Back to writing again! Had another lesson with Fredi! He did seem flustered and not in the best state of mind to teach but it was a fruitful lesson nonetheless! At least now I have another idea of how to play the Ewazen concerto. German lessons are also starting to become more manageable! The phrase "What did you just say?" didn't go through my mind at all I think during lesson just now! Now I need to seriously revise!

Does seem like many things I wanna do during this holiday isn't working so well. But no, I must accomplish those things before term starts! It's like having to complete a history essay by the dateline! Now seems like a not-so-appropriate time because of all the events going on. Rite of Spring concerts on Friday and Saturday, Brass Explosion over the weekend and competition on Monday, then I'm back to teaching on Friday as well...woo many things! Alright, that means I need sleep now. Need to organise things a bit when I get up. Goodnight world!

Just got my results earlier in the day and I like it! Really satisfied with my results! Now all that's left is the scholarship application which I hope turns out fine! I'm grateful to my peers who inspire me. They've allowed me to easily set a higher bar for myself every time. Most of all, my teacher inspires me too! I've come to the point of listening to him play and in my head I'll think: "How shall I make that happen?" instead of "Damn! That's too good!"His playing still makes my jaw drop sometimes but from now on, the question will always be how to make it happen. And I love thinking about it myself. I feel it's so much more beneficial; there's more ownership in my education, stronger reasons for what I chose to do. I'm really looking forward to my final year at school. One more year of hearing the occasional inspiration that will make me go "Wow!" I simply love those moments because it shows how beautiful music can be, and how people so talented can create it that way! Alright, time to refresh my inspiration by reading some articles. Goodbye world!

Back from another OMM rehearsal. Really, the rehearsal schedule can be called crazy, but I really enjoy playing with this orchestra! It's one where rehearsals aren't usually draggy. Most people are actually bothered to fix their parts and actually work as a team! Really looking forward to all the concerts the orchestra is gonna put up soon as well as the UK tour to Cheltenham and Lichfield.

At the same time I'm really enjoying my bass trombone more and more! Right now I feel that I have made the right decision on equipment. Either that or it's that combined with the fact that I've developed so much with the instrument. Right now I'm shredding all my plans to make any modifications to it. I just like it as it is and I'm wanting to develop more! Right now, I want to make the instrument sound good and not the other way round. So, Kühnl & Hoyer, thanks for building me a great instrument! I do wish workmanship was better though! =P

Alright, I guess it's time to watch some Top Gear! Goodnight world!

Just came back from SSO's open rehearsal for Carmina Burana! Awesome music! Really really awesome! Only pity is that I can't get tickets for the concert tomorrow because it's sold out! All the best to all performers tomorrow! Really sounding good, especially the solo bass! Wonderful projection and really rich voice.

This concert being sold out just got me wondering, is the symphony orchestra audience here in Singapore bigger than in those cities whose orchestras are closing down due to bankruptcy? I mean, the Philadelphia Orchestra filed for bankruptcy protection, and this orchestra is like one of the most well-known in USA. A friend who attended a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra told me the hall was about 25% filled and most of the audience were the elderly. The rest were mostly music students. Here in Singapore, yes the 3rd circle of Esplanade is usually not sold for SSO concerts, but every concert I've been to has been filled at least 60% of the hall. When doing bigger works like Mahler, Strauss, etc., the hall is at least 90% filled. This just got me wondering, does this comparatively high selling rate of SSO concerts mean the orchestra is likely to stay here for some time more (i.e. till I die or so)? Something to think about.

I just realised I haven't posted about it but my exams are over! School break has officially started since Tuesday! Practical exam went quite well in my opinion save the few botches. Shall now concentrate on really ironing out my technique and start being a more active solo performer. Not that I want to become a soloist but more to gain experience and make the performance stage another comfort zone for me. Really needed when I take auditions in the future! So on my agenda now, Brass Explosion competition (I'll be playing the first 2 movements of the Ewazen Concerto), concerts with OMM and brass band, a compilation of my routines, learn German, learn driving, read up stuff on cello (to gain more insight into performing their works), write some material for my students since I'll be back to teaching soon and probably other things that are at the back of my mind!

Alright, that's a pretty long list of things to do up there. Should not waste anymore time and get started on some of them. Goodbye world!