Hi ensemble,
Disclaimer: This is going to be very long, so please bear with me, persevere and read on till the end. Thanks (:
1) Standard Practice Timing
Practice timing has been fixed. There will be no changes to it, unless we tell you so. It’ll be 3-630pm on Wednesdays and 2-6pm on Fridays. SLs, please report at 12.30pm on Fridays (if you end at 12.30pm, please grab a bite before coming). The longer hours on Fridays are to make up for the practices that we will be missing out due to CNY, SA exam, Road run etc. (we’ve tried our best to avoid calling you back on Saturdays) I have to repeat again that student leaders are no longer allowed to hold on to keys, as such the opening and closing time of the guitar room is fixed too. In the mornings, the room will be opened from 8am-8.40am on Wednesdays, and 7-7.35pm on Fridays, so if you do not want to carry your guitar around, please place them in the guitar room during the opening hours. After dismissal, please pack up within 15 mins, and everyone should evacuate the room 20 mins (latest) after the official ending time.
2) Warning letter
Mdm Toh has already sent out an online message warning regarding attendance (it is based on last year’s November till today). Please bear in mind that we are following the attendance very closely, so please submit your MCs on time (next practice) to Wanzhen to avoid receiving a warning message from the teachers. For those who received it, bear in mind that you cannot afford to miss any practice without a valid reason, because you will be kicked out of the ensemble and be referred to another CCA if you do so.
3) Black File cum scores
You will receive afew more pieces this Friday or next week, and as you all can see, the distribution of scores gets pretty messy so please ensure that you have the scores needed. The librarian will be putting up a list of scores that you should have in your file, so please do check them out by next week, and also, keep all of them neatly in a black file, we will be doing a file check very soon (if you refer to our 5 be attitude rules).
4) Guitars
Please exercise more care and love with your guitar, as I’ve noticed that there are many dropping of guitars here and there. Be glad that our floor is carpeted (: For those using the school guitars, please be even more careful, as you have to pay for any damage caused. Crystal has issued out more school guitars for usage. We will be issuing out more school guitars by next month, after the guitars have been sent for repair. Selected people (you will be identified based on your standard of playing and attendance) who will be assigned the school guitar will be informed via online message by the end of the month. Meanwhile, those who have not been assigned, please remember to bring your personal guitars, or else you will have to loan from the QM with a fee (refer to our 5 be attitude rules).
5) Punctuality
With regards to punctuality at the start of practice, it’s the 2nd practice of the year since the 5 be attitude rules have been in place, and yes we’re pleased to announce that no one has been fined yet, so very good keep it up! However, please also be punctual in coming back from breaks (you wouldn’t want us to start the fine system on people for being late from breaks right?).
6) Discipline
Please refrain from talking in between pieces or during ensemble rehearsals. As you all can see we have started to countdown to our competition week (which also means our competition auditions are nearing as well), so please maximise the productivity of our practice time.
7) Additional Help/Practice
Your SLs may call for extra sectionals, if they feel that there is a need. If you wish to do some self-practice, you are welcomed to practise either on your own or in small groups from 12.30pm-2pm on Fridays.
8) Cyber Sectionals/Music
Your SLs may post some feedback, advice etc. regarding the pieces here, so do check them out.
Meanwhile, here are some links of videos that you should watch to help you understand the pieces that we are playing, and also take note of dynamics as well as the style (especially for blues and jazz). Take note of their expression, we are a music group, but music is not just playing the notes, we have to play as though we’re trying to express our feelings (mood of the piece). In other words, play from your heart. The audience will listen to what you try to convey to them, so yup, work on that.
Here goes,
Summer Breeze – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7Yxr_oA8PQ&feature=related
Jalousie – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRX_8Es9MFU
Tea for Two* – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJhDTzL7eU0
Blue Moon – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BODs76pOZBM&feature=related
In The Mood* – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE1t2uj-fl4&feature=related
Close to you* – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjNceCqZvRw
Salut D’ Amour - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxfjBdVRPCE
Please do not chuck aside Quien Sera, Que Sera, Sera, Always with me, samba no.1 and Tango Potpourri. We will be doing them still. (:
I’ve also received feedback that some of you would like to know the songs that we will be doing every practice so that you all can practise beforehand. We’ll currently working on the workplan and will get back to you all soon. I appreciate your feedback and if you do have more, feel free to message us at the guitar club account.
Thank you, I know it’s an overwhelming load of scores and notes to learn, but your efforts will eventually be rewarded once you hear the lovely combination of the various parts. Lets all work really hard this time, and produce beautiful music alright?
Have a good rest, and balance well with your school work too! (:
ANGELYN.