Jubilate, Festival of Choirs

Jubilate, Festival of Choirs, my second choir ‘concert’. This is my first experience performing as a combined choir with Tampines Junior College and Andersen Junior College. The songs we sang were Scio Enim, Lay A Garland and Hamba Lulu, and performed in this order. I love the songs. But I somehow thought that during the performance on 9th June, the choir went kuku and sang as if we were scared or something. I do not know whether I was one of those who were afraid, but I sure did enjoy myself. Performing Hamba Lulu was crazy (*playing with the guiro, singing “Zza-ba-da zza-ba-da zaa zaa”).

The notices for practices for Jubilatte were very hurried. This is because we only have about a month to practice the three songs that were given to us. I performed my duty as a librarian in MJ choir for the first time and helped the choir photocopied the scores, 52 copies each set. We had a few sectionals and many a times were combined practices with the other schools’ choir at Siglap South Community Centre. I remember the song that MJ choir first had a combined practice was “Hamba Lulu”. At first I thought it was cute and interestingly easy, but when it came to the practice with Mr Mike Brewers, it became, uhh…, tiring for the mouth. I loved the other two pieces too: slow, melodious and most of all, the tenors was given a nice part (I hope you guys agree).

With all the practices come beautiful friendships. I got to know my ‘hiao hiao’ gang better and what’s more, we included new ‘members’. They are choir president Joy, treasurer Pei Ying and ‘Choir property’, Harris. Interesting people. I really enjoyed their company. (*thinking: Will miss ya guys!!!). During this period, I think I have been nasty to Daolin but I still think that I am not in the wrong. Our interaction sessions take place after the practices at Siglap South CC, at Parkway Parade during dinner. One group of us will just sit, eat and crap. We can just sit for hours and talked our time away. After that, we will pop in Sam’s Pet Shop. There, we admire and drool over the puny ‘mouses’, pups and err…cats. Another half hour gone…

Besides knowing my choir mates better, I got to know a few people during the combined choir practices. I cannot say I am very close to them but I thought they are fine and friendly people (*SHOUTING out LOUD: THANKS!). Did I say friendships are beautiful? They are!

Howard kor kor: Howard is my kor. Got to hang out with this senior of mine during this Jubilate period. Thought he was a fierce and always serious person but hehe…not anymore, He has his ‘hiao’ side too! :Þ He J2 leh, but hung out with us J1s and ‘hiao’ all our way to Jubilate. Thanks for your continuous support and your little pressie on the performance night (*saying from the bottom of my cute little heart: Thank You!)

To lead this ‘hiao hiao’ lifestyle has its have price to pay. Everytime there is a practice over at Siglap South CC, we will sure be taking a cab there. Hehe…will not forget how Pei Ying tried to ask the cabbie to allow five people to squeeze in the cab. All in the name to save $$$.

Pei Ying: Remember that uncle who stopped at the traffic light and could not decide whether to accept five people in the cab. *giggles

Transportation costs, food costs too! Our choice for food is very the expensive: Burger King, KFC, Yoshinoya, food court (expensive too leh!) and Kenny Rogers. My first time eating at Kenny Rogers was when Yan Leng, Shaz, dL, xR, Gladys and Marcus finished their Singapore Idol auditions on 5th June. Each side dish was $2.20 and I ordered 3. When choosing where to eat, we have to consider not only the cost but most importantly WHAT we want to eat. Having to accommodate everybody is REALLY tough.

To all those MJ choir pals who joined SI: Congratulations to all who made it! To those who didn’t, I believe it is either the judges who are deaf, or they are just unappreciative. I know you have done your best and you can count on me to be your audience when you feel like singing.

The 7th – 10th June was Jubilate. Choir members were to sign up for duty for the choral clinic held in our school in the day: Traffic control, ushers and facilitators. I was an usher for both the 8th and 10th but I did them on the 7th and 8th. I was running a fever on the 10th thanks to Gladys (Just j/king)! As ushers, we are supposed to show the participants their way to the lecture theatre and tell them the location of the canteen and the toilet. Hehe…I love the tiny primary school kids. They are so adorable! (AHH!!!)

My ushering duties allowed me to sit-in the clinics and listen to the clinicians give their comments to the various choirs. I gain a lot of knowledge about choral singing from the clinics. During this period, I got to know who are Mike Brewer (UK), Jonathan Velasco (Philippines) and Leon Tong (Hong Kong).

Mr Mike Brewers: Very ‘Ji Dong’ and amusing person. As the saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover.” He may look old, but he is very energetic. The beautiful fact is that he is always smiling.

Mr Jonathan Velasco: Ah!!! Sexy!!! Amusing too. Will not forget him singing Fantasia Barrino’s rendition of Summertime and Lady Marmalade.

Mr Leon Tong: OMG!!! I know he is a well-known clinician/conductor but…err… just speechless!!!

To all choir pals: We must really work hard for our songs ya! After hearing VJ choir sang in the lecture theatre, I know we have to ‘jia you’ le. I know the road to success is still far from sight but I know we can make it. I believe in us making it and so should you too. Take care for this period of time before we start on our magical road to self-discovery and success. MJ Choir ROX! Love you all!!!

Our concert was magnificent and entertaining (not only by me but also commented by some of the audience)! I thought I was not really prepared for the concert. This is because I was still mixed up with the lyrics and their order on the concert day itself. Not only that, Mr Mike Brewers had only one practice with us on 7th June at Siglap South CC. During that practice, he corrected our pronunciations to some of the words; corrected our speed of singing; added his style to the music and taught us his style of conducting. This was not enough. On the concert day itself, I thought I felt his frustrations when the choir could not get certain parts correct. But nonetheless, the choir is so honored to have Mr Mike Brewers to conduct us.

On 10th June, the last day of Jubilate, most of the choir members attended the concert at the Singapore Conference Hall. It was a concert that I enjoyed 90% of it. Although I am new to choir music but I believe the songs sang that night were enchanting. I would like to give a standing ovation to Novo Concertante Manila. I enjoyed all their songs. Love them to bits. (Their accent reminded me of my maid, Auntie Susan. Auntie Susan, I LOVE you) After the concert, a small group of us (Pei Ying, Joy, xR, Howard, dL, Harris, Nicholas Ben, Aldwin and me) went to Lau Pa Sat to have dinner/supper. Then it was home sweet home.

The end of both La Risonanza and Jubilate marks the end of a chapter in MJ concert frenzy and the opening to another fun-filled journey.