Khai hardly enjoys watching concert with me! But when it comes to his favourite video games music, music that grows up with him, he was so excited. So i think,  this time we are going to enjoy this special concert together!

Video Games Live (VGL) is a concert series created and produced by industry veterans and video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall. The concerts consist of segments of video game music performed by a live orchestra with video footage and synchronized lighting and effects, as well as several interactive segments with the audience.

This time, it shows in Kuala Lumpur with the very prestigious National Symphony Orchestra.  The performances took place at the famed Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (Plenary Hall) which sits right underneath our well known PETRONAS Twin Towers. 

It start with a costume competition! Among Snow white, Dark Vader … etc, Super Mario won the game!

1st ever created “Pong” video game & live Skype with the creator!

Interacting with the audiences – space invades & guitar hero competition!

Special Guests include Metal Gear Solid composer Norihiko Hibino from Japan who performed his hit song "Snake Eater" (from Metal Gear Solid 3) with the symphony!

A fun & entertaining experience! And also, I get to know Khai’s world even better now!….

As usual, the 1st thing we do when we wake up, is that we went on the computer, check our emails and read yahoo or MSN news! Khai was shock, and we couldn’t believe what we saw in the news – Michael Jackson, The King Of Pop is died at the age of 50!

Michael Jackson is the world’s most successful entertainer, if you check out the best-selling albums worldwide, you will be amazed! He is the only singer who sold over 100 Million copies with 1 single album!

Still remember MJ’s best dance moves?

With His stage performances and music videos, MJ popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. Most importantly, his distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

Still remember his unique Countertenor voice? Sometimes we may wonder why he acts so weirdly? Try to catch the lyrics of this video, you will understand…. A child grew up in an abusive family and throughout his life he was fighting for his career since he was just a child…

I believe generation after generation, people will still remember the legacy of The irreplaceable Michael Jackson, The King of Pop.

The tribute to MJ – Khai, Ladan and I are drinking The famous Malaysia drinks – Michael Jackson, and talk about his great songs and music videos !

Last Saturday & Sunday our choir organized a Bach Cantata music Camp.

I remember 7 years back, I was a free thinker at the time and know nothing about Christianity. But as a music student, we always study that classical music has a very strong influence on religion at that time. So it really makes me wonder and curious about the Christianity.

One day, 1 of my colleague in Kindergarten invited me to her church, and I accepted her invitation right on the spot due to my curiosity. And from that time onwards, I got to know more about Christianity and I got Baptised 3 years later.

The hymns that we were singing in the church were written by great composers in few hundred years ago. The lyrics of the hymns are profound and meaningful, and the melody and the music arrangement is also effect by the character of the periods of the composer. But sad to say that, nowadays, people tend to forget to use all these beautiful music to praise our Lord.

I agree that times have change, the trend of music has also changed. So pop friendly music is widely use in most of the churches now. Most of them are nicely written and people easily relate with the songs. But when the pop music couture become too extreme, the people might not be aware that, they indulge in the music and enjoy the feeling that bought by the great band….. It makes me wonder , it is what GOD wants to hear??? I think it is a good question to ask ourselves!

Back to the Cantata! So what is Cantata about?

Just like many others musical form, Cantata was evolved many times in history.

Basically, it is from the Italian cantare, meaning a piece “to be sung”. The term “cantata” did not exist prior to the 17th century, when all “cultured” music was vocal. With the rise of instrumental music in the 17th century the term emerged as the instrumental  art. It is a work for solo vocalists, chorus, and instrumentalist based on lyrical or dramatic poem. Generally, it is short, consisting of several movements: recitatives, arias and ensemble numbers. In late 17th century, it meant for a performance before a small  discriminating audience in a room without stage, scenery, or costumes.

Many music students know Bach AKA “The Father of Music”, but he is also a Musician who loves GOD very much. Many times before he starts his composition, he would write down “J.J” , stand for Jesu Juva, meaning – Help me, Jesus. And also, after he finished his composition, written down “S.D.G”, stand for Solo Deo Gloria, meaning- Give the glory alone to the GOD.

The 2 cantata that perform after the camp were BWV 78 Jesu, der du meine seele & BWV 140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme.

It was a great perform that our choir had been preparing for a year. From the response of the audience, I can feel that it was really touching their hearts. 

NO.4 of BWV 140 Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme is a Tenor Aria. The video below is the original version of the piece.

But the melody of the accompaniment was so beautiful, and it has been used by many other instruments to perform as a solo piece.

The beauty of the classical music is – the more that you listen, the more you cannot get enough of it!

30 July, all of us received the news about our respected Teacher, Mr. Tan Hui Chong (陈徽崇老师) had left us.

This is not only a  greatest lost to our south Malaysia and also to the whole country.

I know Teacher Tan in high school (Foon Yew High School, JB). He is our school choir founder, and we sang many of his composition.

Teacher Tan is well-known musician, his life dedicated to music, cultural heritage, the local contribution to the development of music. He is also music composer of modern poetry, 24 seasonal drum original founder and Johor Dean of the School of Music and Art. Teacher Tan expediting 8 big performance associations in the school in his early years. He and his cultural friend Mr. Chen Zaifan established the first 24 seasonal drum team in the world in 1988 . In this, he was running the country teach the dark arts, not only to seasonal spread of the drum, also spread to Singapore, Taiwan and China and other places.

All the great thing he did as above, will always remember by all of us. But to me, personally I thanks him very much.

I remember when I just graduated from high school, I know I want to follow my passion and going to music line, so I started looking for University to further my music study. I set my goal to go to State, so I started to work and save money before I earn enough to pay the school fees. One day, I received a call from Teacher Tan, he told me about  1 of the choirs that he teaches urgently needed a pianist to play for them weekly, he was asking me whether I interested for this job. That time I haven’t got my car licence, no car to drive to that practice venue to work, so I told him about my problem. Few more days later, he managed to get a choir member to fetch me every week, and I started playing for them with a good salary. If I not mistaken, I serve in that choir for almost 3 years.

That was a great experience to me. The choir had been to many places to perform, I really learn a lot from them. All this, Thanks to Teacher Tan.

And I will never forget all the songs written by Teacher Tan. Especially this song -” The road to southern”  coz i have this honor to arrange the piano accompaniment for this song in Teacher Tan’s composition CD. It means a lot to me. All his composition will always sing by the art song performances and competitions. People will always remember all of them…… His music will forever play on in our hearts!

To Teacher Tan : Thanks for all the great things you did for Malaysian Chinese, coz you set the good example for us to follow. As a teacher myself now, you motivate me to push myself to be the best that I could.

Yesterday night, Pa, Ma, Khai and me went for the first science fiction pop musical of Malaysia, which is sponsor by Honda at the Plenary Hall KLCC.

The story:

The year is 2035, and the accidental release of an electromagnetic charge from the earth’s core has wiped out everyone’s memory instantaneously.
The only survivor of this catastrophic accident is Moon, who decides it is her destiny to return to people their past, through the collection of evidence.
But then Moon’s right hand man, Kingsley, decides to form a New World by implanting new memories into people. He figures memories are unwanted baggage – so why inject years of misery, heartbreaks and disappointments into life when we can choose to start anew?

This is how I feel…….

The moral of the story– There is no perfect world or perfect life, is what you make out of it that counts. Most of the songs in the show based on familiar song and the actresses have great voices. Capoeira dance is widely use in the show. The props and costume is kind of boring, maybe is because low budget, but still acceptable. It is really a rojak show, mix all Malaysian dialect in the show, and most of the funny thing using Cantonese, I bet 50% of the audience don’t understand the jokes. But still, it is a good try! keep it up, Malaysian!

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Exam came to Malaysia. Normally the exam will last 6-7 days in the month of April or May in Malaysia. My duty as a pianist is to play the dance music for their  exam.

Just like the ABSRM exam for musical instrument, RAD has an world wide reputation for ballet training excellence. This Graded Examinations are for students in Pre-Primary, Primary, and Grade 1 through Grade 8 classes.

4 dancers in a group.

Differentiate them by the color- pink, blue, white, yellow.

Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles.  In order to become truly proficient in dance, ballet training is a must.  For dancers that want to be serious about their dance technique the RAD exam program is the best fit. Dancers involved in the RAD program are able to develop confidence, discipline and a sense of achievement.  Ballet technique for exam classes are taught by certified RAD teachers, working towards preparing dancers for the successful exam process.

The exams are conducted by RAD Examiners who travel internationally to RAD schools and provide an objective evaluation of each student’s progress. Students must be made to realize that from the moment they enter the examination room, to the time they leave, they are “on stage” and must act accordingly.

Benefits of Ballet

• It improves posture, coordination, rhythm, and memory.
• Promotes fitness and cardiovascular exercise and strengthens back and abdominal muscles. Develops strong and flexible bodies, sculpts your body and tones your muscles without bulking and a knowledge of the correct way to exercise.
• Teaches healthy respect for ones body and mind, helps channel energy constructively.
• Develops poise, creative and artistic expression, grace, and the ability to perform easily in front of others.
• Performing teaches organization, timing, focus and responsibility. As well as how to work with others and learn non-verbal communication.
• Teaches musical appreciation and helps encourage an appreciation for classical music.
• Develops a knowledge and appreciation of the great ballets and famous dancers.
• Possibility of obtaining a scholarship in dance to a university or becoming a paid professional in one of this nations many professional dance companies.
• But most importantly is highly enjoyable and fun!

Yesterday night, Khai, Me, Song, SongJie & ChongShiang went for this musical – Jewel of Tibet, in Istana Budaya.

This is a musical extravaganza about the story of Princess Wen Cheng’s journey from China to Tibet more than a thousand years ago to marry King Songsten Gampo. Crossing deserts, hailstorms, and snow-capped mountains, she brought the peaceful teachings of Buddhism to Tibet. With her gentleness, wisdom and compassion, she captured the hearts of many in the land of snows. And she has left behind her legacy in the world famous Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Jewel of Tibet, a tribute to Princess Wen Chang, comprises of 150 minutes of original music, dance, and stage extravaganza. It is a spectacular million Ringgit creation by Musical On Stage Productions, the same creative team behind the internationally acclaimed Siddhartha The Musical and Above Full Moon The Musical, which includes director Ho Lin Huay and composer Imee Ooi and stars a talented cast from the pop music, classical music and dance scenes.

From the majestic Tang Dynasty to the vast mystical land of Tibet, Jewel of Tibet artistically depicts a historical epic with enchanting music and songs, intricate dance movements, spectacular scene change, backdrops and props, and over 200 sets of newly designed colorful ethnic costumes from traditional Tang Dynasty and Tibet.

Last Sunday, Song and I went to KL to support our high school mates for the National Classical Singing Competition.

The Competition was divided into 5 small competitions in 5 regions which is south Malaysia, central Malaysia, north Malaysia, Sarawak & Sabah. From 5 of these regions, they only chose the top 4 winners to the Final Competition. After the semi final, our friend, CaiXia & ZhiLong make it to the Grand Final for this Competition. When the host announced that they won the 2nd place and 3rd place in the whole competition, we were so happy for them, and so proud of them.

(from left) Song, CaiXia, ZhiLong & Yuenn

That is not all, our music school vocal teacher- Rachael, also get the outstanding award in this competition. Albert and I were really enjoying her performance that day.

Have you watched the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks”?

Although the critics didn’t have a good comment about it, but come on, it just a kid show, don’t be too hard! I still feel it’s a family appropriate movie!

I am addicted to chipmunks. And keep pestering Khai to buy me a singing chipmunks! Guess what?  I got 1!  Heehee!