SYF Results 2012

Congratulations to the school for achieving Gold for CO and Bronze for Choir!  Well done kiddos!

Babies, mommy is very proud of you!

Senior Member - Z

From next term onwards, Z will be a senior member in CO.  Wow!  That's fast!  Good news for him!  Not so for me, coz that means he will have spent longer hours in school for another day..

SYF 2012 - Central Judging Of Chinese Orchestra

*So sorry my boy...  Mommy missed your very first performance.  But I know you do understand it. *

Early this morning daddy sent Z to school.  His FIRST participation in the SYF!  My boy seemed cool about it but he was not at all.  He was very nervous but at the same time looked forward to it (he told me that).

I was late to the hall.  Thus, I could only watch the performance from the screen.  I will talk about it in my next post.  This post is specially for my boy..

That's my boy!  In the so called tux!  And with his 二胡!  He looked so charming and handsome!  Wished I could smile more to you on that day but I couldn't...

He was stunned when I told him the news...  And we had to rush off...  Leaving behind his team and teachers.

I'm so sorry baby...  I hope 2 years later when you take part again, scenario will be different.  It will be a joyous occasion.   Nevertheless, I'm so proud of you!  I'm sure your team did well today

Random Stuffs About L & Z

7th Feb 2012 - Maths

Who like Maths besides daddy?  That would be my Z!   Z loves maths!  Often, he is able to solve the problem sums on his own but he is lazy at times.

But the problem with him is that his mind drift away sometimes when doing homework.  That's why I was delighted when I know he likes chess.  Chess supposed to help him to be more focus.

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10th Feb 2012 - Missing

Z had CCA today but because he forgot to bring his 二胡,  he didn't dare to turn up at the CO (Chinese Orchestra) room!   I didn't know till teacher called to tell me he was not there.  I panicked!   Wondering what happen to my son?  I told the teacher I am pretty sure that he was in school and asked if they have checked the school compound.   To my relieved, they found him!   They paged for him through PA and he turned up at the office!   Phew!  I was so worried!   By the time the teacher called, I was already on my way to school, with his 二胡.

When he was back home, I had a chat with him.   He told me he didn't dare turn up for training was because he was afraid his CO teacher would scold him.  The training has been very intense lately...  They even assigned one teacher to coach him as they were preparing him for SYF (Singapore Youth Festival).

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13 Feb 2012 - SYF

Officially received the letter from school that Z is selected to represent school for the upcoming SYF!   Being new in the CO, I was surprised that Z is selected! No wonder they have a teacher assigned to coach him personally.

It was a triple joy coz L will be representing school too for Choir!   Besides that, she is appointed the choir leader (since beginning of this year)! Yay! 

CNY Performance @ School - L

Thanks to PSG, I have a pic of my gal @ school, during CNY concert!  But I didn't realise she looks so small in the pic till I uploaded it.  Good news from my gal is that she is appointed as a choir leader!  Yay!  

Piano Exam Grade 1 - Z

His very FIRST piano exam!  Boy!  He's was very nervous! He did have a mock exam prior to this but somehow, it's different. After learning piano on & off for some time (due to his fractures), my boy finally went for the exam. Phew!  

The 3 pieces that he played were Minuetto by James Hook, A Legend by John York and The Secret Garden by Alan Haughton.   Z was pretty upset that his teacher did not tell him clearly about the aural part, which he thinks he's gonna lost marks on that.   He thinks he will do well for scales & arpeggios and sight reading. Son, I know you tried your best, even if you can't pass well, it's ok. ♥

Piano Mock Exam

Though it's only mock exam, Z was nervous about it.  Well, let's hope he will not be as nervous when comes to the real thing!

Rewarded him with his favourite lunch at Yoshinoya.

二胡 - Z's First Song

After learning 二胡 for about 2 months, Z is able to play a tune now.  It's not perfect but we are very happy and so is he! Can you guess the song?  2nd video is a slower version  of the 1st. He likes the fast one and I like both, especially the slow one.   Well done my boy! ♥

二胡 - Z

After attending few lessons, my boy happily played for me for the very FIRST time!   Awww....  It's so wonderful to see him playing it! I'm sure it will be even better with more practices. Sadly, he doesn't want me to post it here.

The cheeky boy - one moment he was very serious playing it and the next, pretending that was a gun!

老二 enjoyed it the lessons very much, every week he looked forward it. This week, he was so happy to know that they were allowed to bring it home.  I'm a little worried it may be a little too much for him to handle as time goes.  Piano practices, chess & school work.... Hmmm, we'll see...

School Public Performance 2011

A day that my girl looked forward to...  Her very FIRST public performance!  Every year, the school has a public performance and L was honored to be able to be part of it this year.  She has been diligently going for all the practices and made effort to practice the songs at home.

Together with my 2 boys, we went for the concert.  Honestly, I thought it will be quite boring.  On the contrary , it was very entertaining!  Even my 2 little ones enjoyed it very much!  The performance by the different performing art groups was superb! No wonder they have been getting golds for the Singapore Youth Festival.

When L's choir came on stage, my little ones frantically searched for their 姐姐.  They were happy & excited when they saw their sister on stage.  I had to stop them from 'shouting' for her. Haha...

Can you spot my girl?

Here a short video of the choir singing "Somewhere over the rainbow" ... Shhhh....  I'm not supposed to record it.

CCAs & Bento #234 (2 Sets)

In the boxes: Homemade jellies, grapes and purple wheat noodle with spinach & sliced fishcake.

I have no idea what to prepare for the kids today and I forgot to ask them last night. Aiyo... So lazy mommy simply cooked purple wheat noodle for them. I will try make better bento for both of you the next time ok?

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Today is the FIRST day my kiddos stayed back together for CCA! After 3 years in primary, L decided to join Choir beginning of this year. She hasn't been able to make up her mind for the past few years, she can't decide if she wants to join table tennis, Chinese dance, Chinese Orchestra or choir. It was fine with us. What most important is that she enjoys it and able to cope with her studies as well.

Before entering primary school, Z already told us he wants to join Chess Club, back then, we didn't know it was not one of the CCAs. It was an outsource programme. He was a little disappointed it wasn't a CCA. So when he was in primary one, we told him what we have told L, take his time to decide which CCAs he wants.

To our surprise, he wants to join Chinese Orchestra (CO) so he can learn to play 二胡 ! All thanks to his cousin, BY, for letting my kids tried playing with it. What made him so happy today was the coach actually did select him to play that instrument! (The coach didn't know that Z wanted to play it.)

I was a little concern initially... I didn't expect CO practice need 3 hrs! L's choir practice only 2 hrs. I was worried that he will be too tired or dozed off during practice and L may not be able take it, having to wait for his brother for another hr. Well, my concern was uncalled for. L finished her homework while waiting and Z was full of energy after the practice. When I asked them if it was too tired for them, both said "NO! We enjoyed it!" The only complaint is that they want me to pack extra snacks for their break.

Perhaps it's a little too soon that I asked. Maybe some time later I will ask them again, see if their enthusiasm still there.

Audition - Music Talent Developement Centre

A pleasant surprise from L! Hmmm.. Coz I often 'complain' she is too noisy, singing all the time (even before she joins Choir)! Haha.. We received this letter from school yesterday to inform us that L was selected by her Choir teachers to go for the audition.

I did a check online but couldn't find any info at all. Glad that her teacher called and gave me more info about it. This is a relatively new, hence no info was found online. The school was invited to send 5 students each from Choir & Chinese Orchestra for the audition. I was curious why L was selected, since she just joined choir. Teacher explained that she was her music teacher since P3 and have heard her sings. She thinks L is good enough for the audition and it will be a good exposure for her. If she is selected, she will undergo one year training and she could use it as a DSA to enter secondary school.

Hubs & I discussed with L and think no harm going for the audition, even though she does not have any experience or proper training. We are happy that her teacher think so well of her.

Updated:
L went for the audition and she was not selected. She was very nervous and she couldn't hum one of the tune. It's ok. Throughout this time, I appreciate her teacher, Ms Chow, for the encouragement and updates. The 'good' news is that Ms Chow intend to submit her name again for next year audition! Thank you for thinking so highly of my girl.

Music & Movement Course - Z

My Rascal completed his Music & movement course in school and was given a certificate.  Well done my boy!

Z has always been very interested in music.  有可能是胎教的关系吧. I picked up piano lesson again after giving birth to L and continued even after I found out I was pregnant with Z.  I remembered I went for my piano exams when he was still in my tummy! 

Sadly, we have to stop his piano 2 times because of his arm & thumb fracture.  He may takes longer than others to go for his first piano exam, it is fine with us.  As long as he enjoys it.

Piano Music Report - Z

Z started piano lesson in May 2008 and stopped for more than a month after June holidays when he fractured his arm. When he resumes his lessons, he has to start all over again coz the fractured affected him. I didn't know they have progress report for music lessons till I received this last week from teacher.

He has been enjoying his lessons and according to the report, he seems to be doing well. I am glad I signed him up for piano which he asked for it and I am very happy with his positive learning attitude.. Sometimes when he is naughty, I threaten to cancel his lesson and he will be well behaved.

Music Report from May 2009 - March 2009
A - Excellent B - Good C - Satisfactory D - Unsatisfactory

Note Reading - B
Rhythm - B
Phrasing - B
Dynamics - B
Articulation - B
Fluency In Playing - B
Music Interpretation - B
Fingering - B
Posture - B
Music Theory - A
Music Progress - B
Learning Attitude - A

Teacher's Commentary & Advice:

Z is a very lively and expressive boy. He showed great interest towards piano playing and never fails to keep his songs' pulses accurate or performs his songs with enthusiasm. However, try to improve fingers' posture to present more delightful playing.

As for theory, Z completes his homework accurately most of the time and always look forward to new materials.

It is a joy to have piano classes with Z. Keep up your positive spirit and good work!

Treasury of completed Repertoire for the past 6 months:

Title of Piece/Book (Composer/Music Publisher)
- C Song (Nancy & Randall Faber)
- C Position Warm-up
- Yankee Doodle
- Elephant Ride
- Allegro
- Hey, hey, Look at me!
- Come See The Parade
- Russian Sailor Dance
- Rodeo

Well done my rascal! Mommy is very proud of you!