercial.

A version was used by fans of Arsenal to serenade the midfielder Patrick Viera

It is also present in the video game Counter Strike, within the map "cs_italy".

At times while New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca bats, you can hear a small snippet of the song play

Quotations
Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, creators of ABBA’s "Waterloo", voted as the "all time favourite song of the Eurovision Song Contest" said when they received the prize ("Volare" came second):

"I myself voted for 'Volare' but I am pleased that so many people voted for us"

― Benny Andersson

Lyrics

Spanish (for those who wants to challenge this tongue twisted language =D Beautiful though)

Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare)

Penso che un sogno così non ritorni mai più

Mi dipingevo le mani e la faccia di blu

Poi d'improvviso venivo dal vento rapito

E incominciavo a volare nel cielo infinito

CHORUS

Volare, oh oh...

Cantare, ohohoho...

Nel blu dipinto di blu

Felice di stare lassù

E volavo, volavo felice

Più in alto del sole ed ancora più su

Mentre il mondo pian piano spariva, lontano laggiù

Una musica dolce suonava soltanto per me

CHORUS

Ma tutti i sogni nell'alba svaniscono perché

Quando tramonta, la luna li porta con sé

Ma io continuo a sognare negli occhi tuoi belli

Che sono blu come un cielo trapunto di stelle

CHORUS

Volare, oh oh...

Cantare, ohohoho...

Nel blu degli occhi tuoi blu

Felice di stare quaggiù

E continuo a volare felice

Più in alto del sole ed ancora più su

Mentre il mondo pian piano scompar

La tua voce è una musica dolce che suona per me e negli occhi tuoi blu

Translation

Blu painted in the blue (Flying)

I think such a dream will never come back

I painted my hands and my face blue

Then suddenly I was ravished by the wind

And I started flying in the infinite sky

CHORUS
Flying, oh oh...

Singing, ohohoho...

Blue painted in the blue

Happy to be up there

And I was flying, flying happily

Higher than the sun and even higher

While the world was slowly disappearing, far beneath

A soft music was playing just for me

CHORUS

But all the dreams fade away at dawn, because

While setting, the moon takes them away

But I keep dreaming in your beautiful eyes

Which are as blue as a sky quilted with stars

CHORUS

Flying, oh oh...

Singing, ohohoho...

In the blue of your blue eyes

Happy to be down here

And I keep flying happily

Higher than the sun and even higher

While the world is slowly disappearing in your blue eyes

Your voice is a soft music playing for me

English

Sometimes the world is a valley of heartaches and tears,

And in the hustle and bustle, no sunshine appears,

But you and I have our love always there to remind us

There is a way we can leave all the shadows behind us.

Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!

Let's fly way up in the clouds,away from the maddening crowds

We can sing in the glow of a star that I know of

Where lovers enjoy peace of mind

Let us leave the confusion and all disillusion behind

Just like birds of a feather, a rainbow together we'll find

Volare, oh, oh! Cantare, oh, oh, oh, oh!

No wonder my happy heart sings, your love has given me wings

Your love has given me wings, your love has given me wings

MP3

Link1 - by Gypsy Kings

Link 2 - by Dean Martin

These 2 versions sound similar. Gypsy Kings' version is more upbeat but Dean Martin owns it with his voice. I have another version performed by poppy female vocal Vitamin C. Quite interesting though...Lyrics is just so nice *dreamy...drooly...*..but since the network is having problem, I'll upload it sometimes later

YOUTUBE

1) Vanilla mood girls never fail to blow a youthful charm into the song

2) Jazzy version by Joey DeFrancesco Trio surely woos you with amazing skill and impressive refreshment for the song

3) And the original in Eurovision contest by Domenico Modugno

4) Yeah, this is the English version by Ximena

Take me home, country roads

2007-07-22T02:01:00.000+08:00

Origin
John Denver was sharing the bill at a folk club called the "Cellar Door" in Washington, D.C. with Danoff and Nivert, who worked together under the name of Fat City. After opening night, the three piled into Danoff's car and headed back to his place for an impromptu jam. On the way, there was a crash, and Denver's thumb was broken. He was taken to the hospital, where a splint was applied. By the time they got back to the house, he was, in his own words, "wired, you know."

Danoff and Nivert then told him about a song they'd been working on for about a month. The inspiration had come while they'd been driving to a family reunion of Nivert's relatives in nearby Maryland. To pass the time en route, Danoff had made up a ballad about the little winding roads they were taking. Later, he changed the story to fit that of an artist friend, who used to write to him about the splendors of the West Virginia countryside. The second verse of the tune was a bit risqué -- referring to naked ladies and such -- so the duo reckoned that their song would never get played on the radio.

On his website, Bill Danoff gives that (later discarded) second verse:

In the foothills hidin' from the clouds,
Pink and purple, West Virginia farmhouse.
Naked ladies, men who looked like Christ,
And a dog named Pancho, nibbling on the rice.[1]

They sang the song for Denver and, as he recalled, "I flipped." The three stayed up until 6 a.m., changing words and moving lines around. When they finished, John announced that the song had to go on his next album … and it did.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" appeared on the LP Poems, Prayers, and Promises and was released as a 45 in the spring of 1971. It broke nationally in mid-April, but moved up the charts very slowly. After several weeks, RCA called John and told him that they were giving up on the single. His response: "No! Keep working on it!" They did, and on August 18 it was certified a million-seller

Lyrics
Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains
Shenandoah river -
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

All my memories gathered round her
Miners lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine
Teardrops in my eye

CHORUS
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

I hear her voice
In the mornin hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin down the road I get a feelin
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

CHORUSx2

MP3
link
This is a Bossa Nova version of the song performed by Lisa Ono (a very remarkable artist in this gerne). I think this version is quite close to our arrangement with similar tempo and changes in tempo between different part.

YOUTUBE links

1. Original version by John Denver

2.Another very nice rendition by Olivia Newton

3. Funky version by Hermes House band

4. Lisa Ono's Bossa Nova

peace out
TU

Thinking

2007-07-22T00:58:00.000+08:00

I was thinking of shifting this communication board to forum but realize that blogger is more user-friendly (for admin T_T) and convenient for members to post their short short comments through tagboard. Further more, it's not like we have something up everyday so I think blogger provides a sufficient space for occasional update (and I love blogger for having this great automatic saving function + spelling check)

So yeah...I will contact you soon to get your blogger accounts so I can invite you to join the admin team (Then admin will not be exclusive anymore T_T, but at least, it makes thing simple to identify who posts what).

For the template, it will take quite sometimes because I'm caught up with tons of work now besides the normal school work and SL stuff.I find the current one is quite inconvenient since it does not show some certain special tags like categories, titles of entries. Therefore, I will replace it with some crappy blogger's default skin. Of course tag box is here to stay. As soon as I finish a proper NJ guitar blogskin, we will have our very own NJ guitar blog. Promise

...Anyway, there will be emails sent to you sometime tomorrow. Do check it out and reply asap.

Thanks for checking out this blog everyday.

Grandfather's clock

2007-07-21T01:28:00.000+08:00

ORIGIN
"My Grandfather's Clock" is a song written in 1876 by Henry Clay Work, the author of "Marching Through Georgia". It is a standard of British brass bands and colliery bands, and is also popular in bluegrass music.
There are two competing theories as to the origin of the song. The most common relates to a wayfarers' inn in Piercebridge on the border of Yorkshire and County Durham called the George Hotel. The hotel was owned and operated by two brothers called Jenkins, and in the lobby was an upright longcase clock. The clock kept perfect time until one of the brothers died, after which it lost time at an increasing rate, despite the best efforts of the hotel staff and local clockmakers to repair it. When the other brother died, the clock stopped, never to go again. It is said that in 1875 Henry Clay Work visited the hotel and based My Grandfather's Clock on the stories he heard there. It is said that the song is responsible for the common name "grandfather clock" for what are properly called "longcase clocks"
A form of the "Grandfather's Clock' song is known to many people who grew up in the 60's and 70's. A popular clock toy, marketed by Fisher-Price, had a dial on it that, when turned, caused the toy to play the song along with clock-like ticking and moving hands on the face of the clock. An updated version of the toy (which is completely made of plastic and with other activities like a clicking plastic mouse on the side) was manufactured by Fisher-Price as of the early 2000s, but it seems that production of the toy has stopped. However, imitations of the toy made by various companies still exist and are still sold in various countries worldwide.
The song is also well known in Japan and to multiple generations. In 2002 a Ken Hirai recording of this song rose quite high in the popularity charts.
A competing theory holds that the lyrics were written not by Work but instead by C. Russel Christian, who wrote the poem about his grandfather, James P. Christian.
The song was recorded by Boyz II Men in 2004.
This song was the inspiration for The Twilight Zone episode Ninety Years Without Slumbering.
Hash House Harriers and rugby fans occasionally sing an obscene version of the song: My Grandfather's Cock

Lyrics
My grandfather's clock
Was too large for the shelf,
So it stood ninety years on the floor;
It was taller by half
Than the old man himself,
Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.
It was bought on the morn
Of the day that he was born,
And was always his treasure and pride;
But it stopped short
Never to go again,
When the old man died.

CHORUS:
Ninety years without slumbering,
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
His life seconds numbering,
Tick, tock, tick, tock,
It stopped short
Never to go again,
When the old man died.

In watching its pendulum
Swing to and fro,
Many hours had he spent while a boy;
And in childhood and manhood
The clock seemed to know,
And to share both his grief and his joy.
For it struck twenty-four
When he entered at the door,
With a blooming and beautiful bride;
But it stopped short
Never to go again,
When the old man died.
CHORUS

My grandfather said
That of those he could hire,
Not a servant so faithful he found;
For it wasted no time,
And had but one desire,
At the close of each week to be wound.
And it kept in its place,
Not a frown upon its face,
And its hand never hung by its side.
But it stopped short
Never to go again,
When the old man died.
CHORUS

It rang an alarm
In the dead of the night,
An alarm that for years had been dumb;
And we knew that his spirit
Was pluming his flight,
That his hour of departure had come.
Still the clock kept the time,
With a soft and muffled chime,
As we silently stood by his side.
But it stopped short
Never to go again,
When the old man died.
CHORUS

MP3
link
This version is performed by Ken Hirai in Japanese, accompanied by nice soothing guitar sound. Since it's in my comp so I upload it. I will find the English version and upload it later. But I think this rendition of Ken Hirai is so exceptional that it the MUST in our list of references. Take not of the tick-tock and effect that imitiates the clock's sound

Clips
These are some other renditions of the song, just to show how many colours guitar can paint in music

1. Power rock version: Don't attempt this at home without a powerpoint.

2. Guitar duet:

3. Acoustic solo: Don't allow yourself to voodoo your guitar like his >___<

4. Banjo version: If ppl say the song is nursery and you don't agree, blame this

5. Guitar-unrelated but I think this is a new way to look at the song

6. Strum and sing along: figure the chords yourself and enjoy

7. Last but not least, Ken Hirai version

phew! That's a lot of clips for ya

PRACTICE HARD

HI, This is the first post of EXCO 2007-2008

2007-07-21T01:02:00.000+08:00

Hello, I'm Tu on behalf of guitar Exco 2007-08 (so special treatment here, simply I just got user name and password from Weijun. Everybody will have it so you can freely post stuff here), I declare this is the first post of newly NJ Guitar batch. From now on, we vow we will post stuff more often and won't let this be as dead as it was under the monarchy of seniors

Okie, enough with formal stuff, I go straight to the point now. Basically I'm gonna list out reasons why we need to CHECK and UPDATE THIS BLOG DAILY as well as some home rules which can be modified according to majority's vote

10 Reasons why we need this site:
- To prove that NJ guitar ensemble is super HIP....So try to post fun stuff
- More importantly, to make life much easier when it comes to mass communication between exco and member. SMS is just too minimal to deliver what we want to tell you guys.
- To update you with the upcoming events, plans and schedule in case someone falls asleep or gone missing during practice and miss out the important notice
- To provide you with abundant of refererence resources, usually about pieces we are practicing. We will upload tons of mp3, useful youtube links and tutorials for you here...Try your best to snatch all of them since hosting last for a very short period only (10 days from the posting date)
- To share stuff like funny photos we take during events like orientation, camp, performances blah blah
- To communicate with our teachers in charge in more homy way.
- To show how much EXCO love you. There will be emo post before/after performance by us...so look out and watch out for it k?
- To show how much you love US and Guitar. User name and password will be made available for you to speak your own thoughts here...wait ah, I'm figuring out how to share one account on blogger.
- To chit chat with our beloved seniors/juniors/bypassers/NJguitar wannabes on our very own tagbox
- To link us together...so we will have more blogs to read everyday (but rmb to do your homework first)

Rules:
- State your name if you post anything here (I'm trying to figure how to share the account, so everytime you post, your name will automatically appear...is it possible here?)
- No vulgarity. We are nice Guitarists
- No backstabbing, bad-mouthing any fellow NJCians, Guitarist and other people inside and outside NJ.
....I cannot think of anything more to ban you guys....so yeah...spill it all out here. Share with us anything you want to.

Hope that WE WILL BE A FAMILY

Notice: I will give you password and user name soon. This blog will also undergo renovation (I need to change blogskin...rest assure, I'll give it a nice one)......BUT DO CHECK IT OUT EVERYDAY AND TAG OUR BLOG ok? THANKS

peace out

TU

YESTERDAYS RAINDROPs

2007-06-10T11:36:00.000+08:00

May not be exactly what Mr Toh has for you, but these "Raindrops" version are slightly different but nice interpretation of Raindrops.

But for the "Yesterday"... Well, I,ve heard it before... SOunds quite "Yesterday" played on Guitar alone. But I remember that when the SYF buddies played the Bridge and they sing along, it sounds really nice, gentle and touching. So if junior and buddies are playing "Yesterday", perhaps you can add the chorus" shoobeedowahwah.." (hehe..or something lidat" as you play, to add interest and warm the hearyt of the audience.
You might want to listen to the Original Carpenters version below. TRy not to laugh at the attire.. Focus on the feeeeling...
Miss Ng

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE RAINDROPS

Jose Feliciano

2007-06-06T23:35:00.000+08:00

Hi all, chance upon this Jose Feliciano guy from U-Tube. I think he is already very old, looking at some of the videos, but he plays some cool stuff.
For your entertainment
Miss Ng

Song Titles:

Malaguena
Billy Jeans
Flight of the Bumble Bees

Did you guess that he's blind? You may catch his website @http://www.josefeliciano.com/biography.html

OK, also found some other nice videos too by Edgar Cruz.

Photos!!!!!!!!

2007-05-08T23:28:00.000+08:00

Yay!!! I've finally uploaded some (note: not all) photos. And erm.. I've got a confession to make.. Actually I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I.. er.. forgot the password (or is it the username, or maybe it's both) to the flickr thing, so I can't upload any photos there...

But IT'S OKAY MAN!!! Don't worry, don't worry. Coz we can always create another photoalbum. Wahahaha.

And our new photoalbum can be viewed at http://njguit.shutterfly.com/
The username is njc.guitar@gmail.com
And the password is the name of the person who sits at the 2nd seat from the left in the front row. It's 6 letters, and erh.. it's the chinese name, not the english one that starts with 'm'. Yep. Obvious enough??

Anyway, have fun viewing the photos, while I upload more... And YOU can upload yours too!! Now that you've the username and password.

Yeah man ;)

thanks!

2007-05-08T13:03:00.000+08:00

Hey everyone!

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO!!!!

How did you all even find the time to do it??? really thanks a million. (esp to the producers and video editors)
Guitar Ensemble will be nothing without you guys, the members.
Thanks so much for cooperating during practice, for concentrating and trying your best even though you are tired, for listening to me (even though i talk crap sometimes), and for smiling =) hahahaha... our smiles rock la.. yups thanks again!

btw i posted some pictures in my photobucket acct http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k19/florentina25/school/nj%20guitar/

-t.na

Photos

2007-05-05T22:29:00.000+08:00

Hi people, these are 2 photos I took just now. Didnt take take

that many, because wanted to keep the space to record video.

Anyway, didnt you people took some SYF pictures? Upload leh!

Miss Ng

U are on U-Tube!

2007-05-05T22:11:00.000+08:00

Hi people,
turns out that the clasroom recording was better because of the sound. So I,ve uploaded on U-Tube and copied the html here.
You may also goto U-Tube @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol4ARCMtWYw
Enjoy!
Miss Ng

College Day

2007-05-04T15:17:00.000+08:00

Hi!! eh why no one (except Ms. Ng) blog abt SYF here??? anyway... college day tmr.. might be our last time performing together... so yeah... do give your best k!
and celebration on Monday!!! YAY! yups i think our hardwork really pays off..

-t.na

Very Late then Never

2007-04-20T21:25:00.000+08:00

Three weeks age when we are still struggling with sounds of spring, I recalled this docu-movie that I watched when I was a little kid (quite little)...
It was a very funny show, but in it you find beautiful interpretation of music and nature. Not exactly a Vivaldi version, but it has all the elements of spring too.
I finally found it on-line and purchased it...confident and excited...that perhaps with the viewing of this show, we can all appreciate the expression of Spring.
.....................................
It finally arrived today. SO much for the "5-8 days" delivery...it looks more like it has gone on a voyage round the Cape......
ANyway, one of these days, we'll view it with all in LT together.
Its' Paddy O Brien's "Beautiful People".
Miss Ng

Priceless Moments...

2007-04-19T21:24:00.000+08:00

Today, Guitar really do me proud, not that I've never been proud of them, but today, they exemplify a fierce spirit of professionalism and committment that burns in their eyes.
We chose 2 pieces that can make it or break it.

Four seasons-Spring, speaks of the elements of spring: birds talking, rainfall, thunderstorm and streams. Through our cheaper range of performance Guitar in the market, the only way to express the song is through playing as one with the ensemble, feeling alike, in harmony and in unison.

Bridge over troubled waters. A song, which original was heavily critic by me as sorrowful and subesquently sounding like a long uneventful marriage. The only way to make the song romantic, emotional and uplifting is to sing its tune and story as they play, encouraging and comforting.

Sing! Feel! My President echoes every practise..

Today, as they waited for their turn at the SCH, they gathered in small circle, humming to the tune of a tiny recording, no one need to tell them to be be focussed and behave. Everyone was there, listening, feeling, singing in their hearts, singing with gtheir friends. They sang in their hearts; SCH rules says we cant make noise. Not that other school cares. Some other schools were chatting away.

Tina,my conductor gathered the groups as they waited in line for their turn on stage. She need not say much. Eyes were on her, they understood exactly what she wanted. She conducted silently, they responded, in body language and eye contact. ACJC waited at the side, quietly, watching in awe.
We do not need elaborate costumes, we need no expensive guitars. But our presence is overwhleming. The team spirit feels insurmountable and unbeatable.

And if you look beyond the oiliness on my face, you will see the pride beaming through, the likes of a "parent" who shared their hopes and aspirations and who never stop believing in them.

Well done Guitar members! Your've once again created priceless moments in the history of NJC
Miss Ng

(Untitled)

2007-04-12T01:27:00.000+08:00

Recordings with metronome

2007-04-08T07:36:00.000+08:00

Hey guys.. I have uploaded recordings with metronome on km... The bridge is played by your sls.. and the vivaldi is played on keyboard (coz i lost the sls' one).. so not all of the part are played for vivaldi..

Do use the recordings to check when to come in and to familiarise yourself with the tempo k... put it in your mp3 player or smth and listen to it over and over agn... haha...

only 1 and a half more week to SYF!!!! just hang on there k..

yups hope you've enjoyed the long weekend.
Happy Easter! =)

t.na

recordings on Youtube

2007-03-30T23:28:00.000+08:00

Four Seasons, Spring, I Allegro

In case any of you are interested, here are some good ones, as well as not-so-good ones, which help to reveal the parts that are challenging to the orchestra/soloist.

Berliner Philharmoniker with Anne-Sophie Mutter - conducted by Herbert von Karajan

English Chamber Orchestra with Nigel Kennedy

English Chamber Orchestra with Gidon Kremer

Yeugenia Lisitsina arrangement for organ

the Montpellier Strings with Raymond Cohen

Caglar Chamber Orchestra with Tayfun Bozok

Virtuosi di Torino with Giovanni Bertoglio

Amman Symphony Orchestra with Basel Theodory

Bridge Over Troubled Water

THE only recording that you'll need. :C)

security alert!

2007-03-30T23:01:00.000+08:00

What's a password doing on the front page?!

I've changed the password to the colloquial names of our syf pieces.

Eg. song1song2

Feel free to send invites too.

----

account: njc.guitar@gmail.com
pwd: <song1><song2>

cheers,

user name

2007-03-27T12:53:00.000+08:00

Hi!

the new user name: njc.guitar@gmail.com
password: guitarclub
that's a gmail acc.. so can use the email for cca stuff also...

anyway.. continue to practice hard everyone!!!! We're really improving!! =)

t.na

new blogger

2007-03-16T19:39:00.000+08:00

hey guys.. apparently the blogger has a new setting and we have to use gmail account to log in to this blog... so yeah i've created a gmail account.. give you all e account on e next practice lar.. cya! and enjoy the last few days of march hols =)

2007-01-28T00:25:00.000+08:00

hey all,

here (click)'s the url for the online metronome when (not "if", haha) you practice with the metronome at home. for vivaldi the tempo's currently at 88 bpm. for bridge, approximately 75 bpm.

also, our recordings (it's a zip file) for four seasons & bridge have been uploaded on KM. they're under "guitar group public resource library". (student centre -> (under "CCA") music & dance groups -> guitar group -> recordings)

have fun! (:

-schezn

Orientation photos are up!

2007-01-20T14:01:00.000+08:00

Hey!! The guitar orientation photos are up on that flickr thing below the tagboard (:

Anyway, does anyone know the username and password to that flickr thing? Coz I can't remember what it is.. at all.

Xin Yi

2006-12-05T09:01:00.000+08:00

Hello people (:

Anyway, congratulations to those people who got through the SYF auditions!! Don't be too sad if you didn't manage to pass the auditions coz we really were quite strict. Make use of the holidays to practice or meet up with your SLs!!

Some of the main things to take note of..
1) Your VOLUME!!!! Play louder, don't be afraid of making mistakes.
2) Fluency.
3) Dynamics.
4) Timing/Tempo.

The re-auditions will be held on 5 Jan 2007 (Friday). NTU will be having its orientation for all those taking NTU H3 Maths and Physics on the exact same day, so if you are re-auditioning and taking a NTU H3 subject, please inform Schezn or me as soon as possible so that we can make alternative arrangements. Similarly, if you have anything else on that day and can't make it for the re-auditions, please inform us asap and state your reason.

And for those people going for the Niibori concert tmr, I believe Schezn has sent all of you a message (: Yup, so check your phone. It's 8pm at Singapore Conference Hall (within walking distance from Tanjong Pagar MRT Station) and we're meeting at the lobby at 7.30pm. Don't be late!!

XinYi

2006-11-20T21:23:00.000+08:00

TAKE NOTE EVERYBODYYYY!

as we all are beginning to find out, the pieces are not as easy as they appear! hence we need more practice. am really heartened & encouraged that everybody who's been turning up for practices is so willing to practice & put up with the originally unintended extended practices, like for today's practice. :) really i think we are a hardworking bunch so we must keep it up yes! with that said, (& i really meant it ok!) here's the updated schedule.

mon, wed, fri practices are extended to 12pm for everybody, not just exco members. (: may not be the case always, depends on mr toh yeap.
on FRIDAYS (24nov & 1dec) practices will be extended to about 6 or 7pm. don't worry we'll have breaks in between. it'll be something like 2.5 hours in the morning with mr toh, 1.5 hour lunch break, 2.5 hours in the afternoon with mr toh, break, & finally 2 hours sectionals, something like that.

feel free to suggest otherwise. we're open to alternatives really. (:

-schezn

2006-11-13T01:25:00.000+08:00

HEY ANYONE-INTERESTED-IN-JOINING-GUITAR! Whether you're currently in NJ or joining us next year, you're most welcome to join us for these year-end practices! The dates/days & timings & venues are in the post below. If you're interested, do contact us (Schezn: me_schezn@yahoo.com.sg , or Xin Yi: iynix_@hotmail.com) so we can meet with you & bring you to the classroom & all that. :) Don't be shy, haha. Hope to see you soon!

-Schezn

2006-11-10T14:02:00.000+08:00

hey hey everyone! schezn here. :)

holiday practices! i hope everyone's been looking forward to them, hahahah. :D all practice sessions are from 9:00-11:00 am, except for exco members: 9:00am-12:00pm. :) the dates/days & venues are below:

13 Nov (Mon)
15 Nov (Wed)
17 Nov (Fri)
20 Nov (Mon)
22 Nov (Wed)
24 Nov (Fri)
27 Nov (Mon)
29 Nov (Wed)

For all of these dates, practices will be in TB23/24.

1 Dec (Fri)
4 Dec (Mon)

Venue to be confirmed for these 2 days.

Also, please note that by 13 Nov (Mon), our first practice date, most, if not all, guitars will be moved to CCA33 (one of the rooms above the squash court on your way up from grandstand to canteen) so that when we get our guitars we won't disturb the A level exams (which are in the TC block).

I'm reeeeeally looking forward to seeing everybody again, yeah. :) So until next week, have a great weekend!!

2006-11-08T20:29:00.000+08:00

Hey2.. I'm done with my OP!! yay! haha.. Anyway all the best for everyone else.. yea..

So yea I'm kinda bored right now coz I have nothing much to do.. maybe other than practising guitar.. haha.. Hm.. if anyone is also bored go search online for guitar tab/chords of pop song, then just play and sing along.. it's quite fun. really.. then you can go and entertain the rest of us during practise or smth... try this one.. www.ultimate-guitar.com it has lots of rock songs though.. haha..

or this site is quite cool if you want to learn chords.. www.chordbook.com/guitarchords.php
It shows you how to play.. there's even an online tuner.. have to tune by ears.. yups..

see you all during practice next week.. =)

2006-11-06T21:46:00.000+08:00

Goodie, goodie, finally got into this.Got some SYF updates to share... Couldnt wait for the OP exams to be over too.... Meanwhile, keep practising....n good luck !
MNG

GUA

2006-11-06T05:06:00.000+08:00

eh okae sorry people that was a random HARMLESS friend whom i asked to help me check the blog when i changed the passwrd so YAR HAHAHA

-THEGUITARENSEMBLESTALKER'SFRIENDFROMTHEGUITARENSEMBLE

=D

2006-11-06T05:00:00.000+08:00

HELLO I AM A RANDOM HACKER BECAUSE WEI JUN HAPPILY POSTS YOUR PASSWORD ON A BLOG ENTRY HEEHEE. JIAYOU GUIT!!! ALL THE BEST FOR OP AND SYF!!! HAHAHAHAHA

-THEGUITARENSEMBLESTALKER