First week of school is over! It has been a tiring week with lots of playing. I haven't gotten used to playing so many hours a week again and hopefully by next week, it'll be ok. I also just got my Laskey 93D! It has a bigger rim and less weight than my Greg Black and it has helped in many ways. Articulations are now easier, low notes speak better without sacrificing high register and it is more comfortable with the rounder and thicker rim but doesn't compromise flexibility. I'm really enjoying it now.

Yesterday, professor at the Guildhall School, Peter Gane, came to NAFA to conduct a trombone masterclass and brass ensemble rehearsal. Although he is very old, he still has an amazing level of energy that he channelled into his teaching. I played 2 excerpts for him and he worked on things like articulation and emphasised what wins an audition panel over. It was a fruitful masterclass.

OMM's rehearsal yesterday was good! Some progress was made and having low brass sectionals the day before really helped. Things are starting to fit together. More work to be done for the orchestra but it was a good rehearsal!

Alright, time to get some work done and attend an SSO concert tonight.

Happy new year everyone! A new year has arrived that I hope will have new learning, positive and fulfilling experiences that await me. 2012 has been a fun year that saw me travel twice to Europe with very meaningful and enriching objectives and experienced a year under Mr. Lim Yau who took over as director of NAFA's chorus and orchestra and subsequently became Head of Music. His guidance in NAFA has definitely increased the standards of the orchestra and chorus at least and I feel very fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of time under his guidance. He has inspired and fuelled knowledge and curiosity in me for music and I've enjoyed every chance I had to play with an orchestra under his direction.

And that includes the New Year's Eve concert by The Philharmonic Orchestra that I just played for. It was a blast of a concert and it was a great second instalment to the countdown concert held by TPO. Cheers to the low brass section for doing a great job! Was really good playing!

Alright, time to catch some sleep. Goodnight world and may you have a great new year!